Status of D&D Game Table?

[Ogrork the Mighty]

If I'm a business (WotC) that has failed repeatedly in one area (digital initiatives) then I make dang sure when I next foray into such areas (DDI) I do it damned well (simultaneous release with the new edition of D&D) to comfort those folks who think I perpetually suck at such digital endeavors (e.g., Wisdom Penalty).

Over the years I've gotten the impression that the people at WotC may be great fantasy game designers (i.e., creative people) but when it comes to business acumen, well, that's a whole 'nother story. I mean, all the missed deadlines? It's just sad that the mediocrity is put up with.

The video launch of 4E was downright laughable in its presentation. Reminded me of a (painfully bad) presentation we put together in high school.

 

[DevoutlyApathetic]

Given the prevalence of viable cross-platform virtual tabletop applications, I wonder why WotC even bothers to compete in this arena. Instead, they should throw their support behind a handful of the more successful such as maptools.

I'm still confused why they didn't simply pile money in front of Maptools and then reskin and touch up the UI. That all could easily be done by now.

 

[w_earle_wheeler]

Right now, WotC doesn't seem to have the resources to put into developing a game table with virtual 3-D customizable minis, 2-D terrain or any kind of minor rules implementation (such as light radius).

They seem to be in an even worse state in this regard than they were when the DDI was announced.

In my wildest dreams, a company like Blizzard would develop a virtual game table for Microsoft Surface... something you could actually use at a social gathering with people in the same space, but also with capabilities for online play.

 

[Festivus]

Given the prevalence of viable cross-platform virtual tabletop applications, I wonder why WotC even bothers to compete in this arena. Instead, they should throw their support behind a handful of the more successful such as maptools.

Amen. Maptools with all the macro powers behind it are really nice. We recently switched to it over Fantasy Grounds and find it a much better fit for 4e.

 

[Glyfair]

Whether you are optimistic or pessimistic about the chances of that probably depend largely on how much stock you put into WotC's past failures with digital products.

Honestly, besides hitting our expected deadlines, I think WotC has done a fine job with the DDI subprojects. The early mihor "bonus tools" were fine for what they were. The DDI Compendium went from limited usefulness to being possibly the best D&D online tool ever. The character generator exceeded almost everyone's expectations.

Will WotC hit the mark with the game table? Time will tell (and probably more time than the average online D&D player wants to wait). However, if you go by the DDI track record, we will likely be pleasantly surprised. If they revert to old form....well, it might only be used because people will subscribe for the other DDI tools (Dungeon, Dragon, Compendium, CharGen program).

Right now, WotC doesn't seem to have the resources to put into developing a game table with virtual 3-D customizable minis, 2-D terrain or any kind of minor rules implementation (such as light radius).

Excuse me if I missed this before, but since you seem to know, how many people does WotC have working on DDI now?

 

[barrowwight]

Excuse me if I missed this before, but since you seem to know, how many people does WotC have working on DDI now?

I think I read that WOTC has no people working on DDI. Just one evil monkey that spends most of his time in a fat kids closet. Sad thing is, he wasn't always evil...

 

[Monkey Boy]

They should buy Fantasy Grounds 2 or one of the other better virtual tabletops out there. They would save time and money that would be wasted on developing their own platform.

I think there is a demand for the virtual tabletop. I'd suscribe for it.

There is money just lying on the table all they have to do is take it.

 

[Monkey Boy]

Honestly, besides hitting our expected deadlines, I think WotC has done a fine job with the DDI subprojects.

They missed every deadline, including the most important one, launch. Then they sacked a bunch of people pulling resources from the project. That's how it looks to me.

I don't need a compendium, I have the books. I don't need a character generator, I write up my own characters, it isn't hard. I desperately want a virtual tabletop. It will allow me to get the band back together and game with friends overseas and interstate. A Virtual tabletop would see me playing 4e. The other tools, while nice, don't let me play with friends.

Virtual tabletop > DDI tools.

 

[Glyfair]

They missed every deadline, including the most important one, launch.

Yup, that's a big flaw. One that's pretty typical of electronic products though (especially from companies that don't focus on them).

Then they sacked a bunch of people pulling resources from the project.

Comments I read seem to have indicated that most of the people released were not working on DDI. Most were working on Gleemax and the Facebook project. Correct me if there are statements to the contrary from sources with WotC contacts.

I don't need a compendium, I have the books.

Perhaps you don't need it. I find it incredibly useful.

I am not buying all the books (already plan on missing the Draconomicon for quite a while). Even if I were, it's much easier referenced (especially when I need a monster for an encounter). Plus, it has things that are in RPGA adventures (especially monsters).

I don't need a character generator, I write up my own characters, it isn't hard.

My hand writing is horrible, so I definitely get lots of use out of a character generator. I also find my players who handwrite their power notes tend to miss huge bits that have them digging out books and wasting time looking things up instead of having them handy.

I desperately want a virtual tabletop. It will allow me to get the band back together and game with friends overseas and interstate. A Virtual tabletop would see me playing 4e. The other tools, while nice, don't let me play with friends.

Eventually you will get it (I would bet by the end of the year).

Even if you don't, why aren't you using the many 3rd party table tops? It's not like the 4E rules are even going to be referenced in the virtual table top. We know for a fact they won't. Since you seem to have no interest in the other DDI bits, why bother to subscribe when you can get what you want elsewhere?

 

[Asmor]

I don't need a compendium, I have the books.

I've got the books. I've got the PDFs. I've got my own databases. Books are good for the table or reading away from the computer, PDFs are good for reading at the computer, and the compendium's good for just looking something up, not to mention the fact that it basically gives every DDI subscriber complete access to all the crunch they release without spending an extra dime.

I don't need a character generator, I write up my own characters, it isn't hard.

Having helped all but one of my players make 10th and 11th level characters, I can not wait until I can just guide them through the character creator.

I desperately want a virtual tabletop. It will allow me to get the band back together and game with friends overseas and interstate. A Virtual tabletop would see me playing 4e. The other tools, while nice, don't let me play with friends.

You can already do that. For free. Skype + virtual tabletop of your choice (Maptools and GameTable are popular free ones; Fantasy Grounds is a popular non-free one).

Personally, I'm looking forward to the virtual tabletop because of the community that I'm expecting to spring up around it.