D&D 5E How Much Would You Pay for Digital Access?

[Nivenus]

But you'd pay a monthly fee? That doesn't make sense. In the long run a monthly fee is way more expensive.

That depends doesn't it? If you spend $60 for an electronic service annually, that nets you the mechanical content of PHB, MM, and DMG for a much lower price than their current list price (even when taking into account the slashed prices a lot of vendors are selling them at), as well as any other books that come out within a year of their release. On the other hand, if you pay $30 for a print copy (Amazon's current "40% save" off of $50) and then pay $20 for an electronic copy (5th edition adventures are selling at Dndclassics.com for about that) then you've saved no more money than you would if you'd bought a full-priced version of the print book (and considerably more if you bought a full-priced version to begin with) and you still have to pay for any other books that come out (so you still spend $60 for the core three, but any additional content costs you extra in the second system). Besides which, I think it's fair to say that most customers of DungeonScape will already own the core books by the time it launches.

Maybe it's because I'm coming from the perspective of someone who used D&D Insider a lot during 4e, but the main reason for en electronic toolset to me has never primarily been to replace the print books. I mean, that's certainly part of it, especially once the edition gains a lot of steam, but its main purpose for me was always its availability as an easily searchable and easily applicable database of information for the purpose of building characters and encounters.

I'm sure there's a way to make it work so don't take this as my foreswearing the service, but the pricing arrangement as I'm given to understand it at the moment does give me pause.

 

[DaveMage]

If I went the 5E route, it would be because I didn't want to have to buy digital tools, so I'd only use them if they were free.

 

[Uder]

If they charge a one-time price, I'd pay between 1/4 and 1/3 of the physical price. If they go with a subscription model of any kind, I'll pay zip zero nada. So if there's a monthly fee plus one-time purchases to add books to an account? Still no sale.

 

[aramis erak]

If WotC begins charging for Digital Access to books (either PDFs or as an in-app purchase for DungeonScape) how much would you be willing to pay for full access to a single book?
(This would be the one time fee to own the digital product, and not the per annum subscription cost. )

Trying to do some market research.
I'm mostly just curious, but if the results are interesting I might end up doing a blog.

PDF: $15
App-specific files: $5

Subscription: $0.

 

[was]

PDF: $10 max
App Files: no opinion..don't really use them
Subscription: Never again

 

[DM Howard]

I'd be willing to pay $30 for a book that is normally $60 in hardback form. I would have to see the need though, and certainly wouldn't pay for the access just for the off chance that I'd use it.

 

[Rygar]

I might glance at them if they're free, I certainly wouldn't pay for them. I find E-books to be too problematic in comparison to books.

 

[Rygar]

One time fee per book. That's what it sounds like they're doing with DungeonScape. No subscription, you just pay and own the content you want.

Do you own the content? Or do you "own" the content? Is Dungeonscape one of those deals where you pay for the books and they reserve the right to ban you or shut down the service at any time?

 

[Sailor Moon]

I will never "rent" content ever again.

 

[Nikmal]

I will pay a one time fee for the app. 30-40 dollars. Then I will pay for add-ons such as a set of books. 5 bucks for 3-4 splat books (just the crunch not the actual PDF's, unless WotC is not selling PDF's.) If WotC is not selling PDF's then I would pay up to 5-8 bucks for a PDF splat book and 15-25 dollars for a core rule book. I will NOT do a subscription again where I am renting the material like I was with DDI. I am so sick and tired of the rental based fees and will not do it again.