D&D 5E So Now We Are Paying for Early Access?

[Sorcerers Apprentice]

You're paying for early access. I'm not.

 

[cbwjm]

I found out yesterday about the Wayfinders Guide to Eberron and found out that it is going to be updated over the playtest presumably through UA.

While not a massive fan of the magitech genre the 3E ECS changed my mind. However the WGtE is a "living" document which means it will be updated. Which is fine in theory but in effect it seems like they are monetiszing playtest material (with pretty art) or in effect you are paying for early access.

Think about it "playtest this for us and give us your feedback" all for the low low price of $19.99.

IDK what tothink here, really not a fan of the concept of paying for playtest material. yes I know I don't have to buy it but the idea not such a fan of. I don't pay for early access on video games either.

Unlike a lot of games in steam or random Kickstarter books, I trust that this will actually be finished. You also don't have to buy it to test out some of the options. Race options are available in UA and other options may be available later.

Having this up now also means that it is available to create DMsGuild content with some guidelines to how the official options are going to look. I think this is a great idea.

 

[Zardnaar]

Unlike a lot of games in steam or random Kickstarter books, I trust that this will actually be finished. You also don't have to buy it to test out some of the options. Race options are available in UA and other options may be available later.

Having this up now also means that it is available to create DMsGuild content with some guidelines to how the official options are going to look. I think this is a great idea.

As I said I know its not a scam and expect it to be finished as well. Conceptually I don't like paying for early access hell I don't think I have pre ordered anything. Seen to many people jump on hype trains (usually for video games) and then they get let down when promises don't live up to hype and they are disappointed or the game actually sucks.

 

[cbwjm]

As I said I know its not a scam and expect it to be finished as well. Conceptually I don't like paying for early access hell I don't think I have pre ordered anything. Seen to many people jump on hype trains (usually for video games) and then they get let down when promises don't live up to hype and they are disappointed or the game actually sucks.

I never said the early access steam games or Kickstarters were scams, I expect most that fall through fully expected their product to be released but they over-promised, ran out of money and lost it all.

I have also been burned by preorders, sword if the stars 2 crashed and burned and generally turned me off preorders for most games.

 

[Sorcerers Apprentice]

Anyway, the golden rule of Early Access is to only buy if you'd be OK with the product never getting another update. Only buy if it is worth the price in it's current state, consider future updates to be a pure bonus.
The Ebberon guide seems to fit this criteria, the quality and level of content appears to be good enough that you wouldn't feel that something is missing if WotC hadn't said anything about a "living document".

 

[5ekyu]

Bought it. Like it.

I cannot read the hard print books anyway so all of my 5e products are the digital books.

So no problem paying for the final book early and getting the in-development products along the way as it happens.

Did a kickstarter buy for EsperGenesis 5e scifi and that turned out great . My campaign was about a year old before its official release at Origins.

Have two other kickstarter rpg underway.

So, I hope they keep this model thru DnD Beyond going strong.

 

[Demetrios1453]

That's been a thing in D&D since forever.

Ever since drow, kuo-toa, and svirfneblin were reprinted in the original Fiend Folio.

 

[Zardnaar]

Ever since drow, kuo-toa, and svirfneblin were reprinted in the original Fiend Folio.

Yep you could probably even find earlier examples.

 

[Schmoe]

Wasn't this weeks UA the races from the book?

Maybe! It was an honest question on my part. I haven't bought the PDF and haven't had time to read UA yet.

 

[TiwazTyrsfist]

I'm mostly annoyed that this has set a precedent for "Even first party paid content on our PDF content stream isn't AL legal".

I'm sorry, but if you are putting a first party publication out, for money, on your dedicated content portal, it had DAMN WELL better be either A> Legal for use in YOUR ORGANIZED PLAY LEAGUE, OR B> HAVE A HUGE F-ING RED LABEL THAT SAYS "NOT LEGAL FOR ADVENTURERS LEAGUE BECAUSE WE'RE DUMB AND DON'T KNOW WHAT OUR CUSTOMERS WANT" yes the entire quote, in caps. Possibly with blink tags so it flashes.

I'm just upset that I went and spent $20, and THEN found out that all the race stuff was ALSO available for free on Unearthed Arcana this month, and it's not AL legal, and despite being published in a first party book is apparently still "Playtest material".

Mrgrgrgrgr