WotC D&D Digital Library

[Nikosandros]

One piece of news from today's flurry of new information, is that there is now a D&D Digital Library, which anyone can access by having an account at WotC's site. So far, there is one free PDF available (Monstrous Compendium - Volume One: Spelljammer Creatures). A Spelljammer adventure will be available in July. The MC is also available from Beyond, but not (at least so far) from DM's Guild.

What do you think are WotC's future plans for the digital library? Just free support material or will we also see items for sale? Is WotC moving away (at least a bit) from DM's Guild?

 

[Waller]

I didn't even know you coud have an account at WotC's site. I had a forum account once, is it that?

 

[GMforPowergamers]

I didn't even know you coud have an account at WotC's site. I had a forum account once, is it that?

no you will need to make a new one

 

[Jer]

I was wondering what this meant for DM's Guild. I doubt that Wizards wants to run their own PDF store, but I'm wondering what this all means for their longer term plans.

 

[Morrus]

I was wondering what this meant for DM's Guild.

Like you say, I can't see WotC wanting to run a PDF store. So... probably nothing?

These seem designed to drive account creation, which ties into their general digital plans, DDB, a VTT, etc. but likely not DMsG.

 

[Alby87]

"Web Enhancements" for physical books? Maybe a code will be included to have a complimentary copy/discount on D&D Beyond (depends on WotC strategy), and here you can reedem more monsters, more rules or more adventures.

For example, think about the "Domains of delight" for Witchlight, it could have been distribuited here "for free" for book owners or by paying in DMsGuild for non book owners.

Just my cents.

 

[darjr]

They have given away a ton of things. Early on in the pandemic they had a long campaign of giving away “stay at home, play at home” PDFs. Including both the starter set and essentials at different points. Later they posted a discussion about it and it was a huge success.
This is kinda that extended and more formalized.

 

[humble minion]

"Web Enhancements" for physical books? Maybe a code will be included to have a complimentary copy/discount on D&D Beyond (depends on WotC strategy), and here you can reedem more monsters, more rules or more adventures.

Web Enhancements were a big deal back in .... the 3e era I guess? Which was when the web itself was becoming a major thing. You'd get some legit useful content that couldn't fit in the printed book because of space. The Mahasarpa setting (an enhancement to Oriental Adventures 3e) was one that springs to mind, and several books had short associated adventures etc published free online too.

This is a great think imho if WotC is serious about actually using it to distribute bonus content without charging, and isn't just going to give a couple of free hits before starting up with some paid subscription model. I've been critical of several of the recent WotC releases for omitting important material, this would be a way to actually get some of it out there.

 

[Oofta]

I was assuming it was just talking about integration with DndBeyond, perhaps with slightly different formatting. You can currently buy just monsters from mods in DDB.

 

[eyeheartawk]

Me: So you own D&D Beyond directly now?
Wizards: Yes.
Me: And you also have a way to give out free PDFs from your own website now as well?
Wizards: Yes.
Me: So then, we'll get automatic electronic copies with our physical books now finally?
Wizards: Haha, no.