D&D (2024) OneD&D and Beyond20

[Retreater]

They've shut down similar services in the past when they weren't providing a VTT. One of the reasons I never bought content on DND Beyond is because I couldn't trust that it would be continuously available on my online games (whether on Roll20 or Foundry VTT).

I expect that One D&D/6E/5.5/D&D Larry will go through a new app and website, and that one will be incompatible with Beyond20 - one fell swoop, you won't be able to access that content. Then a few months later they'll close the servers for the 5E D&D Beyond, and that will be gone too.

"One D&D" implies a monolithic approach to providing content, all of it through WotC. Everything is going to come from them (for example, no more PDFs through OneBookShelf unless that is acquired by Hasbro).

While there will be some books in brick and mortar stores, you're going to be encouraged to purchase them from WotC's online storefront, where you'll get the bundles with D&D Beyond Content. You can bet that Fantasy Grounds and Roll20 won't get 6E material either - because WotC wants it played on their proprietary VTT to keep you in their ecosystem (where you're going to be less likely to be exposed to other systems such as Pathfinder, Call of Cthulhu, etc.)

 

[HippyCraig]

I image your hypothisis will come true but I know they invested a lot in DM's Guild and there looking to bridge content with OBS and Roll20 so those contracts are in place. It could get backlash as people really love using DMS Guild and thats been really sucssesful for them and they dont want to deal with Print on Demand. Those might play into desions but this is all just speculation, I like having the DDB content, I have a few of the physical books but most of them are on DDB now, its cheaper and instant, and I have it all on my iPad for easy review. Im in a small home so space is a premium.

I dont think there going to stur up there main supports too much its kind of a lot for them to rebrand with that stupid and hopefull beta name One DND. I have seen so many companies to try to pull that off and fail. Look at Microsoft, Win 10 was going to be the last ever purchase and stay at that name for clearity but that didint happen and now we have Win 11 which is still beta and not a full fleadged OS.

Opps went off on a tear there LOL, Im hoping they keep lisitng to us with there questionairs and feedback they see on social media its made them succesfull since they released 5e

 

[Retreater]

I have seen so many companies to try to pull that off and fail. Look at Microsoft, Win 10 was going to be the last ever purchase and stay at that name for clearity but that didint happen and now we have Win 11 which is still beta and not a full fleadged OS.

Let's consider some of the past changes and missteps taken by D&D (under current ownership) ...

1. 3.5 releasing two years after 3.0
2. The OGL creating D&D's biggest competitor in the fantasy RPG industry
3. The push to create a miniatures battle game to replace 3.5
4. The release of 4E 5 years after 3.5
5. The failed 4E VTT that never happened
6. The 4E tools being based on Silverlight
7. Gleemax - the social media that never happened
8. The subscription to 4E being pulled and all of us losing our content
9. The release of Essentials 2 years after 4e
10. The release of 5e 4 years after Essentials

If we're talking about names, let's consider that "Dungeons & Dragons 5e" isn't even the fifth edition of "Dungeons & Dragons."
The proper name should be Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition - since it's based off the 1977 Gary Gygax version of the game, not the B/X system with race as class, individual boxed sets broken up by level. The concept of hardcover PHB, DMG, and MM are from AD&D.

 

[UngainlyTitan]

I wonder how their acquisition of Beyond and digital plans will affect things like Beyond 20, a web browser extension that let you use D&D Beyond with Roll20?

I do not know much about Beyond20 other than it exists but as long as it does not expose Wizards IP to people that have not paid for it, it should be ok. If it does it will be shut downs.

 

[HippyCraig]

Let's consider some of the past changes and missteps taken by D&D (under current ownership) ...

1. 3.5 releasing two years after 3.0
2. The OGL creating D&D's biggest competitor in the fantasy RPG industry
3. The push to create a miniatures battle game to replace 3.5
4. The release of 4E 5 years after 3.5
5. The failed 4E VTT that never happened
6. The 4E tools being based on Silverlight
7. Gleemax - the social media that never happened
8. The subscription to 4E being pulled and all of us losing our content
9. The release of Essentials 2 years after 4e
10. The release of 5e 4 years after Essentials

If we're talking about names, let's consider that "Dungeons & Dragons 5e" isn't even the fifth edition of "Dungeons & Dragons."
The proper name should be Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition - since it's based off the 1977 Gary Gygax version of the game, not the B/X system with race as class, individual boxed sets broken up by level. The concept of hardcover PHB, DMG, and MM are from AD&D.

All good points, besides Gleemax there was another online tool set they tried to get some other company that fell through as well. I forgot the name of it but it didnt get very far before they dropped it.

 

[LordEntrails]

I've always felt Beyond20 was unethical and for that reason felt it should be shut down.

But, I really don't like the idea of all official D&D digital content only being available via WotC platforms. And blocking the Beyond20 (or other) integrations to DDB or such would only hurt other VTTs. Which I think would hurt the overall RPG market.

So, even though I have ethical problems with Beyond20, I hope it does not get blocked as WotC furthers their digital One D&D strategy.

 

[HippyCraig]

I've always felt Beyond20 was unethical and for that reason felt it should be shut down.

But, I really don't like the idea of all official D&D digital content only being available via WotC platforms. And blocking the Beyond20 (or other) integrations to DDB or such would only hurt other VTTs. Which I think would hurt the overall RPG market.

So, even though I have ethical problems with Beyond20, I hope it does not get blocked as WotC furthers their digital One D&D strategy.

Just out of curiousity what are the ethicial issues you are talking about. It only access the things that you purchased its not giving access to everthing mostly just dice rolls

 

[LordEntrails]

Just out of curiousity what are the ethicial issues you are talking about. It only access the things that you purchased its not giving access to everthing mostly just dice rolls

Sorry, not going to go into it. Whatever my reply, people would go off on it. It has been discussed plenty on these forums in other threads. My thoughts are not unique on this subject.

 

[HippyCraig]

Sorry, not going to go into it. Whatever my reply, people would go off on it. It has been discussed plenty on these forums in other threads. My thoughts are not unique on this subject.

ok cool