D&D Beyond Cancellations Changed WotCs Plans

Gizmodo has revealed that the partial OGL v1.1 walkback yesterday was in response to the fan campaign to cancel D&D Beyond subscriptions, with "five digits" worth of cancellations. However, the site also reveals that management at the company believed that fans were overreating and that it would all be forgotten in a few months.

In order to delete a D&D Beyond account entirely, users are funneled into a support system that asks them to submit tickets to be handled by customer service: Sources from inside Wizards of the Coast confirm that earlier this week there were “five digits” worth of complaining tickets in the system. Both moderation and internal management of the issues have been “a mess,” they said, partially due to the fact that WotC has recently downsized the D&D Beyond support team.

Yesterday's walkback removed the royalties from the license, but still 'de-authorized' the OGL v1.0a, something which may or may not be legally possible, depending on who you ask.

Cancelled D&D Beyond Subscriptions Forced Hasbro's Hand

Swift consumer action prompted Dungeons & Dragons publisher Wizards of the Coast to to scrap licensing updates. The players aren't done yet.

gizmodo.com

 

[heptat]

So how many people are cancelling their DDB subscription vs. completely deleting their account (whether or not they actually have a subscription)?

 

[Micah Sweet]

It’s Demogorgon, the mind flayer, nerds rolling dice at a table and a lot more.

So Stranger Things? Nerds rolling dice at a table is in no way branding, and the names they used have little resemblance to what was actually in the show.

 

[mamba]

1) That was two decades ago. I am not saying they should go back on that but a lot changes.

one thing that did not change is that perpetual and irrevocable licenses do not change

2) maybe for their RPG business. But they are thinking brand too.

and they are risking their brand here before it can properly take off. I would even be willing to find a compromise, but what they are offering so far is not worth considering. I have maintained for a while now that the 1.0a limited to print, pdf and vtt but staying perpetual and clarifying that it is irrevocable would be an acceptable middle-ground (to me). That has not changed.

3) That is never going to happen. Even if you and I want that. If I am their lawyer I would never advise that.

well, that is their problem, not mine. No 3PP lawyer can recommend signing on to the new deal when WotC can change it however they want at any time they want

 

[mamba]

I would ask you is there any middle ground you would accept that does not include perpetual and irrevocable? I am curious since that is unlikely would you accept something else?

No, no middle ground on that. I do not trust them to not change it back to 1.1 6 months down the line once they managed to kill 1.0a for good. Would you?

 

[delericho]

I just don't see that happening unfortunately. WotC clearly wants the 1.0a dead. If killing it was something they were willing to back off on they would have done so yesterday.

I agree that it's extremely unlikely.

Unfortunately, anything other than making the OGL explicit in being perpetual and irrevocable leaves it in a state where it just can't be used. So that's basically non-negotiable.

I also agree that WotC want 1.0a dead. That means that their goal is incompatible with me remaining a customer - they'll have to decide whether that's a price they're willing to pay. (And if it's just me, then they absolutely should. But they'll have to judge how many others will take a similar stance.)

 

[Micah Sweet]

I agree that it's extremely unlikely.

Unfortunately, anything other than making the OGL explicit in being perpetual and irrevocable leaves it in a state where it just can't be used. So that's basically non-negotiable.

I also agree that WotC want 1.0a dead. That means that their goal is incompatible with me remaining a customer - they'll have to decide whether that's a price they're willing to pay. (And if it's just me, then they absolutely should. But they'll have to judge how many others will take a similar stance.)

Right there with you.

 

[jerryrice4949]

So Stranger Things? Nerds rolling dice at a table is in no way branding, and the names they used have little resemblance to what was actually in the show.

I mean there is nothing I am going to say that will change your mind. Your mind is made up. I believe Hasbro sees D&D as a brand not just a game. I believe it is in a gray area but if the movie and tv show so relatively well that could shift quickly.

 

[Micah Sweet]

I mean there is nothing I am going to say that will change your mind. Your mind is made up. I believe Hasbro sees D&D as a brand not just a game. I believe it is in a gray area but if the movie and tv show so relatively well that could shift quickly.

I agree that WotC sees D&D as a brand. I just think that the only part of that brand that has any real traction is the name, "Dungeons & Dragons".

 

[mamba]

I agree that WotC sees D&D as a brand. I just think that the only part of that brand that has any real traction is the name, "Dungeons & Dragons".

I think the settings might have traction. Give me a DragonLance trilogy, something like that, but D&D by itself, no, that is meaningless

 

[Micah Sweet]

I think the settings might have traction. Give me a DragonLance trilogy, something like that, but D&D by itself, no, that is meaningless

Maybe a little, but they've been scaling back on the lore for several years now.