D&D (2024) The Very Real Possibility and Impact of Microtransactions in One D&D

[DMrichard]

It's no secret that the future of Dungeons & Dragons is riddled with microtransactions and subscriptions. Before Wizards of the Coast and its parent company, Hasbro, officially announce what new methods of monetization shall arrive with the next edition of D&D, One D&D, I think it's best we discuss the potential and prepare ourselves for the sheer ridiculousness of microtransactions in D&D.

What will these microtransactions look like?

What will their impact be on us and the hobby?

Will we support them, or will someone else rise up to patronize this new iteration of D&D?

What are your thoughts, everyone?

 

[mamba]

I assume pretty much along the lines of Path of Exile, so 'skins' and effects. For the DM, maybe assets to build environments with,

As to impact, at this time I have no intention of using WotC's VTT, they certainly made me very opposed to that recently... even if I eventually end up using it, I would not buy any skins / effects. I do not do that in games either (and generally avoid such games to begin with. I play games I buy once)

 

[Ulorian - Agent of Chaos]

It's no secret that the future of Dungeons & Dragons is riddled with microtransactions and subscriptions.

prepare ourselves for the sheer ridiculousness of microtransactions in D&D.

Opening a thread with bias, hyperbole and histrionics is not likely to lead to a valuable discussion IMO.

 

[TaranTheWanderer]

Buying piles of extra and, often, useless books with additional rules, classes and feats was, essentially, micro transactions of the past. I never felt the need to buy extra books and I’ll never need to buy whatever they offer in the new iteration of D&D. I’m more concerned about my hobby being locked behind a subscription pay wall. I’m happy to move to a different system instead.

 

[LuisCarlos17f]

And what about to buy "crunch" as single parts? For example new classes and PC spaces, but also the "early access" of new classes with special game mechanics: (psionic powers, ki martial adepts, incarnum soulmelders, vestige pact binders..).

 

[Parmandur]

Buying piles of extra and, often, useless books with additional rules, classes and feats was, essentially, micro transactions of the past. I never felt the need to buy extra books and I’ll never need to buy whatever they offer in the new iteration of D&D. I’m more concerned about my hobby being locked behind a subscription pay wall. I’m happy to move to a different system instead.

Good point, but on that point Dragon & Dungeong subscriptions were also a thing in the past. I don't think that WotC will hard lock the game behind a pay wall, but monetizing content isn't new even if the format evolves.

 

[bloodtide]

Not like it is a new D&D thing. TSR made good money putting out small, cheap "complete" books. And WOTC followed in 3X with the idea, but sadly scaled it up.

I think a lot of the micro transactions will be on the "video game side" of computer generated spam. If your into that sort of thing. Video games have been doing it for years. Tons of people pay money to get special boots or a hat for their virtual character.

 

[MarkB]

And what about to buy "crunch" as single parts? For example new classes and PC spaces, but also the "early access" of new classes with special game mechanics: (psionic powers, ki martial adepts, incarnum soulmelders, vestige pact binders..).

That's already in play. You can buy sourcebook content piecemeal on D&D Beyond, and if you later decide to commit to the whole book the value of the items you've already purchased is deducted from the purchase price.

I wouldn't expect those options to stay that equitable indefinitely.

 

[Uni-the-Unicorn!]

I’m more concerned about my hobby being locked behind a subscription pay wall. I’m happy to move to a different system instead.

Isn’t that what buying books is!

 

[Parmandur]

That's already in play. You can buy sourcebook content piecemeal on D&D Beyond, and if you later decide to commit to the whole book the value of the items you've already purchased is deducted from the purchase price.

I wouldn't expect those options to stay that equitable indefinitely.

Well,why not, if the money is good...? The a la Carte pricing is good for those who only want a few narrow things, but the profit margins are better for WotC.