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

[TheSword]

If I get access to a good VTT and the rules system within a subscription and if I’m asked to pay a couple of dollars for tokens or artwork that I can select from a library as needed by my campaign then I will be happy - because Im already doing that now willingly.

If I can get the artwork and tokens (3d or otherwise) included in the subscription I’ll be even happier.

If WotC want top marks they can have a free version of the VTT with Creative Commons stuff on it and let me keep any rules, tokens and artwork realized during my subscription.

Nothing, and I mean nothing, I’ve seen WotC do has given me any cause think they will stop producing books, force VTT play or introduce random loot boxes. It’s scaremongering pure and simple.

 

[MGibster]

So, again, you're implying malice i.e. 'publishers added a bunch of microtransaction nonsense to Dead Space 3'. Are you saying that a desire for a company to be profitable is somehow reprehensible? It might be if there was harm being done to someone in the process. What's the harm being done here?

I've entertained this line of inquiry as far as I care to.

 

[Ulorian - Agent of Chaos]

I've entertained this line of inquiry as far as I care to.

That's fine. In future, though, if you are not prepared to back up a statement you make... I'd suggest not making it in the first place.

 

[doctorbadwolf]

I can see them wanting to de-emphasize it over time. I think they know a hard stop to physical tabletop products would be a deal killer and cause outrage similar to the one they just experienced with the OGL, but I could see a long-term business strategy to slowly push players more to online offerings over physical ones.

I genuinely can't see that ever happening, unless the entire industry starts leaning hard that way.

Partly because what they're going to find, IMO, is that more people will use digital products for their games if they compliment the physical tabletop game, than if they try to replace it.

But also because the people who swing the mood of the industry are 3pp and online personalities, and those folks are more prone to be critical of changes that wizards makes.

They're working to drive their customers to being dependent on WotC's online tools whether it's the VTT, D&D Beyond, or some other APP. And the more reliant their customers are on these online tools, the more influence WotC will have on how the game is played, which, in turn, will help them market the heck out of us and get those recurrent spending dollars.

Not really. They're working to make those tools more attractive, sure. But...I can't think of a single thing they've done that could be argued to push the needle a hair's width toward reliance on digital tools of any kind, in the last 12 years.

 

[MGibster]

Not really. They're working to make those tools more attractive, sure. But...I can't think of a single thing they've done that could be argued to push the needle a hair's width toward reliance on digital tools of any kind, in the last 12 years.

You mean those 12 years before they talked to their shareholders about monetizing their players in a manner that was suspiciously similar to the language used by video game companies like Electronic Arts? I get it, I'm the odd man out here. If you guys don't think there's anything worry about, well, I don't share your optimism but I hope you're right.

 

[Jer]

You mean those 12 years before they talked to their shareholders about monetizing their players in a manner that was suspiciously similar to the language used by video game companies like Electronic Arts? I get it, I'm the odd man out here. If you guys don't think there's anything worry about, well, I don't share your optimism but I hope you're right.

Thinking they'll try to do something dumb is different than thinking they'll succeed at it.

Do I think they'll try to use video game monetiziation techniques to get money from players through their VTT? Probably - they're video game people and if your only tool is a hammer every way of making money looks like a nail. Do I think it'll work? Oh no - absolutely not. I think the impact on the hobby as a whole will be negligible, though if they do a good job with the software and linking it together with D&D Beyond their 3d VTT might make them money despite themselves. D&D is one of those games that has always had success despite the company producing it rather than because of it.

 

[Bacon Bits]

I guess I'm confused.

Microtransactions are already here.

 

[Clint_L]

D&D is one of those games that has always had success despite the company producing it rather than because of it.

Quoted for truth.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

That's fine.

Mod Note:

You could have- and should have- stopped here. If & when so is opting to disengage from a discussion, let them. A parting shot does nothing but degrade the quality of the conversation.

 

[Scars Unseen]

I kind of think WotC could do well by making a Patreon-esque counterpart to DM's Guild. Let authors run accounts where they can put out their own UA-ish releases, small mini-adventures, etc, and artists can do the same for their own releases, all with WotC taking a small cut like Patreon does. Maybe even allow for fiction within official settings (or original, obviously). Not only would it lean into the renewed open stance they got forced into, it would do so in a way that generates income, creates a concentrated community of writers and artists that can network with each other, potentially to the ends of creating full fledged products to put on DM's Guild, bringing even more money in for WotC.

It would also give WotC the benefit of having direct access to data on the kind of content and creators that are getting attention, helping them guide their own product lines and potentially finding new talent to recruit in the future.