D&D (2024) Early access to 2024 books in DnDBeyond is tied to subscription tier.

[DarkCrisis]

I am not going to "bat" for WOTC. They currently make a product I enjoy and use. The current hate on this feature is a bit unreasonable in my opinion. If they start adding VTT an increasing it to 10-15 per month etc, then I will not use it. If they take away player sharing, I will not use it. I am not going to get mad about early access. I doubt that this will affect many people unless they are patiently awaiting to immediately make new characters or start new campaigns.

During 4e, WOTC did not receive a dime from me for what I considered a garbage product.

WOTC is not my friend. I do not need them or their product. I enjoy it right now because I love D&D but I can happily move on again at any time.

They often get very justified hate and valid criticisms. I do not think this is one of the times they deserve it.

Early Access isn't bad. It's that they took something that was before given out freely (sort of) and now put behind a paywall. It's simple greed either way you spin it.

 

[MonsterEnvy]

I was going by what Belen said.

He said it was 4:58, you corrected him to a really high price.

 

[DarkCrisis]

He said it was 4:58, you corrected him to a really high price.

It's pay upfront $55 for a whole year which equals to $4.58 a month. Actual per month is $6 or something.

 

[Belen]

One time payment of 55 what do you mean?

It is 54.99 for annual subscription (equates to $4.58/month) or you can choose to pay $5.99/month for a monthly master sub.

Usually, only 1 person in a group needs the master sub.

If you want everything though, you are shelling out an additional 200 or more per year to buy the content; however, it is a hobby and only about 20% of the customer base even buys the content outside of the core books.

 

[MonsterEnvy]

Early Access isn't bad. It's that they took something that was before given out freely (sort of) and now put behind a paywall. It's simple greed either way you spin it.

It was already behind a paywall. A steep one for a Canadian like myself, I would have to pay around $100 to get a Physical/Digital Bundle between the taxes and customs payment for a book and early access.

It’s now far cheaper and easier for me to get early access. You don’t even need to go through Beyond now for Early Access as Stores are getting the physical books two weeks early again.

 

[Belen]

Early Access isn't bad. It's that they took something that was before given out freely (sort of) and now put behind a paywall. It's simple greed either way you spin it.

Um, the previous early access was tied to buying the physical + digital bundle. They meant paying $70 for it. The new version allows you to spend $36 (digital PHB 29.99 +5.99).

That seems less greedy to me.

 

[Burnside]

Um, the previous early access was tied to buying the physical + digital bundle. They meant paying $70 for it. The new version allows you to spend $36 (digital PHB 29.99 +5.99).

That seems less greedy to me.

Also less predatory towards FLGSes.

 

[Nikosandros]

The print bundle is also not available in the EU Store. If you add all the books separately it does not count as a bundle. You don't get a discount nor the digital extras.

OK, apparently EU/UK customer are supposed to buy the three print/digital bundles and then they'll get the pre-order perks. They really should spell than in the web store page, I think.

 

[Zaukrie]

Also less predatory towards FLGSes.

This.

 

[Belen]

Also less predatory towards FLGSes.

Agreed. Although you are still incentivized to buy the bundle because it is cheaper if you want both physical and digital.

I think it is more consumer friendly and better for stores that get an exclusive cover and early access to the physical books.