Wizards of the Coast launches official Dungeons & Dragons Actual Play show

liteberer · 2026-04-16T19:36:57+0100

AlViking said:
So for all the people complaining about the "walled garden" ... why does it matter? If it was a PDF you'd also have to go to some web site to purchase the product so what's the difference? A PDF might be slightly more convenient to be able to access when offline, but you can do that by downloading to the phone app if it's an issue. For something like this a physical distribution just doesn't make sense nowadays.

You don't need a DDB subscription to use DDB as a storefront.

Because on D&DB, you don't own it. You're renting space.

AlViking · 2026-04-16T19:41:43+0100

Reynard said:
Simply put, because when the service closes, your purchases evaporate.

liteberer said:
Because on D&DB, you don't own it. You're renting space.

That has little to do with walled gardens. In addition if it's really a concern use the phone app ... all the data is downloaded.

But yes, I realize there is a miniscule risk but are you really going to be using a short adventure years and years from now?

aiouh · 2026-04-16T19:43:01+0100

Is copypasting the entirety of the DDB adventure into a Word document for personal use any less owning than being given a PDF?

I just copypasted the entirety of the Baldur's Gate Gazetteer into a Word document. It took 25 seconds.

Sure, it feels like "picking favorites" for a bigger cut but hand to the good book, who really spent their day trudging through DMsguild and finding stuff that aren't already best sellers?

Chaltab · 2026-04-16T19:44:18+0100

aiouh said:
Is copypasting the entirety of the DDB adventure into a Word document for personal use any less owning than being given a PDF?

I just copypasted the entirety of the Baldur's Gate Gazetteer into a Word document. It took 25 seconds.

Sure, it feels like "picking favorites" for a bigger cut but hand to the good book, who really spent their day trudging through DMsguild and finding stuff that aren't already best sellers?

I mean maybe a few people, before it was flooded with ai slop

liteberer · 2026-04-16T19:49:47+0100

AlViking said:
That has little to do with walled gardens. In addition if it's really a concern use the phone app ... all the data is downloaded.

But yes, I realize there is a miniscule risk but are you really going to be using a short adventure years and years from now?

What do you mean, it has little do with the Walled Garden? I don't understand why your minimizing my concerns?

Philosophically, I'm opposed to not owning what I buy. Practically, I play at a table with friends and don't use D&DB.

I understand that enshittification is leading to subscription-based everything. Doesn't mean I have to participate.

Zaukrie · 2026-04-16T19:56:11+0100

Reynard said:
Simply put, because when the service closes, your purchases evaporate.

download it.

Elvish Lore · 2026-04-16T19:57:10+0100

Jasmine Bhullar is a very good DM. I'm not big into watching actual plays but I'm glad they've gotten a solid storyteller to captain the ship.

Reynard · 2026-04-16T19:57:59+0100

Zaukrie said:
download it.

In its complete garbage format? No thanks. Why doesn't WotC sell PDFs?

AlViking · 2026-04-16T20:09:35+0100

liteberer said:
What do you mean, it has little do with the Walled Garden? I don't understand why your minimizing my concerns?

Philosophically, I'm opposed to not owning what I buy. Practically, I play at a table with friends and don't use D&DB.

I understand that enshittification is leading to subscription-based everything. Doesn't mean I have to participate.

A walled garden refers to a closed platform where a single company controls access to hardware, applications, content, and user data, restricting users to a curated environment.

What you're complaining about is DRM (digital rights management). It's a separate topic and one I accept as part of how many, many products are released but I'm tired of arguing about it. You don't have to have a paid subscription to buy things on DDB.

liteberer · 2026-04-16T20:16:29+0100

AlViking said:
A walled garden refers to a closed platform where a single company controls access to hardware, applications, content, and user data, restricting users to a curated environment.

What you're complaining about is DRM (digital rights management). It's a separate topic and one I accept as part of how many, many products are released but I'm tired of arguing about it. You don't have to have a paid subscription to buy things on DDB.

Seems pedantic. It's a distinction without a difference. I can fly the skull & crossbones and get it that way, as well. I'm just not interested in getting a janky version of something that I paid for through a phone app when there are so many other TTRPG companies that are more client-focused.