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Message: <blockquote data-quote="halfling rogue" data-source="post: 7672948" data-attributes="member: 6779182">So this is obviously a marketing tool rather than a gaming tool, but I think folks are right. Which one is it? Let's not pretend anymore that this will aid in gaming. Why not be honest about it. Other products create a 'newsletter' of sorts which basically are one giant advertisement, but I think the issue here with Dragon is 1) an expectation based on the previous magazine and 2) WotC trying to make it both and not being very good at it.That said, I own a Taylor guitar, and all Taylor owners get a free subscription to Taylor's quarterly 'newsletter/magazine' called Wood & Steel. Now the thing about it is that for the most part it is one giant advertisement. But they way that they've capitalized on it, the reason I don't just chuck it in the trash when it comes in the mail, is that they've taken the time to create quality articles about their product. It isn't just, "Hey check this, it's awesome!" It's more along the lines of, 'Hey, let's go real deep into this because we want to show you why we think it is awesome'. So they create a new guitar and then the whole magazine goes into depth about that particular guitar, the wood, the craft, the tone, and you get to see the trees they were cut from, hear from nearly everyone who has a hand in building their guitars, hear about their vision and history, get tips on guitar care and a huge helpful Q&A with the owner. There is a real feeling that this magazine is for people who care about Taylor guitars and not just an advertisement. In that way it actually becomes a better advertisement. And the thing is these subscriptions are for owners, not potential buyers. That is their target and they know quality stuff aimed at those who have already purchased will translate into brand loyalty and word of mouth advertisement.So far, from what I've seen with Dragon+ is a kind of scattershot attempt at trying to push and push things beyond the TTRPG. Aside from the release of the 3 core books, the tabletop game has been taken from its pedestal and set among the rest. It appears like they aren't treating it like the crown of their product line, but almost like one of the 5 rings on their finger. Even the new adventures aren't pushed primarily at the tabletop game. Everyone was freaking out about Drizzt when they advertised the new story, but it wasn't until later that they clarified that the ad regarding Drizzt's inclusion didn't really have the same effect on the tabletop game as the other forms of media it will run on. That shows their hand a bit. Jump on the website and you have to click through links just to find it. It's not the prominent feature. I think they should start at the heart and from there show us why everything else they want us to play or see (buy) is good too. But don't dethrone it. I fear that as a marketing strategy they already have. That's why there's frustration from the fanbase. We don't care about the peripherals because they don't care enough about the main thing. I get that they think of D&D is a multiplatform brand, but in reality the heart and soul of D&D is the tabletop game. That is the essence. And I promise if you jump feet first into the tabletop then the rest will follow. It's as old as the hills, do one thing well and you will have success, do many things second-rate and you'll fail.</blockquote>

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