Ampersand to reveal mystery of the disappearing books (apparently)

[MrMyth]

Actually, the book with themes, etc, was Champions of the Heroic Tier.

Huh. I had thought those were the same thing. That, at least, is a pleasant surprise. I really hope Champions of the Heroic Tier is still on the schedule.

Given how little I can even dig up about the Heroes Builder Handbook, maybe it was a product that was reasonable to remove. If that's so, I think the only real loss is Mordy's Magic Shop, and the rules for Essentials multiclassing.

Unfortunate, but much less distressing than I had feared.

 

[Zaukrie]

1. I have no idea if the sky is falling, but either way, it is out of my control. Like the weather kind of.

2. Bummed about the minis. I own thousands, and use them a lot. I know not everyone is into 3D terrain stuff, but it's a big reason why I DM.

3. I don't buy crunch heavy books anymore. DDI gives me most of that.

4. I'd like to see DDI articles integrated better with the CB, and with other online content.

5. I would buy books that are more fluffy and look good. Monster books, campaign books. I think as a player, I'd buy splat books if they had more fluff in them, but I"m not sure.

6. I'd like the articles compiled, but mostly so I don't have to DL every article every time it is updated. That said, individual articles will allow me to categorize them into folders and find the articles I want more. Frankly, I'd like WotC to put the articles in a better list/database so that you can find what you want easier.

7. If the VTT and the MB and CB keep getting better, then I think the game is moving that way anyway. It is somewhat inevitable. The company that can figure out how to make the game both online and inperson, and fun, that company could make more money than it does now.

 

[UngeheuerLich]

It was my fault:

I told them, that I don´t download the magazines. I don´t see that it makes sense at all to have a magazine as PDF.

If the have an ongoing column I raher sort them by them.

Winning Races: one folder
Channel Divinity: one folder

etc.

This is a much more desireable structure than organizing them by magazine issues. It just makes no sense.

Actually, they could organize those Articles by theme on their website with links. This would help a lot!

 

[Dumnbunny]

Mordenkainen's Magnificent Emporium
So despite the cool name, my understanding is that this was basically going to be Adventurer's Vault 3.

Not so much:

Welcome to Mordenkainen’s Magnificent Emporium, a wondrous collection of magic items – each one with a story to tell. This tome provides Dungeon Masters with a ready assortment of treasures to tempt greedy players, along with historical nuggets and alluring adventure hooks that set these items apart from your run-of-the-mill flaming sword or bag of holding. This book adds rich flavor to the treasures and trinkets presented within, and a dash of inspiration for Dungeon Masters looking to liven up a monster’s trove. Hold on to your magic hats – everything must go!

 

[Momeeche]

Seriously, they're improving things by not compiling the articles? That is just LAZY.

I think that is the way a lot of the market (not just gaming, but publishing in general) will be going. Why wait a month for a magazine when you use one or two articles from it, and more or less ignore the rest. Why not get the material you want when you want it? It becomes a visit to the store like any other. You don't wait for a special occasion to visit the store to get socks, you just go. You don't have to wait a month for the whole magazine, you just go now and get what you want.

 

[Aberzanzorax]

I think that is the way a lot of the market (not just gaming, but publishing in general) will be going. Why wait a month for a magazine when you use one or two articles from it, and more or less ignore the rest. Why not get the material you want when you want it? It becomes a visit to the store like any other. You don't wait for a special occasion to visit the store to get socks, you just go. You don't have to wait a month for the whole magazine, you just go now and get what you want.

No, though.

Before: you get all the articles as they come out in a steady stream and got a compilation at the end.

Now. you get all the articles as they come out (whenever they are done) and get no compilation at the end.


I see zero improvement here.

 

[UngeheuerLich]

Magazines are unstructured. I guess a place where articles are sorted by theme would be quite helpful. Once in a while, they could compile all "Winning Races" articles in one issue that has a strong thematic focus.

Or a pdf: class act fighters.

Or Races Handbook Human.

So although there is no improvement right now, BESIDES CAREFULLY BALANCED MATERIAL IN DDI, there is room for improvement that they don´t limit themselfs to compiled magazines.

 

[Oldtimer]

Remember, WotC is a business and they need your ongoing subscription to keep the hobby alive.

No, they might need my ongoing subscription to keep their company alive. But I don't really care if their company lives or dies. The hobby will survive either way. I only care if I get value for the money I spend.

So I choose to let my subscription expire.

 

[Aberzanzorax]

No, they might need my ongoing subscription to keep their company alive. But I don't really care if their company lives or dies. The hobby will survive either way. I only care if I get value for the money I spend.

So I choose to let my subscription expire.

I gave you xp for this, but my computer went wonky. My xp comment was meant to be:

"Yes, supporting the company when you don't believe in the product HURTS the hobby, it does not support it."

 

[moxcamel]

I've come to terms with the fact that WotC are making a business decision. Right or wrong, they're doing what they're doing because of perceived business needs. Fair enough. I want what's best for D&D, so I hope they're right.

However...after reading the "why we are doing this" FAQ, I'm mostly just disappointed that WotC don't have enough respect for our community to just be straight with us. To wit:

Q: Why are you cancelling the D&D Miniatures line?
A: The current D&D Miniatures model was not meeting the internal goals we had set. However, we will continue to explore other options for players to represent characters and monsters on the tabletop.

Why not just tell us the miniatures line wasn't selling? Are you seriously telling me that the miniatures were selling like hot cakes, but you just didn't like how they meshed with "internal goals"? No, of course not. They weren't selling. You made a business decision to cancel them. Please don't treat me like an idiot.

Q: How long will the minis sets remain available in stores?
A: There is no specific limitation on this. However, check with your local store on the availability of any particular set.

Seriously this is a FAQ? People are tying up the phone lines and bogging down the email servers to try to find out how long the minis will remain available? Dudes. I think we're all smart enough to figure out that when current supplies are gone, they're gone. Don't treat me like an idiot.

Q: Why have the Class Compendium: Heroes of Sword and Spell, Mordenkainen's Magnificent Emporium and Hero Builder's Handbook been removed from the calendar?
A: We are constantly striving to remain conscious of the way our fans consume our content. We felt that the material in these titles would best be presented in other ways and we have plans to make it available in the future.

Once again, be straight with us. How about this instead: based on an analysis of past sales, these products just weren't going to cut it. So you've decided to dismantle these products and release them electronically. Whether we players disagree with your decision or not, please just tell us straight what the plan is, or at least tell us you're still working the plan out. "Presented in other ways" is just weasel words, and you are weasels for using them. I feel like the Bobs are about to call me into the conference room.

I haven't quoted the entire FAQ here because not all of it is corp-speak and weasel words. But enough of it is that it just infuriates me. Whoever wrote this FAQ is not a D&D player, and they've probably never come within a mile of a D&D player. D&D is WotC's property, and you (WotC) are free to do what you feel is best for their shareholders. Just FFS PLEASE stop treating me like an idiot. I might be disappointed and even angry at your recent business decisions, but if you do it respectfully then you might just keep me as a customer.