Chargeable DDI Begins in October

[JeffB]

I've been re-considering my stance on sub'ing (previously was not going to).

I absolutely hate a non-printed format (and even more-so paying the extra $ to print if I want to), and the Dungeon adventures have been very "so-so", but when I think about $4.95 a month and roughly 160 pages of material, I think it's a good value. And to be fair, the content has not been horrible-just lackluster overall . I expect it to improve in time just like the mags did when they first released for 3.0 (that first year-especially Dragon- was pretty swingy).

So I'll probably throw some $ out there come October.

 

[mhacdebhandia]

Not exactly inspiring consumer optimism at this point. Charging now with what little they've got ready, even albeit at a reduced price, seems like slapping a metaphorical bandaid on the bleeding wound of a financial loss that the DDI (and Gleemax before it) have been thus far.

Like there's anything, at this point, that they could do to make you happy.

 

[EATherrian]

One thing I don't understand is that $4.95 is just not any money at all its £2.77 how can people be complaining about that, its nothing I spend that on a pint of beer. (considering £5.50/hour I think is minimum wage at the moment in the UK)

And for the content so far it seems reasonable.

The campaign setting for Forgotten realms cost me £25 which is roughly $44.74, dungeon and dragon for a year seems better value that that book to me. £33 for the years subscription sounds like good value

*waits for the translation of $4.95 to turn to £4.95 when it hits the UK*

Personally if I could really read on-line content in depth I'd consider it. I'd have to add in the amount of printing. I have an eye condition that precludes me from too much on-line reading.

 

[JoeGKushner]

The thing I don't like is what it doesn't say.

What happens if the magaiznes aren't updated on time?

What happens if the digital aspect of say looking up something from the Adventurer's Vault online isn't updated?

Are they going to credit people for failing to make their own time line or stiff them?

 

[Scribble]

Man, some people on ENWorld can be really hard on WoTC, but you're going to "sue" them. Dude, that's harsh.

I'm american thats what we do... I make that typo constantly. I also do soemthing a lot too.

The thing I don't like is what it doesn't say.

What happens if the magaiznes aren't updated on time?

What happens if the digital aspect of say looking up something from the Adventurer's Vault online isn't updated?

Are they going to credit people for failing to make their own time line or stiff them?

I work for a health insurance company. When we don't pay claims on time people call and complain. We apologize, and generally get to work on making sure the claim is paid asap. We don't credit people though. If we end up doing it too much we:

1. Probably loose the client.

2. Possibly get in trouble with the government.

We generally try to pay claims on time because we're a business and want to keep our clients.

WoTC is a business. They want you as a client. To get you they try to offer a product they think you want. If they fail to deliver, they end up not keeping you as a client, and possibly get in trouble.

I called and complained about my cable modem being out. It was out for a number of hours. I told them they had to credit me the time. It worked out to be like 5 cents.

 

[justanobody]

I hope they have the content mangement system fixed by then at least. It seems there are quite a few articles that double post into the archives, and other items that never appear in the archives at all, like the magazine tables of contents.

Glad to see they finally have a formal date set to get things ready by.

 

[Dire Bare]

Given the major programming positions that are still open for the DDI, and those that have become open in the past two weeks alone, I hate to say it, but they're pretty much boned for any chance in the next six months (if at all) of the DDI having all the features that were originally supposed to be out in full back some time ago.

Not exactly inspiring consumer optimism at this point. Charging now with what little they've got ready, even albeit at a reduced price, seems like slapping a metaphorical bandaid on the bleeding wound of a financial loss that the DDI (and Gleemax before it) have been thus far.

As another poster pointed out, I don't think there is really anything WotC could do to make you happy and become a DDI subscriber.

But, if you followed WotC's released info on DDI, you'd know that they have been incredibly upfront and clear on what to expect with the DDI. The $4.95 monthly cost is a smaller rate that what you'll be charged when the DDI is fully functional. $4.95 now, and $9.95 when all the tools are ready. They are giving us half off because the only super-useful features live yet are the magazines and the compendium. They've also given us very clear plans on when to expect each of the tools to go online, with wiggle room of course, as this is a software project.

And, er, what techical problems?? I visit DDI just about everyday, and have never (repeat, never) enountered any serious technical difficulties.