D&D 4E D&D 4E Presentation videos

[TheCrazyMuffinMan]

I like the idea of the virtual tabletop as much as I do the real one, but I'm not jumping on the DI thing even if 4e is the best thing ever. I simply don't feel the need to take those steps. If they make it so that 4e needs this initiative (unlikely), then count me out altogether.

 

[Stalker0]

The virtual tabletop thing is exactly what I'm looking for. Ways to play the same game but speed up some of the tedious things (like character creation). Now I can make a character, print out a sheet and go!

That is...assuming the tools live up to the hype. Character creators have been notoriously problematic, so hopefully they it will be smooth and clean to use.

 

[marionde]

$10/month = no
$50/year = maybe

I can't see the value of DnD DI being more than the value of xBox live.

 

[~Johnny~]

In case anyone else hasn't been able to catch the videos, check out the posts by GamerZer0 on YouTube.

4th Edition Presentation Part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJ3J8t2-RVs

4th Edition Presentation Part 2 (includes demo of the virtual game table)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWZ2WdeTo1M

I haven't had the time/patience to actually watch and listen to the videos, but I like what I see just by scrolling through. The virtual game table looks like what I was hoping for: something that copies the functionality of a playmat and miniatures without adding unncessary complexity. (I'd never use NWN to run a game, because I don't have time as a DM to deal with all the little details involved.)

Do we know how Wizards will be granting access to "virtual miniatures"? It would be great if buying a Monster Manual or an adventure would "unlock" the online versions of the new monsters from the book. But it would take a LOT of 3D design work to create avatars for the hundreds of monsters in D&D.

 

[Pbartender]

Hrm... I wonder if they could be convinced to sell the tools -- character creation, "avatar" builder", adventure creation, encounter builder, etc. -- as a package to be used off-line.

I don't need access to the Dungeon/Dragon content, but having some of those tools loaded up on my computer would be great.

 

[megamania]

So far it sounds like 4e is for people with computers only. I hope I am missing something here........

 

[Glyfair]

So far it sounds like 4e is for people with computers only.

No, it's isn't. David Noonan stated that his Eberron playtest group's highest tech item was a 3 ring binder.

There is significant added value if you do have a computer.

 

[Friadoc]

If this is true, then "sharing" books will be simple. Especially if, as I read elsewhere, the code includes bonus digital material and a PDF copy of the book.

I suspect it's too early to know anything for sure. I'm just very interested in seeing how the entire "code" aspect of books is handled.

The digital version of the book is something I've very excited about, since I love having a physical copies of books, but the convenience of a digital version (hopefully PDF) is something I've wanted for a long time, not just with RPGs, either.

We'll see how they handle it, though, since there has been very little on it, however WotC has been learning to be more trusting of digital products.

Plus, even if the code wasn't unique and could be exploited, not only would the exploiter have to pay the monthly subscription to access said material, there is also the activation fee they've referred to, but not put a price on, to worry about as well.

I've a feeling that with as much potential income as WotC could make with this DI, ala the WoW business model, I almost think the overhead of exploited codes might just get ate up.

We'll see, though, like you I find the whole idea very interesting and want to see how it's handled.

 

[Festivus]

My biggest issue with the D&D insider thing is the limits; 10 characters and 3 games a month? WTF.

There's no good reason to place those kinds of limit, except greed. Disk space is dirt cheap and bandwidth costs are probably negligble... I'm sure the voice chat will be peer-to-peer, meaning Wizards' servers never even see it, and even if the "game table" does go through their servers it doesn't look like the sort of thing that would require much bandwidth anyways.

That said, I'll probably still subscribe, just because that's the way I am.

Given a weekly game is going to exceed taht limit, yeah, I agree that is bunk. I am rather excited about this DI, moreso than I was before I saw the video, but that restriction is going to have to go... or I just won't end my game session, leave my computer on and the campaign running for a week at a time. It's still the same game

 

[Mistwell]

My guess is that there will be a two-fold system:

1) If you buy the book, there will be a unique serial number you can use to unlock the content online, for just your account, for no additional fee. This includes a digital copy of that book, as well as being able to use options in that book with your digital characters/NPCs.

2) If you do not buy the book, there will be a small fee to unlock the options from that book for your online account for use with your characters/NPC. But you won't get the digital copy of the book.