D&D Insider #16

[justanobody]

I could be wrong about this though.

Digital Insider #14: Character Builder

I've gotten a number of questions about how the Character Builder is going to interact with D&DI subscriptions. Here are some answers: Once the full version of the Character Builder is ready, it will be added to the D&DI package and we plan to raise the price. However, if you are already a subscriber, then our new price will not kick in for you until the end of your current term. In other words, if you sign up for a year at $4.95 per month, then you will get the Character Builder "for free" until the end of your year (at which point you would renew at the new price). We haven't finalized the new pricing yet, but we will let you know once we have.

At some point in the future, we may decide to introduce an "applications only" package and a "magazines only" package along with a bundle of everything together, but at this point, we don't think we have enough different components to Insider for this split to make sense. As we continue to add features (Character Visualizer, Dungeon Builder, etc.), this is a decision we will continue to revisit. For the near-term future, there will continue to be just one Insider package.

 

[catsclaw227]

Well, there you go. I hope that once Visualizer and gametable goes up, they offer packages for those that don't want all the tools.

Me? I'm a nerd. They get my money.

 

[Scribble]

I wonder.... I am guessing that the DDI price hike will only affect those that subscribe with the Character builder and the other tools they are planning to introduce, but this was explained long ago. I was under the impression that the Dungeon/Dragon subscriptions, along with Compendium will stay priced the same.

I.e. they will have different subscription types. Something like a basic, gold, platinum model, with basic being only Dragon/Dungeon (and maybe compendium, encounter builder), gold adding in the Character builder and visualizer, Platinum adding in the gametable.

I could be wrong about this though.

They said in the future they might look into those options, but as of now, once the DDI programs launch new subscribers will have to pay a single higher price and take all or none.

Those who have subscribed before the launch will get them for "free" when they launch, but once (if) they resubscribe they'll have to pay the higher price.

They don't feel as if people would find value in the programs alone (at least until they've all been realized.)

 

[justanobody]

Well, there you go. I hope that once Visualizer and gametable goes up, they offer packages for those that don't want all the tools.

Me? I'm a nerd. They get my money.

The problem is still that they are talking about locking in your price at the current rate in the latest Insider, but then people who cannot even use the tools will have to pay for them later.

It is like they aren't even thinking about the fact that Mac users, or Linux can only use the "web content only" package, but will be paying for the rest for everyone else to use.

That is what irks me the most about the delay in pricing.

$5 per month for what it is now "web content only", and later offer the "full package" at $15.

Split the difference and you get $10 per month for those that only want to "tools package".

Math really isn't that hard.

 

[catsclaw227]

Those who have subscribed before the launch will get them for "free" when they launch, but once (if) they resubscribe they'll have to pay the higher price.

I wonder if they'll let us year-long subscribers (or anyone) to buy an extra year to append to their subscription?

 

[Scribble]

I wonder if they'll let us year-long subscribers (or anyone) to buy an extra year to append to their subscription?

Doesn't seem to be their plan. (They said once we resubscribe we'll have to pay the higher fee.)

I suspect if we bitch about it enough they might make some kind of change sooner rather then later though.

 

[justanobody]

Doesn't seem to be their plan. (They said once we resubscribe we'll have to pay the higher fee.)

I suspect if we bitch about it enough they might make some kind of change sooner rather then later though.

"renew at the new price"...But I am pretty sure it WILL be higher not lower as well.

It shouldn't take bitching about it, they should have these things planned already. Like the back issues they graciously decided to leave alone until they get the system figured out to supply with single copies for purchase.

If I were to pull that kind of thing I would be in the parking lot with a box and the stapler form my desk hidden away for not having some planned figured out before implementing some part of it only for it to backfire and blowup in my face.

I wonder what it would take to get them to do the same with the price to leave it alone UNTIL they have all pricing plans figured out?

I mean Christmas of 2009 is still a ways off before the beta of the Game table app. So they still have a year to plan and implement separate pricing plans right?

If only a web only, and full package, that would probably go a long way.

 

[The Little Raven]

Also, Playboy.

He said read, not touching yourself. The articles in Playboy become irrelevant in a few months, just like Newsweek articles.

 

[Charwoman Gene]

He said read, not touching yourself. The articles in Playboy become irrelevant in a few months, just like Newsweek articles.

Ah, who hasn't fapped to an old Dragon mag once in a while...

*crickets*

 

[Brown Jenkin]

Is it opposite day? Because WotC just made a rationale, popular decision on their digital slate that I approve of. Good move.

Of course they also suggest that it's not going to last and they'll eventually try to make people pay for earlier material (something I've never seen a subscription site do, ever). So two steps forward, one step back. But at least a step forward. But I still end up reading it as either the billing system for back issues isn't fully finished yet, or they needed something to boost short term subscriptions. So some praise from me and then taking some back.

Don't worry, I have full faith in their inability to make things work properly in their digital offerings. I expect the free back issues to last quite awhile.