D&D Insider Questions

[Retreater]

Ok, I have some questions about D&D Insider, based somewhat on rumors and passing comments I've read. I'm just wondering if anyone has heard anything definite about any of these issues.

(Note, these aren't supposed to be judgments or criticisms of WotC, 4E, or any specific individuals; just simply some questions I'm curious about.)

1. When you subscribe to D&D Insider and you access the digital game, you can play only 3 times a month with a basic account. Is this true or false? If it is true, are there going to be "premium memberships" to allow more gaming? If there are different strata of membership levels, what are the breakdowns?

2. I read that a "nominal fee" is required to activate the online content for each book, in addition to the subscription fees for D&D Insider. Any idea how much this will be?

3. Do the electronic miniatures come for free with the subscription to D&D Insider?

4. Will the content provided on D&D Insider eventually match the quantity of content found in Dungeon and Dragon magazines? If so, can those of us who signed up for the free trial get to see this before the trial period ends?

5. Will back issues of Dungeon and Dragon (those published by Paizo and earlier issues by WotC and TSR) be available through the D&D Insider subscription?

Thanks for any information,
Retreater

 

[Glyfair]

Note that WotC has stated that they are still working on it, and details aren't set in stone. Anything stated here isn't guaranteed in any way, shape or form.

1. When you subscribe to D&D Insider and you access the digital game, you can play only 3 times a month with a basic account. Is this true or false? If it is true, are there going to be "premium memberships" to allow more gaming? If there are different strata of membership levels, what are the breakdowns?

I haven't heard this.

2. I read that a "nominal fee" is required to activate the online content for each book, in addition to the subscription fees for D&D Insider. Any idea how much this will be?

"Around $1."

3. Do the electronic miniatures come for free with the subscription to D&D Insider?

Scott has stated you will get a selection of miniatures, and more will be available later. Whether the additional ones will be free or there will be a charge hasn't been stated.

4. Will the content provided on D&D Insider eventually match the quantity of content found in Dungeon and Dragon magazines? If so, can those of us who signed up for the free trial get to see this before the trial period ends?

Unknown and as I understand it.

Actually, I believe I read someone stating it would probably end up being more content than the magazines. I don't remember if it was anyone official stating this, though.

5. Will back issues of Dungeon and Dragon (those published by Paizo and earlier issues by WotC and TSR) be available through the D&D Insider subscription?

As I understand it Paizo is dealing with back issues for the foreseeable future (in fact, the print issues are "until we run out").

 

[spunky_mutters]

Ok, I have some questions about D&D Insider, based somewhat on rumors and passing comments I've read. I'm just wondering if anyone has heard anything definite about any of these issues.

(Note, these aren't supposed to be judgments or criticisms of WotC, 4E, or any specific individuals; just simply some questions I'm curious about.)

1. When you subscribe to D&D Insider and you access the digital game, you can play only 3 times a month with a basic account. Is this true or false? If it is true, are there going to be "premium memberships" to allow more gaming? If there are different strata of membership levels, what are the breakdowns?

2. I read that a "nominal fee" is required to activate the online content for each book, in addition to the subscription fees for D&D Insider. Any idea how much this will be?

3. Do the electronic miniatures come for free with the subscription to D&D Insider?

4. Will the content provided on D&D Insider eventually match the quantity of content found in Dungeon and Dragon magazines? If so, can those of us who signed up for the free trial get to see this before the trial period ends?

5. Will back issues of Dungeon and Dragon (those published by Paizo and earlier issues by WotC and TSR) be available through the D&D Insider subscription?

Thanks for any information,
Retreater

1. I've seen this quoted, but have never seen a source. I would take it with a grain of salt until you see an actual WotC source.

2. The quote from Scott Rouse was about the price of a cup of coffee. (paraphrasing) That leaves anywhere from $1.00 to $4.99. My guess is $3.00 or so.

3. No quote from WotC. My guess would be that the miniatures will be tied to the books that they are introduced in, and available with access to those books. That might be confusing when someone using the digital table top who has access to books his players don't tries to use some miniatures, though. It may be that the DM needs access to the books that the minis originate in, but there are no firm answers on that at this point. I wouldn't be surprised to see the minis tied to the stats, though. This would mean that outside of PC minis, you get access to the mini on the table when you add the monster to the game record for that session (or however you would describe setting up the virtual map and encounters).

4. According to various WotC sources, it will eventually surpass it. Based on several sources, you can expect that starting in October Dungeon and Dragon will have about the same amount of content as the print mags had, and that D&D insider will also have preview material for the new game. The expectation is that the Insider will continue once the game is realeased with example characters and monsters, conversion notes, designer notes, fiction, stats, and many other things ( in addition to the digital tabletop, character creation suite, and other utilities).

They have stated that D&D insider would have updates Monday, Wednesday and Friday, which it has so far (even if they have been a little lacking in detail). These updates are to be rolled up for your perusal, presumably as a PDF or other aggregate document at the end of each month. It is also likely that they will see print at the end of each year in a compilation of some sort.

So the answer would be Yes. Content of Dungeon + Dragon + electronic tools + extras.

The free trial will apparently go until release of the new game, so you will see a good assortment of Dungeon and Dragon goodness. I don't know about the tools or extras, though . Time will tell. Good thing for us that they will be giving us 8 or so months of it to check things out.

5. I think the answer to that is a great big no, but you should get an official answer from WotC or Paizo. I imagine that the time required to digitize and prepare everything would make it cost-prohibitive even if the licenses allowed for it.

 

[Glyfair]

3. No quote from WotC

Actually, here.