D&D 5E D&D Next and the Character Builder

[Dausuul]

My main hope with regard to the character builder is that the game will be simple enough that we don't need one.

That said, I think the best solution here is for Wizards to open up the digital side of the game for third-party development. Create a database with all the monsters, feats, spells, and such-like. Put an API on top of that database which allows free access to a certain subset of content (the "core") and the rest for a subscription fee. Finally, provide a toolkit for third-party developers to authenticate subscribers and use their credentials to pull from the database. The toolkit could also allow third-party developers to charge via Wizards for access to their own products.

In less technical terms, Wizards would create a kind of "app store" for D&D. Wizards supplies the content. Third-party developers can then create all sorts of character builders, DM assistants, virtual tabletops, and other services, which use that content. Users of those services get free access to a small set of "core" content, or they can pay for the equivalent of a DDI sub and have access to all of it.

Wizards has not shown much aptitude for building electronic tools themselves. At the same time, they have an enthusiastic, slightly obsessive, and very tech-savvy fanbase. It's crazy not to take advantage of that.

 

[Kobold Stew]

My main hope with regard to the character builder is that the game will be simple enough that we don't need one.

That said, I think the best solution here is for Wizards to open up the digital side of the game for third-party development.

It would be great if you got your wish.

 

[Brock Landers]

My main hope with regard to the character builder is that the game will be simple enough that we don't need one.

Me too, I would like to get away from that, a bit, and minis/grids, for new players, especially.

 

[Jan van Leyden]

My main hope with regard to the character builder is that the game will be simple enough that we don't need one.

Wait until all the optional rules and modules are rolled out!

I guess within a year or two the sheer amount of options and options within options will make us long for some computerized support.

Looking back at WotC's history of digital offerings and requirements management abilities, I don't have high hopes for the DDN future.

But, hey! Perhaps we'll see a DDN browser game, can print its character sheet and use that for the tabletop games!

 

[The Human Target]

We live in an increasingly digital age.

Regardless of the game's level of complication, not having digital tools of some sort would be crazy pants.

As a 4e DM, I loved being able to look up rules, monsters, and character options digitally.

And didn't expect to get that service for free.

 

[seregil]

First, if they ask me for money monthly, I will hit the eject button so fast, it won't be funny.

Assuming a book costs 30$.

What they SHOULD do (IMO) is this:

1. Set up a character builder for the core/basic ruleset and give access to it for FREE.
2. Whenever a new book or module or whatever comes out, give my the option of activating the module in the builder by paying a nominal fee. I can either by the book for 30$ and pay (say) 15$ to get the module activated in the builder OR skip the book entirely and pay (say) 22.50$ for the only the builder version. Put a unique code in each book to activate the rebate.
3. All books MUST be available in PDF at a substantial discount off the paper copy. 15$.

So:

Book: 30$
PDF: 15$
Module Activation with book purchase: 15$
Module activation WITHOUT book purchase: 22,50$

That way, I pay ONCE for each book, I pay LESS for PDFs and I am encouraged to buy both the book and the module in the builder. The profit margin on PDFs is, for all intents and purposes, 100% once the dev price is paid for, so stop screwing me over already.

If they make me pay over and over, well, Pathfinder will still work fine for me.

 

[PinkRose]

I don't understand the resistance to monthy paying for the online stuff.
In the example above, if I buy 3 Module activation WITHOUT book purchases in a year, that's going to be $67.50.
If I have to pay $5 a month for all content for a year, I pay $60.00

I'll take the cheaper monthly fee please.

 

[seregil]

I don't understand the resistance to monthy paying for the online stuff.
In the example above, if I buy 3 Module activation WITHOUT book purchases in a year, that's going to be $67.50.
If I have to pay $5 a month for all content for a year, I pay $60.00

I'll take the cheaper monthly fee please.

Well, since I have been playing for 25 YEARS it kinda adds up. Yes, I know, several different editions in those years but 4e lasted 5 years. 5$/month for 60 months is 300$. Nope, sorry. I will pay ONCE for a product. I would also prefer it to be offline, but that is wishful thinking.

Mind you, I will be pleased if they do nothing different except for PDFs because just that will be a big departure from their usual way of doing things.

 

[PinkRose]

We have different opinions then.
I spent way more on 2nd edition books than $300.
$300 for all of 4e has been a bargain basement price for me.
Plus I've gotten Dragon and Dungeon during that time.

 

[ki11erDM]

Yes, there will be a character creator. The level of stupidity it would take for that not to happen is inconceivable. As much as some people on this board would have you believe, these are not the same bumbling knuckleheads that launched 4e.

Will it be an iOS/Android/W8 app or a web app? That’s the real question.

If they do it “right” (i.e. not the best way for you, but for WotC) they will release it on iOS/Android/W8 for free for the basic creator and then monetize it by letting you buying splat book support and having some way to tie in the pdf of the spat book with that same purchase. The reason they should go that route is they can prevent people from scraping the DDI website, they can just have an encrypted connection back to the server and keep their IP secure.

Let’s say PH app $0, each book after $5 for support, $15 for support + PDF, and $35 for support + PDF + book.

Keeping the Rule of Three in effect they should make the Monster Manual for lookups and creation of monsters, again can be monetized the same way and then do the same for the DMG, with adventure support.

I don’t foresee a DMG at release, and I am not sure about the MM, but they will have the PH/CC at release or very soon after.

One riddle I would like for WotC to solve is getting a code into the books that you could use to unlock the PDF/app. The problem has always been with retail stores resistance to selling wrapped books and the expense of having some type of secured authentication method to prove you bought the book. It is easy to assign a unique code to each book… much harder to prevent it from being stolen before it is purchased at the shop.