DDi and Lack of PDFs

[Scribble]

Ok so now that the PDFs are down, if this is their plan then here is what I feel they need to do with the compendium.

1. Add a section for diseases.
2. Add a section for Poisons
3. Add a section for traps.
4. Add a section for conditions.
5. Add a section for attack actions.
6. Add a section for rules elements.

If these sections are implmented I believe I wouldn't need the PDFs for DM prep work. (Although the PDF is much prefered.)

I'd also like to see them add knowledge DCs into the monster entries.

As it is though I doubt I will ever use the campaign settings, as I do the majority of my prep work in a place where I can't have access to physical books, and the information on setting locations wouldn't be available.

 

[wedgeski]

Did your PDF's self-destruct after yesterday's announcement?

 

[Estlor]

Here's my suggestion to WotC, even though I know they're probably not monitoring these threads anymore after 19 pages of vitriol in another post.

Develop or license a Flash applet that displays PDF content without the option to save. Then, wherever the applet and the PDFs live on your server, write CGI or PHP code that requires a referral from the page hosting the applet to serve the content. Call it the "Wizards' Library." Boom - you get a bookshelf-like menu interface that lets you choose any book from the history of WotC and TSR and view it right there. Then raise the price of DDI by a little bit, say, $5, to help cover the extra bandwith the Wizards' Library will be using.

At this point, advertise the heck out of the fact that your monthly DDI subscription not only gives you access to the 4e rule compendium and character builder, but digital copies of every book ever released for D&D for perusal when online. Sit back and watch as everybody subscribes.

Now, you'll probably still get people who will go through the extra steps to hack the system and get at PDFs for the new books, but the goal is not to try and prevent piracy by making it impossible to pirate things. Rather, you attempt to make it so that anyone who would be inclined to spend money on your products will choose to do so rather than go through the hassle of pirating the books.

In other words, given the option to get everything for a small monthly fee, who wouldn't jump at that? And WotC continues to control the distribution as the files are managed server-side instead of client-side where you lose all control.

Really, it seems win-win to me. And such an applet exists (allbeit in a form that allows saving) at Scribd. I mean, really, its so obvious you'd have thought they'd gone to it already. Plus it incentivises people who don't even play 4e to become DDI subscribers, if only for Wizards' Library!

 

[Nymrohd]

Great idea Incidentaly, I think Scribd has tons of D&D books in it already . . .

 

[Grymar]

Here's my suggestion to WotC, even though I know they're probably not monitoring these threads anymore after 19 pages of vitriol in another post.

Develop or license a Flash applet that displays PDF content without the option to save. Then, wherever the applet and the PDFs live on your server, write CGI or PHP code that requires a referral from the page hosting the applet to serve the content. Call it the "Wizards' Library." Boom - you get a bookshelf-like menu interface that lets you choose any book from the history of WotC and TSR and view it right there. Then raise the price of DDI by a little bit, say, $5, to help cover the extra bandwith the Wizards' Library will be using.

At this point, advertise the heck out of the fact that your monthly DDI subscription not only gives you access to the 4e rule compendium and character builder, but digital copies of every book ever released for D&D for perusal when online. Sit back and watch as everybody subscribes.

Now, you'll probably still get people who will go through the extra steps to hack the system and get at PDFs for the new books, but the goal is not to try and prevent piracy by making it impossible to pirate things. Rather, you attempt to make it so that anyone who would be inclined to spend money on your products will choose to do so rather than go through the hassle of pirating the books.

In other words, given the option to get everything for a small monthly fee, who wouldn't jump at that? And WotC continues to control the distribution as the files are managed server-side instead of client-side where you lose all control.

Really, it seems win-win to me. And such an applet exists (allbeit in a form that allows saving) at Scribd. I mean, really, its so obvious you'd have thought they'd gone to it already. Plus it incentivises people who don't even play 4e to become DDI subscribers, if only for Wizards' Library!

Exactly. It still isn't impossible to hack (see the flash downloaders for YouTube) and it won't stop pdf scanning piracy (impossible), but it will give both ease of use and value.

The successful battles against piracy are from those companies that understand that you battle it with value, not DRM or lawsuits.

Stardock sells Galaxy Civilizations/GalCiv2. They release this software without any DRM, but you have to register on their website with your CDkey to get the frequent updates and free expansions. They consider anyone who installs the game a demo. They are a great example of how to fight piracy...give the buyer value for his money.

 

[Nymrohd]

It has been proven time and again. If someone has the option to pirate content or buy it at a bargain price, the substantial majority will buy it, including people who might otherwise pirate.

 

[avin]

Would it be business wise to encourage former D&D editions on DDI? Don't get me wrong, I would LOVE that. I would LOVE one "any edition" Character Builder.... but I don't think it's gonna happen.

 

[Nymrohd]

Having the books in the DDI does not mean you format them for Compendium use or intergrate them in the CB. It is just a virtual library that justifies raising the price of DDI and may well draw new customers.

 

[Grymar]

Would it be business wise to encourage former D&D editions on DDI? Don't get me wrong, I would LOVE that. I would LOVE one "any edition" Character Builder.... but I don't think it's gonna happen.

Not in the Character Builder, but just as viewable documents. I think this would work out well for WotC.

I subscribe as a 3.5 player to get the full 3.5 library at $15/month. Now, as I look at the old edition documents, I constantly see new articles about 4e on the site, new Dungeon adventures, new additions to the CB...all things which are shiny and fresh. Great advertisement.

The alternative is that I get the 3.5 books off line (either through piracy or half-price books) which WotC makes exactly $0 off of. Or I go to Paizo and play Pathfinder, giving them my money and an increased market share.

There is great benefit in keeping me as a customer, even if it is on an older edition.

 

[Scribble]

Did your PDF's self-destruct after yesterday's announcement?

This has nothing to do with the pdfs I have already- They work just fine.

This is for future releases that add new information. I still want to be able to access that new information digitally.

Case in point: DMG 2 is supposed to have expanded info on traps and such. I want to be able to make use of that info, and right now the only way I can make use of my books in game prep is digitally.

Right now the DDI doesn't have a section for traps, so without a pdf of DMG 2 I will have no access to those new traps.