DDI - vMinis are Extra?

[Mark]

Am I reading the DDI FAQ correctly in that the DDI is a monthly charge but the vMinis to use with the virtual tabletop are going to present an additional fee, per vmini?

http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=1045521

 

[Glyfair]

Virtual minis after the likely initial "starter set" will cost extra. You'll get some when you subscribe (it might be a limited time offer), but expanding on them will have a fee attached.

 

[PeelSeel2]

That blows. I'll wait for the hackers to come out with a DDI server and all the mini, plus fan made ones. I'll still subscribe, but will never buy a vmini.

 

[Wisdom Penalty]

I agree - that type of costing is the worst possible move/ploy WotC could make. There should be one cost to enter the park, not a cost-per-ride in addition to the gate cost. Embarassingly stupid.

Scott Rouse, if you're listening, I'm generally pro-everything you guys do, but this would be an incredibly stupid move. If WoW can offer updated content under a standard subscription price, why can't WotC do the same when we're only talking a couple friggin' image files.

If DDi - which, I might add, has yet to prove anything to anyone - becomes a nickel and dime farce, count me out.

Just to be clear: stupid. Stupid. And yes, stupid.

Wis

 

[Wik]

Yeah. It's pretty dumb. What we'll get, of course, is an explanation that it pays for the cost of maintaining the site, or that charging for minis helps keep subscription prices low.

A sort of "we give you all the minis you need to play, but if you want some rare ones, there will be a small surcharge." And then they'll go on to say that they don't expect all DDI subscribers to use the virtual tabletop, and that this is a way to help offset the costs of the tabletop without charging all subscribers the cost.

Which is, in my mind, still total bull. I'd much prefer a flat DDI cost, and maybe a small flat fee that lets you use the virtual tabletop. If it came to that.

 

[Asmor]

They've said that tokens will be available for free. And it does cost money to pay people to make models.

I don't have any intention of buying them... but then again, I said the same thing about Magic Online. Different beast, though.

 

[PeelSeel2]

I agree - that type of costing is the worst possible move/ploy WotC could make. There should be one cost to enter the park, not a cost-per-ride in addition to the gate cost. Embarassingly stupid.

Scott Rouse, if you're listening, I'm generally pro-everything you guys do, but this would be an incredibly stupid move. If WoW can offer updated content under a standard subscription price, why can't WotC do the same when we're only talking a couple friggin' image files.

If DDi - which, I might add, has yet to prove anything to anyone - becomes a nickel and dime farce, count me out.

Just to be clear: stupid. Stupid. And yes, stupid.

Wis

We are on the same wavelength.

If they would make a module to make 3d mini's for DDI, WOTC would be REALLY surprised at the fan support for that effort. It would outstrip the released ones. That is where my money would be, at least.

One flat fee for access to all. They are going to make HUGE money with DDI, beyond what they make on print, and probably beyond their little online game (which makes a lot for being so small).

 

[blargney the second]

Wow. That's... astounding.

 

[Mark]

They've said that tokens will be available for free.

Link, please?

 

[Ruslanchik]

The potential for DDI is so high that they really could have every DnD player subscribing. If they offer something for everyone then they will get their subscribers and their income. However, if they start charging for every little feature, people are going to stay away.

Besides, I just don't know what we'll actually see from DDI. I am almost certain that the functionality will be much less than what they have predicted. I'll start getting upset about things when I actually see something.