Design optimism, marketing pessimism

[Ry]

Let's hope things improve over the next few weeks. I think they will.

Yeah, I'm looking forward to all the people who were at Gen Con getting back at their keyboards. Not to mention the mods.

 

[Agamon]

The newer YouTube-interviews (James Wyatt, Andy Collins, Robert Heinsoo, Mike Mearls) sound much more sane and less-internet-fixated... way to go!

I'll admit, I've gone from "Yeah, don't think so," on Thursday to "Hmmm, interesting," today.

 

[Fobok]

Well, for a successful example of a DDI like service, I'd point to Battlecorps. It just offers a couple of the features DDI will, though, (mostly new fiction, occasional scenarios, art, and the ability to interact with game designers and authors in an informal setting of a members-only message board). Despite offering only a small portion of what DDI will, and supporting a game that has an (unfortunately) smaller audience than D&D does, it's a huge success, and for only a little over $2/month cheaper than DDI will be.

 

[Ry]

The newer YouTube-interviews (James Wyatt, Andy Collins, Robert Heinsoo, Mike Mearls) sound much more sane and less-internet-fixated... way to go!

Again, I think this is an example of looking past the mixed-up marketing message and hearing it straight from the designers.

 

[Doug McCrae]

You're right, the message should be incredibly simple:

Buy 4e because it's better than 3.5
Buy online 4e because it's better than offline 4e

 

[Ry]

I'd say something more like this:

Buy 4e because it's better than 3.5
Buy online D&D Insider because it's a great support for 4e

But I think we agree the basics.

 

[Khairn]

I think the original message we heard from WotC is more along the lines of what they are actually planning & thinking ... and that this new revised message we heard is a deliberate attempt to change perceptions so that they reduce the murmurs those who are troubled with the MMORPG / Digital focus of the new edition.

I keep falling back to how the DDI will be a stable inflow of money, providing WotC with better cash flow, more accurate financial planning, better business plans and profit forecasts. Given all this, its clearly in WotC's best interest to make the DDI as necessary to 4E as possible.

First impressions are important. And I think the first impression I got from how WotC introduced 4E and focused its attention on the DDI side of things is the most accurate.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Any idea if there is a succesful model of a D&D Insider-like product anywhere? Something that is a successful product in its own right, but then has an online pay-for-additional-content counterpart?

SJG's Pyramid, perhaps? It started off a printed zine and was moved squarely into the electronic realm several years ago.

Pyramid isn't quite the same- its a print magazine that went wholly electronic product (AFAIK). He's asking about a physical/digital amalgam.

That said, there are some out there that are kind of headed that way.

I know of some guitar magazines and news outlines (papers & cable stations) that have one medium available for a price on shelves or tv, and another online that supplements the base product. However, at this point, most of those digital offerings are available for free (or with a nominal fee) to subscribers of the physical/broadcast base product.

RE: the OP's post- I agree that the current message is fairly muddy and needs clarifying. For people like myself who have ZERO interest in digital gaming supplements (or those who don't have the equipment neccessary to access it), the message so far sounds like I may just be getting the shaft if I don't wholeheartedly embrace the DI.

 

[(contact)]

I think it's an attempt to get people attracted to the other 3 because they know they've got something good with 4e and want to use it to brand those other things.

That's the impression I'm getting as well. It seems like D&D's new edition rollout is viewed as the behemoth that can drag along other initiatives (gleemax and dndinsider.com), and the attempt to link them is confusing the 4e message a bit.

But the concepts behind the digital initiative are right on. One of the core components of D&D is its community. People play D&D in part because so many other people play D&D. Table-top gaming is fundamentally a social experience.

The DI is intended to enable more people to find players, play online, share their own ideas and connect with one another around the game.

For me, the DI is not a part of D&D per-se, but a recognition that the community aspect of D&D is important and should be fostered and encouraged as much as possible.

 

[Zaruthustran]

For me, the DI is not a part of D&D per-se, but a recognition that the community aspect of D&D is important and should be fostered and encouraged as much as possible.

That's one thing that stuck in my mind as well, from all the times the 4E spokespeople repeated it: the DI / Online Game Table is not a standalone game. It's nothing more or less than your books, battlemat, dice and minis in digital form.

Instead of scribbling in pencil, you type on a keyboard. Instead of picking up and moving a vinyl or metal mini, you drag and drop a 3-d mini with your mouse. Same game, different interface.

Moving on: there's really quite a lot they can do with the social aspect. I mean, look at Halo 3's game footage functionality--it's fun to share videos of your matches with friends. I imagine they DI will eventually enable us to record and share epic adventures. Think about that--how cool would it be to read the narrative of your favorite story hour, and then check out the actual character sheets, monster stats, and even round-by-round action played out on a virtual tabletop? Complete with podcasts of the voice chats?*

-z

* Obviously, all uploaded by the user with permissions from all the players, and edited to cut out the boring or personal bits, etc. etc. Point is, Story Hours are a big part of this board, and the new features of WotC's online plans will make that content better and more accessible. That's cool.