D&D (2024) Digital Only Edition

[Reynard]

Hypothetical: the perfect edition of D&D for you comes out, but is only available in a subscription based, digital only format (you can't print out PDFs and you even use a digital device for your character sheet). Assuming again that it is otherwise everything you want in an edition of D&D, and assuming the price isn't prohibitive for you, would you be in?

 

[DND_Reborn]

No. I need print. For both players and myself. I've seen technology fail (laptop batteries die, phones don't work, websites go down, etc.).

With my Monday night group, we just started a new game last night and made PCs. I had them do everything paper and pencil, so to say.

 

[Retreater]

I voted No. But on the same token, I wouldn't want to play a game with no online options.

 

[Vaalingrade]

Subscription = No.

I do my best not to support the Pay Forever Scheme.

 

[Cruentus]

Nope. I prefer dead trees for my RPG's, particularly if I'm playing in person. Nothing would be worse than sitting around the table with everyone with devices.

I also don't use subscription services for my gaming, either.

 

[payn]

I just grabbed Foundry because I'm cheap and willing to do it myself. Kind of why I have been a PC guy all these years instead of Apple. I like to figure it out myself, and save a few bucks.

That said, I have also played a few MMOs in past years so I am not totally out on paying for a monthly fee for entertainment. Although, I expect a lot. Like a fricken huge lot for a regular sub that I cant take off line. Im talking constant updates, great looking artwork, easy to use interface, fully automated VTT, the damn works. So, im no because I know we are light years from this being a reality, but its not impossible.

 

[J.Quondam]

Gads, absolutely not!
A subscription-only model would be an epic horror.* It would be infinitely better to go without D&D entirely than to be shackled to a nightmarish "DnDAAS" scheme.


* The only thing worse might be magic items as NFTs.

 

[MoonSong]

The only way I could accept a digital only would be if it was like the 2e's CD-ROM. And I frankly love stating characters by hand so if that's not an option I'm not interested.

 

[Reynard]

Nope. I prefer dead trees for my RPG's, particularly if I'm playing in person. Nothing would be worse than sitting around the table with everyone with devices.

I also don't use subscription services for my gaming, either.

Out of curiosity, what, for you, is the difference between the players' eyes glued to a screen versus flipping through a book?

 

[Lanefan]

Hard, hard no.

I don't mind stuff being online for players to access during the session but for me as a DM all-digital is a complete non-starter. I don't (and won't ever, if I have my way) run online games, and my desktop (I despise laptops/notebooks) computer isn't anywhere near my gaming table.

That, and as @Cruentus very astutely alludes to, a book is something that only needs to be bought once. The bills never end for a subscription.