D&D 5E DnD Beyond - Why is it still so bad?

[dropbear8mybaby]

That said, I shouldn't even have to think about doing such a thing in the first place.

I'm pretty sure you still haven't.

 

[Azzy]

Interesting. So for all the character generation options, how much would that cost to purchase them a la carte?

Subraces, subclasses, backgrounds, feats, and spells are $1.99 each. These costs, however, go towards the purchase of the book they're from, so if you buy $10 worth of stuff a la carte from the PHB, and later decide to purchase the PHB, you just pay the difference ($19.99). They'll eventually put up class bundles (where you can purchase all wizard subclasses, etc).

 

[FrogReaver]

I still feel this is a matter of format and not of content.

I've been playing video games a lot longer than I've been playing D&D and it's a hobby that has been seeing the same games released across multiple platforms for a long time now. If I buy a game for my console, I don't expect to get it on my PC for free. That doesn't happen. No company actually does that. I don't expect them to and I certainly do expect to pay for the same game, the same content, again if I want it on my Xbox and my computer.

Maybe I'm just muddled in my thinking, but I see this the same way. D&D might be the same game and content if it's in some books on my shelf or in some program or file... but it's a different platform so I don't expect it both ways for one all-encompassing price.

I would like to address the video game comparison as that's been a common counter-point that keeps getting brought up.

1. I hate paying for the same content twice so much that I can only think of a few times I've done it and it was always because I no longer owned the original system or game anymore.
2. Buying 2 physical copies of a game or book or whatever at the same price is acceptable. Collectors often happily do that. What is acceptable for a physical copy of something isn't necessarily acceptable for a digital copy of something. The rules for those types of products are just different. For example, I don't know why anyone would buy 2 copies of a digital product. There's plenty of reasons to buy 2 copies of a physical product. (Wear and tear, collecting, ability to resale). The only reason I can think to ever buy a 2nd digital copy is to gift it to someone.
3. Just because video games do it a certain way doesn't mean it's the right way or that they have to do it that way. As noted above, for physical versions of the game, of course you need to keep each one at full price. For digital versions, where it's possible to tie ownership of your ps4 version and ownership of your xbox version and ownership of your pc version together under 1 account that's no longer an issue and the same case I make for pay once for the content and separately per the platform should be what happens there as well.

There is one good reason not to have the pdf version of a book be too cheap compared to the original version. It's easy for a person to buy the cheap bundle and then resale the book and now 2 people have the same content for much less than 2 people should have paid for the same content. So while I guess I dislike paying for the same content twice, I can see a business need to not bundle such products too cheaply together just because of ones ability to resale the physical copy after paying a small fee for the digital copy. Why it took me as a critic of being forced to pay twice to come up with a compelling argument for why it's necessary is beyond me. (no pun there at all lol).

Anyway, what I said earlier still stands, I think. It's up to us individually to decide what is or isn't worth our money and what conclusions we come to aren't wrong or right, they just are. What I don't understand is why those of you who have very clearly decided this isn't worth your money need to keep harping on about it? You've already voted with your wallet, supposedly. That's not only the best thing you can do, but it's about all you can do. Arguing with other people about it around here isn't going to change anything... at least I don't think it will.

Of course it's up to an individual to decide what to spend money on. Also I'm curious, Why are you here arguing if it won't change anything?

 

[FrogReaver]

Not a strawman. I think that word does not mean what you think it means.

Really? So what do you call it when I'd said numerous times that is shouldn't be free but instead there should be a small additional fee + convenience fee for the pdf version when you already own the book and then I get asked by @Jester David "don't they get paid for their efforts? Feed their families?"

If something that blatantly obvious isn't a strawman then nothing is. Honestly it's kind of sad ya'll couldn't figure that one out on your own...

 

[FrogReaver]

View attachment 88758
http://www.shortpacked.com/comics/1403012662-2014-06-23-strawmanning.png

It's generally my policy to just leave an internet debate when someone replies to my post with "strawman" rather than bothering to write an actual response. I mean, if someone is going to invoke a logial fallacy, you need to at least justify why. It's not a "win debate" card.
Whenever I break that rule and continue to engage, I usually end up regretting it.

Maybe you should learn what one actually is before making fun of people you think don't know what one is?

 

[FrogReaver]

How is this comment by you not an attempt by you to shame Jester David into submission? Serious question.

So pointing out that someone is trying to shame others into submission is in fact shaming that person into submission?

Isn't that kind of like a bully claiming other kids are bullying him for pointing out he is a bully?

 

[dropbear8mybaby]

So pointing out that someone is trying to shame others into submission is in fact shaming that person into submission?

Isn't that kind of like a bully claiming other kids are bullying him for pointing out he is a bully?

To be fair, you are triggering me.

 

[CapnZapp]

Actually, "I want to pay for content once" and "I feel it is my duty as a D&D player to feed hungry families" are, in the end, both equally valid viewpoints.

Sent from my VS987 using EN World mobile app

Point taken.

Sent from my C6603 using EN World mobile app

 

[Morrus]

This thread just seems to be a couple of schoolchildren being obnoxious to each other. Thread closed.