Dragon & Dungeon--Any Free Content?

[Felon]

I stopped by the WotC to check out "February and Beyond" and spotted the article that supposedly discusses the 4e development of the gnome. I thought it would make for a quick, interesting read, but it looks like everything in these sections requires a subscription. I recalled hearing that some content would be free. Seems like a purely anecdotal piece on design and development would be worth sharing pro bono if anything is, so I guess that's not the case.

But like I said, I don't frequent the site often anymore. Are there any articles they throw out there just to build up and maintain the interest of non-subscribing fans?

 

[Shroomy]

I stopped by the WotC to check out "February and Beyond" and spotted the article that supposedly discusses the 4e development of the gnome. I thought it would make for a quick, interesting read, but it looks like everything in these sections requires a subscription. I recalled hearing that some content would be free. Seems like a purely anecdotal piece on design and development would be worth sharing pro bono if anything is, so I guess that's not the case.

But like I said, I don't frequent the site often anymore. Are there any articles they throw out there just to build up and maintain the interest of non-subscribing fans?

The RPGA Update is the only Dragon article that I'm aware of that is available to non-subscribers. Otherwise, there are the Previews, Excerpts, News, and Podcasts.

 

[Felon]

So, you're either in or you're out. Unfortunate.

 

[frankthedm]

So, you're either in or you're out. Unfortunate.

Yep. VG Cats - Comics - Updated Monday

 

[Knightfall]

So, you're either in or you're out. Unfortunate.

You are correct. And, it is one of the main reasons I won't have anything to do with 4e.

 

[Dire Bare]

You are correct. And, it is one of the main reasons I won't have anything to do with 4e.

Actually, he is not correct. Sorry to burst your bubble.

There are a number of columns on the D&D site that are free and do not require a subscription.

• D&D Alumni
• Spotlight Interviews
• Steal This Hook!
• Vicious Venues
• Screensavers & Wallpapers
• Character Sheet (from PHB)
• In the Works
• Digital Insider (column)
• Black Crusade (fiction)
• D&D Podcasts
• Image & Map Galleries
• Upcoming Product Excerpts
• Use This Book Tonight
• Character Builder Demo (lvls 1-3)

So, for anyone who takes the time to look, there is tons of free content on D&D Insider. Of course, the best stuff is articles from Dragon and Dungeon and require a subscription, but that only makes sense if you have people paying $5 - $8 per month . . . they should get the best stuff!

 

[arscott]

Aren't you being a little bit harsh there? according to the editorial calendar, the following articles are free for this month:

In the Works
Digital Insider
Black Crusade
Podcast
Use this Book tonight
PH2 excerpt
PvP Penny Arcade podcasts
Dungeon Delve Map Gallery
Dungeon Art Gallery
Dungeon Map Gallery
Dragon Art Gallery

Sure not every one of those is useful (*cough* digital insider *cough*), but there's a decent amount of content there. I don't see what's so special about the design and development column that makes WotC a selfish monster for putting it in the paid section of their site.

Edit: looks like Dire Bear beat me to it, and with a nicer looking list.

 

[malraux]

So, for anyone who takes the time to look, there is tons of free content on D&D Insider. Of course, the best stuff is articles from Dragon and Dungeon and require a subscription, but that only makes sense if you have people paying $5 - $8 per month . . . they should get the best stuff!

The only potential critique is that a fair amount of the articles that used to be free are now pay. WotC used to publish short adventure modules and a few other things before DDI. Now that sort of stuff has dried up.

 

[Dire Bare]

The only potential critique is that a fair amount of the articles that used to be free are now pay. WotC used to publish short adventure modules and a few other things before DDI. Now that sort of stuff has dried up.

It's true that WotC used to have some pretty amazing free content on the D&D site. The Mind's Eye and all those short adventures come to mind, and there was more. They used to give away free PDFs of out-of-print D&D modules too!

And it would be cool if they could maintain that level of free electronic swag, but unrealistic. The awesome free stuff started to wane well before D&D Insider came around. When you have a limited number of people with limited time and a limited budget, in-depth freebies are the first to go out the window.

While I would love to see a return of that level of free stuff, it doesn't upset me that that era is over.

 

[JohnRTroy]

Actually, I'm glad to see the move go away from "everything gratis" to premium content.

One of the biggest problems I thought occurred with the rise of the Internet was a lot of people went free to compete, yet it hurt a lot of the bottom line. A lot went free to get the share of "eyeballs" or ad revenue, but later found they can't make money that way. They ended up devaluing writing from content to commodity.

I think it's very healthy for WoTC to keep some articles for pay.