D&D (2024) Early access to 2024 books in DnDBeyond is tied to subscription tier.

[mamba]

How is that any different from any company or designer with a Patreon who gives early access as a benefit to supporters?

it is different in many ways. When you join a patreon you do so to support the work of someone, not a giant company.

That frequently means you get access to the whole catalog by joining, here that would be everything WotC published on DDB.

You also get access to the beta and help shaping it, so the whole UA would have been done on DDB.

Finally you then get the finished product which also goes on sale. Usually that means you ended up paying more for it in patreon fees than the public will have to (unless you joined late while it was already far along, in which case it falls more into the access to the whole catalog bit).
You are ok with paying more because that ultimately is what patreon is about, to support someone so they can afford to work on something that you are interested in.

Does any of this sound like a DDB subscription?

 

[Ruin Explorer]

They keep pushing DDB more and more and people will keep making excuses for them.

Pretty much yeah it just this meme:

I mean, I guess the idea is the Beyond is less bad than some services? But come on, let's not pretend it hasn't started getting crappier, one step at a time. This is just another step on that road.

(As an aside, still absolutely no news about the 3D VTT huh? When did we last hear about that? Seems like quite a while ago.)

 

[TiQuinn]

it is different in many ways. When you join a patreon you do so to support the work of someone, not a giant company.

Whatever way you want to look at it, it is a product and access that you are paying for whether it’s an individual or a company. You just feel better looking at it through then lens of Patreon feeling more personal.

That frequently means you get access to the whole catalog by joining, here that would be everything WotC published on DDB.

You’re getting the 2024 books. If I go over to MCDM, Patreon access used to get me access to their Arcadia magazines, some of their classes, etc but things change.

You also get access to the beta and help shaping it, so the whole UA would have been done on DDB.

Finally you then get the finished product which also goes on sale. Usually that means you ended up paying more for it in patreon fees than the public will have to (unless you joined late while it was already far along, in which case it falls more into the access to the whole catalog bit).
You are ok with paying more because that ultimately is what patreon is about, to support someone so they can afford to work on something that you are interested in.

Does any of this sound like a DDB subscription?

Other than the warm fuzzies about supporting an individual creator? You’re paying for and getting a product either way.

 

[Ruin Explorer]

Whatever way you want to look at it, it is a product and access that you are paying for whether it’s an individual or a company. You just feel better looking at it through then lens of Patreon feeling more personal.



You’re getting the 2024 books. If I go over to MCDM, Patreon access used to get me access to their Arcadia magazines, some of their classes, etc but things change.

Other than the warm fuzzies about supporting an individual creator? You’re paying for and getting a product either way.

You didn't answer any of his actual points, you just engaged in nastiness. Nastiness isn't an argument.

The idea that Patreon is the same as buying a product is patently false.

 

[DEFCON 1]

Thanks for making it easier and easier to walk away from D&D WotC.

I don't believe you.

 

[Aldarc]

They keep pushing DDB more and more and people will keep making excuses for them.

It’s all about boiling the frog.

 

[Osgood]

I get that a lot of folks that have a bone to pick with WotC (and/or the subscription business model in general) want to paint this in a sinister light, but I'm not seeing it. My master tier subscription has been a huge benefit that I have never regretted--I've got 9 people that I share content with, who basically haven't had to buy a book in years... so if this is a cash grab, someone needs to let Wizards know they're doing it wrong!

For the most part, I buy digital only these days, which means I haven't gotten early access, so I see this as a nice extra for the master sub (granted, core rulebooks are ones I like to have physical copies of so I got the digital + physical bundle--hopefully, this will be the way they handle future releases though).

Plus, from everything I've seen in the various preview articles, it sounds like gaming stores will also be getting books early, so if people don't want to buy them on DDB, they can just head to the FLGS and buy a copy (and you know, stick it to the man by supporting a small business). I plan to pick up the LE covers from the store myself... yeah, I'm that guy that will have three versions!

But, I get it... outrage is the birthright of every gamer, so sharpen those pitchforks!

 

[dave2008]

Pretty much yeah it just this meme:

View attachment 367922

I mean, I guess the idea is the Beyond is less bad than some services? But come on, let's not pretend it hasn't started getting crappier, one step at a time. This is just another step on that road.

I think Beyond has been getting better over time. I don't have a paid subscription so I can't speak to any improvements there, but they have put up a lot more free content (including tips and advice) over the last year than previously. So at least for a non-paying accounts it has gotten objectively better.

(As an aside, still absolutely no news about the 3D VTT huh? When did we last hear about that? Seems like quite a while ago.)

Actually, there was news about it. They announced there will be a panel about it at an upcoming conference (Gencon IIRC). They also offered a VTT asset as part of their master tier member perks.

 

[DEFCON 1]

If it's crappy or not crappy it doesn't really matter, does it? Those of you who don't like it or see it as a failing of a capitalist society aren't going to get the products early. Which is fine. That means there's no difference to you than if WotC (or any company) didn't release any early-access features for their stuff and you just got your product on its normal release day. So what is there to be upset about? You're getting your products alongside 99.99% of the rest of the playerbase.

I mean if it's merely a case of FOMO and the knowledge that a couple other players will have paid to get something early that you wanted too but didn't want to spend your money on... I guess that's just something you'll need to work through. I just find it to be a waste of time to be concerned what other people do with their time and money.

 

[dave2008]

They keep pushing DDB more and more and people will keep making excuses for them.

Why would they need any excuse to push their digital platform? Is there a reason they shouldn't push their digital platform?