EN World GameStore - How's the interface?

[Wulf Ratbane]

I know that the OGL requires you to have at least a certain percentage of new material in the product (5%, I believe).

The d20 System Trademark License requires the 5%.

The OGL does not.

If you use the d20 logo on the product (and frankly, I don't know what it would gain you in the case of P&M, so I wouldn't advise it) then you would have to include 5% new material.

 

[andrew_kenrick]

Anyone got any tips for getting good images for the page extracts? I've used both snapshot mode and extracted pages and saved as jpgs, but it seems a bit hit and miss. My cover and extract 1 looks splendid (http://www.enworld.org/shop/index.php?do=product&productid=469) but extract 2 and the table of contents look blurry, and I'm sure I did the same for both.

Also, another p&m question - do they have to be fantasy? I have some d20 Future content I think is well suited, but all the p&m to date are fantasy.

 

[direpress]

If you use the d20 logo on the product (and frankly, I don't know what it would gain you in the case of P&M, so I wouldn't advise it) then you would have to include 5% new material.

part 10 of the PnM license prohibits PnM materials from being released under the terms of any license other than itself and the OGL. i.e. you can't have a d20 logo on a PnM product.

but part 10 also requires that all content (since clarified to mean text, not necessarily artwork), other than your company name and logo, is released as OGC, anyway.

 

[HalWhitewyrm]

And what exactly is the $99 for? If there is no review requirement for products, no tech support, and the publisher uploads everything automatically, what is the $99 for? I've products available on three other sites, and only one charged a set-up fee, but for the fee I also received several quality Publisher guides (and the fee was half the price).

I was kinda wondering about this myself, actually.

In general, I like the idea of a EN World PDf store, but in practice, I'd like to wait to have more info before commiting.

 

[Twin Rose]

I was kinda wondering about this myself, actually.

In general, I like the idea of a EN World PDf store, but in practice, I'd like to wait to have more info before commiting.

Check this thread to answer some of these questions, and feel free to ask more, so we can reserve this thread for 'interface' related questions.

http://www.enworld.org/showthread.php?t=153465

The jist is.. the activation fee is there BECAUSE there is no product review process. It was, in fact, requested by a number of publishers to prevent abuse. There are other services being offered as well - previews, hosted demo downloads, access to advertising opportunities that would normally cost additional money. Free products without activation costs. A reduced comission rate by comparison. And a generally growing list of features - that will continue to grow.

 

[JimAde]

A little interface feedback:

When I tried to "buy" something (actually a freebie) I clicked on "add to cart" and nothing apparently happened. I understand that it was added to my cart, but:

1) I didn't see any indication that this had happened
2) I couldn't find a "my cart" link. The only way I saw it was by clicking "checkout"

Also, when I actually downloaded the file (A Magical Medieval city guide) it was corrupt. Is there a problem with Firefox support?

When I put something with an actual cost in my cart it's adding some kind of tax/fee, but not explaining what that is (it's all lumped under shipping, handling and tax). This should be broken out. I can't really see paying for shipping on a PDF.

AND my "existing balance with ENGS" is, of course, $0.00. But it displays as "FREE!" I assume this is a mistake.

Always some kinks to iron out when you go live.

 

[Twin Rose]

A little interface feedback:

When I tried to "buy" something (actually a freebie) I clicked on "add to cart" and nothing apparently happened. I understand that it was added to my cart, but:

1) I didn't see any indication that this had happened
2) I couldn't find a "my cart" link. The only way I saw it was by clicking "checkout"

I was a bit unsure about this, but generally, all the publishers we spoke to asked that they just be able to add to the cart, and then move on. You will find though as you continue browsing, you will see a notice even when viewing forums that you have un-checked-out products in your cart. I'm open to suggestions about this - I could create a delay on the popup window that says, "Your product has been added" but that might be annoying too. The idea is that it simply happens, and you can continue, without annoying 'back' buttons.

Also, when I actually downloaded the file (A Magical Medieval city guide) it was corrupt. Is there a problem with Firefox support?

Hadn't heard of any! In fact, I've downloaded a number of products, through a number of browsers. Though, granted, not that specific file. You may want to double-check with ERP.

When I put something with an actual cost in my cart it's adding some kind of tax/fee, but not explaining what that is (it's all lumped under shipping, handling and tax). This should be broken out. I can't really see paying for shipping on a PDF.

Hmmm, I'll look into this, but the credit card processor actually expects the "total" to be added together. Tax is figured out seperately, however, for customers located in Washington State (and perhaps other states - but most definately Washington. That's where we're located physically).

AND my "existing balance with ENGS" is, of course, $0.00. But it displays as "FREE!" I assume this is a mistake.

Oops!

Always some kinks to iron out when you go live.

Definately. I'm watching very closely to make sure that none of the kinks involve people losing money, to be sure!

 

[JimAde]

I was a bit unsure about this, but generally, all the publishers we spoke to asked that they just be able to add to the cart, and then move on. You will find though as you continue browsing, you will see a notice even when viewing forums that you have un-checked-out products in your cart. I'm open to suggestions about this - I could create a delay on the popup window that says, "Your product has been added" but that might be annoying too. The idea is that it simply happens, and you can continue, without annoying 'back' buttons.

I'd suggest a message on the page itself. So you don't go to a different page and there's no call to use the Back button, but near the top of the product detail div just put a boxed message that says "Added to cart" or something. I think it would make the users feel more confident that something had actually happened, but won't interfere with navigation. I really think you need a "my cart" link somewhere as well.

Hadn't heard of any! In fact, I've downloaded a number of products, through a number of browsers. Though, granted, not that specific file. You may want to double-check with ERP.

I'll try another freebie. Maybe it is just the file.

Hmmm, I'll look into this, but the credit card processor actually expects the "total" to be added together. Tax is figured out seperately, however, for customers located in Washington State (and perhaps other states - but most definately Washington. That's where we're located physically).

I'm in Massachusetts, but the system couldn't know that yet (unless you're grabbing it out of my EN World profile). This is long before it asks for payment methods or anything. The product was Lycean Academy.

Definately. I'm watching very closely to make sure that none of the kinks involve people losing money, to be sure!

Good choice.

 

[Twin Rose]

I'd suggest a message on the page itself. So you don't go to a different page and there's no call to use the Back button, but near the top of the product detail div just put a boxed message that says "Added to cart" or something. I think it would make the users feel more confident that something had actually happened, but won't interfere with navigation. I really think you need a "my cart" link somewhere as well.

Unfortunately, this WOULD wreak havoc with the firefox compatibility. If firefox ever completely supports "Frames" then this may be possible.

I've added functionality to show that you have items in your cart, at any place you might be within the store. This should help!

 

[DSC-EricPrice]

I'm somewhat concerned about the page format for the Pick and Mix. Right now, there are only a handful, so one page makes sense. Will we be able to sort on Publisher, Rating, and type once more content is released? Will we be able to filter? As a potential publisher will I be able to craft a link that shows all my PnM offerings? or have links on my site that quickly add a PnM offering to a person's cart in the EnWorld store? Once 200 publishers add 100 PnM elements, I expect navigation and selection will be a real issue.

On other notes, I'd say there seems to be a lot of wasted space in each entry, particularly when I was browsing the adventure section.