Fate of 3.5 Support on WotC Website

[DM_Jeff]

Has anything been posted on the fate of the numerous tools, columns, and downloads WotC has of their website for D&D 3.5?

I imagine once 4E hits, if they have the room they may archive those somewhere (heck there's still some 2nd edition PDFs on the site)...the various searchable indexes for clases, spells, prestige classes and the like. Not to mention the various psionic articles and so on. On the other hand part of me wonders if they will bother using the space to host such things which would show, in some way, ongoing support of a product they're trying to steer new folks away from.

I wisely used the little D&D jump drive they gave away last GenCon to house all the indexes, my favorite and used PDF articles and so on, including the full SRD files (ironic, eh?). I was just curious if anyone had heard news of its fate?

-DM Jeff

 

[Deset Gled]

WotC has stated that they will still be releasing new errata for 3.5 product before 4e hits (and they released Complete Scoundrel errata on 1/7/08 - good job guys!). I can't imagine they would be going through the motions of releasing errata just to take it down on the day of the 4e launch. I also can't imagine they would go through the motions of retaining a way to download errata without keeping big chunks of the other 3.x material available as well.

In the past, WotC has also provided downloads of material from previous editions on their website, so they have a relatively good history of supporting their backlog. However, IIRC, the old school downloads were typically available on a temporary basis - they would only leave them up for a limited time to conserve bandwidth.

 

[griff_goodbeard]

I'm paranoid so I went ahead and downloaded all of Keith Baker's Dragonshards (and compiled them into a single pdf) just to be on the safe side. I might click through the Mind's Eye articles and do the same with the ones I want to save.

I have a feeling that all that content will be archived and tucked away somewhere on the site. Now whether or not you'll be able to get to it without an insider subscription is another matter.

 

[Thurbane]

I'd be very, very disappointed if WotC removed the 3.5 material from their site once 4E hits.

I too have been downloading as much material to my HDD as possible, just in case.

 

[Scott_Rouse]

I believe it will be archived as was the 2nd ed and 3.0 content. It doesn't make a ton of sense to yank it down.

 

[Treebore]

I believe it will be archived as was the 2nd ed and 3.0 content. It doesn't make a ton of sense to yank it down.

I hope your beliefs are an accurate reflection of whomever will make that decision. I may not play 3E anymore but the material has good content for any RPG.

 

[jinnetics]

I don't see this going away........ I was perusing their site the other day and found errata for the AD&D 2nd Edition Player's Handbook, for goodness' sake!

 

[diaglo]

I believe it will be archived as was the 2nd ed and 3.0 content. It doesn't make a ton of sense to yank it down.

yeah, www.tsr.com had an OoP forum. and so too will WotC/Hasbro.

 

[Wisdom Penalty]

Good point, Treebore.

While (most) people won't need the info to play games, there was a wealth of information that's version-independent: maps, stories, and other such articles. Those don't lose their validity with the release of a new edition.

 

[Ranger REG]

I believe it will be archived as was the 2nd ed and 3.0 content. It doesn't make a ton of sense to yank it down.

Will you archive the 3.5e SRD and the MSRD (as well as the OGLv1.0a), even when 4e SRD is made available?