Getting randomized miniatures from online boosters- Get real

[Gort]

Which is why we'll be paying $9.99 a month for the subscription. There's no need for us to have to pay more.

Quite so. I've always despised the very idea of randomised booster packs - why the heck would I buy something when I'm not even sure what it is? I'd never play Magic: The Gathering, even though I have friends that do, simply because of this horrible business model. I just buy my miniatures second hand from people who've got too many of certain types, that way I'm sure of what I'm getting.

However, to apply this model to ONLINE items that are nothing more than a model and a skin? What on earth are they thinking?

You know we already have FREE "online tabletop" applications, the best-known of which is OpenRPG, right?

 

[Jefe Bergenstein]

Considering Vassal is free, I'm not sure how they can really justify charging anything for online minis.

 

[Zaukrie]

I understood that's what we were talking about, but I expect to see 3D minis of the monsters, without paying more. That's what the base charge is for, or, some add on to get more dungeon running functionality. I can't imagine any circumstance under which I would buy random online minis. The whole excuse for them to be randome is SKUs wasting away in shops - you just don't have the problem on line.

 

[Thornir Alekeg]

If they go with having to purchase digital minis, I really hope they provide an option to place digital dice and other digital objects on the table to represent a creature you don't have.

"OK, you open the door and see three orcs and a beholder. The digital paper clips are the orcs, and the digtial 12-sider is the beholder."

That would really make the virtual game table seem just like playing at my table.

 

[Varianor Abroad]

But will we see digital joke fees?

Okay, still not enough information here. I agree. Option #1 sounds interesting. I can't imagine #2 if you are getting codes for all the minis in a random box. I don't want to pay per common to unlock orcs....

 

[AdmundfortGeographer]

I expect that what it might be is that when you purchase a DDM randomized booster pack the cards that come with it might include a code on them, just like the 4e books, that allow you to unlock online bonus content. In the minis' case, the stat card would allow you to unlock for the DDI Game Table a 3d model of the mini you now own.

 

[broghammerj]

I expect that what it might be is that when you purchase a DDM randomized booster pack the cards that come with it might include a code on them, just like the 4e books, that allow you to unlock online bonus content. In the minis' case, the stat card would allow you to unlock for the DDI Game Table a 3d model of the mini you now own.

So what about the majority of us who don't buy DnD minis. What do I pay $10 per month for?

 

[MerricB]

So what about the majority of us who don't buy DnD minis. What do I pay $10 per month for?

See latest Ask Wizards - it's probably going to be $10-$15 per month.

The subscription gives you...
...access to the game table
...Dungeon magazine
...Dragon magazine
...character generator
...other tools as yet unrevealed

Now, as for "random digital minis", boy, I hope not. Not for the game table! If they have a version of DDM you can play online, I can see the point of it, but there's no reason at all to make them random for RPG users.

Cheers!

 

[jokamachi]

Thanks, but I'll download my monsters from bit-torrent.

 

[Grog]

My take is this - if they're using the virtual tabletop as a selling point for D&DI, they should include all the tools needed to play on it. This includes the digital miniatures. I could maybe understand them charging a fee for digital minis of monsters from the MM2, MM3, etc., but the minis of monsters from the core rules should be free, especially since there's no incremental cost involved with digital miniatures. Anything else is a rip-off, IMO.