Getting randomized miniatures from online boosters- Get real

[wedgeski]

I think you'd lose that bet. Unless you're counting things like: Wolf. Bigger wolf. Even Bigger Wolf. Even then, I'm not sure they reach the several hundreds.

if there were 20 unique creatures per area (very generous)
20 areas or so.
And no duplicates (Ha!)
You'd only have 400 monsters.

Including instances the number will be way higher than that.

 

[Woas]

But games like Quake, WoW and such have 3D models that require animations and other physics attached to them. The virtual figures we would have in the DDI are going to be static "statues" just like real minis (unless I missed something and the figs will be animated). As long as you have a base model of "humanoid" in whatever 3D rendering program they use, all you need to do is move the joints around and then apply new texture and you already can account for all the humans, elves, half-orcs, halflings, most undead, some constructs and 30% of the most minis.
The only ones that would require a lot of work are the strange ones like beholders and such.

 

[Anthraxus]

But games like Quake, WoW and such have 3D models that require animations and other physics attached to them. The virtual figures we would have in the DDI are going to be static "statues" just like real minis (unless I missed something and the figs will be animated). As long as you have a base model of "humanoid" in whatever 3D rendering program they use, all you need to do is move the joints around and then apply new texture and you already can account for all the humans, elves, half-orcs, halflings, most undead, some constructs and 30% of the most minis.
The only ones that would require a lot of work are the strange ones like beholders and such.

I was going to point this out as well, that the DDI minis could just be statues(like the plastic minis) and require less programming. I don't need animations on my online minis.

I won't buy "virtual minis packs".
I'd consider paying the MM online fee like the other books and getting minis unlocked online. That -along with the monthly fee- would be up to what I'd be willing pay. No more.

 

[tek2way]

The appeal of the virtual table to me was the chance to always have the right miniature for the right monster. If I have to use tokens because I've not bought the mini online, then I probably won't be as interested at all. Like some folks have said, I also function on a fixed budget, and buying digital miniatures doesn't work in that budget (I've already cut back my DDM purchases to almost nil).

I can "make do" with incorrect miniatures and tokens, and play with my friends on those infrequent times we get our schedules to coincide in real life instead.

 

[Korgoth]

The appeal of the virtual table to me was the chance to always have the right miniature for the right monster. If I have to use tokens because I've not bought the mini online, then I probably won't be as interested at all.

Are you sure you won't have to buy the virtual tokens? It costs money to make that "paperclip texture" and all!