How Has the WotC PDF Situation Affected You REALLY?

[CleverNickName]

Sorry the poll sucks so bad, guys. I wrote it under the assumption that this was just a tool to encourage discussion, not a scientific means of collecting data. I guess my assumption was wrong...it seems that some of you take this stuff pretty seriously. Too seriously, even.

I'll do better next time. (rolls eyes)

 

[Fenes]

Sorry the poll sucks so bad, guys. I wrote it under the assumption that this was just a tool to encourage discussion, not a scientific means of collecting data. I guess my assumption was wrong...it seems that some of you take this stuff pretty seriously. Too seriously, even.

I'll do better next time. (rolls eyes)

Don't do a poll if you don't want data, and if you do a poll, do it right, not with loaded questions.

If you just want a discussion, don't post a poll.

 

[kitsune9]

It definitely caught us by surprise, that's for sure. Now, PDFs have been banned, ENWorld has been SlashDotted, PirateCat has been installing padlocks on threads left and right, legal advice in all flavors abounds, and The Rouse has probably switched from Maalox to Bacardi right about now.

You could say that emotions are a bit high.

Seriously...all hyperbole, strong emotions, and hurt feelings aside: how has the decision to stop all PDF sales actually affected you? Check all that apply.

(please stand by...poll forthcoming) Poll is up.

I've only bought one product and that was the 1st edition of Forgotten Realms as I'm thinking of running a Pathfinder game set in that time period, but aside from that, I haven't bought any other PDF from WotC. Can't say it has affected me too much personally.

 

[ProfessorPain]

It ruined my life. I used to be happy, and laugh when someone made a joke. Now all I do is stare at the grim world through my window. Before this whole PDF thing, I ate big meals every day and went for a short run in the morning. Now I can't stand the thought of tasty food; preferring to eat a bland gruel to stay alive. Instead of running, I sit in a chair, and wonder what happened to my life. It seemed I was happy. But now, without my PDFs, I am a shell. A tortured remnant of my former self.

 

[Treebore]

While it's still early, and the poll is hardly scientific, the fact that about 80% of respondents couldn't care less speaks VOLUMES about how a small group of very vocal people can make an issue seem much, much larger than it is.

Color me unsurprised.

Interesting. On one hand polls are meaningless for indicating anything, yet on the other hand you say they prove that only a small group is upset.

If such polls are "meaningless" they are meaningless.

 

[Xyxox]

I had recently picked up the core books for 4E and was planning on getting the PDFs because at worst, it's a pretty good game. I was a bit leary of DDI but had been considering a subscription, though I did lack complete trust in WotC that they'd keep DDI goign and make good on promises.

Now, I'm moving on to other publishers. because, heck, they make some pretty good games too. Exalted looks great and WW gave me a free PDF for it. Paizo gives PDFs with hard copies. Green Ronin games look outstanding and I'm going all in for M&M.

So in the end, the personal difference it makes for me is really minor. I'm moving on.

 

[thedungeondelver]

No real choice on the poll for me, but I'll reiterate:

WotC have stomped down on a way for people interested in original D&D or AD&D to get the books. Now they'll have to track down physical copies - not a dreadfully hard thing, but certainly a little more difficult, q.e.d.

Which is probably a nice side effect Wizards wanted in the first place.

I do not inherently trust the "We'll create some kind of outlet for all the e-books again in the future" regarding stuff from 3.5 back. The logic would probably go something like: this new format is not PDF. We have to convert files or rescan materials to the new format, and that's more work. The old versions compete with 4e, anyway, so not only is that money spent on a competing product, it's money spent on something that won't make enough money for us to recoup the effort in the first place."

...which will just lead to more piracy of OOP D&D .PDFs...which they can then point to and say "Well we might reconsider our stance but look how much it's pirated - we can't justify going back to that market with that kind of piracy."

 

[Lord Mhoram]

Personally it doesn't affect me.

I never buy a PDF if there is a real book to be had. My PDF collection has some small PDFs for D20 future, Hero's Digital Magazine, and Dragon and Dungeon.

 

[3catcircus]

No real choice on the poll for me, but I'll reiterate:

WotC have stomped down on a way for people interested in original D&D or AD&D to get the books. Now they'll have to track down physical copies - not a dreadfully hard thing, but certainly a little more difficult, q.e.d.

Which is probably a nice side effect Wizards wanted in the first place.

Huh - WotC isn't making any money off of OOP dead trees as almost all of them are second-hand sales.

 

[Xyxox]

Huh - WotC isn't making any money off of OOP dead trees as almost all of them are second-hand sales.

That's not the point.

The pioint is, WotC just made it harder for new players to have the option of starting with an older version.

And doing that would be a strategic move.

WotC want's its old versions DEAD as they are competition for the new version.

When they tire of 4E (I predict within a year). they'll kill it, too.