ICv2's interview WotC President Greg Leeds

[Mark]

Obviously, he's stating the strategy as an overview, not delving into the details of individual product lines and how they factor into it.

Older edition material obviously doesn't sell through brick-and-mortar stores (except as the second-hand market), but having the PDFs available for sale leads to them being as easily pirated as the current edition material. They obviously want to cut down piracy as much as possible.

That's neither obvious, as you twice contend, nor supported by any evidence since, first of all, all products that have been released to date have already been available and are thus already out there and, second, there are other ways to create PDFs from both past products and future products. In fact, the DDI does not support FLGSs except indirectly and through a process that regularly removes dollars from gamer-consumers that might otherwise be spent in FLGSs. Now, I personally have no problem with capitalism but clearly you seem to be arguing a fallacy.

 

[The Little Raven]

In fact, the DDI does not support FLGSs except indirectly and through a process that regularly removes dollars from gamer-consumers that might otherwise be spent in FLGSs.

This seems to be based on the belief that the only value found in the books is that which is duplicated by the DDI: game mechanical information. There is far more to the value of the books than just that information, such as fiction, artwork, and organization. While yes, some cannibalization of sales may occur due to DDI, it doesn't compare to that which happens due to piracy, since the pirated copies grant you all of the value of the book without the cost.

And Mark, I'd like to say that while we don't see eye to eye on a number of issues, I do appreciate your attempts to truly engage in reasoned discussion.

 

[Mark]

And Mark, I'd like to say that while we don't see eye to eye on a number of issues, I do appreciate your attempts to truly engage in reasoned discussion.

No, thank you. I was mistaken to engage you and withdraw any objection to your posts.

 

[The Little Raven]

No, thank you. I was mistaken to engage you and withdraw any objection to your posts.

Color me confused. What is with the sudden reversal?

 

[carmachu]

So they are doing this all to protect the hobby industry as a whole and brick and mortar businesses. LMAO

Good luck with that. GW started with that declaration back in what, 2001, 2002? Their North American sales are still recovering from the hit they took.

 

[guivre]

Hmm, in regards to an issue that is about copyright infringement, on the surface at least... you choose to copy content from another website and post it wholesale here?

 

[ExploderWizard]

Obviously, he's stating the strategy as an overview, not delving into the details of individual product lines and how they factor into it.

Older edition material obviously doesn't sell through brick-and-mortar stores (except as the second-hand market), but having the PDFs available for sale leads to them being as easily pirated as the current edition material. They obviously want to cut down piracy as much as possible.

Yeah those old edition books are pirated so much that they have to stop selling them. The number of people interested in them over the current product line is embarrassing and has to stop being officially recognized in the revenue stream. The files are already out there and will continue to be shared which doesn't bother WOTC much. Since they no longer sell such products there will be no in-house sales of such things to compare with current product sales. I think the number of fans that did legitimately pay for old pdfs upset WOTC more than those sharing the files under the radar.

 

[avin]

Are they going to repeat it until it becomes truth? Seriously, denying that Wotc is going against the tide on that interview made me laugh a lot. What about older editions? Why they remain silent?

Thanks God they are SAVING THE HOBBY!

 

[delericho]

What I got from his messages was that piracy could have a negative effect on brick-and-mortar stores

Amazon.com (and similar) are having an infinitely more devastating effect on brick-and-mortar stores than any amount of downloading, legally or otherwise. When they can supply the customer with the books at a price lower than the b&m store can get them from their suppliers, what hope is there for the b&m stores?

If WotC are really serious about protecting brick-and-mortar stores, they have to do something about that threat. Otherwise, this action is like treating the paper cut while leaving the severed arteries untreated.

 

[thedungeondelver]

Yeah those old edition books are pirated so much that they have to stop selling them. The number of people interested in them over the current product line is embarrassing and has to stop being officially recognized in the revenue stream. The files are already out there and will continue to be shared which doesn't bother WOTC much. Since they no longer sell such products there will be no in-house sales of such things to compare with current product sales. I think the number of fans that did legitimately pay for old pdfs upset WOTC more than those sharing the files under the radar.

This, a thousand times over, should be carved into the side of a mountain and filled with brass for all the world to see.