If I could ask WotC for a few reasonable things...

[JoeGKushner]

Tablets do indeed provide a different reading experience than laptops or desktops and are worth while for those looking into reading PDFs.

I love my Toshiba Tablet.

 

[DracoSuave]

The only way digital offerings will be viable in the current and forseeable future is if physical books come with codes to unlock the digital version. That'd be peachy keen.

Anything else involves WoTC shooting its primary revenue streams in the face. I do not expect this to ever happen.

 

[DEFCON 1]

That's your criteria? Either a product is objectively the best or no help from WotC? I think maybe you hyperfocused on an otherwise trivial phrase.

If you were trying to give your opinion to Wizards of the Coast on what they should focus on... I would think using any 'trivial phrase' would be counter-productive. Using that, or using hyperbole, or any wording that does not mean exactly what you want it to mean... allows them to basically ignore said opinion because they realize the person speaking is not being serious.

However, my point about your #3 still stands... even taking out the 'trivial phrase' you used. WotC does not bring 3rd parties under their umbrella and has said they are not interested in doing so. So to want them to do so (the particular company you mentioned or any other) is not a reasonable request at this point in time.

 

[MortalPlague]

WotC does not bring 3rd parties under their umbrella and has said they are not interested in doing so.

I really can't understand this position. WotC's digital developments have been pitiful, and extremely slow to show up or update. Today, almost four years since the release of 4th Edition, they don't have a character builder that supports house rules. They finally released a monster builder, and that lacks some significant features.

It frustrates me that they can't put together a decent tool when they're being paid to work full time on it, while this guy puts together a great tool in his spare time. I can't understand it.

 

[Gortle]

I really can't understand this position. WotC's digital developments have been pitiful, and extremely slow to show up or update. Today, almost four years since the release of 4th Edition, they don't have a character builder that supports house rules. They finally released a monster builder, and that lacks some significant features.

It frustrates me that they can't put together a decent tool when they're being paid to work full time on it, while this guy puts together a great tool in his spare time. I can't understand it.

Agreed. I understand that there are problems with the business model etc etc but WotC has to get on board with a decent online offering soon or they will become irrelevant as the community will do it for themselves.

Their control of the intellectual property will only last for so long.

 

[Matt James]

To be honest. In regards to point 1: They should just do everything for free. I'm tired of companies always trying earn a profit from what they create, or for services they provide. It's not fair. WotC is just a machine and the employees are drones (just ignore the ones that went on to work for other gaming companies--those organizations don't count).

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I do like the idea for an online rules compendium--though the existing compendium does appear to have all of the rules, via the compendium. Maybe just it needs to be presented, visually, a different way?