Kudos Morris. WOTC guys, thanks for the responses so far.
A few points, then to some suggestions:
The decision to make the announcement at this time was worked out with Paizo, and at their request.
OK - Thanks for the clarification. It helps to know that.
More than a year ago, after much discussion, WotC and Paizo mutually agreed to let the contract expire
Let's just be clear on this. I cannot imagine Paizo (Erik) would ever agree to this unless 1) You did not give him a choice or 2) You changed the fee structure or terms so that Paizo could not continue under it's existing model. Either way, I can't see how this was at all a "mutual" decision. (We won't know the terms offered so there's no point debating this)
Morrus: What can an online platform offer to the customer that a magazine cannot?
Chris: We have a lot of ideas that we’re happy with, but let me turn the question around. What would you hope for? What would make this exciting and useful for you? Another question for the community: How much of the magazine content were you able to use in your campaign? How much work did you have to do to accomplish that?
The basic fact is that WOTC decided to shut down the print magazines to drive users to an "online model". WOTC will continue with other printed content - for now. The answer above seems to seek rationale. e.g. "
Those magazines were filled with content you didn't actively use? Right? Hey - on a unit basis, that is negative value for the producer and consumer."
You're missing the point. I *read*
EVERYTHING in those magazines. Erik/James' openings, forums, ads (yeah, even the ads), comics and all other content. It would take me a few days. Where did I read it? Primarily two places -
Neither were at my desk. One was in bed before I went to sleep, images of running and screaming adventurers in my head.
Online has *nothing* to do with that experience.
So what, wait a year to get the content in digestible form? Will it come with the subscription? I can answer for you - Of course not. Online is about tools with as little "words" as you can get away with. Why? Because you are sitting in front of a computer when you get to it.
Printing is not an option - even for me (..and I have some great printers: HP Color Laserjet 3700dn duplex, Canon i9900 for large format/maps, and an Epson multi-function). Problems I see with printing: Either you are graphics rich, with the problems around color printing costs
foisted on the consumer. Or you print "just the words" in which case, the experience is rather dull.
So - What do I want? A
print periodical (every other month or, worse case quarterly) that engages my imagination to help me be a better DM. No amount of "online calculators" will help me get there. My discussion/messaging needs are taken of here and in other boards, thanks very much.
I don't need you to become another ENWorld for pay.
The above is why I think you guys are losing touch. I could be proven wrong of course. Nothing would make me happier actually.
OK - now to the "
Digital Initiative" (change the name - please. Ugh. And you're in marketing?)
If my guess is right, your current thinking probably includes the following (from your survey):
D&D Insider Magazine: Product Previews, Dungeon Master's Tower, Class Features, Strategy and Tactics, Design and Development, Behind the Arcane Curtain, D&D Humor, D&D Product Enhancements
Campaign Content: Eberron and Forgotten Realms ongoing content, Interactive maps, World events and adventure hooks, D&D University, Course message boards
MyCampaign.Com: Online campaign tools
Online Groups and Message Boards feature
RPGA Membership
The Magic Shop, a virtual shop where you can outfit your D&D character
D&D Character Builder
Virtual Gaming Table
Online DM Tools
e-Books/Short Stories
Downloadable D&D Adventures (pdf?)
Search Engines
Wow. So you asked "
How much of the magazine content were you able to use in your campaign?". Well, same question for the above. Seems like a rather expensive list without customers
absolutely banging down the door for it. Just seems a little risky knowing how much maintenance is going to be required to keep the tools relevant.
I rather think that’s what the debate internally is about, eh?
I DM with my computer. My adventures are pdf'ed, I add my own content, write descriptions, dialogs, etc. search for the best artwork and compile. I write up my own monsters using Dungeon mag format. I use PDF bookmarks to jump to where I want to go. I have the SRD for rules look ups, but frankly, I outsource rule lookups to a player because it is a waste of DM time with five+ other players in front of you. I use a large iMac (though all my other machines are PCs), because it's self contained, one cord, and has great resolution. When I turn that big screen around and the players get a look at the "Bilewretch" in all it's leggy glory while I describe it's hideousness (..or a look at the Countess as she speaks to them) -
Well, that's the experience you are going for. Immersion.
Notice, none of that was "online" (using a local copy of the SRD). Could it be? Sure. At my place, I've got great wireless and tons of bandwidth. When we play somewhere else? Not so much. So why create two processes? I use one wherever we play.
What would help me? Well, a "
creature builder" would help alot. That said, I think it is too difficult to build and maintain. Even the folks at Dungeon, who do this stuff for a living, manually edited the monsters. Too many variables in play (half-this, elite-that, spells, power attack bonuses, raging, etc.).
Downloadable adventures? Taking advantage of HTML or Adobe? Sure... But,
the problem is, I need to be "sold" on the adventure first - You know, pictures, read it, "grok" the why of it. And that means not sitting at my desk.
I don't "dream" at my desk. I "do".
Player gen stuff is cool, but not for creating character sheets (that stuff is free anyway; Fans of D&D rock), more for understanding class combo opportunities for certain situations, etc. Just know that much of that content is found within the halls of these message boards as well.
Online maps with online figs? Tempting, but nah. The "experience" is having everyone able to see the action all the time and if a player cant move his own fig, it will feel like playing "battleship" (no, no square e-144!).
For me that leaves MMOs - But with a twist. There is an opportunity for an online DM to multiple player experience that has not been done yet with the right tools. Internet voice, bandwidth is getting there. Note I said tools not "game". The game is where it always has been - in the heads of the folks involved – maybe this is what you mean by “
virtual tabletop”. I've tried NWN (and Ultima, and D&DO, etc.) but something is sitting between the players and the DM to achieve the experience you need. So, that's it I suppose, an online game experience with tools so remote players can game with a DM or set of co-DMs. It would not be my "primary" game for the near term (I like the PnP, Pizza and Dew - and the physicality of DICE; How else do you get excited because you rolled a "20"?).
So Scott, et al. Thanks for the responses so far. I'll give you one persons input. Perhaps it will find it's way into a database of "requests" or "ideas" somewhere. I hope you get a glimpse into why I think you guys have missed the mark on this call.
~D
Nighty-night!
![:]](http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/devious.png "Devious :]")
