Interview with Scott Rouse, Chris Perkins & Bill Slavicsek

[TheYeti1775]

*SNIP*
They could include it in a small sealed envelope w/in the book. The original 3E PHB had a CD with it. Adding something like that to a book is really not that expensive.

Ok defeats my 'theft' arguement. But still my arguement remains on the individual number. Doesn't matter how it's in the book, They would have to track each of those numbers as well as.

Now to expand on that thought after a little more thinking. How about using the very questionaire cards in each book. You know like all the Mag subscription ones.
Have it so the person has to enter their contact info (email) and mail it in.
Current additional cost 39 cents to customer.
Then when received by WOTC, they email customer to direct them to their sign in page where you have to either a) sign in with your D.I. ID or b) fill out a complete form with required blocks to Watermark your PDF.

It could work, with some effort.

 

[MojoGM]

Current additional cost 39 cents to customer.

Come on, you know how cheap some gamers can be! You can't ask them to spend an EXTRA 39 CENTS!

 

[Truth Seeker]

And that...is the first summoning point of denial, I have ever heard.

None of us here, were born yesterday.

I thought that was really strange too. I'd almost rather the reality was "we didn't expect this" instead of "we expected to just wait it out" - which is how it sounds now, to me.

ps, it's also kinda funny that CaptainChaos is making a point supporting planning things out in advance

 

[MonkeyPower]

I agree with a lot of what's been written here - a great many of the suggestions sound really exciting, particular the quarterly/annual compendium, and I'd really look forward to seeing them, but two things I think are worth reiterating (again):

Limit the DRM. That will be the make-or-break for me. I'm not averse to buying stuff online - I certainly don't have a problem with PDFs, but if I can't do what I want with the stuff I'm buying (like cutting & pasting the bits I want to use into my own campaign setting/adventures), I'm out. Completely.
Let me keep the content. Once my subscription ends, I still want to have the stuff I paid for.

Other than that, I have no doubt that there will be content that I'm interested in (but I'd love to see more stuff from the old settings, Dark Sun particularly), and I'm not so bothered about potential tools (I've either bought them or am writing my own). Quite keen on avoiding plugins too...

 

[Thomas Percy]

Excelent information, thanks Morrus.
Until now, trying to be out of forum flame war, I didn't know about end of Dungeon and Dragon.
I didn't read them, so I'm not upset and I'm ready for new online project.

 

[Simplicity]

If there's one thing I can get through to Wizard's, it would be this...

DRM will not help you, but it *will* hurt you.

I know that sounds counter-intuitive, but consider the following.

Fact 1: The DI will not be successful unless the content can be printed. DMs absolutely need the ability to have paper material in front of them to game with.

Fact 2: All Wizards source books can already be found online through illegal channels. D&D fans are so hardcore that they are willing to go through books and scan every page.

I have had players show up at my table with binders of scanned pages for sourcebooks. Multiple times. It doesn't make me happy, but if you're willing to pirate, you can get this stuff.

Fact 3: Regardless of the DRM scheme you choose, it will be circumventable because all it takes is for one person to print the material, and then scan it all back in. And those willing to do something illegal to get the content will continue to get it for free.

Fact 4: It's highly likely that any DRM scheme you choose will inconvenience LEGAL users in some way. Either because they want to switch machines, they stop subscribing (and thus lose the info), or they experience simple technical glitches.

 

[lurkinglidda]

I want WotC to be more involved with their fans on line.

'sup Zaukrie. I've been pretty active on other message boards since coming to the D&D Brand team, but have only recently started hanging out here. That's basically because my job revolves around DDM & RPG accessories so I spend my time at sites dedicated to minis & such. I'm happy to speak up here when applicable, but there simply are a number of projects I'm not involved in. I'm doing what I can to be more visible here and I do believe other WotC folks are about to make the same efforts.

FWIW, any time I spend on the boards is personal time. I post when my job allows...meaning during lunch break or while at home. I can't speak for the others, but I'm pretty busy Brand-ing during the standard 40+ hour work week. Bear with me if I can't respond to all queries fast enough!

 

[Veander]

Hi lurkinglidda,

I doubt you could answer, but is it true you are being handed a lemon and are trying to make lemonade? I'm not sure who's idea it was to cancel these mags, but it couldn't have been a group WotC decision.

 

[Sammael]

I can certainly attest that both Linae and Stephen "Shoe" Schubert maintain a very nice presence on Hordelings, where they often discuss mini-related issues with fans.

/me waves to Lidda

 

[Rokes]

...They would have to track each of those numbers as well as.

Now to expand on that thought after a little more thinking. How about using the very questionaire cards in each book. You know like all the Mag subscription ones.
Have it so the person has to enter their contact info (email) and mail it in.
Current additional cost 39 cents to customer...

Tracking serial numbers isn't that difficult. It's just a database, it wouldn't be much different than video games.

The mail in thing would definitely have to be prepaid postage! I can't afford 39 cents when I'm spending $100 a month on books!

As for stealing, they could seal the books (or just part of the book?). My FLGS seals a lot of stuff, but if you want to browse anything in the store, they'll break the seal (and reseal it if you don't buy it).

Bottom line, I actually WANT WotC to know how much money I'm spending on their products, and in turn want to be treated like a valued customer.