Interview with Scott Rouse, Chris Perkins & Bill Slavicsek

[LeaderDesslok]

Well, they do have sample content. Pick up an issue of Dragon and Dungeon. That kind of content will be part of the DI. They've even said they'll use many of the same freelancers; the content will even sound the same.

So the Dragon and Dungeon portions of the DI will have the same kind of content, written by the same people, except you can access it anywhere in the world through a browser.

Yes, but there's a lot of content in those magazines. They didn't pin down anything that would actually cross over. A nit-pick perhaps, but it still leaves one wondering what will stay and what will be cut.

It's way too early to talk about pricing and delivery. That kind of thing is very hairy, and involves lawyers (lots of IP issues, there), banks (they handle the credit card transactions), retailers and distributors (for any non-credit card solution), micropayment experts (if they go the Xbox Live "points" route), and so on.

I agree completely. In fact, I noted that myself in an earlier post in this thread. Pricing will most likely be one of the last things to be finalized.

In other words: they're still collecting data. From us. Wouldn't you rather they do that, instead of saying something like "Here's the plan. It's set in stone. Don't bother commenting. Resistance is futile."

I can't disagree with you; in fact, I'm really happy the are reaching out to us for ideas and suggestions. That being said, they definitely have a core or skeletal content plan laid out, but haven't really shared anything except that the content will be like the content you already find in the print mags. But if it's like the print mags, I don't see any added value in eliminating print and going fully digital. At least tease us with some of the flashier new stuff they have in mind.

PS: Totally agree that they need to move swiftly, and finalize plans ASAP. Definitely before October. Ideally before Gencon and PAX.

I'd like to see WotC and Paizo get together and do an event of some sort at GenCon to clebrate the evolution of the brands. Love it or hate it, something for the readers and gamers would go a long way. And who can pass up free stuff, food and/or booze?

 

[Morrus]

That's a good point. At 31, the net obviously wasn't around when I started playing at 14, but I remember bugging my mom enough that she got me a subscription to Dragon. I'd imagine that the same things still happens now, not to mention prepaid debit cards are pretty common.

Well, for me, I had to pay for it myself out of the earnings from my paper round.

 

[el_skootro]

If you ever get your message board's search function working, I'll be happy to come over to your place to find what, if anything, you've posted.

Ain't that the truth? Digital Iniative from people who can't even get a search function working?

Honestly fellas, I want to buy what you are selling, but please meet me halfway, alright?

 

[caudor]

I cannot possibly stress how IMPORTANT it is to have Mac and PC compatibility. If anything, please make sure this works on my Mac.

I'll second that. Please don't forget us Mac users.

 

[Odhanan]

First Post.

I just want to say thanks for all the responses so far. I am only at about 50 into the thread and so far but so far it's been a great read. I appreciate the comments and suggestions.

Thanks Scott for showing up. Welcome to ENWorld.

 

[r_jk]

Here is a quote from the interview,

"Our creative team features the top talent in the industry, including Rich Baker, Logan Bonner, Bart Carroll, Michele Carter, Jennifer Clarke Wilkes, Andy Collins, Bruce Cordell, Rob Heinsoo, Gwen Kestrel, Mike Mearls, Kim Mohan, Dave Noonan, Steve Schubert, Matt Sernett, Chris Sims, Chris Thomasson, Rodney Thompson, Rob Watkins, Steve Winter, and James Wyatt."

Some of these people I recognize, but most I don't. I have purchased a good amount of WotC D&D products since the release of 3E, none of which left me overly impressed. I will say, that in my opinion, for the money, nothing before or since has held a candle to late '90's Forgotten Realms products written by Dale Donovan and Steven Schend. It seems to me that with 3E and beyond, wizards got rid of or had good writers leave when the format of their products changed to the less fluff material to make way for the crunchy pre-generated stuff. With new writers cropping up more frequently, (which may or may effect product quality) and poor business decisions, is it quite possible that the D&D brand will continue to decline? I think so. Printed products have become shorter and more expensive with the amount of usable material in even shorter supply. So no matter what format their content takes, if it isn't quality, what difference does it make.

Does anyone know what happened to Dale Donovan and Steven Schend?

 

[Khairn]

Let's see what we got ....

Were you surprised at all the negative reaction ? ... Nope, we knew it was coming. We've been planning for this moment for over a year.

Any idea on the Payment Plan? ... Nope, still working on it

What can you tell us about Content? ... Nothing much, what would you like us to do?

What about support for other WotC RPG's ... Don't really know, what would you like us to do?

When will the online content start? ... After the magazines end.

Will you need freelancers ... Sure!

Will I be able to access info after my subscription runs out? .... Don't know

What's up with Paizo ... We're all good budies

What's up with Dragonlance ... Really cant say



So after all the hoop'la over the last week, the answers we've got are ...

Its coming after the magazines die in September, we'll need folks to write it and we all like Paizo.

With over a year of prep time, that's what they have to give us now that the news came out.

WOW

I mean ... double WOW.

 

[Scott_Rouse]

Thanks to Russ as well

I also want to thank Russ for combining all those questions from the thread into categories, placing them into a single document, and taking the time to work with us.

 

[Steel_Wind]

Does anyone know what happened to Dale Donovan and Steven Schend?

Not sure on Donavan. I think he was involved in the Book of Erotic Fantasy wasn't he? (Not something to brandish too loudly...) Oh. I thin he also worked on Complete Warrior as well as one of his most recent titles.

Schend was doing stuff at Green Ronin on M&M last I heard. Might still be?

 

[Khairn]

I also want to thank Russ for combining all those questions from the thread into categories, placing them into a single document, and taking the time to work with us.

Absolutely. Thanks Russ for all the hard work. Some of us have been really upset over the past week and you've handled it well.