Interview with Scott Rouse, Chris Perkins & Bill Slavicsek

[Sammael]

Ari, I think your theory may be quite right. However, it's also a really, really bad PR strategy, particularly when coupled with no announcements regarding the DI's timing. Their boards have been search-less for YEARS. Their site has been suffering from problems ever since it was revamped. Either you fix stuff, or you say that you're not going to fix it because new stuff is forthcoming. What you don't do is leave it as is and keep quiet. That's horrible PR.

 

[Echohawk]

3. Speaking as an IT professional*, if WotC cannot provide any sort of information on the DI four-five months prior to its supposed launch, than the launch is either not going to happen, or the DI will be launched in a terribly unfinished and incomplete state.

I don't think there is much evidence that WotC cannot provide information on the DI right now. It seems (to me at least) that they have rather chosen to limit the release information on the DI for strategic reasons. And while many folks might disagree with this strategy, I'm struggling to see how this proves that the DI project is unfinished/incomplete/behind schedule.

And now I have a question for Scott and Lidda: Will you be having an external beta testing phase for the Digital Initiative? And if you are, please tell me how I can become part of that .

 

[labyrinth]

I'd say that there is no chance at all of this happening. Its hard enough trying to support multiple campaign settings and there is no way they'll support two different editions. There will be a market for this in PDFs, but nothing official from Wizards once they roll over to 4e. And really, how can you expect them to support an old platform? Does Microsoft still release programs for Windows 3.11?

It's standard practice in the software industry to continue support for an outdated version for between 5 and 7 years. And the last time I checked, the DI sure looked like software to me. The definition of "support" does NOT mean that new content should continue to be created - new content would logically be focused on 4e. However, continued access to all the old 3.5e material should be provided for many years after the cut-over. Providing continued access to existing web content is pretty much a no-brainer, so there's no good excuse for not providing this. If that can't be provided, it would be inappropriate to launch the DI until 4e comes out.

The more I think about it, it's actually quite likely that the roll-out of DI will coincide with the launch of 4e. While that might seem like a good idea to WotC right now (i.e. much easier in concept), this approach is fraught with peril. A coordinated release has the nasty liability of linking the success of the 4e launch to the DI to a meaningful extent. Instead of the DI being a wholly independent venture that succeeds or fails on its own, a poor job with the DI in a coordinated release will be an anchor on the launch of 4e. The impact would not be huge, but it would be a blemish on 4e's launch that would tarnish the luster of the new edition and give 3.5e players yet another reason to hold off on making the transition.

Granted, a successful launch of DI would benefit the 4e launch, but the risks outweigh benefits from my perspective. WotC's track record with new software launches has not exactly been something I'd want to link my launch success to as the D&D brand manager. And the implied scope of the DI is significantly larger than WotC's previous software efforts, so the likelihood of success right out of the gate (let alone hitting a coordinated launch date) seems pretty slim. For D&D's sake, I sure hope the two are substantively decoupled, since the DI will likely be an anchor out of the gate and require months (or years?) to get its footing and become a robust, reliable resource.

 

[Hussar]

I don't think there is much evidence that WotC cannot provide information on the DI right now. It seems (to me at least) that they have rather chosen to limit the release information on the DI for strategic reasons. And while many folks might disagree with this strategy, I'm struggling to see how this proves that the DI project is unfinished/incomplete/behind schedule.

And now I have a question for Scott and Lidda: Will you be having an external beta testing phase for the Digital Initiative? And if you are, please tell me how I can become part of that .

ooo, ooo, oooo! Me too please. Fuggin' fantastic idea! You, yoo hoo! Over here! Yeah me! Pick me! C'mon, Ya know ya wanna!

 

[Echohawk]

ooo, ooo, oooo! Me too please. Fuggin' fantastic idea! You, yoo hoo! Over here! Yeah me! Pick me! C'mon, Ya know ya wanna!

Hey -- no pushing. I put my hand up first, dammit .

 

[TitanGames]

DragonLance

Part of the discussion in this article speculates that WotC may be in negotiation with someone other than Margaret Wies for the DragonLance license.

Which, I think is about the scummiest thing I have ever heard.

But, you know, maybe it's just me. But, Dragonlance without Margaret is like Frosted Flakes without Milk. Sure, you can still eat it - but, why would you?

Marcus King
Titan Games

 

[grrtigger]

Heh. You should go see your WOTC board thread.

It is nice of you to try to make the uphill slog, though. I must admit. I'm skeptical about this whole thing for a lot of reasons, but it's really nice to see you guys try.

Ditto. I, too, am skeptical about digital content replacing the magazines we already know and are accustomed to, and the lack of many concrete details doesn't help. However, I totally appreciate the interaction we're starting to get here and at the WotC boards with Scott and other WotC staff, because it clearly demonstrates they are listening to the fans and willing to engage us in a discussion about it.

So thank you (!!!) for posting here and attempting to address our comments and concerns. Even though we still won't have much in the way of actual details for a while yet, it's extremely helpful to get even this little peek behind the curtain.

 

[grrtigger]

I don't think this has much to do with IT. It's a matter of content, not process, right now. And content is not set in stone, and often isn't four months in advance. They obviously are still working on the DRM issue, but they didn't say "we have no idea how to do the IT part of this".

I currently work as a web developer, building online applications, and I agree with the original poster that the IT planning for something like this needs to be completed well in advance. Whatever the reason actually is behind not putting out much in the way of solid information, if they have not yet nailed down all of their business requirements, technical requirements, project plans, etc., for the new DI, then they won't be launching any time soon.

There is an absolutely ridiculous amount of planning that has to go into anything as big as has been hinted at re: the new DI, so if WotC is planning to launch in September I hope they are at least ready to alpha test soon, and would imagine they ought be ready to beta before too much longer.

 

[lurkinglidda]

Thanks to Linae as well acting as scout

My current character is a fighter but if she ever dies I'll play a rogue next!

 

[lurkinglidda]

And now I have a question for Scott and Lidda: Will you be having an external beta testing phase for the Digital Initiative? And if you are, please tell me how I can become part of that .

My Magic NDA Ball says, "Chances good. Check again later."

Scotty, am I in trouble for saying that?