It's time WotC fill us in on their digital initiative

[Thurbane]

Yes, because decided not to renew a license the next time it comes up is TOTALLY yanking a product off the shelves.

In this case, effectively it is...

The lesson here is apparently 'don't ever license anything out, ever' - if you care about geek-rage on the internet, anyway, which, to be fair, no sensible company would.

Yes, how could disgruntled online D&D gamers possibly relate to the potential market for an online D&D e-zine. Err...

Anyway, they could have it DONE already; to suppose it's "not in beta" (who the HELL beta tests a WEB SITE? ) etc. is absurd, as is saying they're yanking a product. The product in question will run until September, partly because Wizards chose to negotiate a deal that lets Paizo finish off their adventure path.

So you don't think WotC could have handled this announcment significantly better?

You don't throw your consumer base crumbs and applaud yourself for sterling customer service...

 

[MoogleEmpMog]

In this case, effectively it is...

You're going to have to spell this one out for me. What it "effectively" is. Because what it "actually" is, is:

1. Company A licenses magazines to Company B for x years.
2. x years expire.
3. Company A decides not to renew license to Company B.
4. Company A decides to negotiate an extension to the license so Company B can finish off a series in one of the magazines.

Yes, how could disgruntled online D&D gamers possibly relate to the potential market for an online D&D e-zine. Err...

Apparently it couldn't, since the majority of people on this board profess that they'll never pay for online content, they don't buy .pdfs, etc.

This board's average age is, IIRC, in the upper-20s, if not higher. WotC needs to GROW THE HOBBY - not keep selling to the same people again and again. For all the doomsaying and griping and citing of how "successful" the Paizo magazines were, we have no idea how effectively they were growing the hobby.

So you don't think WotC could have handled this announcment significantly better?

Not really, no. They announced that the license wouldn't be renewed. They announced that a new, online product would be put forth. The next day, many of the Wizards staff talked about their feelings on the subject, expressing, among other things, their excitment about the upcoming online version.

You don't throw your consumer base crumbs and applaud yourself for sterling customer service...

"Crumbs."

I guess Wizards' staff should have blown off their actual work to go to message boards and subject themselves to the geek-rage of those who've made it perfectly clear that the online initiative will NEVER satisfy their burning desire to read monster stats on the can.

 

[Vigilance]

Hussar,

Yeah I say delegate the death, destruction and mayhem out. I still get the fun of watching.

Or maybe you could stop fanning the flames and act like a responsible poster?

 

[Vigilance]

So you don't think WotC could have handled this announcment significantly better?

You don't throw your consumer base crumbs and applaud yourself for sterling customer service...

Nope, I dont think so.

They could have waded into the crowd and taken a lot of abuse from people crying for blood, openly saying they never read Dragon but at the same time saying this new service will NEVER SEE A DIME from them.

In short, nothing they could have said would have satisfied the throngs around here.

 

[Thurbane]

You're going to have to spell this one out for me. What it "effectively" is. Because what it "actually" is, is:

1. Company A licenses magazines to Company B for x years.
2. x years expire.
3. Company A decides not to renew license to Company B.
4. Company A decides to negotiate an extension to the license so Company B can finish off a series in one of the magazines.

Effectively means that due directly to a decision by WotC, the magazines will no longer be available after a few short months. Yes, I do credit WotC somewhat for allowing the adventure path to conclude before the magazine ceases publication.

Apparently it couldn't, since the majority of people on this board profess that they'll never pay for online content, they don't buy .pdfs, etc.

This board's average age is, IIRC, in the upper-20s, if not higher. WotC needs to GROW THE HOBBY - not keep selling to the same people again and again. For all the doomsaying and griping and citing of how "successful" the Paizo magazines were, we have no idea how effectively they were growing the hobby.

As I've said numerous times, switching to an online format may or may not be a sound financial decision. Causing a large amount of ill-will in your consumer base, which could largely have been avoided (or at the very least, mitigated) with a bit of forward thinking and more effort to allay fears and mis-speculation is NOT a wise path to follow, in my opinion.

Not really, no. They announced that the license wouldn't be renewed. They announced that a new, online product would be put forth. The next day, many of the Wizards staff talked about their feelings on the subject, expressing, among other things, their excitment about the upcoming online version.

In effect, the ceasing of Paizo's license, and their subsequent announcement of such, was the communities "breaking news" that 2 icons of the hobby had been "axed".

If it were my business, I would already have something in place to show clients to allay their fears upon hearing that a service is to be discontinued. And then to remain totally silent while the furor grew seems like simple, bad PR to me.

The reminsiscing of staff members, while a somewhat interest read, does little to mollify hurt feelings, lost trust, or apprehension at a lack of solid info.

"Crumbs."

Yes, I do consider the official announcments that WotC have given us to this point "crumbs". Very little info has been given on any of the specifics of their "online initiative". How WotC could not have foreseen the initial negative reaction of the online (and general) community in reagrds to the announcmenet is baffling. Either that, or they foresaw it, and chose a "let it fester, then simmer down" approach. Either way, it does not instaill me with confidence or goodwill towards the company.

I guess Wizards' staff should have blown off their actual work to go to message boards and subject themselves to the geek-rage of those who've made it perfectly clear that the online initiative will NEVER satisfy their burning desire to read monster stats on the can.

Buzz words are great, aren't they. To call the genuine dismay and disillusionment of a large portion of the D&D fanbase "geek rage" is trivializing it, and, quite frankly, insulting.

Your snide and disengenuous remarks aside, I think you, much like WotC themselves, are severely underestimating the backlash from gamers who prefer print magazines to online content.

Speaking solely for myself, as someone who has purchased a LOT of TSR and WotC material over the past 20+ years, their handling of this whole affair will directly affect my willingness to purchase future WotC products.

I am happy for people who prefer online content, and do hope that the new product proves useful and enjoyable for you. This doesn't change my dismay at the discontionuation of two great and iconic publications, nor does it change my anger and disappointment at the (perceived or otherwise) poor handling of this by WotC.

 

[Thurbane]

Nope, I dont think so.

They could have waded into the crowd and taken a lot of abuse from people crying for blood, openly saying they never read Dragon but at the same time saying this new service will NEVER SEE A DIME from them.

In short, nothing they could have said would have satisfied the throngs around here.

Again, speaking for myself, if WotC had taken an approach more like Paizo, instead of close-lipped indifference, it would have done A LOT to assauge my disillusionment with them.

It is my belief that a simple "sneak peak" of what is to come, to coincide with this announcement, would have done a lot to mitigate the ill will out there. It certainly would have in my case.

 

[MoogleEmpMog]

Buzz words are great, aren't they. To call the genuine dismay and disillusionment of a large portion of the D&D fanbase "geek rage" is trivializing it, and, quite frankly, insulting.

:shrug: I call 'em like I see 'em. To me, this is the same kind of reaction as that of die-hard comic fans when they heard the X-Men wouldn't wear their garish comic-book uniforms on the big screen, that Spiderman would have organic web-shooters in the movie, or that the Transformers would look different in the movie. A company makes a decision to appeal to the mainstream, and long-time fans gripe; that's what the term 'geek rage' was coined to describe.

I see people call this equivalent to 'a best friend dying' or 'a beloved pet dying;' speaking as someone who lost a beloved pet just last week, I find that sentiment downright REVOLTING.

As for insults, those heaped upon the wizards staff and management exceed anything I could write on ENWorld. I'd be hard-pressed to match them on rpg.net without going outside the bounds of the terms of service.

 

[Thurbane]

:shrug: I call 'em like I see 'em.

Somewhat ironic, as that is pretty much the same as what we "geek ragers" are doing.

To me, this is the same kind of reaction as that of die-hard comic fans when they heard the X-Men wouldn't wear their garish comic-book uniforms on the big screen, that Spiderman would have organic web-shooters in the movie, or that the Transformers would look different in the movie.A company makes a decision to appeal to the mainstream, and long-time fans gripe; that's what the term 'geek rage' was coined to describe.

Fair enough - I don't see this is the same league or even particularly similar to your examples, but you are entitled to your opinion.

I see people call this equivalent to 'a best friend dying' or 'a beloved pet dying;' speaking as someone who lost a beloved pet just last week, I find that sentiment downright REVOLTING.

Different strokes for different folks. Different people react differently to different things. The fact that someone will be as upset over the cancellation of a 30 year tradition as you were over your pet isn't revolting, it's simply human nature. No two of us are exactly alike.

As for insults, those heaped upon the wizards staff and management exceed anything I could write on ENWorld. I'd be hard-pressed to match them on rpg.net without going outside the bounds of the terms of service.

I concur that mindlessly insulting WotC and their employees is ultimately unprodcutive. I hope that is not what I've been doing, but by the same token I reserve the right to be vocal about my disagreement and disappointment with WotC policy...