New D&D Website

[Dannager]

Well, I find it bizarre that some people on these forums hold this outlook that you should never criticize WotC, ever.

I don't think anyone holds this view.

WotC makes a bad move, people should call them on it.

Yes.

This was a bad move.

No. This has not been shown. It was a decision, and like all others it has consequences. It has made certain visitors to their website unhappy. But a "bad move" implies that they've either somehow ethically wronged their customer base (they have not), or that the move will significantly harm them, financially (we have no idea, but probably not).

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

The funny thing is that all this nerdrage about what's free and what isn't is going down on a forum that's currently running a drive for paid subscriptions. The forum owner is talking about transforming the site into a sustainable business. Look out. Something that was formerly free might be moved behind a paywall.

Oh, I am sure that will come. I mean, the complaints. Don't know about the rest.

I suppose it's something we have to live with. And especially Morrus.

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

But a "bad move" implies that they've either somehow ethically wronged their customer base (they have not), or that the move will significantly harm them, financially (we have no idea, but probably not).

Nah, I think that's a little too "high standards" for a bad move.

A bad move in a chess game is not ethical wrong.

I don't see a problem in criticizing WotC. But I dislike the form it usually takes.

I think it's perfectly fine to say: "Those art galleries used to be free and didn't require a DDI account. Now they do. I preferred it the other way."
One doesn't have to say stuff like "They are trying to shove DDI down our throat!" "They are betraying us as customers". Or whatever else one can come up with.

Maybe it is the same thing as the "don't ascribe motivations to poster". State how you feel about it. "I prefer free galleries. Without them, I might visit the site less often." YOu don't have to claim they are doing it purely for nefarious purposes and to get your money. Maybe that is true. Maybe someone just flipped the wrong switch.

 

[the Jester]

The "free" argument is lame because it ignores facts.

Well, the stuff was free. That's a fact.

I have no idea whatsoever how the fact that nobody is entitled to someone else's work (which costs money to produce) "ignores facts." What facts? The fact that a lot of people feel entitled to that stuff for free? The fact that it does indeed take money to produce, host and promote "free" stuff? The fact that the hard-working schmoes at WotC need to make a living, too, and they are working in an industry not well known for churning out millionaires?

What facts are being ignored? I'd love some specifics.

 

[Invisible Stalker]

The funny thing is that all this nerdrage about what's free and what isn't is going down on a forum that's currently running a drive for paid subscriptions. The forum owner is talking about transforming the site into a sustainable business. Look out. Something that was formerly free might be moved behind a paywall.

I'm a freeloader on this site myself. If it must be paid for, no forum is worth it for me. I'd understand the business decision though.

I like the new D&D site, but the forums are still an unmitigated disaster.

If WOTC really wanted a great revinue stream it could charge people for complaining about their website, DDI, pdf policies and 4e. They would have racked up a couple trillion dollars in the last year alone.

 

[Obryn]

Well, I find it bizarre that some people on these forums hold this outlook that you should never criticize WotC, ever.

WotC makes a bad move, people should call them on it.

This was a bad move.

Oh, people should absolutely call WotC on their mistakes. I'm not questioning that. They've certainly made some, in my mind.

I'm also not questioning that people are upset about this change. Justified or unjustified, they are.

I am, however, questioning whether or not it was a bad move - it just seems to me like something that used to be free now costs money. I mean, people can complain that they're no longer getting that free stuff, but that's beside the point of whether or not they should. There's a gap between the sense of entitlement and the sense of gratitude; or, the difference between what someone deserves and what they simply want.

I am also skeptical about your motivations, but that's neither here nor there.

-O

 

[the Jester]

Actually, right up until pdfs were made banned, yes, I was a WotC customer :U

I can be a customer without playing 4e, you know.\

So what WotC stuff have you bought since the release of 4e? Novels, other games, miniatures maybe? Let's leave pdfs out, since they are no longer being served up.

I love how I've been catagorized into this bizarro D&D hating monster.

If it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck and tastes like duck, it just might be a duck. If you don't want to be seen as a WotC-hater (NOT a D&D hater, different story entirely), quit vomiting forth hate for WotC.

I know this may be a huge shock, but you're allowed to disagree with a company and still like them.

Yeah, but if every post you spew out is WotC-hate, don't be shocked when people think you hate WotC.

 

[Umbran]

Wow. You folks are treating each other horribly.

Never in the history of the internet is there a documented case in which getting hyperbolic has made anyone agree with the opposition.

Stop being snarky. Stop getting accusative. Stop cranking up the rhetoric when faced with continuing resistance. If you're going to dismiss someone's opinion, do it silently. If you don't, you won't be allowed to continue participating in this thread.

 

[the Jester]

Well, I find it bizarre that some people on these forums hold this outlook that you should never criticize WotC, ever.

Cite?

 

[Remathilis]

On a semi-related note: When is WotC gonna update their ugly, awful Star Wars site? If ever there was a part of Wizards needing some lovin...