Interesting. I look forward to seeing what comes of this - some thrilling ideas, no doubt, but I'm keeping myself reserved so as not to be let down should those thrilling ideas be brought into less-than-thrilling existence.
Past experience with WotC doing digital has left me skeptical/jaded. I want them to succeed but I am not sure they know how to as past offerings were either terrible, poorly handled or ruined once eventually come good.
Those were two issues in a large bucket of them.Be aware that WOTC's D&D 4E digital launch was hampered by the project director's murder, and the 5E launch hampered by an overzealous, incompetent 3rd party provider. Third times the charm. I hope.
Be aware that WOTC's D&D 4E digital launch was hampered by the project director's murder
Official online tools utterly killed third party publishing in 4E.
If they do it in 5E it would kill DMs Guild. Which they don't want.
If they do it in 5E it would kill DMs Guild. Which they don't want.
I thought it was lack of a suitable third-party license and the 4e ruleset itself that killed 3pp in 4e?
The 4e compendium was just quick & convenient access to official rules material that appeared in the PBH, DMG, MM, and splatbooks. Things that make running the game easier, not thing that replace 3rd party products. It's not a competitor to the DM's guild at all. DM Guild publishers could even offer content packs for such an app, as another profit avenue. If anything it would cut into PHB sales, but I'd be willing to put up money for a usable compendium.
"cost a fortune for every AP".