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Message: <blockquote data-quote="I'm A Banana" data-source="post: 5366080" data-attributes="member: 2067">Hmm...Let's do some good old fashioned organization...THE GOOD<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"> It's in The Cloud! That's like being made of magic!: Any computer anywhere on earth can grab a D&D character. I could be squatting in a cybercafe in Uganda, or using a jailbroken LINUX-box cell phone, or viewing it while Skynet kills us all. That's pretty cool. That makes it very portable, and absolves all sorts of "can copy it x times" problems. This includes the "cross-compatibility" point. </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"> "We're working constantly to make it better.": This means any big disasters can be addressed pretty quickly, and we're still getting new stuff.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"> Easy Updates: Web-Based = dynamic, rapid, easily accommodated updates, all of which might happen now more than 1/month! </li> </ul>THE BAD<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"> It's online-only! I need to be connected to make a character!: This sucks hard for anyone whose internet is intermittent, blocked, or otherwise hassled. However, for normal character use, there's still print-to-PDF, and there's talk of more (perhaps XML exporting). It's not ideal, but unless you need the CB at your tables operational in order to make a character directly at your table, you won't be hurt too much. And if you do, then you are more than within your rights to stop your subscription. </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"> They can take...our...books...!: This is true, and, for me, is the bigger concern. The DDI has already almost invalidated 3rd party content, and now, indeed, they will be literally able to stop you from using things that they don't want you to use (you might see this circa 5e's launch in, say, 5 years). It's not an immediate concern, but it's a bit unfortunate. You need to remember, every time you are paying that you are renting this content. This isn't a purchase. It's a loan. It's like you paid to go to the library. If that means it's not worth it for you, you shouldn't pay for it.  </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"> Silverlight? iPad? Mobile?: Being web-based gains a bit of cross-platform compatibility, but tethering it to Silverlight does no favors to the platforms that can't make use of it, and it's not very forward-thinking. </li> </ul>THE RABID FOAMING INSANITY<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"> WotC was right to stick it to those mooches!: The issue of piracy reaches above, beyond, and through this, but piracy was not mentioned once by a WotC employee. That doesn't mean that isn't part of the reason, but it does mean they think that it stands on its own without that reason. Sharing and an API and exporting are all being looked into. The books will continue to be heavily pirated. By what's been said, mooches weren't a problem. Don't give WotC props for doing something to counteract a problem that, as far as word from the Coast is concerned, exists entirely in your own head. </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"> WotC owes me for everything I've done for them!: Loyalty, shmoyalty. Companies are in the business of profit, and if you don't like the direction they're seeking that in, don't patronize the company. You have every right to withdraw your support, and you even SHOULD, if it is a big deal for you, but please don't act like they shot your puppy. They would shoot every single puppy you've ever loved if there was $5 in it for them. They are a company, not a daddy. </li> </ul>I think it'll still be worth it for me to be a DDI subscriber. Tentatively. But that's a decision that's up to each person, and I respect that not everyone will think that it will be worth it. If PDF printing isn't enough for you and WotC dragging its feet on sharing, exporting, and other "nurture the gaming group" stuff is a deal-breaker for you, that's entirely fair. But please keep in mind:This doesn't appear to be about piracy/"mooching." So don't get all excited for WotC killing off nonpaying customers (who may have been shelling out in many other ways). From what they've said, we can't even imagine that nonpaying customers were even a problem on their radar...or at least that it's less of a concern than getting mac users on board.This also isn't some big violation of your trust. If you feel that it is, you perhaps have too much invested in the mercenary creators of a make-believe elf game. <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f609.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=";)" title="Wink    ;)"  data-smilie="2"data-shortname=";)" /></blockquote>

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