A Note after the Fact: I used "You" a lot in this post. I am referring to the WotC Organization as a whole & not any single employee. WotC has a lot of people doing a lot of things. No single individual can really be responsible for all the points/conjections/theories I put forth here. I've tried to change them all to WotC.
I wish to stress. I'm not calling out any of the WotC Employees who have posted here. I greatly appreciate you comments (even if you are gagged by enough NDA to possible injure a major project).
Well, as someone WotC doesn't really care about (from the DI Issue anyway, I can tell you the sum total of Sites I've spent Money over the Internet in the Past 3 Years with: Amazon.com enjoyingtea.com...
I don't spend money over the Internet. Bought every Dragon issue for the Past Decade or so, but not a big online spender.
I see the Digital Initiative as saving me $8.59/month to spend elsewhere (I'm going with Privateer Press/Reaper Minis at the Moment).
I just haven't been getting the use out of Dragon I once was (something has changed, more me than the Magazine). I was to the Point I'd pick it up; read it; place it next to the others; forget about it.
I never bought Dungeon (always been a Create my own since day 1).
I'm just not that upset WotC took Dragon behind the barn and shot it dead so they could get some Technomancers to research & cast "Animate HTTP Dead" on it.
And lets face it. This isn't moving Dragon/Dungeon Online from Print. Pazio didn't come to WotC asking to drop the Publishing Deal because they were losing their shirts & the Mag was on the verge of collapse. The deal ended because WotC has a New Idea for an on-line Subscription service (ESPN Insider or MMORPG being the inspiration I'd wager) & Dragon/Dungeon was too much potential competition.
Both Dragon/Dungeon & the DI could have existed at the same time (Dragon Print, DI Web), but Research (I really hope; and am pretty sure WotC actually did research) showed that the stepped over too much for both to really succeed.
So WotC had them whacked.
Any possibility to refute this (at least in my region geographically or cyberlly has long since passed).
I'm actually OK with this.
30+ Years of Publication (wonder where Dragon ranks among Longest Published Magazines currently still in print).
Times change. Tech Changes. The Market Changes.
WotC has decided On-line represents a better combination of Profit & Customer Support over a Print Publication.
All right. Go for it.
But drop the Super Silence thing (Or Power Word Wedgie the Law Department till they see some common sense).
As my Mom says "If you can't say something nice...."
& I've heard nothing but Dire Crickets form WotC over this (I don't go to the Wizards Forums that often; website yes, forums no).
My experience on Total Silence on a project (such as a Movie, video game, etc):
What they say before it comes out:
100% of the time "This is going to be sooo COOL!!!! The GREATEST thing ever. I soooo wish I could tell you more. But I can't. Can't say anything really, Won't too. Can't"
What actually comes out:
5% Just like they said. Coolness +5 of Studliness.
25% OK. Not great. Not bad. Pretty Average really. Masterwork Quality at best.
30% My. the Craptastic +3. No wonder you didn't want to say anything.
40% Could I just watch a Showgirls/Waterworld Double Feature & then Drink some New Coke & play Superman 64? I was unaware something could both Suck & Blow so hard at the same time. The laws of physics have been utterly destroyed. Much as the Blood pouring out my Eyes & Ears have done to my vision & hearing.
Let's face it. WotC Track record in the Computer side ain't great. Heck I have High Speed & a 19" Monitor & I still don't go to Wizards.com because of the Nasty Things it does to my Connection & Visual Cortex.
I want to see D&D Succeed.
Whether Print or Digital. It one of my Primary Hobbies. With it's continued success, my ability to have Fun & Relax is better.
But even I am looking at Sept as the Day the Dragon laid an Egg, and Gold will not be the material its made of.
Boy, that's a long post to ask this question:
When are we going to hear something besides "On the Advice form my Legal Counsel I cannot answer that question at this time"