I'd love this, because it's the option that seems most likely to exist at the intersection of "actually happens" and "causes me no pain", but it wouldn't be ideal. I love the concept of the pdf format, I've bought tons of pdf products, and they are absolutely brilliant in some situations (checking out a new product I want to have just to have but am not sure I'd actually use, or when I'm at the computer and want to look something up without getting off of my... chair...).
I agree. And for players/GMs like me, who do almost all their prep in the digital, and have a computer present during the game (I use a laptop instead of a DM screen now, as I'm sure many others do), having pdfs, and especially access to everything via the Compendium has become a godsend.
The last game I ran, I opened everything I knew I'd need during the game in separate compendium tabs and was thus able to quickly switch back and forth between them. It was brilliant (my first time DMing 4e). In one 6-hour session, we blew through a skill challenge, 2 at-level fights, one Level +3 fight, and still had plenty of time for RP, and some exploring. Previously, this would have been a feat of DMing heroics with my group.
So yeah, as long as all this stuff makes its way into the Compendium/CB, I'm a happy camper.
Unfortunately I find that actually using them at the table is something I just don't end up doing. It ought to be easy to print them out and use them, and maybe if I got myself organized and had a folder of stuff I used... But the folder I put my (printed out) monster stat blocks in for actual play use has about 5x as many old, used, no-longer relevant monsters in it than it does new ones.
I actually do like to use pdfs at the table, but it's usually maps and modules. Monsters, I prefer using the compendium pages, or if it's a custom critter, I'll build it with Adventure Tools and print it on an as-needed basis. Again though, this is why I like seeing everything that comes from Dragon and Dungeon find its way to the digital tools.
And I positively don't want any more big hardcover gaming books. Having to drag a big pile of heavy books to every game sucks, as my last few backpacks can attest. As this is mostly character-building stuff, maybe it wouldn't matter. One of the strengths of 4e for me is that I've managed to get away from feeling I have to know and track PC abilities, so as long as it gets into the CB it shouldn't be a big deal... But there is some stuff, and a few players, who manage to make me feel like maybe I should be bringing my books, so I can double-check stuff...
I always host the game, but even then I don't want to use anymore big clunky hardbacks. I store all my RPG material inside a coffee table ottoman type thing and I'm running out of room. Even the bulkiness doesn't matter so much when like you point out, it's all character generating material, because it should happen outside of game time or whatever.
As far as double-checking stuff goes, that can largely be done via the Compendium as well, which is (or
should be) reasonably up-to-date and errata'd.
So, yeah, basically I'm really, really bummed by the loss of the physical format of the essentials books. Dunno if anyone else feels the dame way (or cares, I guess, lol...) but that's what I want my rpg products to look and feel like nowadays. (With the exception that I appreciate good black and white products just as much as color ones. Not that the Essentials art isn't good - the illustration on p.31 of the Rules Compendium is now on my short list of favorite rpg art; but I'm more than happy with products that aren't full-color, as long as they have some style...)
I think there are a lot of people that disagree with you, and a lot that agree. The 'agree' crowd seems to share your sentiment of not wanting to lug a pile of huge bulky books everywhere. The 'disagree' crowd seems mostly miffed that the Essentials products look out of place on their shelf and don't match the existing format, which to me implies something about the personality type of that crowd.
These are just generalizations, and anecdotal ones at that, but it's a trend I've noticed on these, and other, boards.
And yes, I agree about the image on p31 of the RC. Excellent stuff. I'm a D&D art grognard, in that I much prefer the old Easleys, Elmores, Parkinsons, Caldwells, Lakeys, and so on from 2e and earlier to the cartoon-ish, comic book style art of 3.x and early 4e. I immediately noticed an improvement in the art direction for Essentials. It still has some of the old cartoony stuff that I disdain, but now contains much more of the kind of thing that I like. I feel that it's a good compromise. I appreciate that they're giving a nod to that artstyle instead of concentrating solely on trying to impress the predominantly younger comic book and anime crowd.
Sorry about the highly tangental and rambling post.
And I really hope my last comment doesn't start an art-style jihad.
