Sooo, that's my players certain not to be subscribing to DDI...

[EATherrian]

I certainly won't be subscribing either. My main reason is that I loved Dragon / Dungeon and a bastardized electronic version will make me more bitter than anything else. The quality of those magazines were the work of a different company for one, and I can't really read anything on a computer, small snippets but no really deep reading. So for me to continue with them I'd have to invest in the DDI, then print out all of my PDFs. I'm sure that will end up more expensive than I'm willing to bear. Also, none of the other features really excite me. If I want a character picture I'll draw one, heck even if it's just a stick figure I'll know what he looks like. The Virtual Tabletop is nice for the real war-gamer sorts but I've been happy as a lamb playing with a group over AIM. This whole thing of pushing miniatures and the such is just not how I like to play, I find it too limiting. Well, just my 2/100 of a gold piece.

 

[Hussar]

This is a great value.

It also isn't something I will probably buy.

These are not incompatible points of view. I am capable of acknowledging that this is a good price for the content provided, and yet also knowing that I don't personally want the content at this price. Its like a pimento loaf sandwich from a world class gourmet chef- it might be an absolute steal at $5, but I don't like pimento loaf. And I'm capable of acknowledging this without TOTAL RAGE.

Again, I must be interwebbing wrong.

This.

And, I really, really hope you can use your own minis, same as using something like OpenRPG. I have no interest in actually paying for virtual minis. Screw that.

Honestly, I cannot see my group of seven shelling out a thousand dollars a year for the VTT when we can get it for free. Of my group, only I actually subscribed to Dungeon or Dragon, so, it's unlikely my players will change. This just doesn't really appeal to me.

 

[Scholar & Brutalman]

Of any of the things I do or don't like about the new game, the DDI pricing is one I see no problem with. In this day and age, 10 bucks a month is a very doable and reasonable price. People will spend FAR more on cigarettes, a meal out instead of cooking, an impulse buy in a store, or an online computer game subscription. Ten bucks a month isn't a bat of an eyelash to most people.

The money wouldn't be a problem for me but it's literally the opportunity cost. I could be spending that money on ale and whores! I'm not interested in the Game Table or the Visualizer, so it has to be the quality of the online content. Frankly, I need to see a big improvement in that.

 

[Tolen Mar]

That's just too much. I was interested in seeing what they put up there, but I can't agree to that kind of commitment. Either its too much per month, or I can't shell out for a year ahead of time.

Price-wise, it probably isnt that bad (it sounds okay), but I can't do that.

 

[Glyfair]

All subscribers will get the entire library of 2D minis and a starter set of tiles. As a limited time offer, all initial subscribers will also get the full collection of 3D minis and 2D/3D tiles.

I believe they actually said you would get 2D minis from the Monster Manual I, not the entire library (admittedly, that might be all they create in 2D).

I admit, I find the comparisons to WoW pricing ironic. One of the drums that was beating loud during early 4E discussion was "D&D isn't and shouldn't be WoW." Now we are getting the "how dare they price it as WoW, WoW has more."

IMO, we should take the WoW comparison off the table, unless that is your actual choice ("Do I subscribe to DDI or WoW"). Compare DDI to the things that it actually is comparable. That would be the various online tabletops, the character generators, the gaming magazines/content, etc.

 

[Spinachcat]

DDI is a great value IF

(a) you enjoyed Dragon and Dungeon and will be happy reading them on your laptop while squeezing out dookies in the bathroom
OR
(b) you are a DM or player who has no regular D&D group

For people in category A or B, $120 / year is nothing in exchange for the hundreds of hours of fun.

Also, I am stunned by the number of posters who talk about how $120 is too much for them to spend. Maybe you need less time posting and more time getting a better job. If you live in the USA and can't toss out $120 for your fun, then there's a career problem happening.

 

[Tolen Mar]

Well, while it is true I need a better paying job, the truth of the matter is simple. When you are married, it isn't 'your' money. Somewhere along the line the y falls off and it becomes 'our' money.

Which wouldn't be bad, but she thinks this hobby is kind of silly...

Nonetheless, it shouldn't surprise anyone that there are people who can't (or won't) drop $120 bucks for something fun, no matter how much fun it is. (ok, I might drop that kind of cash into a concert, but an online subscription to play with digital dolls...? )

 

[Clavis]

Also, I am stunned by the number of posters who talk about how $120 is too much for them to spend. Maybe you need less time posting and more time getting a better job. If you live in the USA and can't toss out $120 for your fun, then there's a career problem happening.

Which USA do you live in? Because I live in the one which is entering a recession, whose currency is losing value, and whose people are losing their homes and jobs left and right.

There are A LOT of people who can't afford $120 a year in the USA.

 

[Dausuul]

Yeah, I just don't see why this is so outrageously expensive given what you get. Dragon, Dungeon, the Rules Database (even books you don't own!!!), character generator, tabletop. Well worth $120/year for me.

Still, like everything 4e related, the actual product will be the deciding factor.

Indeed. That rules database is HUGE. Sooooo convenient... no more paying for splatbooks unless I really need the physical book. And the fact that you get X free "guest passes" per month goes a long way for me, depending on the value of X.

If the graphics are up to snuff, I might well spring for this.

 

[Festivus]

IMO, we should take the WoW comparison off the table, unless that is your actual choice ("Do I subscribe to DDI or WoW"). Compare DDI to the things that it actually is comparable. That would be the various online tabletops, the character generators, the gaming magazines/content, etc.

The thought of I should just go buy WoW instead actually crossed my mind... but then I remembered how much I disliked MMORPGs and came to my senses.

I am on the fence, but I'll probably buy a year (pretending it's just my Dungeon and Dragon subscriptions).