Suggestion for compromise on Wizard's PDFs

[Bugleyman]

(Cross-posted on RPG.net)

It seems obvious we aren't going to get the perfect solution for everyone. It also seems obvious that the current situation is untenable, especially for a company that is rapidly becoming all about digital delivery. We need a compromise.

I suggest:

1. Release the PDF 60-90 days after hardback.
2. Charge 50% of hardback cover price.

Since the vast, vast majority of hardcopy sales happen *way* before 60 to 90 days, the waiting period should address the fear that the PDF and hardback would compete with one another.

The 50% price point makes the PDFs affordable to those who really want them.

Ideal for neither party, but better than what we have now. Isn't that the essence of compromise?

 

[Olaf the Stout]

The biggest no brainer to me is to at least put the 2E and older PDF's up again. I really think that they are that different from 4E that they aren't going to cannibalise sales.

If anything it may help to reduce some of the ill-will people feel towards WotC for taking them down in the first place. I don't imagine that they will sell hugely well but people like the ability to buy them if they so choose.

I don't know what their best option is in regards to 4E PDF's.

Olaf the Stout

 

[Dice4Hire]

I am not a pdf person, but I, too, would like to see old 2E, 3E and such pdfs made available again. I like osme of the adventures, and would be willing to buy a few of them.

And hoestly, if anyone wants any of these illegally, they are no more than a few clicks away.

As for new 4E pdfs, it is a harder question. Illegal copies are out there, so why not sell the real ones legally, maybe 30-60 days after the books are out. If I wantto book, I'm not waiting an extra couple of months to get the pfd, and I imagine not many people will be either.

And selling them at about 50% is highway robbery, but a lot of people might pay for it. For sure WOTC would make 3-4 times as much on a 50%-off pdf than the physical book. Maybe 7-10 times.

Whatever they do, it should be seperate from the DDI. Or at least give non-DDI people an option to legally purchase WOTC products in pdf form.

 

[Morrus]

Since the vast, vast majority of hardcopy sales happen *way* before 60 to 90 days, the waiting period should address the fear that the PDF and hardback would compete with one another.

But that wasn't the fear. They feared piracy of their PDFs. Any suggestion would have to address that fear.

 

[ProfessorCirno]

But that wasn't the fear. They feared piracy of their PDFs. Any suggestion would have to address that fear.

And it actually does.

Keep in mind, the worry is that piracy hurt hard cover sales. The worry is not that piracy hurt pdf sales.

Lots of people who want the pdf will wait the (well ok maybe not a full month and a half) time to get the legal one, and pirates could very most likely also wait that long, as it's easier to turn a pre-existing pdf into the pirated version then it is to completely scan and destroy a physical book to do so.

The end result is that the first day piracy will drop sharply, which is the main concern.

I'd just...maybe scale it back from a month and a half ;p.

That said, stick up the older edition .pdfs. Taking those out was just asinine.

 

[the Jester]

(Cross-posted on RPG.net)

It seems obvious we aren't going to get the perfect solution for everyone. It also seems obvious that the current situation is untenable, especially for a company that is rapidly becoming all about digital delivery. We need a compromise.

There is a world of difference between "I don't like their policy" and "the situation is untenable."

I see absolutely zero motivation for WotC here. They will stick to their guns until a compelling plan that stops people from pirating the pdfs comes up. This is just wishful thinking.

The "first 30 days" argument doesn't hold much water. WotC wants to keep making money on the Players Handbook even after a month after release.

 

[3catcircus]

Or they could do like every other successful business does and budget for a certain amount of shrink and accept that as the cost of doing business.

It really doesn't matter what they do, there will always be some level of piracy, if even for just the challenge of doing so.

The only real way to get WotC to start selling PDFs again is to, en masse, vote with your cash and stop buying any/all WotC product.

 

[ProfessorCirno]

Or they could do like every other successful business does and budget for a certain amount of shrink and accept that as the cost of doing business.

It really doesn't matter what they do, there will always be some level of piracy, if even for just the challenge of doing so.

The only real way to get WotC to start selling PDFs again is to, en masse, vote with your cash and stop buying any/all WotC product.

I would argue that the real way to vote isn't with your cash but with your internet connection.

I'm not saying you should do this! But I think if D&D products saw a very strong RISE in piracy, WotC might have to question their actions.

 

[El Mahdi]

...The only real way to get WotC to start selling PDFs again is to, en masse, vote with your cash and stop buying any/all WotC product.

I've already done this, but apparently enough others haven't.


Damn addicts just can't stop buying their RPG's.

Weak willed losers. Pthththththt!

 

[Dice4Hire]

Certainly do not pirate more. Taht is not a solution

I also doubt a boycott will work

But keeping tlaking about the toppic like this is a good idea, as WOTC does know what the posts say, and it might spur them to make a paln faster.