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<blockquote data-quote="Riastlin" data-source="post: 5622568" data-attributes="member: 94022">Obviously none of us have access to WotC's books so we can't say for sure how much a) it costs to keep DDi up and running or b) exactly how much $ they are bringing or or c) project how much this will go up or down in the future.That being said, while I realize it won't be free to keep the 4ed DDi material up, it also won't be on par with say the costs of keeping the servers of a dying - dead MMO up and running.&nbsp; This is particularly true if the online tools end up being designed well enough so that new content can be implemented with relatively little impact on older edition content.&nbsp; Its clear that WotC sees digital distribution as the future of the market.&nbsp; That being the case, it makes sense for them to try to make the online tools usable by as many people as possible for as long as possible.&nbsp; Turning DDi off to the 4ed only players will also cannibalize sales of 5ed as people go into a rage over the &quot;heinous, stupid, abusive, intolerant, greedy&quot; acts of the company.&nbsp; WotC knows that not everyone who plays 4ed will play 5ed, just as has happened with every edition.&nbsp; So, the question then comes, how can we maximize our profits?&nbsp; Given that the VTT clearly indicates the acceptance of out of print editions in the future (why else have a toggle for edition?) it seems clear that WotC at least acknowledges that they must examine the feasibility of supporting both editions.Of course, nobody (probably including WotC) can say for sure if 4ed will be supported with DDi when 5ed is released.&nbsp; I just can't believe that WotC will not at least consider it -- especially if DDi does well in 4ed once the tools are up and running relatively well.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Riastlin, post: 5622568, member: 94022"] Obviously none of us have access to WotC's books so we can't say for sure how much a) it costs to keep DDi up and running or b) exactly how much $ they are bringing or or c) project how much this will go up or down in the future. That being said, while I realize it won't be free to keep the 4ed DDi material up, it also won't be on par with say the costs of keeping the servers of a dying - dead MMO up and running. This is particularly true if the online tools end up being designed well enough so that new content can be implemented with relatively little impact on older edition content. Its clear that WotC sees digital distribution as the future of the market. That being the case, it makes sense for them to try to make the online tools usable by as many people as possible for as long as possible. Turning DDi off to the 4ed only players will also cannibalize sales of 5ed as people go into a rage over the "heinous, stupid, abusive, intolerant, greedy" acts of the company. WotC knows that not everyone who plays 4ed will play 5ed, just as has happened with every edition. So, the question then comes, how can we maximize our profits? Given that the VTT clearly indicates the acceptance of out of print editions in the future (why else have a toggle for edition?) it seems clear that WotC at least acknowledges that they must examine the feasibility of supporting both editions. Of course, nobody (probably including WotC) can say for sure if 4ed will be supported with DDi when 5ed is released. I just can't believe that WotC will not at least consider it -- especially if DDi does well in 4ed once the tools are up and running relatively well. [/QUOTE]

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