The Future of DDI Exclusive Content

[Pour]

Just curious if anyone has any ideas on the future of DDI exclusive content.

The added options from Dungeon and Dragon started us off (adventures, an adventure path, powers, feats, etc.), then the Revenant race, and most recently the Assassin class.

Could there be a future exclusive campaign setting? I wonder if that's the only way to see the less-popular classics. Though I would prefer an exclusive, original 4e setting for DDI if they won't commit to a new hardcover 2011 setting (which I think they actually will). Better yet, treatment of MtG blocks as campaigns, starting with Zendikar.

I also would love if they started up the Map-a-Week again in usable resolutions for DDI members to print as maps or (in my case) port over to RPG Maptool.

 

[Dire Bare]

Just curious if anyone has any ideas on the future of DDI exclusive content.

The added options from Dungeon and Dragon started us off (adventures, an adventure path, powers, feats, etc.), then the Revenant race, and most recently the Assassin class.

Could there be a future exclusive campaign setting? I wonder if that's the only way to see the less-popular classics. Though I would prefer an exclusive, original 4e setting for DDI if they won't commit to a new hardcover 2011 setting (which I think they actually will). Better yet, treatment of MtG blocks as campaigns, starting with Zendikar.

I also would love if they started up the Map-a-Week again in usable resolutions for DDI members to print as maps or (in my case) port over to RPG Maptool.

Currently, the only DDI exclusives announced have been the Revenant race and the Assassin class. All other current DDI articles could possible appear in actual print, such as in a Dragon Annual hardback (like the one just released last month).

WotC also promised "more" exclusive content, but to my knowlege have not announced any specifics yet.

I agree with your ideas on having "exclusive" campaign settings on DDI. It is extremely unlikely that Mystara, Birthright, Greyhawk and other similar campaigns will ever see print again (although there is always hope). Having articles dedicated to these classic settings would be very cool! And taking perhaps one of them, and developing it on DDI (akin to the printed campaign books) would be even cooler!

I'd love to see a "Races of Mystara" article, followed by articles on races, skills & feats, gazetteers . . . etc, etc.

 

[Derulbaskul]

Hmmm, food for thought.

I really like what I have read so far about the implied point-of-light setting. What I would really love to see next is an enormous map with a level of detail akin to that provided by Mike Schley in his outstanding map of Cormyr.

I just don't have the mapping talent to do that so that's something that DDi could do that would 1. make me very happy and 2. probably make a lot of others very happy too. It would be a great start to formalising the implied setting without going down the route of having a formal campaign setting book or whatnot so there would still be a lot of flexibility (and not all of the regions on the map need to have names so that there is still a lot of room for customisation).

 

[avin]

"Races of..." is an interesting idea.

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

I like the idea of presenting settings as exclusive DDI content. Which includes PoLand

I also would love to see some more content expanding on the existing settings, especially Eberron. Though I am not sure if it warrants being exclusive.

 

[Mathew_Freeman]

I really like what I have read so far about the implied point-of-light setting. What I would really love to see next is an enormous map with a level of detail akin to that provided by Mike Schley in his outstanding map of Cormyr.

I'd be very opposed to this. The whole point of the implied setting is that it is unmapped, allowing DM's to pick and choose which bits they do and don't use.

As soon as the map is created, it limits what you can do, in that particular areas are suddenly "officially" next to other areas, and if you're using one you're kind of suckered into using another.

As far as the OP goes, I'm happy to see occasional exclusive content. I think more niche races and classes would be good.

The idea of a mini-campaign setting, such as a group of articles on Birthright updated to 4e, would make me very happy.

 

[avin]

As seen on MMII online gallery, some monsters were left out and could be used as exclusive content.

They should be included on MB.

To be honest I sincerly doubt there will be such thing as "truly exclusive" content. CB is already pirated and you can find the assassin everywhere these days... the only "exclusive" thing I could imagine is some kind of "physical" reward, sent by mail... of course, I'm exageratting

 

[ExploderWizard]

As soon as the map is created, it limits what you can do, in that particular areas are suddenly "officially" next to other areas, and if you're using one you're kind of suckered into using another.

Why would any published map limit you from doing what you want? A large map providing a possible layout for various areas would be nice to see. If you didn't like it, then it could be ignored.

 

[avin]

The current edition idea of "we don't want to put many details because a blank space is better for DMs" looks strange to me.

It's cheaper not to go into details, less work. Wouldn't it be better to fill the lines then say: "these are just guidelines, feel free to ignore"?

When I flip my 4E books the feeling I get it's not that these are blank lines for DMs to works.

It feels more like the main focus is combat, you don't need much fluff, just put in some monsters and minis and this is the game.

Some people like it, power to them, but some people like me think 4E did a FANTASTIC job easing DM live on crunch/battle, while make it harder on triggering imagination, providing detailed maps, creating immersive fluff for DMs to use.