The Red Dragon's Interview is up!

[Wormwood]

Did anyone who actually plays 4e feel insulted? If not, then WotC has not insulted it's customers.

Exactly.

 

[Wicht]

WotC is bigger than 4e.

 

[Fifth Element]

WotC is bigger than 4e.

What are you trying to say? That they insulted M:tG fans?

 

[The Little Raven]

WotC is bigger than 4e.

Indeed it is.

However, I find it somewhat silly to think that a non-D&D gamer will go to the D&D website, navigate through the horrible interface to the find the Dragon Magazine Cartoons, watch the dragon one, and get horribly offended that a company that makes D&D is poking fun at D&D gamers to the extent that they will cease all purchases from the company, like you suggest.

If Dragon Magazine carrying KotDT or Dork Tower, both of which make fun of gamers in ways that hit way closer to home, didn't drive people away from buying WotC or Paizo products, then I doubt this will as well.

 

[El Mahdi]

<begin rant>

Oh for the love of God! You've got to be kidding me that this has, and still is, actually bothering people! THIS IS A CARTOON, PEOPLE! It's not a political statement, it's not a statement of belief, it's not purporting to be factual, nor is it intended as editorial, - it's nothing more than sarcastic humor poking fun at both "sides" of the issues now surrounding WoTC, and even pokes fun at themselves. This is not meant to be serious, it isn't serious, and those who take it seriously need to GET A LIFE!

For the record:

Poop jokes are funny!
(just because some don't like them - or find them "offensive" doesn't make this any less true - in fact, to those who do find poop jokes funny, the fact that some don't like them actually makes them even more funny to those who do) I showed this cartoon to my 73 year old mother-in-law and she absolutely loved it. If for some reason you can't tell "poop" jokes around your grandmother, either you or your grandmother (or both) should seek medical attention to remove that stick up your .

This cartoon is not a 4E/non-4E thing!
There are people who found this cartoon funny, and laughed their asses off over it, that do not like 4E (exhibit A: Me - not a 4E convert, sticking with my houseruled 3.5E - and I thought this cartoon was absolutely hysterically funny). WoTC: I'm anxiously awaiting and anticipating the next cartoon. Whoever is writing them: Kudos to you, these are absolutely, hysterically, awesome! Keep it up!

This cartoon is not intended to be serious, and should not be taken as such!
If this cartoon has so offended you, that you see intentional insult leveled towards you specifically, then you are taking WoTC, this game, and probably life in general way too seriously. To these people I suggest: Seek professional help, and find a different hobby!

Can we please all get past this now and move on to talking about what we do like about our hobby, and get back to providing advice to eachother that can make all of our games and game experiences better.

<end rant>

 

[Wicht]

What are you trying to say? That they insulted M:tG fans?

No. I am saying that their attitude and marketing is divisive and that some (me) who do not really have an interest in 4e, because of their unprofessional and juvenile attitude, now have less interest in their other products, which I do still buy upon occasion.

Feelings (not mine) are still sore on the part of too many for it to be a good idea for WotC to think that rubbing salt in those wounds is funny. Their disrespect of others makes me, a consumer, respect them less as a company. WotC has made little or no effort to repair the damage done to their corporate image by their own PR and in point of fact this flash cartoon says to me that they seem not to care about repairing that damage. While parts of the cartoon may have made me smile, most of it was just, “hrmm,” and at the end of it, I decided that maybe I could direct my money in other directions. Nor am I the only one to feel that way.

Thus I know of those who have less interest in supporting WotC as a company because of this. I ask again, has this brought in any new customers? If not, it’s a loss, marketing wise.

 

[Obryn]

It seems to me the value of this flash cartoon re: marketing should be debated by asking the questions: 1) Did it attract New Customers? 2) Did it drive away potential Customers?

Do you really think those are the only two questions?

You're talking about marketing as if you know something about it.

Thus I know of those who have less interest in supporting WotC as a company because of this. I ask again, has this brought in any new customers? If not, it’s a loss, marketing wise.

While I'm sure that you and your two friends are part of any statistic, it's silly to think that most people think like you do.

With all the outrage, I could almost be convinced that (1) Real people who aren't oversensitive ENWorld denizens care; (2) They know marketing better than WotC/Hasbro; and (3) They really care about 4e.

Wait - no, I really couldn't.

This is a typical messageboard tempest in a teapot.

-O

 

[billd91]

Can we please all get past this now and move on to talking about what we do like about our hobby, and get back to providing advice to each other that can make all of our games and game experiences better.

You're not being held captive in this thread. If some people want to continue talking about this topic, that's all well and good. There are plenty of other threads for you to participate in elsewhere.

 

[Wicht]

Do you really think those are the only two questions?

No, there are plenty of other questions. But unless WotC is recieving an income based upon web-page hits, then they, IMO, are probably the most relevant in terms of marketing success.

You're talking about marketing as if you know something about it.

I have been a consumer all my life. I know what sells to my individual demographic.

While I'm sure that you and your two friends are part of any statistic, it's silly to think that most people think like you do.

Are you calling me silly?

Technically, I am a part of a statistic. I think you mean "statistically significant." And frankly, I don't care if most people think like I do or not.

The fact that people have complained means that there is a divisive element to the cartoon. You can condenscend all you want to those who are upset, but personally, I think its silly for a company not to care that their marketing strategy is needlessly alienating potential customers.

 

[El Mahdi]

You're not being held captive in this thread. If some people want to continue talking about this topic, that's all well and good. There are plenty of other threads for you to participate in elsewhere.

Talking about this topic would be good, and a wonderful change of pace. Perhaps we could all give it a try.