Update: Malhavoc PDFs no longer available at RPGnow (merged)

[Alzrius]

What I don't understand is, why change vendors at all? The feedback I've heard so far has been less than encouraging, and RPGnow seems to be doing well for a reason. It didn't seem broken, so why fix it?

 

[d20Dwarf]

In fact, if you talk to someone who's actually *used* DriveThru, you'll find that they'll most likely tell you that it was easy, quick, and that customer service (if you need it) is also quick and helpful.

One thing that's not quick, easy, or customer-friendly is the load time on their site. Broken images, minutes to load the front page....not a good first impression. Makes ENWorld look fast as lightning. I wonder if their server problems will affect downloads?

 

[d20Dwarf]

Others are put off by the fact that many prices as DTRPG are almost as expensive as the MSRP of the print product, whereas most consumers consider the printed product a significant added value, and you could get a print product cheaper through a big discount house like Amazon.

This is what *really* confuses me about their model. DTRPG basically gives a buck off the MSRP, while Amazon gives 30%, and other sites even more, for a print product. Are they banking on the idea that people actually *want* pdfs instead of books for new products?

 

[BrooklynKnight]

Hrm. Monte, thanks for chiming in.

I do not like this turn unfortunatly. Especially since people are saying the security enabled PDF's cost more. I like PDF's cause the majority of them are 5$. I tend to stick to print products because I cant afford to buy both. Now that gap is increased further.

Can you perhaps enlighten us why you've chosen to do exlusive contracts and couldnt work with both sites?

 

[Psion]

I suspect the slow server issue thing is due to the fact that they are giving away a PDF of Exalted FREE! Heck, I even went for that.

It wasn't a total pain in the butt to get it, and I'm on dialup.

 

[BradfordFerguson]

With all due respect, I am not against change itself, but I am against it when things don't change for the better. Honestly, the DriveThruRPG.com BAREly loaded before timing out the first time and it refused to load Malhavoc's product offering page. I tried to load it 20 minutes later and the front page simply didn't load for me.

For me, RPGNow.com is fast and easy to use. I think all the people that refuse to do Paypal.com are simply silly... Right now, Drive Thru RPG isn't fast or easy to use, I can't even navigate the webpage more than two clicks without running into a timeout error.

I think it's a big business mistake for you (Malhavoc) because Drive Thru RPG doesn't have a proven track record, nor do their webmasters have a proven track record. No offense to Sword & Sorcery Studios (or White Wolf), but I don't think you can point to their website as user-friendly. Unless Drive Thru RPG seeks outside help from someone more capable, I think it will experience some growing pains for three months if not longer. There's only so much people are willing to put up with before they decide it's not worth their effort.

edit: I concede that there is the possibility that publishers under White Wolf do not have much choice in the matter.

 

[Napftor]

...Can you perhaps enlighten us why you've chosen to do exlusive contracts and couldnt work with both sites?

Maybe it's a White Wolf thing?

 

[d20Dwarf]

There's no "Get Adobe Reader here!" link on the front page of their site.

 

[The_lurkeR]

I can't even get their site to load for one...
Secondly DRM to be blunt, sucks.

Personally if I buy a book or PDF I expect to be able to do whatever I want with it, the transaction is over, get out of my business. No I'm not going to go posting it on Kazaa, but I don't want to jump through any hoops or hassles either.

 

[BrooklynKnight]

Maybe it's a White Wolf thing?

Thats very possible, but I dunno... Monte seems very exited about the change, and I dont think he'd put on a fascad like that. I have no doubt that he genuinly supports the site and idea.


In fact, I applaud and support his attempt to combat piracy. Though, I think it sacrifices to much in the longrun, for what might be too little of an effect. These security issues can by bypassed with anyone truly intrested in doing so.


The large selection of White Wolf products is impressive, i'll admit.

The whole thing however makes me suspicious and a tad leery. I'll sit back and watch what happens so far.


As for the press release... will that be BOEM 3.5, or 3.0?