Whatever Happened to Classic TSR Downloads?

[airwalkrr]

There used to be a glut of TSR PDFs available at the ENWorld store, DriveThruRPG, and other places but now they are gone. What gives? Did WotC decide that AD&D was giving 4e too much competition? (Because it was)

 

[Aus_Snow]

It's (very) old news now, but yeah, they removed all PDFs (even 4e, actually) from all vendors.

Also, a rather flamey topic in its time. . . so, watch out!

edit --- And note, they still have some old edition downloads available for free here, so the whole edition vs. edition reason couldn't be *entirely* the case, even if they hadn't pulled 4e PDFs as well. . .

 

[rogueattorney]

There used to be a glut of TSR PDFs available at the ENWorld store, DriveThruRPG, and other places but now they are gone. What gives? Did WotC decide that AD&D was giving 4e too much competition? (Because it was)

About 9 months ago, WotC pulled all .pdf's for sale, both new and old editions, from all licensed vendors. The announced reason for this was due to piracy concerns. It caused a pretty major Internet poo-storm.

How and why these piracy concerns affected OOP .pdf's is an open question, never adequately explained by WotC, in my opinion. To my knowledge, WotC never specifically addressed why they also pulled the OOP products.

WotC said that they were looking into a different distribution model that would counter the piracy issue. I wouldn't hold your breath, if I were you. I suspect that the DDI is that distribution model and that they never plan on making OOP edition .pdf's available again.

 

[airwalkrr]

Just proving my belief that WotC hates their customers and refuses to admit that 4e is a failed experiment.

Admin here. This? This is a problem. We've had enough of edition wars, although I suspect that you aren't aware that we don't want to see this sort of thing. No more, please. ~ PCat

 

[El Mahdi]

deleted

 

[Holy Bovine]

Just proving my belief that WotC hates their customers and refuses to admit that 4e is a failed experiment.

Reported.

 

[Dire Bare]

Reported.

Thanks!

 

[airwalkrr]

All I know is every time I hear news about WotC these days its bad.

Thanks for the links though. Looks like I have some reading to do.

 

[airwalkrr]

Reported.

I guess expressing an opinion is supposed to be against the rules. It wasn't like I was badgering, spamming, or using foul language, dude. Take a chill pill.

I've said far worse about WotC on this site in the past and it's nothing compared to what has been said on the threads posted by El Mahdi. Heck, I used to be a pretty stalwart WotC defender. But there's nothing wrong with recognizing a bad PR move when you see one and calling it. If someone's opinion doesn't agree with your own, ignore it.

 

[jaerdaph]

Reported.

Nobody likes a tattletale, Cindy.