Whoops- WotC does it again

[Dannyalcatraz]

People have been complaining about the lack of content or quality in some of the recent supplemental releases from WotC, like the "8 Page" 4Ed Character Record Sheets.

But have you seen this product?

[ame]http://www.amazon.com/Dungeons-Dragons-Premium-Dice-Accessory/dp/0786948744[/ame]

Here, the problem isn't a lack of content or overcharging, its over-packaging!

Instead of following the lead of almost all of the other dice manufacturers and delivering their product in a nice, compact, translucent and reusable container, they give us a bunch of cardboard and plastic around air.

Do they hate trees or something? Or did they have extra paper products taking up warehouse space after going digital with Dragon and Dungeon?

I suppose I'm extra-sensitive to this- I remember when CDs came in 12" tall long boxes that were mostly disposable cardboard and plastic wrap. Done "for security" or to make efficient use of the older record bins, it was nonetheless very wasteful and bad for the environment.

Eventually, pressure from the environmentally concerned got that packaging reduced to the simple jewelbox...or the reusable tall plastic containers you see in places like Sam's or some bookstores.

 

[Scribble]

They've been doing this for a while... I'm guessing it has to do with wanting to get the dice in the same places they have the books being sold.

They're book shaped so they don't have to be behind the counter. They get to be on the shelf next to the rest of the books. Maybe it helps prevent the "Awwww batteries not included!?!" syndrome...

 

[MerricB]

It is dice and a bag.

I don't see anything wrong with the packaging. Cardboard can be recycled, and I'm much, much more worried about excess use of plastic.

Cheers!

 

[Asmor]

They've been doing this for a while... I'm guessing it has to do with wanting to get the dice in the same places they have the books being sold.

They're book shaped so they don't have to be behind the counter. They get to be on the shelf next to the rest of the books.

Bingo. It's all about marketing. Can you picture a bunch of chessex dice next to the RPG books at Barnes & Nobles, or next to the starter game at Toys 'r' Us? Nope, never gonna happen.

Also, doesn't it come with a cloth bag or something?

In any case, this isn't a product designed for existing gamers. It's obviously for new players who don't have dice and may not know where to find them. I don't know if they're still color coded, but the older sets were, and they were just plain, solid dice, not the least bit interesting. Any gamer who knows his stuff would almost assuredly opt for more interesting dice in their favorite colors.

 

[darjr]

I really do not like the little plastic boxes that many dice come in. They break way to easily and fall open way to often at completely inappropriate times. I'm not going to buy the WotC dice, but dice sold in or with a bag is a LOT nicer imho.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

1) I didn't say it was just dice- I just said that it seemed like it was a whole bunch of cardboard & plastic wrap for what you got inside...AND you can't look at the dice to see what you're getting.

I mean, its not like these things are "collectibles" in the sense of M:tG cards or DDM or WizKids minis. Given the competition's packaging- blister packs, reusable plastic boxes, you ought to be able to examine your purchase.

Instead, there isn't even a window or mini-blister with one of the die in it. You're buying sight-unseen.

2) Even though cardboard is recyclable, each time its processed, you still get some pollutants released. And the amount of cardboard in this pack is several times that of a blister pack.

In addition, they could simply have marketed the dice in the bag- sans cardboard- with "D&D Premium Dice" printed on the side, sealed with a heavy but cut-able plastic cinch, placed next to the DDMs.

3) Side note- when you use minis, those plastic boxes are useful for indicating PCs affected by certain spells- like Mage Armor- or for showing that a PC has elevation because he's flying or some such.

 

[Scribble]

I didn't say it was just dice- just that it seemed like it was a whole bunch of cardboard & plastic wrap for what you got inside...AND you can't look at the dice to see what you're getting.

I mean, its not like these things are "collectibles" in the sense of M:tG cards or DDM or WizKids minis. Given the competition's packaging, you ought to be able to examine your purchase.

Instead, there isn't even a window or blister with one of the die in it. You're buying sight-unseen.

They're dice... And a bag. And that's what it says they are on the box...This is really a huge problem? Are you afraid WoTC is going to pull a switcheroo and instead of dice and a bag you'll get a moldy pickle or something?

I buy things like computer drives and stuff that come in boxes with no window to see it. I honestly don't see how this is somehow a problem for WoTC to do? Dice are going to look like dice. And you need them to play the game they also sell right next to the dice they sell.

 

[Foundry of Decay]

There's far worse than this destroying the environment.

Plastic

Do you know what goes into making those little clear plastic cases? The amount of energy and toxins in plastic is phenomenally amazing.

So honestly, the solution of 'the plastic cases are smaller' isn't a solution. Its a space-saver illusion.

 

[Merlin the Tuna]

So honestly, the solution of 'the plastic cases are smaller' isn't a solution. Its a space-saver illusion.

I'd go so far as to say it's flagrant greenwashing.

 

[cangrejoide]

So now WOTC is the Enviroment's archenemy?

Damn, where is Captain Planet when you need him?