WotC Replies: Statements by WotC employees regarding Dragon/Dungeon going online

[Tzeentch]

I suspect that the comments from the designers are going to be pretty underwhelming. For one thing they are probably going to demand that their response forum is heavily moderated, and they probably don't have much hard information they can share even if they wanted. They'll be lots of "we know secccrreeetts" and stuff but probably very little hard information on what is coming to replace Dragon in our budgets. I seriously don't really get what people expect from the designers, who are not the ones crafting PR and marketing decisions (we hope they are not that understaffed at least).

They'll wait for most of the energy to go out of this debate and then come in with some prepared Q&A in a highly structured environment. Not a chance of them getting involved directly like the Paizo folks did - WotC won't let them and they've never been directly involved with the community in the first place.

 

[JeffB]

Jeff,

Well I have lost something and I feel the emotion. But I'm done with it now and I want to move on.

I should say...I'm not nearly as emotional as most, though I understand some of the reaction.

I'm a wee bit sad...just because of the history of the magazines and what they have represented...but the actual loss does not affect *me*.

I just want answers now.

This is precisely my point. WOTC should have had those answers available..just like...

ermm...everybody repeat after me...

"JUST LIKE PAIZO DID"

That blurb, IMO was quite insulting to people's intelligence, especially Bill S.'s comment. I don't even care that much and I was still insulted

 

[Nightfall]

*chuckle* Yeah I can see your point Jeff. I guess though I want Bill here to perhaps clarify his statement in that "blurb."

 

[Khairn]

Jeff,

Yeah I feel you on that but on the other hand, let's just give them a chance. I'm not saying stop being unhappy. Just give them a chance to respond.

Otherwise I feel and agree with you on that 100%.

Nightfall, if you're talking to someone at WotC who is thinking of responding on this site, but wants the criticism to be toned down first, please pass on this little piece of advise. I strongly recommend posting on the official D&D boards before posting here. Avoiding gamers on their own site by posting anywhere else will just add fuel to the fire.

 

[BadMojo]

I'm not talking about designers now...I'm talking about the marketing people and the people in charge of this online initiative (assuming they've hired the positions yet, lol).

I work in Customer Service and have had to take the heat for a lot of things I had absolutely ZERO control over. As you said, it's part of the job (same with Marketing). The uh, stuff, all rolls down hill, as they say, and CS folks are usually the only direct contact the consumer has with the company.

Having said all that, it's part of my job to get blamed for stuff I didn't do. As you pointed out, the designers and other creative folks aren't in any way obligated to take the fallout from this whole thing. I'm not necessarily sure that everyone on EnWorld is going to make the same distinction that you did.

 

[Nightfall]

Devyn,

I'm sorry if you think I have such contacts. I don't. Most of my contacts are d20, and even they are former WotC employees. So while I can't speak for them, if such a person ever contacted me, I'll be happy to pass that along.

 

[Kheti sa-Menik]

Jeff,

Yeah I feel you on that but on the other hand, let's just give them a chance. I'm not saying stop being unhappy. Just give them a chance to respond.

Otherwise I feel and agree with you on that 100%.

They've had more than enough chance to respond. The fact they haven't in any meaningful way speaks volumes about their integrity, respect for the community, and professional conduct. And their ability to deliver any kind of online content. Just look at the fact they can't keep a search engine up and running on their forums. We expect them to be able to technically keep a pay online service up and running?

 

[Nightfall]

Kheti,

Maybe they've had internet access problems. I'm just saying CALM down. I'm not against you and I fully feel and somewhat support your anger. But let's not let that block the fact we've yet to TRULY hear from people at WotC.

 

[smootrk]

Nightfall, just kidding around but, are you getting paid for all these responses?

 

[Kheti sa-Menik]

Kheti,

Maybe they've had internet access problems. I'm just saying CALM down. I'm not against you and I fully feel and somewhat support your anger. But let's not let that block the fact we've yet to TRULY hear from people at WotC.

Nightfall, you're not that naive. Internet access problems? Every employee, the whole company? More likely, they just don't give a fig about what the community thinks.
It's the way they have been running the business since day one.

And seriously, Nightfall, are you on WOTC's payroll? You're almost being as sycophantic as Edymnion over on the WOTC boards. Come on man, don't defend these corporate stooges.