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

[Zaruthustran]

You not seeing it as a positive change is a different matter than people throwing a drama queen tantrum and throwing around conspiracy theories and outright hate while comparing this event to children dying and physical assaults.

Well, remember John Gabriel's Greater Internet Theory.

ALERT! ALERT!: contains PG-13 words.
http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2004/03/19

Not casting judgement on those expressing anger at the cancellation of the mag's; just pointing out that boards, by their nature, are dramatic.

-z

 

[Vanuslux]

Well, remember John Gabriel's Greater Internet Theory.

ALERT! ALERT!: contains PG-13 words.
http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2004/03/19

Not casting judgement on those expressing anger at the cancellation of the mag's; just pointing out that boards, by their nature, are dramatic.

-z

You seem pretty heavily invested in making those upset about the situation out to be irrational idiots. So pot...meet kettle.

 

[haakon1]

You seem pretty heavily invested in making those upset about the situation out to be irrational idiots. So pot...meet kettle.

If you're hinting that as a Seattleite, he's a WOTC plant, I doubt it.

More likely works for Penny Arcade, which I believe is also a Seattle publisher (like Paizo and WOTC).

 

[Wrathamon]

That's an argument *for* online distribution. I've got a bunch of old Dragons. Some are in boxes, some are in bookshelves. I keep them because, I don't know, I guess I sometimes think I'll want to read them again. Guess what? I never have. Never. Even if I recall some feat or article that was interesting, and want to find it again, I consider the giant pile of magazines and it's just not worth sorting through them all.

Compare to the old Dragon archive CD. Instantly searchable. Always available. Portable. Clean and as clutter-free as a single silver platter can be. Put all the goodness online, and you can even toss the silver platter (and access the info from home, work, at a buddy's house, on your phone, etc.).

Don't get me wrong: I loved Dragon. Each issue was fun to read. Fun to read once. Magazines are supposed to be disposable; it's why descriptions of crazy people tend to include overflowing stacks of National Geographic and other periodicals.

I kid, but I'm also really, really glad that all that rich content will be presented online, where it's actually usable and archivable. I'll finally be able to pull up all those feats, articles, and other content in a practical way. And clean out my den.

-z

That is what searchable PDF copies of the magazine are for. Provide both to subscribers for a bit more money.

online only? you are buying something and getting nothing for it. What if you dont have access to a computer? Lots of games are run at conventions... not everyone has a laptop and not all conventions have free wifi.

The CD is a better deal. Why? cause it is worth something. You could sell it. Give it to a friend or keep it forever.

What if the website goes down? You dont have access. Oh and if you stop paying the services fees... you dont have access.

Magazine - you paid for it. You own it. You have it. If you dont read it... well that is your fault. You shouldnt have bought it. You should have borrowed it from a friend or you should have sold them to someone who would use them.

I am fine will cool online stuff... but I wont BOTH. I dont want one popular gaming staple to be replaced with something that frankly isnt as valuable to me.

 

[Zaruthustran]

You seem pretty heavily invested in making those upset about the situation out to be irrational idiots. So pot...meet kettle.

Well played. As I mentioned in that quote, the theory applies to all message board posters--including me.

I do take umbrage with the bit about making others out to be idiots. That's not my intent. I just see a lot of what look like misinformed reactions, and so have made a few posts showcasing the positive impacts of the DI in general, and the mag cancellation in particular.

I'm an optimist by nature and honestly think this is all very, very positive for both WotC (yay! online information and tools!) and Paizo (yay! released from the burden of producing a monthly magazine for a third party and can now focus on cool, new products and initiatives!).

Again: I don't think anyone on ENworld is an idiot. I consider this place the ivory tower of message boards. But it's still a message board.

-z

PS in reply to haakon1: yes, like my profile says, I work at Penny Arcade.

 

[haakon1]

PS in reply to haakon1: yes, like my profile says, I work at Penny Arcade.

Umm, yes, that's a good point you make there.

 

[Waylander the Slayer]

Lets See:
This is quite simple - who do I expect better adventures, design and content from?

Team 1:

Erik Mona
Wulfgang Baur
James Jacobs
Tito Lati
Rich Pett
Nicolas Logue
Stephen Greer
Greg Vaughan

Team 2:
Chris Tomasson
Mathew Sernet
James Wyatt
Jesse Decker
Chris Perkins
Kim Mohan
Bill Savachek

 

[haakon1]

Lets See:
This is quite simple - who do I expect better adventures, design and content from?

Team 1:

Erik Mona
Wulfgang Baur
James Jacobs
Tito Lati
Rich Pett
Nicolas Logue
Stephen Greer
Greg Vaughan

Team 2:
Chris Tomasson
Mathew Sernet
James Wyatt
Jesse Decker
Chris Perkins
Kim Mohan
Bill Savachek

Team 1. Erik and Wulfgang are my favs since Gary and Rob Kuntz.

 

[Wrathamon]

PS in reply to haakon1: yes, like my profile says, I work at Penny Arcade.

So you are one who believes in the whole web publishing is better then print publishing angle so your opinion is very skewed.

Next thing will have the miniature line go online with E-miniatures! No more of those mini's collecting dust you will have instant access to hundreds of miniatures with a click of a mouse! All your D&D favorites in full 24-bit color at 256x256!

Print comic books, books, etc. read better when they are printed on paper. Hate E-books. Also, hate the fact that if you switch computers you loose em.

comic strips work online because they are a quick view... reading something in depth hurtz me eyes.

 

[Wrathamon]

Lets See:
This is quite simple - who do I expect better adventures, design and content from?

Team 1:

Erik Mona
Wulfgang Baur
James Jacobs
Tito Lati
Rich Pett
Nicolas Logue
Stephen Greer
Greg Vaughan

Team 2:
Chris Tomasson
Mathew Sernet
James Wyatt
Jesse Decker
Chris Perkins
Kim Mohan
Bill Savachek

A team 1 never works for wizards? Are they exclusive to someone else?