D&D 5E Would you buy a D&D Next Beta Playtest Rulebook?

[Li Shenron]

No, I'd rather wait for the complete job.

It even irritates me to have errata in my printed books, how could I ever withstand the sight of a book which is wrong since the start?

 

[enrious]

I bought the 2 4e preview books back in the day, but I'm unlikely to do so for any 5e products unless they were under $5.

 

[drothgery]

I wouldn't mind paying a nominal fee (i.e. roughly the cost of materials and shipping) for a print copy (if the PDF is free), but I don't know if WotC would or could do it.

 

[Agamon]

No, of course not. If they want feedback, why charge for it? I'll play in the beta, but I won't buy anything until a final release.

 

[Alzrius]

I bought the Pathfinder Beta hardcopy because I'd read it for free online, and was very excited about it. I also wanted to support Paizo, and like all private companies, you do that with your wallet.

For 5E, I don't know enough to buy it sight-unseen, so no I wouldn't buy it were it to be offered right now. Likewise, I'm not yet sure that I want to support this endeavor from WotC.

My attitude may change towards 5E in the future, but as it stands I'm cautiously optimistic right now...which isn't enough to start giving them my money.

 

[the Jester]

Maybe- not dependent on the price, but on my first impression.

 

[RangerWickett]

If the beta rules could be downloaded for free, I would love the ability to purchase a beta version in print, after I've read the rules on my computer. Hell, I printed out the 4e PHB off a pirated copy because my books weren't going to arrive until after the first session I'd scheduled, and it definitely was easier with the print copy, instead of having to refer to a computer.

But I'm figuring this would be something like $10 for a black & white perfect bound soft-cover book.

It worries me that some people seem to be saying they would be upset at WotC for offering a low-cost book in print in addition to a free version in PDF form.

 

[Nagol]

I voted no but upon further reflection I would buy a beta product if the following conditions are met:

1. I am interested in the product's promise, but wary about how it may be implemented.
2. It is late beta and I think the design is pretty much complete.
3. The beta product is comprehensive enough I can get a sense of how the product works to determine if I will find the end product enjoyable.
4. The product is priced low enough that puchasing thje beta is a cost-effective test to determine whether to buy the final product.

 

[kitsune9]

I'd buy a book for the collector in me.

 

[Knightfall]

If the beta rules could be downloaded for free, I would love the ability to purchase a beta version in print, after I've read the rules on my computer. Hell, I printed out the 4e PHB off a pirated copy because my books weren't going to arrive until after the first session I'd scheduled, and it definitely was easier with the print copy, instead of having to refer to a computer.

But I'm figuring this would be something like $10 for a black & white perfect bound soft-cover book.

It worries me that some people seem to be saying they would be upset at WotC for offering a low-cost book in print in addition to a free version in PDF form.

It worries me too. I didn't think there would be this much... discord (?)... about the idea.

I mean, as long as you can download the free beta test before you'd decide to buy the print version, I don't see the problem. And you wouldn't have to buy the print version. It would be for those that want a physical copy.

Oh well, it just goes to prove that gamers vary in their opinions and desires.

 

[TheAuldGrump]

[Magic 8 Ball]Answer Cloudy. Ask Again Later.[/Magic 8 Ball]

Not enough information at this time - we have no idea how good the Beta rules will be, how much they would cost, or even how the book might look.

I bought the Pathfinder Beta - but by then I had already started using them, had a good idea what they would look like, and the book was reasonably priced.

The Auld Grump

 

[Jeff Carlsen]

It's a beta test, which means that they would need people to actually play the game, not just read the rules. I have no problems using a PDF at the table or printing out the rules if they're printer friendly, but that doesn't mean having a hardbound copy wouldn't be useful, particularly during an extended, multi-month playtest.

So, if I'm actually playtesting it, and they offered a bound copy, essentially at cost to produce, I might be willing to buy that. I certainly wouldn't expect them to send out free print copies in the numbers needed for an open playtest.

 

[Glade Riven]

Would I buy a beta book? No. Do I care if WotC offers one? Nope.

I hope the beta is text-only and written like the d20 SRD; save the artwork and fluff for the finished product.

 

[OpsKT]

If the edition needs a paid beta to be financially viable then it's already failed.

They'll have some sort of printed rules at the various conventions they'll be running this at, and they'll almost certainly have PDFs. They might produce something like the preview books that 4E had, and I fully expect beta rules copies to be sent out for Encounters, but I can't imagine them trying to make half-finished rules an actual product. It will be hard enough managing PR with free demos.

Except Paizo did just that very thing and clearly Pathfinder is doing well enough.

I'd consider it, under these conditions -

1) Softcover

2) Black and White (yet looking like a finished prodcut preview, so we can see formatting being considered)

3) No more than $20, and $10 would be ideal for the privalge of paying for an alpha test.

 

[Stormonu]

I would not pay for a beta, but if it was available as a PDF for free, or even just a rules preview (kind of like the one included with Keep on the Shadowfell), I'd be willing to look.

 

[Incenjucar]

Except Paizo did just that very thing and clearly Pathfinder is doing well enough.

Paizo is not WotC, and WotC is not Paizo. Paizo has something similar to "indie" cred. WotC is unlikely to use what amounts to a Kickstarter program. Regardless, I certainly won't pay for it.

 

[MoxieFu]

I would have to see it first as many have said about a free PDF preview. If I liked it and the price was good I would certainly buy it. There's every chance that after all the yabbo feedback that I would like the actual product even less.

 

[Charleois]

Get me in on the action now!

 

[Shemeska]

If I balked at buying Races & Classes and World & Monsters, there's no way I'd pay money for a beta test of a ruleset. I literally cannot fathom why someone would either pay money for a glorified pre-release advertisement or pay money to do what should be someone's job to test or should be both free and open.

Mind you, I'll give it an open chance once it's released, but paying for a beta test I'd probably be less inclined to stay positive.

 

[Mark CMG]

I could imagine a scenario where a beta rulebook could be made available for a low cost, allowing some early adopters to be a larger part of the finalization process, then allowing those early adopters to turn in the beta to get the full rules at discount or for no additional cost. Or, in the case of an electronic medium, like PDF, adopting early getting the revised final rules as a free download.