Pathfinder 1E Would You Buy DDI-Pathfinder?

[alleynbard]

I would be hard pressed to become a DDI-Pathfinder subscriber. I would rather purchase those kinds of tools. And for my money programs like Fantasy Grounds are a better VTT than what I saw in the previews from Wizards. I would rather have these kinds of programs on my computer.

I was a subscriber to the DDI for nearly 6 months. I am kind of angry about the DDI right now and I can't imagine a Pathfinder version with the same or similar tools would do anything to assuage that anger.

 

[Xyxox]

#1 Why Would WotC do such a thing?

#2 Why would Paizo license them to do so with their content (not all of that content is OGL)?

 

[Mistwell]

#1 Why Would WotC do such a thing?

Why would WOTC want to collect money from thousands of people who they are not currently collecting money from? I'm guessing money.

#2 Why would Paizo license them to do so with their content (not all of that content is OGL)?

WOTC doesn't get a license to Paizo content. Paizo remains in total control of their content. In fact, in the scenario I outlined, it's really Paizo selling this DDI-Pathfinder, and just paying WOTC a royalty fee for using WOTC's tech engine.

 

[Xyxox]

Why would WOTC want to collect money from thousands of people who they are not currently collecting money from? I'm guessing money.

While promoting a direct competitor? I think not.

WOTC doesn't get a license to Paizo content. Paizo remains in total control of their content. In fact, in the scenario I outlined, it's really Paizo selling this DDI-Pathfinder, and just paying WOTC a royalty fee for using WOTC's tech engine.

WotC cannot do this without licensing Paizo Content. You need to read the Pathfinder book. Paizo would never be foolish enough to enter into such an agreement.

 

[carmachu]

No. I have no interest in a DDI style pathfinder website stuff. I dont really read web based magazines nor would I get use out of it for character builders or online tables.

 

[Stormtower]

I would buy a DDI-Pathfinder subscription in a heartbeat. I also am a current DDI subscriber. Would plan to keep both.

 

[Micco]

No, I wouldn't.

I'd rather PCGen and MapTools get together to produce an opensource version of the concept. Or, a third party like Herolab do it so that I can put in my houserules. If it's locked up then it's a no-go for me.

 

[Mistwell]

While promoting a direct competitor? I think not.

Promoting? You're already playing Pathfinder, a non-WOTC product. Now, when you play, you pay WOTC some money. How does that in any way draw away from WOTC support?

WotC cannot do this without licensing Paizo Content. You need to read the Pathfinder book. Paizo would never be foolish enough to enter into such an agreement.

Then I am not explaining myself clear enough.

Paizo licenses WOTC technology, not the other way around. WOTC does not license Paizo content. WOTC does nothing with the content. They never touch the content. Any more than my using MS Word to type a document gives Microsoft a license to the content I typed. All Paizo is doing is using someone else's tech for use with their content.

Look, all I am describing is Paizo essentially buying from WOTC the right to use WOTC software to create a Paizo software tool. There is no license going the other direction. WOTC does not get anything other than money from this. They get no rights to anything.

And if you disagree, please explain how this would require a license where WOTC gets Paizo content. I am not seeing it, in any way shape or form.

This idea is quite similar to the Unreal Technology. Unreal does not get a license to any EA or Microsoft game content just because EA and Microsoft licensed the Unreal Engine to build their games on.

 

[Xyxox]

Promoting? You're already playing Pathfinder, a non-WOTC product. Now, when you play, you pay WOTC some money. How does that in any way draw away from WOTC support?



Then I am not explaining myself clear enough.

Paizo licenses WOTC technology, not the other way around. WOTC does not license Paizo content. WOTC does nothing with the content. They never touch the content. Any more than my using MS Word to type a document gives Microsoft a license to the content I typed. All Paizo is doing is using someone else's tech for use with their content.

Look, all I am describing is Paizo essentially buying from WOTC the right to use WOTC software to create a Paizo software tool. There is no license going the other direction. WOTC does not get anything other than money from this. They get no rights to anything.

And if you disagree, please explain how this would require a license where WOTC gets Paizo content. I am not seeing it, in any way shape or form.

This idea is quite similar to the Unreal Technology. Unreal does not get a license to any EA or Microsoft game content just because EA and Microsoft licensed the Unreal Engine to build their games on.

How much do you know about software development, Mistwell? Because I'm here to tell you, cost benefit analysis of what you p[ropose would kill this isea five minutes into the calculations. DDI technology was developed specifically for 4E. To vet the code to 3.5E would cost nearly as much as intial development for 4E. Then there's the cost to vet it to the changes made by Paizo.

There's absolutely no justification for an undertaking such as this. There is not enough of a market for it even if every person who bought a copy of PAthfinder were to subscribe. It would take years to recoup the investment you put into development even if every last person who purchased Pathfinder were to subscribe.

3.5 and 4 are too different to use the existing technology as is. Vetting is a long laborious process that includes quality assurance. Testing and various iterations cost lots of money.

Long story short, it'll never happen.

 

[Xaaon]

Not a demon's chance in a Chelaxian church of Asmodeus.

Now, if Paizo developed their own, 10% chance, I'm really opposed to digital subscriptions for stuff like this. Remember, one of the reasons Wizards decided to go with DDI was to publish their magazines...Pathfinder has real magazines, nice lovely dead tree versions...why do we want a subscription for electronic stuff, when most tools are already free.