First of all I want to say that i'm a great friend of rules updates and clarifications. Yet my (not inexpensive) books have become a mess due to all the inserts, notes, sheets and stuff.
Here's my suggestion:
Publish future Core Rule printings as ringfiles. So you can remove the original page with the mistakes and insert the new page with the revised rule / rule clarification.
Advantage #1: People don't feel like rule beta testers anymore - > Customer satisfaction.
Advantage #2: Everybody (but the DM) can bring only the rules he/she needs for the gaming sessions.
Advantage #3: It makes it easier for players to insert notes with their houserules.
Advantage #4: Wizards can make money by offering the updated pages in print version (for those who like the glossy paper) for a small subscription fee.
Hope you like my idea. Replies welcome!
I really don't see Wizards ever doing this. I think that Advantage 1 would actually be the reverse(it would make people feel more like they are beta testing when they are being told to expect pages to constantly be replaced). The big problem though is this seems like ti would decrease durability of books and I know that people are already mildly upset for that reason about some of the newer books WotC is putting out. Also seems like something retailers would be less happy to deal with. *shrugs*
2) Advantage 1: Most players know there will be updates coming. There always were and always will be -> So why not give them the chance to put them right where they belong?
Here's some sample of ringfiles i find suitable:
TSR used to put of the Monstrous Compendium in 3 ring binders, but they ditched it for a hardbound book. Maybe it didn't work? WOTC releasing pdfs which can be updated it the best way to tackle the erratas
It is especially good for reorganizing Dragon article material, so that I can find the powers and feats with their appropriate class or race.
If it were up to me, they'd simply re-print the "core rules" on a yearly basis. ("D&D core rules, 2010 edition"). Of course, when I say core rules, I mean: Combat rules, skill rules, character advancement rules, ritual rules etc. One 128-page hardback book. Actual classes, races, power, rituals, etc. would *not* appear in the core rules. As far as I'm concerned, that stuff belongs in a database anyway, but the game is not well served by the current inability to buy a correct rulebook at any price.
Further, the yearly rules book could be sold for a low price, because:
1. It would be a large print run;
2. It would be a low page count (less than half of the current PHB)
3. It could be subsidized by DDI or supplement sales.
I would gladly buy a new core book every year for $15 or $20 if it was a well-done hardback. It's worth it to me to have a correct printed reference. I'm probably in the minority, however.
Hell, if I were WotC, I'd GIVE a current PDF of this core rulebook away. Doing so would sell more supplements, both physical and digital. But WotC doesn't "get it" yet, and may never; they're (unfortunately) still mired in the 20th-century media mindset.
I agree giving away a free updated PDF version of the PHB would be a great way to get new players involved and would help with rules corrections.
That would actually be a great idea. Make the PHB PDF a free download, and update it every time there is new errata. I find it hard to belief that the resulting increase in the player base, along with the attendant increase in supplement sales, wouldn't more than offset the lost hard copy sales.
But again, someone upstairs @ WotC or Hasbro just doesn't get it. They're still partying like it's 1999 (and will be forever).
Edit: What really sucks is I legally own the PHB, but it is no longer updated, so even my digital copy is outdated.
it would be such a great solution I don't mind paying 15-20$ for it either. No one would ever have to buy the phb1 again.
That's just it, though: Many, many people would continue to buy hard copy, especially if up-to-date hard copy were available. And for every one that didn't, you'd get one who tries D&D, and ends up buying more than a single book, solely because the free PDF was available.
I can see arguing that the rise of e-ink will eventually make the PDF a substitute for a printed book for most people, but we ain't there yet, folks.
Rules Compendium: A 4th Edition D&D Supplement (Paperback)
Product Details
- Paperback: 320 pages
- Publisher: Wizards of the Coast (September 21, 2010)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0786956216
- ISBN-13: 978-0786956210
- Shipping Information: View shipping rates and policies
- Amazon.com Sales Rank: #149,937 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)
If a person wanted the advantage of the 3-ring style books, then perhaps WotC could offer the option to purchase UNBOUND copies of the book (possibly at a slight discount) through an online ordering process.
The UNBOUND copies could be made available for pre-order (to be shipped on the release date).
Finally when a past printing needs an update, they new corrected page (as a whole) could be presented in PDF which can be saved/printed by the customers and used as they find most useful.
***PLEASE NOTE*** This option would still put the costs of binders and page protector sheets on the customer, but would at least provide a clean organized way to update materials for those who are concerned (such as the OP & myself) about such things.
This ASL player though dislikes 'ring files'.
I'd rather a properly bound book (which I am currently enjoying).
And I have yet to experience a player that has any problem with bringing their entire players handbook to the game.
Edit: What really sucks is I legally own the PHB, but it is no longer updated, so even my digital copy is outdated.
Since the PDFs were OEF files, you could get one of the free PDF editors and edit in the errata yourself, if you were so inclined.
Since the PDFs were OEF files, you could get one of the free PDF editors and edit in the errata yourself, if you were so inclined.
I did not know that; I'll look into it. Thanks.