So, a flawed product was intentionally released. In the future, I would like to purchase products that are not knowingly flawed. Failures in play-testing, editing, and the like I can understand, but intentionally releasing a product after you have released errata that makes it defunct is... well... inane.
So, in the future, please don't release things that is knowingly wrong before it hits the shelves. Thats my new wish.
They were apparently all printed before the changes to skill DCs and it was not possible to fix them before distribution. The errata, which is sized to be pasted over the existing DCs has, amusingly, been available for a month.
It seems more likely that it was decided that fixing the screen was too expensive, not that it was not possible. How hard would it have been for WotC to have printed up stickers with the correct information and include said stickers with the screen?
It seems more likely that it was decided that fixing the screen was too expensive, not that it was not possible. How hard would it have been for WotC to have printed up stickers with the correct information and include said stickers with the screen?
Because they were made months in advance in China, and had to wait for export and shipping from there with delays such as the Olympics, which means they were packaged there LONG ago, so there wasn't even time to use the sticker method.
I just think all of 4th was too rushed, into production and design as well.
It seems more likely that it was decided that fixing the screen was too expensive, not that it was not possible. How hard would it have been for WotC to have printed up stickers with the correct information and include said stickers with the screen?
The DM's Screen was correct when it was printed. Considering that every DM Screen would've had to be opened up, had a sticker applied by hand, then repackaged, it would've been way too expensive to do this on a $10 product when, (guess what?), they could post a perfectly-sized .PDF update for the product on their website for free. What you're suggesting could have doubled the price of this product.
...
I just think all of 4th was too rushed, into production and design as well.
We know you do, hellmute.
In conclusion: "Intentionally flawed" is a stretch. Let's close this thread.
Unfortunately, this style does not suit a tabletop setting with expensive hardcover rulebooks. Given the current market for games, I think that WotC designed 4th Edition appropriately and it just sucks for the consumers when the rules get revised.
That said, I predict a lot more "intentionally flawed products" as you call them.
That practice I hope has been laid to rest in 4E.
The product that was intentionally flawed was Savage Species where they introduced a new corridor for gaming as other species that were intentionally made weak to discourage people from using them.
That practice I hope has been laid to rest in 4E.
Yeah, it kinda sucked to pay 30 bucks for that book (or however much it cost), take it home, and have the very first page tell you that they structured the rules so that any character made from the book would suck compared to a normal character.
The product that was intentionally flawed was Savage Species where they introduced a new corridor for gaming as other species that were intentionally made weak to discourage people from using them.
That practice I hope has been laid to rest in 4E.
Correct me if I am wrong, but; isn't that book one of the key pieces to that kobold deity broken character?
I purchased the DM Screen yesterday; needless to say, I got home and noticed that the skill table... while prepping for our game... it was wrong.
So, a flawed product was intentionally released. In the future, I would like to purchase products that are not knowingly flawed. Failures in play-testing, editing, and the like I can understand, but intentionally releasing a product after you have released errata that makes it defunct is... well... inane.
So, in the future, please don't release things that is knowingly wrong before it hits the shelves. Thats my new wish.
Return it to the retailer and get your $ back.
Correct me if I am wrong, but; isn't that book one of the key pieces to that kobold deity broken character?
Actually, Pun-Pun was made with Serpent Kingdoms. Savage Species was a bit flawed.
Return it to the retailer and get your $ back.
FLGS isn't so 'friendly' to give your money back on an open product. Their policy is to return it to the manufacturer if it is defective.
Except they are not 'intentionally flawed'. Kinda paranoiac.
Would you prefer 'knowingly defective?'
Its not being paranoid, its just pointing out a defective product. Its not quite the same level as something needing a factory recall, but it does warrant a complaint.
Except they are not 'intentionally flawed'. Kinda paranoiac.
Would you prefer 'knowingly defective?'
Well, it's hardly the same thing. Intentionally flawed means it was designed to be incorrect. Knowingly defective means they didn't necessarily set out to produce a defective product, they just released one.
I can live with the patch-up Frankenstein solution for a 10$ product (although including posters or flyers of some sort explaining the issue and indicating the correct values can be found online with every shipment would have shown more willingness to make an effort). I have more issues with such fundamental things needing errata within months after release, given the claims made regarding balance and playtesting. Thorough playtesting, yet something as basic as skill check DCs gets overlooked?
Just because the computer companies can post patches every month to fix their errors does not make it the right thing to do. I expect more from a printed product than known errors being "patched" a month prior to release.
Not acceptable.
Really?
Ever look at a dictionary and see the typos?
I haven't seen a single RPG rulebook that doesn't include errors. The difference is WotC acknowledges the errors and wants to correct them, instead of just leaving it.
FLGS isn't so 'friendly' to give your money back on an open product. Their policy is to return it to the manufacturer if it is defective.
Don't buy from a retailer who won't allow returns. Also, use a credit card so you can cancel a purchase...
It is somthing that they accepted prior to printing knowing it was incorect.
That's not the truth, actually. It was sent to the printers before the release of the books to the general public exposed a need to tweak the skill system. By that point it's too late to change the table because ink is already being set to paper. This is why they had the errata for it out immediately, because they knew it was too late to change it--if it wasn't too late, it'd have been no challenge to change at all on a computer file.
Unfortunately, once it gets to the print-setting stage, it's set in stone and -extremely- expensive to switch, and said cost would have to be shouldered onto the consumer.
Imagine how angry you'd be if you paid 30 dollars for that screen because of their error instead of 10?
Imagine how angry you'd be if you paid 30 dollars for that screen because of their error instead of 10?
You wouldn't be, since you wouldn't buy a DM sheet for 30$ (I wouldn't, at any rate).
Doesn't mean I don't think WotC could and should have done a little bit more to correct this error, even at a small cost (to be shouldered by themselves, not the customer).
Well, it's hardly the same thing. Intentionally flawed means it was designed to be incorrect.
But isn't 4th with its new PHB/DMG each year?
Ok I think this thread has been trolled, discussed and run its course.
The first run of books had problems and something should still be done to replace them for people that got defective books. WotC knows, so lets let them handle it IF they will.
Hopefully the mistakes from the first run will not be carried over to the second and future runs.
Some FLGS are asses and do not return books at ALL. Stop buying from those and let them go out of business and maybe a good store will replace them.
That's the point. Nobody would buy a DM Screen for 30$, so they did not fix the issue so they had to put a markup on the item.
Nobody buying a 30$ DM screen is a good reason not to make it cost 30$, but cutting profits by maybe 50 cents per screen sold to do something more than put up the correct values on a website should not be too much to ask. There are plenty of players and DMs who never take a look at the WotC site.
Nobody buying a 30$ DM screen is a good reason not to make it cost 30$, but cutting profits by maybe 50 cents per screen sold to do something more than put up the correct values on a website should not be too much to ask. There are plenty of players and DMs who never take a look at the WotC site.
But D&D is digital now, so you MUST. The cost of making a little webpage for it is much less than actual printing costs.
Sadly this is what I see coming from D&D in the future.
It would be great if they included some sticker in new DMGs to correct the DM screen.
Or maybe like the DCI sends free cards to players through some rewards program, then you print something to replace the table and send it to members of the RPGA to cover the table on the screen.
Maybe the next print run of the screens will have corrected values like second printings of the DMG shoudl as well.
(Hence which may cause repagination and why the D&D compendium cannot include page numbers.
)Nobody buying a 30$ DM screen is a good reason not to make it cost 30$, but cutting profits by maybe 50 cents per screen sold to do something more than put up the correct values on a website should not be too much to ask. There are plenty of players and DMs who never take a look at the WotC site.
Those who do not use the website to gain errata, will not be using the altered material for the books themselves to require the errata for the screen.
So you want that the company goes off, reworks all their screens by employing another company, which charges $$$ and then still sells it for 10$. Basically that would be a shot in the foot. WIth a big calibre.
YOu might have forgotten that the additional labor to be done has to be paid, too.
Also, Errata is basically of zero interest or relevance to those who can never get it.
Except I did not suggest reworking the DM screen. I suggested including flyers and/or posters with shipments to suppliers. These could make players and DMs aware there are errata to begin with, it doesn't have to be limited to the screen. And while there would obviously an extra cost that would be fairly low, keeping the screen commercially viable without increasing the price.
This doesn't help everyone, but tries to help solve the problem, and they already mail flyers and crap with the products anyway that more than half probably get thrown away. At least for those LGS that sell D&D they would have something they could use and give away to draw in more customers, not only helping the LGS, but the hobby as well by getting the corrected info out there as well as maybe getting people to visit the LGS more often.
Maybe they could ship some to Amazon, and these other places and Amazon could package the sticker/errata for the screen with each one they sell.
There are 1000s of ways to correct the problem for those with or without internet access IF the company wants to accept responsibility in a fashion that does not make the product obsolete prior to street date.
Printing and packaging all the errata to the DM Screen would, again, raise the cost to a high degree.
Again, not what I said. I suggested packaging flyers/posters with each large shipment, not with each individual screen. The added cost would be minimal. This would actually be a sensible thing to do regardless, even without the DM screen issue: it would make more people aware that if they or others find a problem, WotC wants to address it and it would direct them to the errata.
Or they could mail the LGS or WotC premiere stores a corrected table for people to fix to their DM screens, or even the latest errata that could be allowed to be printed/copied for those who have not foudn it online.
This doesn't help everyone, but tries to help solve the problem, and they already mail flyers and crap with the products anyway that more than half probably get thrown away. At least for those LGS that sell D&D they would have something they could use and give away to draw in more customers, not only helping the LGS, but the hobby as well by getting the corrected info out there as well as maybe getting people to visit the LGS more often.
Maybe they could ship some to Amazon, and these other places and Amazon could package the sticker/errata for the screen with each one they sell.
There are 1000s of ways to correct the problem for those with or without internet access IF the company wants to accept responsibility in a fashion that does not make the product obsolete prior to street date.
WotC doesn't mail out "flyers and crap." Aside from the very strange paper they use for their invoices, they're actually very green. As a LGS, I receive one e-mail a week. I've never received a promotional mailing from them, either through traditional USPS or digitally. They FedEx my FNM foils for Magic, but there's not even an invoice in there. Those foils and the registration cards are the only items I get for free from WotC, putting aside rare special promotions - of which I've seen two in 5+ years of business (both involved getting 1000-card land packs for purchasing a certain amount of product).
Could they make a sticker available to people who bought the "first edition" GM's screen? Yes, and they probably should. Sadly, I don't expect that they will, mostly because while it's unfortunate that the screens already have errata, they can't afford to lose money on the product, no one can in this economy. Be frustrated about that, but don't pretend that WotC is blowing a crapton of money on promotional waste paper.
WotC doesn't mail out "flyers and crap." Aside from the very strange paper they use for their invoices, they're actually very green. As a LGS, I receive one e-mail a week. I've never received a promotional mailing from them, either through traditional USPS or digitally.
Remember that worldwide D&D day? That went with the launch of 4E? Still a crapload of flyers and miniposters lying around from that one at my FLGS.
Remember that worldwide D&D day? That went with the launch of 4E? Still a crapload of flyers and miniposters lying around from that one at my FLGS.
You know, you're right. I get them so infrequently that they slipped my mind. Of course, 40-ish quarter-page mini-fliers isn't exactly a big-ticket ad buy. I've gotten a few table standees from time to time as well.
The point was, however, that it's incorrect to say that WotC spends so much on this type of promotion that diverting some of those resources to making fix-it stickers for the GM's screen would be trivial. Much as I'd love to see them, I just don't think it's likely.
The point was, however, that it's incorrect to say that WotC spends so much on this type of promotion that diverting some of those resources to making fix-it stickers for the GM's screen would be trivial. Much as I'd love to see them, I just don't think it's likely.
And again, I'm not suggesting this is the only real and acceptable solution. What I did suggest is that including even just a single poster advertising the WotC website, the forums and especially the errata for every distributor and FLGS would be trivial, and address the issue sufficiently to show WotC's willingness to make an actual effort.
Just putting the D&DI logo on the back cover of each book isn't going to do much good in the way of promoting that product either, so WotC includes a page-size poster for it in the books. Drawing a little bit more attention to the website as well in those same books shouldn't cost them anything at all.
Basically what I'm saying is that there are options. Feasible, affordable ones, not options that would have to burden their customers for.
I have no info on what actually happened with the DM screen but it looks to me like the typical kind of thing that happens, once in a while, in the printing industry... WoTC is not the only gaming company to put out material with typos and errors by the way.
I printed the PDF on glossy photo paper and used blue tac to stick it to the screen. One player didn't even notice the change! Be content that these days we have the internet and PDFs. In the past you had to buy a magazine to learn about erratas and then send a SAS envelope. Now that was bad !
In the past you had to buy a magazine to learn about erratas and then send a SAS envelope. Now that was bad !
So modern day comforts are an excuse for companies to slack about when it comes to customer service? ;)
So modern day comforts are an excuse for companies to slack about when it comes to customer service? ;)
Customer service HAS already responded by making available the corrected PDF. Don't expect more ... For them its old story. They are already looking at other mishaps we are not aware of YET !
[W]hich may cause repagination and why the D&D compendium cannot include page numbers.
I always thought that this is why so many full-page art pieces were included. The images can be resized or removed to allow for changes in text content volume, keeping page numbers consistent.
Oh wait, this is exactly what happened with 3.0. And every game release by every company ever. You're complaining about stuff they're giving you fixes for pre-release, compared to before when you'd have fixes months after release.
You kids don't know how good you have it.
It's not like the old days when a broken ruleset meant releasing an entire book to change the ruleset and call it 'updated' or 'advanced' rules.
They were apparently all printed before the changes to skill DCs and it was not possible to fix them before distribution. The errata, which is sized to be pasted over the existing DCs has, amusingly, been available for a month.
It seems more likely that it was decided that fixing the screen was too expensive, not that it was not possible. How hard would it have been for WotC to have printed up stickers with the correct information and include said stickers with the screen?
It seems more likely that it was decided that fixing the screen was too expensive, not that it was not possible. How hard would it have been for WotC to have printed up stickers with the correct information and include said stickers with the screen?
Because they were made months in advance in China, and had to wait for export and shipping from there with delays such as the Olympics, which means they were packaged there LONG ago, so there wasn't even time to use the sticker method.
I just think all of 4th was too rushed, into production and design as well.
It seems more likely that it was decided that fixing the screen was too expensive, not that it was not possible. How hard would it have been for WotC to have printed up stickers with the correct information and include said stickers with the screen?
The DM's Screen was correct when it was printed. Considering that every DM Screen would've had to be opened up, had a sticker applied by hand, then repackaged, it would've been way too expensive to do this on a $10 product when, (guess what?), they could post a perfectly-sized .PDF update for the product on their website for free. What you're suggesting could have doubled the price of this product.
...
I just think all of 4th was too rushed, into production and design as well.
We know you do, hellmute.
In conclusion: "Intentionally flawed" is a stretch. Let's close this thread.
Unfortunately, this style does not suit a tabletop setting with expensive hardcover rulebooks. Given the current market for games, I think that WotC designed 4th Edition appropriately and it just sucks for the consumers when the rules get revised.
That said, I predict a lot more "intentionally flawed products" as you call them.
That practice I hope has been laid to rest in 4E.
The product that was intentionally flawed was Savage Species where they introduced a new corridor for gaming as other species that were intentionally made weak to discourage people from using them.
That practice I hope has been laid to rest in 4E.
Yeah, it kinda sucked to pay 30 bucks for that book (or however much it cost), take it home, and have the very first page tell you that they structured the rules so that any character made from the book would suck compared to a normal character.
The product that was intentionally flawed was Savage Species where they introduced a new corridor for gaming as other species that were intentionally made weak to discourage people from using them.
That practice I hope has been laid to rest in 4E.
Correct me if I am wrong, but; isn't that book one of the key pieces to that kobold deity broken character?
I purchased the DM Screen yesterday; needless to say, I got home and noticed that the skill table... while prepping for our game... it was wrong.
So, a flawed product was intentionally released. In the future, I would like to purchase products that are not knowingly flawed. Failures in play-testing, editing, and the like I can understand, but intentionally releasing a product after you have released errata that makes it defunct is... well... inane.
So, in the future, please don't release things that is knowingly wrong before it hits the shelves. Thats my new wish.
Return it to the retailer and get your $ back.
Correct me if I am wrong, but; isn't that book one of the key pieces to that kobold deity broken character?
Actually, Pun-Pun was made with Serpent Kingdoms. Savage Species was a bit flawed.
Return it to the retailer and get your $ back.
FLGS isn't so 'friendly' to give your money back on an open product. Their policy is to return it to the manufacturer if it is defective.
Except they are not 'intentionally flawed'. Kinda paranoiac.
Would you prefer 'knowingly defective?'
Its not being paranoid, its just pointing out a defective product. Its not quite the same level as something needing a factory recall, but it does warrant a complaint.
Except they are not 'intentionally flawed'. Kinda paranoiac.
Would you prefer 'knowingly defective?'
Well, it's hardly the same thing. Intentionally flawed means it was designed to be incorrect. Knowingly defective means they didn't necessarily set out to produce a defective product, they just released one.
I can live with the patch-up Frankenstein solution for a 10$ product (although including posters or flyers of some sort explaining the issue and indicating the correct values can be found online with every shipment would have shown more willingness to make an effort). I have more issues with such fundamental things needing errata within months after release, given the claims made regarding balance and playtesting. Thorough playtesting, yet something as basic as skill check DCs gets overlooked?
Just because the computer companies can post patches every month to fix their errors does not make it the right thing to do. I expect more from a printed product than known errors being "patched" a month prior to release.
Not acceptable.
Really?
Ever look at a dictionary and see the typos?
I haven't seen a single RPG rulebook that doesn't include errors. The difference is WotC acknowledges the errors and wants to correct them, instead of just leaving it.
FLGS isn't so 'friendly' to give your money back on an open product. Their policy is to return it to the manufacturer if it is defective.
Don't buy from a retailer who won't allow returns. Also, use a credit card so you can cancel a purchase...
It is somthing that they accepted prior to printing knowing it was incorect.
That's not the truth, actually. It was sent to the printers before the release of the books to the general public exposed a need to tweak the skill system. By that point it's too late to change the table because ink is already being set to paper. This is why they had the errata for it out immediately, because they knew it was too late to change it--if it wasn't too late, it'd have been no challenge to change at all on a computer file.
Unfortunately, once it gets to the print-setting stage, it's set in stone and -extremely- expensive to switch, and said cost would have to be shouldered onto the consumer.
Imagine how angry you'd be if you paid 30 dollars for that screen because of their error instead of 10?
Imagine how angry you'd be if you paid 30 dollars for that screen because of their error instead of 10?
You wouldn't be, since you wouldn't buy a DM sheet for 30$ (I wouldn't, at any rate).
Doesn't mean I don't think WotC could and should have done a little bit more to correct this error, even at a small cost (to be shouldered by themselves, not the customer).
Well, it's hardly the same thing. Intentionally flawed means it was designed to be incorrect.
But isn't 4th with its new PHB/DMG each year?
Ok I think this thread has been trolled, discussed and run its course.
The first run of books had problems and something should still be done to replace them for people that got defective books. WotC knows, so lets let them handle it IF they will.
Hopefully the mistakes from the first run will not be carried over to the second and future runs.
Some FLGS are asses and do not return books at ALL. Stop buying from those and let them go out of business and maybe a good store will replace them.
That's the point. Nobody would buy a DM Screen for 30$, so they did not fix the issue so they had to put a markup on the item.
Nobody buying a 30$ DM screen is a good reason not to make it cost 30$, but cutting profits by maybe 50 cents per screen sold to do something more than put up the correct values on a website should not be too much to ask. There are plenty of players and DMs who never take a look at the WotC site.
Nobody buying a 30$ DM screen is a good reason not to make it cost 30$, but cutting profits by maybe 50 cents per screen sold to do something more than put up the correct values on a website should not be too much to ask. There are plenty of players and DMs who never take a look at the WotC site.
But D&D is digital now, so you MUST. The cost of making a little webpage for it is much less than actual printing costs.
Sadly this is what I see coming from D&D in the future.
It would be great if they included some sticker in new DMGs to correct the DM screen.
Or maybe like the DCI sends free cards to players through some rewards program, then you print something to replace the table and send it to members of the RPGA to cover the table on the screen.
Maybe the next print run of the screens will have corrected values like second printings of the DMG shoudl as well.
(Hence which may cause repagination and why the D&D compendium cannot include page numbers.
)Nobody buying a 30$ DM screen is a good reason not to make it cost 30$, but cutting profits by maybe 50 cents per screen sold to do something more than put up the correct values on a website should not be too much to ask. There are plenty of players and DMs who never take a look at the WotC site.
Those who do not use the website to gain errata, will not be using the altered material for the books themselves to require the errata for the screen.
So you want that the company goes off, reworks all their screens by employing another company, which charges $$$ and then still sells it for 10$. Basically that would be a shot in the foot. WIth a big calibre.
YOu might have forgotten that the additional labor to be done has to be paid, too.
Also, Errata is basically of zero interest or relevance to those who can never get it.
Except I did not suggest reworking the DM screen. I suggested including flyers and/or posters with shipments to suppliers. These could make players and DMs aware there are errata to begin with, it doesn't have to be limited to the screen. And while there would obviously an extra cost that would be fairly low, keeping the screen commercially viable without increasing the price.
This doesn't help everyone, but tries to help solve the problem, and they already mail flyers and crap with the products anyway that more than half probably get thrown away. At least for those LGS that sell D&D they would have something they could use and give away to draw in more customers, not only helping the LGS, but the hobby as well by getting the corrected info out there as well as maybe getting people to visit the LGS more often.
Maybe they could ship some to Amazon, and these other places and Amazon could package the sticker/errata for the screen with each one they sell.
There are 1000s of ways to correct the problem for those with or without internet access IF the company wants to accept responsibility in a fashion that does not make the product obsolete prior to street date.
Printing and packaging all the errata to the DM Screen would, again, raise the cost to a high degree.
Again, not what I said. I suggested packaging flyers/posters with each large shipment, not with each individual screen. The added cost would be minimal. This would actually be a sensible thing to do regardless, even without the DM screen issue: it would make more people aware that if they or others find a problem, WotC wants to address it and it would direct them to the errata.
Or they could mail the LGS or WotC premiere stores a corrected table for people to fix to their DM screens, or even the latest errata that could be allowed to be printed/copied for those who have not foudn it online.
This doesn't help everyone, but tries to help solve the problem, and they already mail flyers and crap with the products anyway that more than half probably get thrown away. At least for those LGS that sell D&D they would have something they could use and give away to draw in more customers, not only helping the LGS, but the hobby as well by getting the corrected info out there as well as maybe getting people to visit the LGS more often.
Maybe they could ship some to Amazon, and these other places and Amazon could package the sticker/errata for the screen with each one they sell.
There are 1000s of ways to correct the problem for those with or without internet access IF the company wants to accept responsibility in a fashion that does not make the product obsolete prior to street date.
WotC doesn't mail out "flyers and crap." Aside from the very strange paper they use for their invoices, they're actually very green. As a LGS, I receive one e-mail a week. I've never received a promotional mailing from them, either through traditional USPS or digitally. They FedEx my FNM foils for Magic, but there's not even an invoice in there. Those foils and the registration cards are the only items I get for free from WotC, putting aside rare special promotions - of which I've seen two in 5+ years of business (both involved getting 1000-card land packs for purchasing a certain amount of product).
Could they make a sticker available to people who bought the "first edition" GM's screen? Yes, and they probably should. Sadly, I don't expect that they will, mostly because while it's unfortunate that the screens already have errata, they can't afford to lose money on the product, no one can in this economy. Be frustrated about that, but don't pretend that WotC is blowing a crapton of money on promotional waste paper.
WotC doesn't mail out "flyers and crap." Aside from the very strange paper they use for their invoices, they're actually very green. As a LGS, I receive one e-mail a week. I've never received a promotional mailing from them, either through traditional USPS or digitally.
Remember that worldwide D&D day? That went with the launch of 4E? Still a crapload of flyers and miniposters lying around from that one at my FLGS.
Remember that worldwide D&D day? That went with the launch of 4E? Still a crapload of flyers and miniposters lying around from that one at my FLGS.
You know, you're right. I get them so infrequently that they slipped my mind. Of course, 40-ish quarter-page mini-fliers isn't exactly a big-ticket ad buy. I've gotten a few table standees from time to time as well.
The point was, however, that it's incorrect to say that WotC spends so much on this type of promotion that diverting some of those resources to making fix-it stickers for the GM's screen would be trivial. Much as I'd love to see them, I just don't think it's likely.
The point was, however, that it's incorrect to say that WotC spends so much on this type of promotion that diverting some of those resources to making fix-it stickers for the GM's screen would be trivial. Much as I'd love to see them, I just don't think it's likely.
And again, I'm not suggesting this is the only real and acceptable solution. What I did suggest is that including even just a single poster advertising the WotC website, the forums and especially the errata for every distributor and FLGS would be trivial, and address the issue sufficiently to show WotC's willingness to make an actual effort.
Just putting the D&DI logo on the back cover of each book isn't going to do much good in the way of promoting that product either, so WotC includes a page-size poster for it in the books. Drawing a little bit more attention to the website as well in those same books shouldn't cost them anything at all.
Basically what I'm saying is that there are options. Feasible, affordable ones, not options that would have to burden their customers for.
I have no info on what actually happened with the DM screen but it looks to me like the typical kind of thing that happens, once in a while, in the printing industry... WoTC is not the only gaming company to put out material with typos and errors by the way.
I printed the PDF on glossy photo paper and used blue tac to stick it to the screen. One player didn't even notice the change! Be content that these days we have the internet and PDFs. In the past you had to buy a magazine to learn about erratas and then send a SAS envelope. Now that was bad !
In the past you had to buy a magazine to learn about erratas and then send a SAS envelope. Now that was bad !
So modern day comforts are an excuse for companies to slack about when it comes to customer service? ;)
So modern day comforts are an excuse for companies to slack about when it comes to customer service? ;)
Customer service HAS already responded by making available the corrected PDF. Don't expect more ... For them its old story. They are already looking at other mishaps we are not aware of YET !
[W]hich may cause repagination and why the D&D compendium cannot include page numbers.
I always thought that this is why so many full-page art pieces were included. The images can be resized or removed to allow for changes in text content volume, keeping page numbers consistent.
Oh wait, this is exactly what happened with 3.0. And every game release by every company ever. You're complaining about stuff they're giving you fixes for pre-release, compared to before when you'd have fixes months after release.
You kids don't know how good you have it.
It's not like the old days when a broken ruleset meant releasing an entire book to change the ruleset and call it 'updated' or 'advanced' rules.