Lugging the dead trees around is just a waste since everyone at the table has these nice laptops.
There was a persistent rumor that Insider membership would confer access to electronic versions of the rulebooks, but this seems to be an inaccuracy based on the promised utility of the Insider Compendium.
I'd gladly buck up for nice portable (and legit) PDF files if WotC is planning on selling them.
I'm not looking to embark on yet another discussion on the pros and cons of DRM, just wondering if WotC has a plan.
I'm sorry if this has already been asked (no matches to my quick search), but when/how will we be able to obtain electronic versions of the rulebooks?
Lugging the dead trees around is just a waste since everyone at the table has these nice laptops.
There was a persistent rumor that Insider membership would confer access to electronic versions of the rulebooks, but this seems to be an inaccuracy based on the promised utility of the Insider Compendium.
I'd gladly buck up for nice portable (and legit) PDF files if WotC is planning on selling them.
I'm not looking to embark on yet another discussion on the pros and cons of DRM, just wondering if WotC has a plan.
The electronic versions idea was scrapped. As of now, 4th Ed only has 3 books, one the players only need, so that's not really lugging much. I've heard nothing about selling pdfs of the current 4th Ed Core books or future releases.
EK
The electronic versions idea was scrapped. As of now, 4th Ed only has 3 books, one the players only need, so that's not really lugging much. I've heard nothing about selling pdfs of the current 4th Ed Core books or future releases.
EK
Surprise! PDF's are now available at RPGNow & DriveThruRPG for all three cor books and the bundle pack.
Bel
Bel
Though you'll lack that satisfying crack when you slam your rulebook into the face of a cheater/powergamer when all you have is a PDF. (and I do not suggest using a PC/Lapstop for facesmashing)
there are also pirated copies that are being widely circulated. They have been since the very day 4.0 was released. That is what you get for marketing to the MMO crowd.
Scrap that: since before it was released.
My DM downloaded the books before buying them.
But they can be a pain to haul around in large numbers.
Bel
Forgive me, but you are not suggestion more than one laptop are you?
Just asking....
Forgive me, but you are not suggestion more than one laptop are you?
Just asking....
No, books... books are a pain to carry around in large numbers...
Why would anyone carry more than one laptop? ;)
Bel
Surprise! PDF's are now available at RPGNow & DriveThruRPG for all three cor books and the bundle pack.
Bel
Doh! Yeah I just got home and noticed that. Hmmm... my words make things happen.
Let's try this.... Currently the Character Generator for DDI is not functioning.
(refreshes browser)
Oh well... I tried. :D
EK
Why anyone would want a PDF when he could get a real book instead is beyond me. Paper books are easier to read by far ...
Because you can search through a PDF for words to find the page in the event of a poor index.
When you click on a "bookmark" in a PDF you are taken to the page rather than flipping to find it so you have a better TOC.
Then if you don't like reading things on a screen (why would you be on online forums?) you can find the page with he exact thing in the real book and read it there.
The PDF's are about half price of a hard copy, for me at least.
Not if you buy through Amazon. Its more expensive.
I like PDFs as a cheap source of out of print books. But I can't ever imagine paying more for a PDF then I would a physical book.
Because you can search through a PDF for words to find the page in the event of a poor index.
Exactly. I much prefer the real deal (it's hard to read in bed if you need to use a laptop!), but while I'm running a game I need to be able to find the rule, make a ruling, and move on...which at least with later 3e books doesn't happen often, with the books' indices being as unhelpful as they are.
Because you can search through a PDF for words to find the page in the event of a poor index.
And the 4.0 books have crap for indexes...
or through another source like Barnes & Noble (online with membership card makes them almost as cheap as Amazon and they're in stock and ship right away).
Which makes the PDF price even more crazy.
Why anyone would want a PDF when he could get a real book instead is beyond me. Paper books are easier to read by far ...
Because PDFs don't smudge or fall apart like the real books are. :D
Sure Amazon is 'cheaper' but recent orders through them for the 4e books are on back order until September, doesn't sound worth it to me when for a little more you can get them as pdf's or through another source like Barnes & Noble (online with membership card makes them almost as cheap as Amazon and they're in stock and ship right away).
I think the huge backorder wait is only for the gift set. I just ordered an extra copy of the PHB the other day and it was shipped that day via my standard prime 2 day shipping.
Why anyone would want a PDF when he could get a real book instead is beyond me. Paper books are easier to read by far ...
of course it'd be cool if WotC allowed us to download revised pdf's after they errata stuff (provided we register our legit copies) so that our pdf's would always be upto date, kind of like what they're doing with D&D Compendium.
You can also have your .PDFs made into books at many copy places. I saw one guy with a 4th ed. set using this relatively cheap method of getting the books.
Make sure you get them OCRed or it's not worth it. Mine are and you can search inside the doc.