Well, after 3 days of navigating the DNDi main page and clicking the "Become an Insider! Details..." link endless times trying to figure out what I was doing wrong or what link I was not seeing, I visited the forums today and learned the truth.
I really do think it is sad that I had to learn this way. It would have been so much less frustrating to have a message of "DNDi delayed" on the page. And not be redirected to the D&D home when you type the url on the flyer.
Why is WoTC pretending it's still May 2008 in regards to DNDi? Just figuring this out was more epic than the last dungeon crawl I ran for my group.
There are numerous threads on this subject. Pick one at random.
WotC policy has been forum members represent only a small percentage of the D&D gaming community, thus any post did not matter much to design team. Be it positive or negative, because we are so few. If one follows that logic one should at least consider the join date or posting record.
Picking a thread at random will not work, however I do hope new members read at least a few threads before they ask the same question.
WotC policy has been forum members represent only a small percentage of the D&D gaming community, thus any post did not matter much to design team. Be it positive or negative, because we are so few. If one follows that logic one should at least consider the join date or posting record.
Actually Ken and Zero have been pretty quick about responding to our concerns. So these posts clearly matter. We may not be satisfied with any/some/all of the responses but to say nobody is paying attention is an over reaction.
Additionally, since WoTC has begun targeting the MMO crowd -a demographic which is extremely comfortable with/totally reliant upon web forums, I highly doubt such a "forum as minority" outlook would persist for very long.
Actually Ken and Zero have been pretty quick about responding to our concerns. So these posts clearly matter. We may not be satisfied with any/some/all of the responses but to say nobody is paying attention is an over reaction.
Additionally, since WoTC has begun targeting the MMO crowd -a demographic which is extremely comfortable with/totally reliant upon web forums, I highly doubt such a "forum as minority" outlook would persist for very long.
I must disagree with your statements here, Fenmoore. I'm not as active on the boards as I like to be, but I've been around for awhile, reaping the benefits of the views and ideas shared here. The recent mishap with the DnDi launch has got me slightly up in arms, however. I can't agree that our concerns are being responded to anymore than one might swat away a fly. For example: the big discussion other than the lack of the tools appears to be the price. We're stuck on a broken record in regards to that. Players are clearly stating that they're not willing to pay what Wizard is asking, or that they will only pay if certain conditions are met. They "response" is the repeated "this is what we're planning to charge." It's a brick wall approach and doesn't make nice with your customers. On very few points have Ken, GamerZero or others said they would take the concerns seriously and address them with the rest of them. There have been several points made by the posters on these boards that have been overlooked and/or purposefully ignored. It's a common customer service technique, just try complaining to your cable company about the price if you don't think so. However, at one point, someone has to stand up, take notice and tally, and say--gee, we might have something here.
Replying in the way that *most* of the replies from Wiz have been so far is the equivalent of "yes you did/no i didn't" arguments between children. While it certainly nice to have some response from the staff, particularly someone who does more than answer emails and phone calls is nice, but when the answers are honestly the same as a generic email or phone call to customer service, it doesn't carry much weight. As a company, they need to provide a unified front, sure. However, as a company, they cannot continue to pretend to respond before people start to wake up.
This suite of digital tools, specifically the game table, inspired me to DM once again. I imagined S-Videoing out to my TV from my laptop and having everyone sit around the TV, dice in hand, without having to deal with minis, markers, paper towels, etc.
If you're interested in a digital battlemat for use with a projector or HDTV, there's no need to wait around for Game Table to be released.
Actually Ken and Zero have been pretty quick about responding to our concerns. So these posts clearly matter. We may not be satisfied with any/some/all of the responses but to say nobody is paying attention is an over reaction.
Additionally, since WoTC has begun targeting the MMO crowd -a demographic which is extremely comfortable with/totally reliant upon web forums, I highly doubt such a "forum as minority" outlook would persist for very long.
This is incorrect. MMO developers (at least, the large ones) regularly say that forum users are a small minority of their customers. Like the OP, I also spent 2 days looking around before finding the true information on the forums. And I too was hoping to use 4th to play with friends across the country, so its been a disappointment.
MMO developers (at least, the large ones) regularly say that forum users are a small minority of their customers.
Sorry Taelyn my MMO experience is primarily restricted to World of Warcraft, an MMO where forums are absolutely the backbone of the company/customer relationship. Last I checked it was the big one, but since I made a generalization I will clarify my statement:
Additionally, since WoTC has begun targeting the audiences of SUCCESSFULl MMO's -a demographic that is extremely comfortable with/totally reliant upon web forums, I highly doubt such a "forum as minority" outlook would persist for very long.
And Epoch
However, at one point, someone has to stand up, take notice and tally, and say--gee, we might have something here.
That truly would be an ideal approach but For the rest of us there's Walgreens. The closest thing we've got is Zero and Ken making a video (on what looks to be Game Day?) providing information that we should have had two months ago. As for that being the nature of customer service? Maybe the worst possible customer service imaginable. If you feel you're getting that sort of service from Wizards, I would return product and run away like I was being chased by rabid wolves...it's what they deserve. I'm not to that point yet, but If I get there I've got my return packing slip in a safe place.
Also, I'd like to clarify that my statements stem from being misled over the availability of insider. I don't know and wouldn't try to make such broad statements in regard to the subscription pricing issue that people have been discussing. Paying for minis sounds like a rip though.
Sorry Taelyn my MMO experience is primarily restricted to World of Warcraft, an MMO where forums are absolutely the backbone of the company/customer relationship.
Actually the WoW forums are renowned as being a cesspit. There is very little actual communication by Blizzard there, mostly damage control when necessary. Otherwise it is used as a dumping ground where the less refined segments of the customer base congregate and exchange internet memes. The real communication with the playerbase takes place on private guild forums, such as Elitist Jerks and Fires of Heaven.
Fortunately WOTC doesn't have that problem, and hopefully doesnt take the same tact that Blizzard takes with it's official forums.
Actually the WoW forums are renowned as being a cesspit. There is very little actual communication by Blizzard there, mostly damage control when necessary.
While I agree that most of their forums are a cesspit, I disagree about there being very little communication. Heres why:
Every patch goes to test realms and is the subject to direct scrutiny by players, which in turn respond on test realm forums with their concerns. The players are an additional layer of Q&A in that game's continuing development process. To say the real communication with the player base is restricted to EJ and Fires of Heaven is an over simplification, as EJ and Fires of Heaven does not represent the entire player base (I'd say more of the end-game and power gamer crowd).
I've seen responses in the customer service section of the WoW forums within minutes of a post, similarly with technical support issues.
I don't think it's that there is very little communication, it's that there is such a disparity between the number of developers and the number of message board posters that there is absolutely no way a developer can keep up with a large player base (nor would they want to reply to every whining post about how OP locks are).
Which is why they typically restrict themselves to addressing tangible customer service issues as they arise, while resorting to a more peeking out from behind closed doors to gather feedback strategy.
Sorry for getting so OT.
also
