- No page references on any entries anywhere. At the bottom of a compendium entry, character builder entry, encounter creator, etc, the source book is always listed, but the page isn't given. Giving page numbers would be a huge time saver when looking these things up in the books themselves, especially for the information that the books don't organize well like adventurer's vault items.
- Pointless withholding of information. I tried to use the encounter builder today, but when I got to the print stage I noticed that it only gives me monster names. What's the point of that? All the encounter builder is is a glorified calculator that will help you track your XP budget. I have to subscribe to run both the encounter builder and the compendium. The encounter builder doesn't give monster stat blocks but the compendium does? What's the point of the tool!
I think DDI could become worth the subscription fee by targeting low hanging fruits like these. DDI should be providing a service, giving me continued value for my continued subscription fee. My table is a bunch of professionals with busy schedules, so what appeals to us the most is the time-saving features these tools should have, but continually fall so short on delivering. My opinion of DDI right now is that I should subscribe to it a couple times a year to print out the articles and then unsubscribe.
The last annoyance is asking me to log in all the time. Can't we check a box to stay logged in for a couple weeks? It makes me think twice about loading up the site to check the compendium for something quick, because I know I'll have to go through all the trouble of logging in.
Just to balance out the negative with some positive, let me mention what I DO like about DDI. The compendium search feature is a time saver. The character builder is a great tool that angers me because it only goes to level 3. Being able to print out entire magazines or just specific articles is nice.
I can see your big picture and I'm digging it (and I'm going to pay for it), but asking us to pay full price with DDI in its current state seems like a rip-off.
Thanks for listening.
a) pages are not in the compendium due to different printings, which might as well change page numbers (special editions, reprints with errata)
b) you are not at all paying the full price. you're currently paying about half price, with the final pricing scheme not yet announced.
c) the old articles are just there because they have not yet implemented a system to keep them up for older subscriptions and disable them for newer ones.
b) and c) aren't worth commenting on unless from an official source.
b) and c) aren't worth commenting on unless from an official source.
just skim over the dnd insider news (randys blog), and you'll find those points both in there, from the official source.
Editorials and such are nice and all, and they do clarify these issues.
I shouldn't have to go to the message boards or read several months back of editorials when I buy any product. It should be clear from both the sales pitch and from the actual purchasing agreement.
Now, I haven't purchased, so I don't know aobut the purchasing agreement, but this is certainly not the first person who was mislead/misunderstood this whole mess.
Now, I haven't purchased, so I don't know aobut the purchasing agreement,
there is not really such a thing. you pay for a dnd insider subscription, including two magazines and three bonus tools, and that's about as detailed as it gets.
One misleading thing is that one of the bonus tools, the character point spender thingy, is completely replaced by the character builder program that is currently available for free and in beta. So currently you're only getting 2 of the bonus tools, the encounter builder and the monster builder. Once character builder is released we can probably expect the point spender to die completely.
Of the two remaining tools, the monster builder is nifty, but my first post highlights a glaring problem with the encounter builder.
So you're left asking: is access to the compendium, the monster builder, and two magazines worth the monthly fee? I wouldn't say so. The character builder, a better encounter builder, and some overall usability fixes (see my first post) are honestly enough to sway me. It's frustrating because I'm not even asking for the virtual table, or the map maker, or any programs that simply aren't available yet. I just want the stuff that's here to work and work well.
You are not currently paying full price, though the discount you are currently getting will stay in effect through the end of your current contract, so you will get the full suite at your current price when it comes out for at least until you need to renew your subscription.
And the current plan is to at some point cut off access to issues that came out when you were not a subscriber, save for those first few that will remain free as preview issues for everyone. However, there is no timeline for when this will happen.
What about all the people who bothered to save the pdfs to their computer during this open period, they can mock all the people who didn't and are now cut off. They're both paying customers, but one set now has the right to be mad at Wizards.
Since they set a per issue price, will I have the option to subscribe to DDI sans that issue price (because maybe I like Dragon but I don't like Dungeon) and optionally pick up the issues I think are interesting once they are available at the standalone price?
As you can see, a lot of assumptions can be made that either hurt or help Wizards, but customer experience will make those assumptions lean towards the hurt side. That's why I think it's unfair to speculate until the actual pricing and plans are available. Then we can complain all we want, and not pay them if we don't feel like it's worth it.
On another note, does anyone read this forum and give our feedback to Wizards? I hope this topic derailment doesn't hide my original complaints about the encounter builder. It really is a tool that takes you 90% of the way there and then leaves you out in the cold.
You asked a question about giving feedback to Wizards. Don't worry; your comments *are* being reviewed and noticed
They are very interested in people's opinions and suggestions, as well as complaints.Another great way to make certain Wizards sees your feedback directly is Custome Service
Just log in using your forums log in.
Click on the "email us" tab, then choose "Role-playing games" for topic, then "D&D Insider" then choose from the available topics to reflect what you want to comment on. For a comprehensive list that talks about several factors of DDI, I'd choose "D&D I Other"
Happy Gaming
That seems really confusing. What happens if I subscribe a year from now but want access to the issues I missed? Do I have to pay a price to download the issue I want?
Announced plans are:
1) When you're a subscriber you'll have access to all compiled issues that were a part of your subscrption. IE, subribe from Jan - Dec of 09, and those will be on your account. Wait until March 2010 to re-subscribe, and Jan/Feb '10 will be missing. Jan-Dec 09 will be available to you, however
2) Individual issues of magazines will be available for purchase at a (currently undisclosed) price. It hasn't been said if this adds those to your account or just issues you a license to download the issue a few times (ala rpgnow.com). I personally assume the former.
What about all the people who bothered to save the pdfs to their computer during this open period, they can mock all the people who didn't and are now cut off. They're both paying customers, but one set now has the right to be mad at Wizards.
The open issues of Dragon (#364 - 367) and Dungeon (#155 - 158) remain open to all as a preview, and will be remaining so (unless something's changed in the last month while I've been partially absent - I was just able to download a few without logging in, however).
Since they set a per issue price, will I have the option to subscribe to DDI sans that issue price (because maybe I like Dragon but I don't like Dungeon) and optionally pick up the issues I think are interesting once they are available at the standalone price?
There are no current "a'la carte" options that have been announced - though many people have requested it. I think it's a good idea as well, even though I intend to go for the full bundle.
Keep in mind if your interest is in ONLY "this mag" or "that mag" simply purchasing that magazine on a month-by-month basis will likely serve you better than a subscription.
However if you're interested in more than a single magazine, a bundled subscription is going to be your only choice (it remains to be see if there will be tiered offerings for subscription bundles).
As you can see, a lot of assumptions can be made that either hurt or help Wizards, but customer experience will make those assumptions lean towards the hurt side. That's why I think it's unfair to speculate until the actual pricing and plans are available. Then we can complain all we want, and not pay them if we don't feel like it's worth it.
Again, I've been out of the loop for the last month or so, but it's my understanding that the final pricing would be as follows:
$15.00/month - monthly
$13.00/month - 3 month plan
$10.00/month - 12 month plan
Still, customer experience, does have a way to go. That's no secret to anyone.
On another note, does anyone read this forum and give our feedback to Wizards? I hope this topic derailment doesn't hide my original complaints about the encounter builder. It really is a tool that takes you 90% of the way there and then leaves you out in the cold.
As Wyvern posted, yes, WotC is actively monitoring, and even participating in, these forums. While there are better channels for feedback (wizards.com/custhelp) things posted here are typically noticed by someone.