Character Builder Demo - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Character Builder Demo

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
frodie
Sep 03, 2008 13:20:43 I don't understand why WOTC will not release the Character Builder Demo.
It seems to me, if it is good enough to show off at Gen Con, it would be ok to release.
We all understand that it is a "demo" and it isn't perfect, but that is ok.
Please, release it ASAP.
#2
mudbunny
Sep 03, 2008 13:27:55 It is a nice idea in theory, but WotC could put a dozen click throughs that state "Beta version - There may still be bugs" and the first time the program would crash, there would be a dozen threads on the boards stating:

#3
mead
Sep 03, 2008 13:52:49 And that'll be different from the first time a bug crashes it after they start charging for it, how? Oh right, it won't be nearly as vicious a feeding frenzy.

It's inevitable - there will always be morons. So they may as well go ahead and get the brief hysteria and confusion over with and let the rest of us begin evaluating and playtesting. Better now than after people start paying real money for it.
#4
KM.549
Sep 03, 2008 15:32:53 They also said in the last report that they want to make sure that the demo is just that a demo. It will not have full functionallity.

I have no idea if what they showed at gencon was full or demo.
#5
WolfStar76
Sep 03, 2008 16:24:01 Having seen the pre-beta build at GenCon, I'd say the main reason we don't have copies to beta-test is because they KNOW what bugs are there to be ironed out.

The point of beta-testing is to get the tool into the hands of more users who can find the bugs they haven't found yet.

Give them more time with the spackle and I'm sure we'll get our beta tests soon.
#6
hellmute
Sep 03, 2008 21:02:30
And that'll be different from the first time a bug crashes it after they start charging for it, how? Oh right, it won't be nearly as vicious a feeding frenzy.

It's inevitable - there will always be morons. So they may as well go ahead and get the brief hysteria and confusion over with and let the rest of us begin evaluating and playtesting. Better now than after people start paying real money for it.

I think if it crashes AFTER people start paying for it, then it would be much WORSE than trying to get the major crash type bugs gotten rid of with thorough testing PRIOR to going pay with it.

Again, why I think crippleware is not helpful as a demo.

Best comparison I can make is to MMOs. you can get a 10-day free-trial to many, and there is NOTHING disabled. If you can reach level 70, then you will have access to those things. To have access to areas not part of the initial software package, like expansions would require buying those add-ons, but the program itself is crippled in no way shape or form, and you can give it a real thrashing to see how well it works, and how it works with your machiine.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 frodie Sep 03, 2008 13:20:43	I don't understand why WOTC will not release the Character Builder Demo. It seems to me, if it is good enough to show off at Gen Con, it would be ok to release. We all understand that it is a "demo" and it isn't perfect, but that is ok. Please, release it ASAP.
#2 mudbunny Sep 03, 2008 13:27:55	It is a nice idea in theory, but WotC could put a dozen click throughs that state "Beta version - There may still be bugs" and the first time the program would crash, there would be a dozen threads on the boards stating:
#3 mead Sep 03, 2008 13:52:49	And that'll be different from the first time a bug crashes it after they start charging for it, how? Oh right, it won't be nearly as vicious a feeding frenzy. It's inevitable - there will always be morons. So they may as well go ahead and get the brief hysteria and confusion over with and let the rest of us begin evaluating and playtesting. Better now than after people start paying real money for it.
#4 KM.549 Sep 03, 2008 15:32:53	They also said in the last report that they want to make sure that the demo is just that a demo. It will not have full functionallity. I have no idea if what they showed at gencon was full or demo.
#5 WolfStar76 Sep 03, 2008 16:24:01	Having seen the pre-beta build at GenCon, I'd say the main reason we don't have copies to beta-test is because they KNOW what bugs are there to be ironed out. The point of beta-testing is to get the tool into the hands of more users who can find the bugs they haven't found yet. Give them more time with the spackle and I'm sure we'll get our beta tests soon.
#6 hellmute Sep 03, 2008 21:02:30	And that'll be different from the first time a bug crashes it after they start charging for it, how? Oh right, it won't be nearly as vicious a feeding frenzy. It's inevitable - there will always be morons. So they may as well go ahead and get the brief hysteria and confusion over with and let the rest of us begin evaluating and playtesting. Better now than after people start paying real money for it. I think if it crashes AFTER people start paying for it, then it would be much WORSE than trying to get the major crash type bugs gotten rid of with thorough testing PRIOR to going pay with it. Again, why I think crippleware is not helpful as a demo. Best comparison I can make is to MMOs. you can get a 10-day free-trial to many, and there is NOTHING disabled. If you can reach level 70, then you will have access to those things. To have access to areas not part of the initial software package, like expansions would require buying those add-ons, but the program itself is crippled in no way shape or form, and you can give it a real thrashing to see how well it works, and how it works with your machiine.