I read somewhere you're allowed 5 updates per month...and I figure with that limitation that would make it ok to use multiple machines since we can only update 5 times a month anyways.
My wife and I both game, and we both have our own laptops...I was wondering if it would be legal to install the character builder on both of our machines with one account?
I read somewhere you're allowed 5 updates per month...and I figure with that limitation that would make it ok to use multiple machines since we can only update 5 times a month anyways.
Well what has been said is that WotC does not have a problem with you putting it on two or more computers you own. Putting it on a computer you do not own for a person that is not a subscriber clearly is not there stated intent for distribution. There was some discussion raised about a family account, however there has not been any official position taken on the question.
All in all it appears the current answer is No it would not be legal.
Well what has been said is that WotC does not have a problem with you putting it on two or more computers you own. Putting it on a computer you do not own for a person that is not a subscriber clearly is not there stated intent for distribution. There was some discussion raised about a family account, however there has not been any official position taken on the question.
All in all it appears the current answer is No it would not be legal.
Legally, spouses share ownership.
Legally, spouses share ownership.
Not all jurisdictions or in all law. *shrugs*
Short answer is that Spouses can not have two copies of one program, but both can use the same one... Legally. It is certainly possible to put the program on two different computers though, and depending on Wizards security, even update both the original and the copy through the same account.
It would be easier if Wizards would have some sort of package that would take a family or group of players into account and offer discounts or sharing of some sort.
Wizards, in my opinion, wants the full ransom for their online service for each individual account.
Thats only 10 dollars. As of now I think that each of them has the Character builder and all of the articles released to this date.
Until wizards puts out the VTT... I don't think they're going to be able to do anything to stop them.
This is something that is frowned on with any service like this, however, especially the Massive Multi Player Online Games that this is modeled after.
From what was posted by others, including mud bunny, you could get one month DDi and have the Character Generato.... sorry, Builder from then on without the bloated service.
You don't need to be online to use the application, just to update it each month if you want the new monthly content.
There is an updater, which gives you an update button you can press to download the new version each month. You have to log into your DDI account to update each month.
You also have to log in for the first big update which converts it from level 1-3 to a level 1-30 program.
Each subscriber can only do this 5 times. This means that if account details are accidentally made public the cap will be reached right away.
The limit of 5 installs will be for each monthly update. The number of installs allowed will not be reduced if you later choose to uninstall the application with a monthly update after having installing it, but once the next data update is available, the limit will be reset.
If you reach this five install limit during a given month, and for some reasons you need extra installs, you will be able to contact our Customer Service department, and make your case about getting more installs for this month. We will closely monitor these requests, and this number of 5 for any given month's update should provide the right balance for everybody.
Because of the nature of the application, both the code and the data set will be updated every month. The update process will in fact be proceeding to update both the code and the data, without needing a full re-installation.
In other words, if you aren't a subscriber, you can't update or upgrade from the beta to the full version. If you computer crashes, HD dies or something else requires you to upgrade again, you are going to have to contact CS and hope that they will be able to help you.
I'd just like to remind people that according to Terms of Service, you are *not* permitted to share the DDI account (and thus the full version of Character Builder) with your friends and gaming buddies.
If you have more questions, please feel free to contact Customer Service
Thanks.
And yeah, the 5 time limit is a DRM thing makes having it on multiple computers an almost impossible task. Sharing the account is a possibility (Even if Wizards wants the money from all the people instead of one) but it would most likely be from the same computer.
Best way to go, get two accounts. Or find alternative Character Generators, which right now isn't out there.
So, you need to subcribe to use it on a month to month basis?
No. You need to subscribe if you want to upgrade it on a month to month basis, whether it is to upgrade to a more recent dataset, or to upgrade from the demo version to the full version.
Best way to go, get two accounts. Or find alternative Character Generators, which right now isn't out there.
http://tinyurl.com/cb369r
:D
No. You need to subscribe if you want to upgrade it on a month to month basis, whether it is to upgrade to a more recent dataset, or to upgrade from the demo version to the full version.
http://tinyurl.com/cb369r
:D
I had to get ZoneAlarm to allow that webpage to fire up, then found out it was a google search.
I talk, here, of a produced product that would take the place of E-Tools.
It seems that with the above posts, you need the monthly updates to have the Character Generator to work. Your saying that this is optional. Both can't be true.
I am not sure if I am being confusing, or if you are deliberately misunderstanding what I am typing. I haven't had any caffeine yet this morning, so I am pretty sure it is just me, so I will try again.
The version of the character builder that is available off the download page is the demo version. You can use that as much as you want when not subscribed. To get to the full version, you need to be subscribed, and you upgrade it through the in-program option. You can do that up to 5 times a month, should you want to use it on your home computer and your laptop.
When you are no longer subscribed, you lose the ability to update the program. That is to say, if you download the demo, you can no-longer update it to the full version, as that ability is reserved for current subscribers.
If you have a full (1-30) version of the CB installed on your computer from when you were a subscriber, it will still work at levels 1-30. However, should you need to upgrade from the demo version to the full version, for any reason, be it hard-drive crash, new laptop, virus corrupting your files, etc, you will not be able to do it automatically. You would have to contact CS to ask for help, and I don't know what the response would be.
What is the WotC CS?
I understand that Wizards of the Coast is the first part...
To be honest, I don't look at the program as being useful unless your subscribed. The chances of something going wrong, or of growing pains, is to much. I think the updates are needed, for corrections more than the extra material from released books, and for Errata.
You can contact them using the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of each forum page. They are the ones responsible for, well, Customer Service, including passing product requests/enquiries up to the people who can answer it.
Didn't realize they made it into a nifty acronym. Thank you.
[i]However, should you need to upgrade from the demo version to the full version, for any reason, be it hard-drive crash, new laptop, virus corrupting your files, etc, you will not be able to do it automatically. You would have to contact CS to ask for help, and I don't know what the response would be.
The response will be that you need to be a subscriber to update to the full version at any given time.
if you stop being a subscriber, and for any reason lose access to your previously installed version, you will only have access to the demo version when you re-install.
WoTC has made their choice in business model and will most likely stick to it.
I dislike it when any company puts a monthly fee onto software. I find it limiting, and very frustrating. I have no use for the D&Di service at all. But I LOVE the character generator. So what's a boy to do? If I subscribe and download it then cancel my account, how many times can I use the software before it ceases to launch? If that's the case, why don't I just take the money out of my wallet and burn it?
What am I actually *getting* for the subscription? WoTC is trying to sell the Character Builder as a service, not a product. And while I can understand their point that it will need constant updating and whatnot to stay current, and I understand that that costs money. But it's a piece of downloadable, standalone software.
I have no problem paying, say, $20 for the program and then having to subscribe to DDi to have it updated. But why shouldn't I be able to buy and use this piece of software at my leisure without having to pay for access to all sorts of things that I will never ever use? Or if I do sub and download it, why should I have it taken away from me if I cancel my account?
Also, I have a main computer and a laptop. I would like to have this software installed on both. There's no way for me to do this without having to purchase two separate DDi accounts? I'd have to create another fake email addrsess to make that account, and pay another $8/mo just to be able to use it? I'm happy to pay for another license to have it installed on two computers. I feel like WoTC is trying to dictate how I use their software and service, and that's not up to them, it's up to me.
That's all.
But I LOVE the character generator. So what's a boy to do? If I subscribe and download it then cancel my account, how many times can I use the software before it ceases to launch? If that's the case, why don't I just take the money out of my wallet and burn it?
What am I actually *getting* for the subscription? WoTC is trying to sell the Character Builder as a service, not a product. And while I can understand their point that it will need constant updating and whatnot to stay current, and I understand that that costs money. But it's a piece of downloadable, standalone software.
The application you download will not be shareware, it will work with that data set you download it with for 100 years (unless new OSs make it imposable to run).
The subscription as far as the CB goes, just allows your application to be updated once a month with more official information. If you do not want a Druid data set added to the CB you download now, you do not need to be subscribed and of course you will not get it.
You clearly may not like their business model, however if you join now and download, you own that software for life (of your computer).
Just because your doing something that a company doesn't want you to, doesn't mean your breaking any laws. Software companies put all kinds of crazy stuff in their EULAs to serve their interests, not yours.
Just use your own judgment. The FBI isn't going to come knocking on your door if your wife makes a character with your account.
To put it another way, the only way to patch the Character generator is to pay the ransom of the DDi.
Well you could put it that way, however I detect error.
A DM can House rule anything at least based on how the application was described. Depending on how robust the current version is, it clearly might be possible to custom PCs classes is available.
A person does not need an update every month if somebody only wants to use the PHB, DMD and MM they already have more data then they want.
Yes update packs are part of a subscription, however no one is forced to pay for those updates (as long as they disable auto renew successfully).
So in the end one should be able to patch their own copy if they are willing to take the time to do so.
The response will be that you need to be a subscriber to update to the full version at any given time.
if you stop being a subscriber, and for any reason lose access to your previously installed version, you will only have access to the demo version when you re-install.
this clearly could become an issue later, keep that in mind folks @ wotc - people who bought software even as a part of a package will want it replaced if something happens to it, whether they are still subscribers or not. legally, they're also most likely entitled to it.
It is a service, the software considered a "client" like the AOL web browser. Software is purchased separately, usually on a cd/dvd and sometime in a place out there called a store. This is a part of an online service that is envisioned under the same model as the persistant worlds of Massive Online Role Playing Games like Everquest and Asheron's Call. (I am avoiding mention of a certain one here) One thing Wizards forgot is that almost all those games are bought first, then the monthly fee is tacked on, and the fees have come down from the high of 20 bucks to around 10 or even as low as 4 bucks a month.
It is an issue, and one that Wizards have no intention of correcting.
That being said, it is nice for those that pay the ransom, and having all the rules from the get go is fantastic, even if the crude from Dragon is included. But no software was bought. At all.
Hi.
I'd just like to remind people that according to Terms of Service, you are *not* permitted to share the DDI account (and thus the full version of Character Builder) with your friends and gaming buddies.
If you have more questions, please feel free to contact Customer Service
Thanks.
If you are in one of those states that says that you can share with your husband/wife, then you can share with that person. That only applies to some locations though.
Hi.
I'd just like to remind people that according to Terms of Service, you are *not* permitted to share the DDI account (and thus the full version of Character Builder) with your friends and gaming buddies.
If you have more questions, please feel free to contact Customer Service
Thanks.
I'll forward this to my newer players then. Maybe they'll get wise.
To get to the full version, you need to be subscribed, and you upgrade it through the in-program option. You can do that up to 5 times a month, should you want to use it on your home computer and your laptop.
Is this correct? The EULA actually says this:
Subject to your compliance with this License, during the Term Wizards grants you a non-exclusive, non-transferable, non-assignable limited license to personally use the Feature (including its Components) on one (1) computer which you own or is under your personal control.
Again, I don't expect WotC to send their lawyers after you if you install it on a home computer and a work computer, but if I'm reading the EULA correctly, you are only supposed to install it on one computer.
Is this correct? The EULA actually says this:
Subject to your compliance with this License, during the Term Wizards grants you a non-exclusive, non-transferable, non-assignable limited license to personally use the Feature (including its Components) on one (1) computer which you own or is under your personal control.
Again, I don't expect WotC to send their lawyers after you if you install it on a home computer and a work computer, but if I'm reading the EULA correctly, you are only supposed to install it on one computer.
The legal beagles write the EULA to protect WotC, however the tone of what comments have been made by some WotC members (staff) clearly implies that there was not any official concern about a single user having the application on two or more computers that they own. Even the download rules/limits appear to allow for installation on more then one computer (Unless they really expect many users would not be able to successfully install after 4 tries on one box). *shrugs*
But if I install it on my desktop, the sign in and update to the full version, what will happen if I then install it on my laptop and sign in on that computer?
*shrugs* I do not know for sure, however I suspect it will install and not cause you any problem.
As far as it goes it makes no sense to install the beta, in fact they advise removing that before downloading and installing the completed CB.
Problems of installing appear mostly related to firewalls, system configurations and overall system settings. Oh I am sure there are other reasons I did not make a list.
Just curious... What is CB?
Character Builder