Unanswered Questions:
1. Payment Options. Under pricing you might what an FAQ for payment methods. Kids don't have credit card and you'll likely get this question from them.
2. Game Table. Will WotC be organizing specific games for new players. For example RPGA events, virtual conventions, world wide D&D game days, etc. Get judges to volunteer to run games for others (possible in exchange for subscriptions/free stuff)? Answer, sort of, is in [GQ26]
3. Game Table. Are there ways to limit/post character requirements. For example, "Must follow RPGA rules, APL 4"?
4. Game Table. Can Virtual Minis be gifted, traded, or sold? This goes with [GQ10] in which folks want to know if they can get their money back.
5.What will be the price of D&Di in the U.K and other international regions? Will it remain at $9.95 for a year-long subscription, converted into local currency, or will you increase it? If the latter, how can you justify increasing the cost for the same product?
I will try to have the FAQ Updated every week at minimum or every 3-4 days at maximum. Cases in which I update daily are rare and should not be considered normal.
In the table of contents I will denote the new questions in some way that I have not decided on yet.
Hope this helps...
One reason I do not do an FAQ update often fot those I maintain is editing.
As it stands right now I suspect the ezines should be single line as how they work would tend to be questions as opposed to an article in one or the other. Meta ways they both work the same.
I've updated everything with a method to quick search the FAQ if a member wants to find a specific answer easily.
I wasn't going to put anything up on the magazines yet, because I haven't really search for that information yet, and my books came and sitting here while I'm at work. I got off the clock about an hour ago, and have been itching to look through them, but I've put up the two basic questions and answes for now.
Now, if everyone will excuse me, I'm going to take a look at what 4e has to offer...
A few FAQs which I can think of...
1. Payment Options. Under pricing you might what an FAQ for payment methods. Kids don't have credit card and you'll likely get this question from them.
2. Game Table. Will WotC be organizing specific games for new players. For example RPGA events, virtual conventions, world wide D&D game days, etc. Get judges to volunteer to run games for others (possible in exchange for subscriptions/free stuff)?
3. Game Table. Are there ways to limit/post character requirements. For example, "Must follow RPGA rules, APL 4"?
4. Game Table. Can Virtual Minis be gifted, traded, or sold? This goes with [GQ10] in which folks want to know if they can get their money back.
I second the question on the rest of BW0222's questions (tho im not that concerned with 1 as I do have a credit card and am 26).
That sound about right, Wizards?
BW0222, I would be very shocked if you cancel your subscription that you will get the money for the minis back. IF that were the case, what would be the point in them selling it in the first place. My understanding is if you cancel your sub and then start it up later, you will still have access to your minis that you bought.
There are several reasons to have an FAQ on this.
First, some folks would be surprised by it. There is no reason to not be explicit on this.
Second, if you can't, folks should be warned. I.e. don't spend money until you are sure you wish to play.
Third, folks will want "outs". Selling them or trading them away to other players for example. Otherwise, you are "forced" into playing for the subscription even though you paid for said items.
I'm personally not concerned with any of these... I use tokens in my normal games and don't see any reason to pay money for virtual figs either. Personally, I like dice which you can number and don't block views/get knocked over. However... I put questions up with others will ask.
gizmoiscariot
There are several reasons to have an FAQ on this.
First, some folks would be surprised by it. There is no reason to not be explicit on this.
Second, if you can't, folks should be warned. I.e. don't spend money until you are sure you wish to play.
Third, folks will want "outs". Selling them or trading them away to other players for example. Otherwise, you are "forced" into playing for the subscription even though you paid for said items.
I'm personally not concerned with any of these... I use tokens in my normal games and don't see any reason to pay money for virtual figs either. Personally, I like dice which you can number and don't block views/get knocked over. However... I put questions up with others will ask.
In someways the question has already been answered concerning sale of the Vminies. No you can not sell them, if you become none member for a time you are not a member, if you sign up again you get your Vminis that you purchased as well back to use. At least that is how I read the answers so far made available.
One thing you should remember is that this FAQ has answers to questions made by WotC, not all questions asked of WotC have been answered and until they are not answered they can not be added.
Sorry for the long delay in posting I was enjoying my books.
What will be the price of D&Di in the U.K and other international regions? Will it remain at $9.95 for a year-long subscription, converted into local currency, or will you increase it? If the latter, how can you justify increasing the cost for the same product?
Ta!
I have a question!
What will be the price of D&Di in the U.K and other international regions? Will it remain at $9.95 for a year-long subscription, converted into local currency, or will you increase it? If the latter, how can you justify increasing the cost for the same product?
Ta!
Interesting question, off hand I would expect price remains in USD at time of transaction. Exchange rate clearly will vary from day to day. So it might be more or less expensive next month to people in other countries.
I suspect the US Federal rates will be increased at least 25 points to increase the value of the USD, however the last rate cut made no sense to me so that is not certain. The stronger the dollar the more it will tend to cost those out of the country.
Interesting question, off hand I would expect price remains in USD at time of transaction. Exchange rate clearly will vary from day to day. So it might be more or less expensive next month to people in other countries.
I suspect the US Federal rates will be increased at least 25 points to increase the value of the USD, however the last rate cut made no sense to me so that is not certain. The stronger the dollar the more it will tend to cost those out of the country.
That's what I expect, although I've heard a rumour that they'll just a price in Pounds (and maybe also Euros). The rumour I heard suggested £9.99 a month, which is a couple of quid higher than if we were paying in dollars.
That's what I expect, although I've heard a rumour that they'll just a price in Pounds (and maybe also Euros). The rumour I heard suggested £9.99 a month, which is a couple of quid higher than if we were paying in dollars.
Coming from the UK, I will not be purchasing 1 mth, 6mth or 12 mth subscriptions if the price is not on par with the US price. I will let it go around 20% more, any more that that and the deal is off.
Not sure about the Euro, but for Sterling I would like to see £9.99 (roughly $19-20 US), £7.50 (around £14-15 US) and £6.00 (around $11-12 US). Any more than these amounts and I would feel like I was being ripped off.
But that's me. I don't play MMO's because I would like to pay for a game then play it, not keep paying for the thing to play it.
Sorry, but this price is to high, and I think it is to high for the MMO's themselves. Diablo 2 keeps an online thing on without the cost, and is still up today.
I will update the FAQ as soon as I can, if there is information to update it with.
I have put a link to where you can find the FAQ in the now first post.
(Note that I don't have access to post in those forums yet either.)
--how much do they range individually?
--When do the mini's used in DDI's table top apply....
....If I enter a DM's campaign as an adventurer, is he able to use any of my Virtual Mini's while im in that campaign?...Could I share?
....Do I Supply my own Virtual Character Mini?
....Who Supplies what Virtual Mini's?(blunt question)
--If we dont have alot of Vritual Mini's when using DDI's Table top, can we use the Dice System?(original thought up by the poor D&D gamer who couldnt afford mini's, and instead used dice and immagination as substitute minitures.)
--If I Buy 'one' Generic Virtual Kobold Mini, can I use that Mini Multiple times in the same battle...EXAMPLE; If i want a Large scale battle against 100 kobolds, can i simply put a copy of that Mini in 100 of the different table tops Squares in order to do so?....or am i Required to buy 100 Virtual Kobold Mini's?
++++++
When ive played D&D with any of my freinds, sharing minitures has never really been an issue, i admit their was sometimes a hint of "dont let the new guy walk off with my $10 Hydra".
Ive had Times where the DM would supply all Minitures, and others when the players would bring theirs over.
I guess im just a little concerned about the limitations on this withing DDI's table top application.
i have to buy virtual minis?
You do not *have* to, the game pieces are represented by tokens by default. Virtual Minaitaures will improve hte experience much like on your game table. Some virtual miniatures will be provided as part of the subscription, others will be available separately.
--how much do they range individually?
The price point has not been made public yet
--When do the mini's used in DDI's table top apply....
....If I enter a DM's campaign as an adventurer, is he able to use any of my Virtual Mini's while im in that campaign?...Could I share?
The sharing will be automatically handled by the D&D Game Table. All participants to a session will have access to the pooled Virtual miniatures and 3D tiles.
....Do I Supply my own Virtual Character Mini?
You can create your character using the character visualizer and then load your custom virtual miniature. This is part of the subscription package benefit.
....Who Supplies what Virtual Mini's?(blunt question)
I am not sure I undertsand the question...
--If we dont have alot of Vritual Mini's when using DDI's Table top, can we use the Dice System?(original thought up by the poor D&D gamer who couldnt afford mini's, and instead used dice and immagination as substitute minitures.)
The Dice roller from within the game table can certainly be used without using the other features if you want.
--If I Buy 'one' Generic Virtual Kobold Mini, can I use that Mini Multiple times in the same battle...EXAMPLE; If i want a Large scale battle against 100 kobolds, can i simply put a copy of that Mini in 100 of the different table tops Squares in order to do so?....or am i Required to buy 100 Virtual Kobold Mini's?
The Game Table has the capability to support unlimited numbers of Viortual miniatures or 3D tiles, or restrict the number available based on the number owned by the players. The business will decide how to sell those virtual assets, I do not think there has been any public announcements on the details yet.
++++++
When ive played D&D with any of my freinds, sharing minitures has never really been an issue, i admit their was sometimes a hint of "dont let the new guy walk off with my $10 Hydra".
Ive had Times where the DM would supply all Minitures, and others when the players would bring theirs over.
I guess im just a little concerned about the limitations on this withing DDI's table top application.
Sharing during a game session does not make you lose any of your assets. When you leave a game session, you automatically take them with you.. there is no way to forget any of them.
Not sure how much power you have in suggesting which answers to supply but I (and im sure many others) are very curious on the v minis in regards to do you need to own 10 goblins or you only have to own one goblin and you can clone him. I understand that you say thats not public, but many I know (tho I am not as much) surprised at the idea of the microtransactions for the v minis. I don't have an issue with this, especially if the price (which would be nice to know as well) is reasonable. However if you are going to be fighting like 15 kobolds or something, if you have to buy 15 kobolds to do that it does change a few things. Obviously you dont have the answer (or are not at liberty to say) but is there any idea when we might have an answer to this or will it only come out when the game table is released?
The Game Table has the capability to support unlimited numbers of Viortual miniatures or 3D tiles, or restrict the number available based on the number owned by the players. The business will decide how to sell those virtual assets, I do not think there has been any public announcements on the details yet.
If you guys limit number of minis or whatever that can be placed on the table (beyond the system restraints to make it playable and stable), this is just epic fail. If the items are not collectible and trade-able, this is just pure greed as there is no technical or other reason to impose such a limit. If the minis were trade-able such as Magic Online cards I completely understand, but from what I heard so far, they are not. So there is no reason to artificially limit what we can display.
wotc_DM
...
Obviously you dont have the answer (or are not at liberty to say) but is there any idea when we might have an answer to this or will it only come out when the game table is released?
Frankly, I do not know. This is really a question for Ken Troop or Scott Rouse, I would say...
Oh, you have to buy virtual minis? After the 15 bucks a month? Awesome, I'll do that when it comes out next year.
Some do not cost additional, they are provided as a starter pack.
It strikes me as possible free expansion packs might occur, however this has not been stated as even a plan by any of WotC.
Well, from what I hear, the thing is, you need to buy the virtual minis to be able to use them on the D&Di map, which will be ready when it's ready, cost 15 bucks a month, and be one of the only real essential features of D&Di because a battle grid is actually needed to play 4E. Goodbye, Dungeons and Dragons.
Here's the part where someone will remind you that you get tokens for free
But hey, we all know 'making' 3d models of unanimated figures that are likely going to be the same 3d renderings from the D&D Minis line will assuredly put costs far above their $14.99 a month from you budget... Oh wait, that sounds like crazy talk.
It sucks though, especially for those (like yourself if I'm not mistaken) who were really looking forward to an aesthetic, simple and easy to use toolset to play D&D when they couldn't get together with friends IRL.
The Game Table has the capability to support unlimited numbers of Viortual miniatures or 3D tiles, or restrict the number available based on the number owned by the players. The business will decide how to sell those virtual assets, I do not think there has been any public announcements on the details yet.
You misunderstand the question.
Can you clone one mini to make multiples of him to use on the table?
Meaning, do you really only need one each of the graphical representations that will be able to be cloned to produce what is needed to use inside the game table? Clone an ogre to make two, for example.
If this isn't able to be done, then a lot of people here will be using the 2d tokens and not bothering with the static 3d graphics as it isn't worth an additional cost for "One" Vmini.
Frankly, I do not know. This is really a question for Ken Troop or Scott Rouse, I would say...
Well, we've asked them dozens of times. That's usually when they make their exit from the thread. Could you ask them for us?
Well, we've asked them dozens of times. That's usually when they make their exit from the thread. Could you ask them for us?
Hi-5!
Sorry it took so long. I was waiting for the ability to post in that area, and once that happened I realized I couldn't remember my password. I figured it out, and have access to the FAQ once again so I will do better in the future. :D
1. What is wotc going to do about the lack of communication / break down in communication with it's user/public base?
2. When will we start seeing public beta tests of the programs.
3. When will we start seeing firm dates posted.
4. Why have wizards been so closed lip about a program that they claim to have had in development for over a year.
5. Why aren't we seeing any of the basic stuff wotc showed at Gencon released for the public to play with?
6. Who do we have to start writting massive letters of complaints to about the way this has been handled to get people to actually answer with out trying to dodge the questions.
7. Is wotc going to publically appologise and acknowledge that it has mislead the public with it's false advertising in the form of:
- Book advertisements which heavily suggest/insinuate that D&D Insider exists.
- Television adverts
- Website adverts that claim you can play D&D 4th edition online with D&D Insider, however that is not true and definantly at this time not the case.
8. Is wotc going to start giving firm prices on things? It shouldn't matter that the programs not out, by this late in the game you should know (especially given that D&DI was meant to be out last month),
- Definitive price on Virtual Minitures
- Definitive answers on if Virtual Minitures can be cloned to allow more then 1 copy of that minute on the board at any one time.
- Definitive answer on if purchased Virtual Minitures can be used for items OTHER then the virtual game table, given you are PAYING for the use of those Assets.
9. Is wotc going to do anything to address the poor customer relations that this mess has caused.
10. Is wotc willing to explain how they feel a character visualiser is more important to players and dm's alike then an actual character generator in the list of applications and why it seems to be coming out before the Character generator. Given that you have explicitatly stopped any one from releasing their own Character Generators for public use.
This is a place for legitimate questions you would like a publicly traded company to post about one of their products. This is not a place to vent. There are dozens of other threads where you can go to post these.
Do you honestly expect a company (and a publicly traded one at that) to post questions like that and answer them? Perhaps if we ask them if they beat their wifes often, they'll post that on their FAQ. Sorry, half your questions have already been answered, you just don't like the answers. Others are not even questions. Discussions of letters of complains, asking for a public appology for missing the release date, etc. aren't questions. Many of your "questions" assume things which are false to begin with.
WotC is not going to air its dirty laundry in public. No company does. It isn't going to open up private board meetings, accounting books, projections, names, technical details, etc. to justify their decisions, failures, or future plans.
You can ask for dates until you are blue in the face, but they have already told you "We don't know." That is likely an honest answer. They don't know. You can ask for v-mini pricing until you are blue in the face that the answer will still be "We haven't decided." Pretty clear to me, some of the upper folks haven't decided. They can't make the numbers balance, they don't have enough information on how long it will take development to make the v-minis or how many folks will buy them, or they are lazy sods away on summer vacation, etc. In the end, "We haven't decided." is both true and accurate.
At least try taking a constructive tone. If you can't go vent on one of the other threads.
my faq questions:
1. What is wotc going to do about the lack of communication / break down in communication with it's user/public base?
In what way is the communication lacking? Do you have suggestions on how to improve the areas that you feel the communication is lacking? Here is a thread for such things. They would like to know where the community feels they are lacking.
2. When will we start seeing public beta tests of the programs.
There is a public beta of the Rules Compendium currently available. As well as Dragon and Dungeon magazines. As I understand it, the other programs will be available when they are closer to completion.
3. When will we start seeing firm dates posted.
We probably won't. They appear to have learned their lesson on posting firm dates, as unexpected complications come up and the community jumps on the fact that they missed a deadline. This happens in the software world, but the community seems to get angry if they bump a release date. It is in their best interest to say and keep to, "when it is ready".
4. Why have wizards been so closed lip about a program that they claim to have had in development for over a year.
What are you refering to? What are they being closed lipped about? If you look to the FAQ, information about each one of the applications is available. If you have a particular question I can put it in the first post or possibly point you to the answer.
5. Why aren't we seeing any of the basic stuff wotc showed at Gencon released for the public to play with?
This was answered in a GamerRadioZero video. While they have functional applications, they do not want to release them to the public until they believe they are fully ready.
From the video: Chris Youngs: "Well, we’re actually going to be launching D&D Insider over the number of months because we’re going to be releasing components as they are ready. Ah, we want to make sure everything is good, that everything is functional and ready to go before we send it out the door. We don’t want have a situation where we just have to patch, patch, patch, patch every week, so until a component of D&D Insider is ready to go it’s going to stay in house."
6. Who do we have to start writting massive letters of complaints to about the way this has been handled to get people to actually answer with out trying to dodge the questions.
Again, what questions are being dodged?
7. Is wotc going to publically appologise and acknowledge that it has mislead the public with it's false advertising in the form of:
- Book advertisements which heavily suggest/insinuate that D&D Insider exists.
- Television adverts
- Website adverts that claim you can play D&D 4th edition online with D&D Insider, however that is not true and definantly at this time not the case.
I can't answer this or provide a response, so I am skipping it. I only put it here so that no one thinks I am ignoring parts of a post.
8. Is wotc going to start giving firm prices on things? It shouldn't matter that the programs not out, by this late in the game you should know (especially given that D&DI was meant to be out last month),
- Definitive price on Virtual Minitures
- Definitive answers on if Virtual Minitures can be cloned to allow more then 1 copy of that minute on the board at any one time.
- Definitive answer on if purchased Virtual Minitures can be used for items OTHER then the virtual game table, given you are PAYING for the use of those Assets.
Yes they will, when the Game Table is closer to being released.
From the FAQ:"I'm happy to get more into this conversation and release more information as we get a little closer to the Game Table being released. Specific info about how many v-minis we'll give away for free and what v-minis are included in the initial giveaway."
9. Is wotc going to do anything to address the poor customer relations that this mess has caused.
They are providing the subscription version of the Rules Compendium for free, as well as both Dragon and Dungeon magazines for free while the other applications are getting closer to completion. Is this not enough?
10. Is wotc willing to explain how they feel a character visualiser is more important to players and dm's alike then an actual character generator in the list of applications and why it seems to be coming out before the Character generator. Given that you have explicitatly stopped any one from releasing their own Character Generators for public use.
From the FAQ:
[INDENT]-- [GQ5] What is the order in which the applications will be released?
Someone asked about what the likely order of release would be for the applications. This list assumes the Compendium is already out there.
a) Character Visualizer -- [highlight]this application is currently the closest to being done.[/highlight]
b) Character Builder -- [highlight]this application is also close to being done, but slightly farther away than the Character Visualizer. I understand that for many people, the Character Builder would be great to have as soon as possible...if we can get it out first, we will, but the way that things look right now, it's likely to be second.[/highlight]
c) Game Table and Dungeon Builder -- many people are very excited about the Game Table...but it is also the most complex of all of our applications, as well as the one that needs the most "game" and user polish of all of our applications. This is the application that will take the most time to complete and for which the schedule is least reliable..."is it done" is not the only question that needs to be answered, but also "is it fun?"[/INDENT]
I've highlighted the answer. The Visualizer is closer to completion than the Builder. It is not that one is deemed more important to players and dm's than the other.
That is the main reason it is closer to completion, there really isn't as much development as the from scratch character "Builder" generator.
I would like to add that the Visualizer is a program that Wizards had gotten and are adapting it for their need. It is the reason it uses Direct X instead of a more friendly application for 3D rendering, like OpenGL, that could be cross platform.
That is the main reason it is closer to completion, there really isn't as much development as the from scratch character "Builder" generator.
Source?
I would like to add that the Visualizer is a program that Wizards had gotten and are adapting it for their need. It is the reason it uses Direct X instead of a more friendly application for 3D rendering, like OpenGL, that could be cross platform.
That is the main reason it is closer to completion, there really isn't as much development as the from scratch character "Builder" generator.
This is incorrect.
The visualizer has been built using a 3D DirectX based game engine we already had in house for another project. We did not have the visualizer when we started.
The main reason it is closer to completion are the following:
- We were able to really start pre-production around April 2007, and development after Gencon 2007 because we did not have to wait for other dependancies to get the work started.
- It does not need a client/server infrastructure
- it is a fairly straightforward application in term of functionalities and the scope of creating a character in 3D with options and equipment is fairly well understood.
In what way is the communication lacking? Do you have suggestions on how to improve the areas that you feel the communication is lacking? Here is a thread for such things. They would like to know where the community feels they are lacking.
I wouldn't call that them trying to fix it.. there are a lot of posts there and very little in the way of return communication. Until we see daily updates etc from Wotc or at least every couple of days then I'm not going to count anything from that suggestion thread as being useful.. and if you notice i've posted there.
There is a public beta of the Rules Compendium currently available. As well as Dragon and Dungeon magazines. As I understand it, the other programs will be available when they are closer to completion.
No these where more their lovely 1 month free trial which they put up pre 4th Edition release (with the exception of the Compendium) and have suddenly gone oh we didn't get our product shipped when we where meant to and when we advertised and promised in all our books and all across the net... we need to do something to make people believe it wasn't our fault and oh that's right, we'll make it look like we intended a massively stretched beta period! even thought all our own adverts state 10 days.
the FAQ[/url], information about each one of the applications is available. If you have a particular question I can put it in the first post or possibly point you to the answer.
Then why isn't this information on the FAQ HELP pages where it should be? Simple as that, not every one comes to the forums and not every one wants to hunt through 10000000 pages of bs. If i want info on any of the 4th edition books I can go look up the FAQ in the help and surprise surprise every product BUT D&D Insider has an FAQ up in there.
As for the dates, Sorry not good enough. Wizards made promises and have broken them yes, but 'by the end of the year' isn't good enough.. We may not be their board members, but we are their customer base.. Either they start coming clean, they loose it or they start seeing lawsuits filed for false/misleading advertising.
This was answered in a GamerRadioZero video. While they have functional applications, they do not want to release them to the public until they believe they are fully ready.
From the video: Chris Youngs: "Well, we’re actually going to be launching D&D Insider over the number of months because we’re going to be releasing components as they are ready. Ah, we want to make sure everything is good, that everything is functional and ready to go before we send it out the door. We don’t want have a situation where we just have to patch, patch, patch, patch every week, so until a component of D&D Insider is ready to go it’s going to stay in house."
Again, what questions are being dodged?
Again not EVERYONE reads / watch's the Gamer Zero videos. Again there is a severe LACK of information POSTED on the D&D insider website. Again, they have failed to adress or appologise publically for their false and miss leading advertising.
I can't answer this or provide a response, so I am skipping it. I only put it here so that no one thinks I am ignoring parts of a post.
That's understandable ;)
Yes they will, when the Game Table is closer to being released.
From the FAQ:"I'm happy to get more into this conversation and release more information as we get a little closer to the Game Table being released. Specific info about how many v-minis we'll give away for free and what v-minis are included in the initial giveaway."
Not good enough, this late in the game they should know exactly as I said what the cost, type, size etc of these parts of the products are going to be.
They are providing the subscription version of the Rules Compendium for free, as well as both Dragon and Dungeon magazines for free while the other applications are getting closer to completion. Is this not enough?
No in all honesty it's not. I spent money based on Wizards advertisements, they promised in the months after gencon and in the months leading up to 4th editions release that we would have these great tools published BY them, with full access to the RULES and Digital Editions of the books we had brought for use with our game. Along side that they promised:
- 'A Rules Comedium'
- 'Access to dungeon & Dragon Magazines'
- 'A virtual table top to play with your friends anywhere in the world',
- 'A character creator unlike any character creator you've used before',
- 'A character visualiser that allows you to create not only your portrate but a 3D miniture'.
They said all these things would be avalible when Dungeons and Dragons 4th edition and Insider launched. You don't believe me go and Look at their own releases and their own bragging at last year's gencon etc. Instead we get the 4th Edition books and we have had nothing but the 2 magazines which a chimp and a highschooler could produce (sorry it's true.. all it takes is some basic Content Management System production for the website side, and knowing how to use Adobe Indesign for the PDF Side) and a Compedium that isn't even working how it should (has been buggy etc) which uses that basic of a programming system that you can teach the majority of it to yourself in next to no time. (SQL is a VERY easy lang to learn as is the basic's of PHP).
We have not seen hide nor hair of the remaining applications and yet their books continue to advertise them.. Their adverts continue to sing about being able to play D&D with your friends online etc. A lot of people brought their books on the assumption that they could finally get old friends etc back togeather and play once more no matter WHERE in the world they where.
Instead they can't, Wizards of the Coast and by Extension HASBRO have lied and left themselves open to more then one type of law suit in more then one country, as many Places do not take Books back once you have brought them (My local store for example will not take the books back). Yet we still see:
- No press releases with formal appologies from Wizards or Hasbro
- No Formal news or appologises on the D&D Insider Website.
- I shouldn't have to look through 20 diffrent topics to find out that they missed their dead lines.
- I shouldn't HAVE to come to the forums to find out this information.
- There SHOULD be links on their sight to all purtant information.
From the FAQ:
[INDENT]-- [GQ5] What is the order in which the applications will be released?
Someone asked about what the likely order of release would be for the applications. This list assumes the Compendium is already out there.
a) Character Visualizer -- [highlight]this application is currently the closest to being done.[/highlight]
b) Character Builder -- [highlight]this application is also close to being done, but slightly farther away than the Character Visualizer. I understand that for many people, the Character Builder would be great to have as soon as possible...if we can get it out first, we will, but the way that things look right now, it's likely to be second.[/highlight]
c) Game Table and Dungeon Builder -- many people are very excited about the Game Table...but it is also the most complex of all of our applications, as well as the one that needs the most "game" and user polish of all of our applications. This is the application that will take the most time to complete and for which the schedule is least reliable..."is it done" is not the only question that needs to be answered, but also "is it fun?"[/INDENT]
I've highlighted the answer. The Visualizer is closer to completion than the Builder. It is not that one is deemed more important to players and dm's than the other.
i could rant on this and say it shows even more just how Amature WoTC has handled this but I won't.
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The points I'm making is that WoTC has failed it's customer base. It is that simple and yet they are doing Nothing to restore that Trust at least in my view point. They have their adverts still in place, they have very little firm news, and they have very very little contact between the people who we give a damned about hearing from and us. Instead we get 1 post and then they vanish.
Yes it is nice that WOTC_DM posts... but there should be more from people in higher positions, how about we see an actual press release of appologie and evidence this isn't going to be like certain other PAST Software promises made by Wizards. (for those of you who do not know, just look up Master Tools and Etools on the net.)
This is incorrect.
The visualizer has been built using a 3D DirectX based game engine we already had in house for another project. We did not have the visualizer when we started.
The main reason it is closer to completion are the following:
- We were able to really start pre-production around April 2007, and development after Gencon 2007 because we did not have to wait for other dependancies to get the work started.
- It does not need a client/server infrastructure
- it is a fairly straightforward application in term of functionalities and the scope of creating a character in 3D with options and equipment is fairly well understood.
So it uses the "engine" from that application, hence why it was faster with the development. I also see that it doesn't need to have all the stuff from DDi connected to it, as that can be correlated later. Am I right in saying that the Gaming Table was the one that had been taken from elsewhere, or perhaps it is using the same engine as the visualizer.
The main thing is that it uses the inferior Direct X directives and has to be redone/ported over for other platforms.
I take that the "engine" is like the Unreal engine or such and not the actual "game."
The company purchased or developed Direct programing for another project. This is a given.
It appears likely the contractors and in house overview people have experience with the above tool.
I am not sure what was developed in the past with the tool, however Game Table is different from what applications released in the past were as far as I know.
Game table is geared to people they know to form a gaming group, MtcG and DDO as far as I know was geared to users that were compatible with the system put out. Nothing I have seen before had a main target market of an average of groups of 5 people using different OS systems and computing capacities.
I do understand to purchase or developed cross platform tool costs money and I also understand additional training costs would be involved with in house staff. The outside contractor of course would price based on knowing the tool so that should not be a factor unless contract is opened ended.
12 dollars a month for even 5,000 users might have justified the cost of buying a new tool and doing some training considering the fact that we are in month two wit no sign of daylight (income stream) in sight.
Note 12 is an estimated average based on some posting they would pay at different terms of commitment. Not all will purchase a year, some spoke about a month, there was some indication some might take 3 month offer.
Will we be able to import home made minis into the insider ?
As it appears right now, the answer has been already no, except for PC minis customized by character visualizer, if I understand it correctly.
Am I right in saying that the Gaming Table was the one that had been taken from elsewhere, or perhaps it is using the same engine as the visualizer.
The D&D Game Table and the Character Visualizer share the same underlying 3D engine.
The main thing is that it uses the inferior Direct X directives and has to be redone/ported over for other platforms.
For now, our focus is to be able to launch for PC platforms. Once we have launched, we will look at all our options, including supporting other platforms.
I take that the "engine" is like the Unreal engine or such and not the actual "game."
Correct, the engine is not the game applications. We have had to build the two applications that use it on top of it.
Will there ever be printer friendly versions of Dragon and Dungeon also available for download with the regular PDF's?
*shudders at the number of posts he's about to find*
Question #2: If I were to pay for vMinis and I cancel my subscription, am I no longer able to view them/use them? In essence are you charging rent for something I have already paid for?
Question #1: Do we have to be connected to the internet to be able to use the Visualizer, Character Builder, Dungeon Mapper, etc? It seems to me that it would be entirely unneccessary for the primary function of these programs apart from WotC trying to keep people without a subscription from using them.
Latest from GenCon seems to suggest that the Character Visualizer and Character builder will be standalone progams and will not need a subscription or internet access to use, but you will need a subscription and internet access to update them.
Question #2: If I were to pay for vMinis and I cancel my subscription, am I no longer able to view them/use them? In essence are you charging rent for something I have already paid for?
Last I saw (which is in the FAQ) you keep the vMinis if you cancel your subscription, so if you have canceled your subscription and use a guest pass to play on the table all the v-Minis you owned will be brought to the table with you.
Why is it taking so long for WoTC to release the D&Di program? You guys have been toting this thing for a while.
But this piecemeal releasing of it is frustrating.
Personally I would have waited till ALL of the feature were ready to release it.
And I agree that 15 bucks a month is a bit steep for this. I have been a part of this game since 1979, and over the years I have seen the prices for the game just go up and up and up! 40 bucks for one book! You are pricing yourselves right out of the target group for the game.
It would have been smarter to charge a one time fee for the base program files to the more advance stuff. The player downloads it or buys the PC-DVD. And keep the general stuff free for those that do not want to buy it.
Right now it looks like you are only caring about the bottom-line and not the people that made this game great. The Players!
DarqueRaven
When can we expect that the compiled Dungeon and Dragon magazine PDFs will contain corrections to errors in the original single-article PDFs? Will currently-available compilations be updated? Any given article's thread in the appropriate fora are quickly full of errors/omissions/typos/inconsistencies that do not appear to have been addressed in the issues we have now seen compiled.
Try to access one of the articles that came out in October, other than the barbarian playtest.
You will see some red text prompting you to subscribe. Click it, and you should be taken to a page where you can start the subscription process.
There is probably a more direct way to do it, but thats the path that I took.