DDi a lost cause? - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

DDi a lost cause?

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
ranger76
Oct 10, 2008 13:36:33 Just wondering if anyone else feels the same way...

I think by the time they finally release the game table/character generator people who really wanted/needed these tools will already be set using 3rd party products. If thats the case then I don't think they'll actually be able to generate enough intrest in DDi to justify its support costs and therefore the online tools will just be shut down.

I know its been said and many people don't want to hear it again but it was the same thing with 3.0...the character builder that came with the book was geat and it promised more to come with the master tools. For months we were told about delays, and not to worry it would eventually be released. Well it eventually did as the e-Tools but they didn't do what was originally promised.

Now one more complaint, Dragon mag and Dungeon mag moved to online only. Thats fine but when you start charging me $5 a month for a subscription to a webzine, I'm sorry thats just not going to happen. I'd rather pay 5 dollars each for a physical magazine with glossy pictures and such that I can actually take with me to game sessions.

Anyway I'm done ranting, just wanted to state my opinion.
#2
asmodeuslore
Oct 10, 2008 14:47:12 I must admit, I'm not pleased with the delays, but I don't think its a lost cause yet. Enough people have seen the software that has already been developed that I don't think it can qualify as vaporware anymore. And with the beta of the first tool iminent, it seems like we are finally going to see the fruits of their labor.

Always good to see a differing opinion though.
#3
hellzon
Oct 10, 2008 14:56:45
I think by the time they finally release the game table/character generator people who really wanted/needed these tools will already be set using 3rd party products.

My gut feeling is that a majority of players would be using MapTool and its competitors whether or not the Gametable had been out at release, because MapTool, Dundjinni, etc. are already so solid (probably thanks to 3.x, ironically).

The Character/Dungeon Builder and the Visualizer feel less like a lost cause if people wanted to use them in the first place. In short:

- DDI is not lost because WOTC are late with it. It's lost because it's mostly unnecessary. ;)
- Dragon/Dungeon/Compendium will probably do just fine, as long as WOTC don't have a brainfart and remove the "DDI lite" option to buy only those three.

/5 cents from a dude who didn't care one whit for the non-released tools in the first place
#4
Xaielao2
Oct 10, 2008 14:58:57 There news on this subject I haven't heard? New delays? Or just continued discussion?

Personally I'm a patient man and my players are as well. However, my primary players consist of a friend of mine and a couple who have a toddler and a teenage daughter who is only interested in playing about 1/2 the time, so we don't have regular games that often. I have another group that plays and my one friend has basically jumped into that game, but I don't consider it my primary game, but that group certainly gets my game time then the primary one, who are all only level 2 at this point (We've played maybe 4 sessions since this early summer.)

So my first group is absolutely more eager for Gametable then the second one, though we all prefer face to face play, but it won't get regular for a while. A one year old requires a lot of attention so we just don't get to play often. If we could play online, via Gametable, we'll get a lot more play in but were still a bit uncertain how that will all play out, or when it'll even happen.

But again me and my players are patient and I think of it takes a year for all of D&DI to get set up and finished, we may have less use of it by that time but who knows. I think either way the system will have it's crowd because it will let anyone play when ever they want. I see it being similar to the PC game Neverwinter Nights. People have games up all the time. Some are just people messing around, but others will be scheduled full fledged campaigns.

I just hope D&D offers more then just the ability to make a dungeon and crawl through it. The ability to have gameplay in an out-door world is IMHO a must.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 ranger76 Oct 10, 2008 13:36:33	Just wondering if anyone else feels the same way... I think by the time they finally release the game table/character generator people who really wanted/needed these tools will already be set using 3rd party products. If thats the case then I don't think they'll actually be able to generate enough intrest in DDi to justify its support costs and therefore the online tools will just be shut down. I know its been said and many people don't want to hear it again but it was the same thing with 3.0...the character builder that came with the book was geat and it promised more to come with the master tools. For months we were told about delays, and not to worry it would eventually be released. Well it eventually did as the e-Tools but they didn't do what was originally promised. Now one more complaint, Dragon mag and Dungeon mag moved to online only. Thats fine but when you start charging me $5 a month for a subscription to a webzine, I'm sorry thats just not going to happen. I'd rather pay 5 dollars each for a physical magazine with glossy pictures and such that I can actually take with me to game sessions. Anyway I'm done ranting, just wanted to state my opinion.
#2 asmodeuslore Oct 10, 2008 14:47:12	I must admit, I'm not pleased with the delays, but I don't think its a lost cause yet. Enough people have seen the software that has already been developed that I don't think it can qualify as vaporware anymore. And with the beta of the first tool iminent, it seems like we are finally going to see the fruits of their labor. Always good to see a differing opinion though.
#3 hellzon Oct 10, 2008 14:56:45	I think by the time they finally release the game table/character generator people who really wanted/needed these tools will already be set using 3rd party products. My gut feeling is that a majority of players would be using MapTool and its competitors whether or not the Gametable had been out at release, because MapTool, Dundjinni, etc. are already so solid (probably thanks to 3.x, ironically). The Character/Dungeon Builder and the Visualizer feel less like a lost cause if people wanted to use them in the first place. In short: - DDI is not lost because WOTC are late with it. It's lost because it's mostly unnecessary. ;) - Dragon/Dungeon/Compendium will probably do just fine, as long as WOTC don't have a brainfart and remove the "DDI lite" option to buy only those three. /5 cents from a dude who didn't care one whit for the non-released tools in the first place
#4 Xaielao2 Oct 10, 2008 14:58:57	There news on this subject I haven't heard? New delays? Or just continued discussion? Personally I'm a patient man and my players are as well. However, my primary players consist of a friend of mine and a couple who have a toddler and a teenage daughter who is only interested in playing about 1/2 the time, so we don't have regular games that often. I have another group that plays and my one friend has basically jumped into that game, but I don't consider it my primary game, but that group certainly gets my game time then the primary one, who are all only level 2 at this point (We've played maybe 4 sessions since this early summer.) So my first group is absolutely more eager for Gametable then the second one, though we all prefer face to face play, but it won't get regular for a while. A one year old requires a lot of attention so we just don't get to play often. If we could play online, via Gametable, we'll get a lot more play in but were still a bit uncertain how that will all play out, or when it'll even happen. But again me and my players are patient and I think of it takes a year for all of D&DI to get set up and finished, we may have less use of it by that time but who knows. I think either way the system will have it's crowd because it will let anyone play when ever they want. I see it being similar to the PC game Neverwinter Nights. People have games up all the time. Some are just people messing around, but others will be scheduled full fledged campaigns. I just hope D&D offers more then just the ability to make a dungeon and crawl through it. The ability to have gameplay in an out-door world is IMHO a must.