I understand the increase in the pricing. I don't like it, but I understand. Businesses continue to try to make money in this economy, and as a firm believer in capitalism, I can support that, to a point.
The problem I face now is, how can I keep up? Between DDi (which I only just joined this past weekend, on a 3 month plan,) a new book every month that is far from economically sensible these days, and boatloads of D&D Miniatures to pursue, this hobby has grown too expensive.
I'm a family guy who is trying to suport the family on a single income, and my age is now falling out of the golden demographic (34.) I know I'm not the epitome of a favored customer. At the same time, I support Wizards. I bought 3.5 books that I never used because I had the money. I only played one game of 3.5, and that was on a D&D Day. Yet I still have over 20 3.5 books. (That's not a complaint, just background. I also go way back to the BECMI days.)
I have played the DDM Skirmish game for the past few years. I enjoyed it, and it satisfied a "gaming fix" that Neverwinter Nights just couldn't. Then I played a Delve of 4.0 at this year's New York Comic Con. I was instantly and irrevocably hooked. I have since purchased almost every single hardcover (still missing Martial Power, Manual of the Planes, Draconomicon, and Forgotten Realms Campaign Guide.)
As I said, I just purchased a DDi subscription this past weekend. I still have to wade through the magazines, but so far, I see things I love, and things I don't. I really like the Character Builder, a lot. I think the Bonus Tools, if they are modified to work with the Campaign Tools in ways that have been requested elsewhere, can make DDi really good.
Here is my request though. Please add the hardcover books to DDi in readable format. I'm not even asking for PDFs, though I have an idea about that which I'll discuss momentarily. If they were available as documents I could read while logged into DDi, I would consider that enough to justify my purchasing year-long subscriptions for the foreseeable future, possibly at even a slightly higher cost. At this point, I just can't. Even if you offered the books this way, it wouldn't stop me from purchasing some of the hardcovers. I'd always purchase the Core books. I'd also be able to continue purchasing minis, which I can no longer justify.
As far as PDFs, perhaps you could offer them through DDi with a significant discount. I know, I've heard the argument that it isn't a lot cheaper to produce the books in dead tree form than it is as an e-book. I have to believe it's more profitable to gain $5-$10 on an e-book than lose the entire sum to piracy (which we now know, thanks to Arcane Power, is going to happen either way.) If you were to charge $5 per book, as long as the person carried a yearly subscription to DDi, I'd purchase every single book, carry a yealy subscription, and still be able to buy bunches of minis boosters.
I know, it seems like a lot to ask. I'm doing it anyway because it's the only way I can continue to support the company, which I desperately want to do. I won't sit here and threaten Wizards that I'll walk away if this doesn't happen. I can only say that honestly, I'll be priced out of the game. I'll still play, but it will be with what I have, and it won't be because I don't want more. I'm definitely open to other suggestions along the same lines, so if anyone has any better ideas, please share. There's no reason we can't all benefit. Both the customers and the company.
Just please keep the flames away. If you can't be constructive, just ignore the topic. Thanks.
I have no idea how close they are to making a decision on their new digital distribution methods.
Also, please, please, pleasea, do not turn this thread into a place to complain about WOtC's decision to stop selling pdfs. That way lies nothing but flames and eventual locking of the thread.
It is something that I asked quote a while ago, but with the change in the .pdf selling situation, I will ask it again.
Very cool. That's the line of thinking I'm on as well. Plans have changed, so maybe this can be revisited.
I have no idea how close they are to making a decision on their new digital distribution methods.
Completely understood. I greatly appreciate you even giving it the worth to bring it up at all!
Also, please, please, pleasea, do not turn this thread into a place to complain about WOtC's decision to stop selling pdfs. That way lies nothing but flames and eventual locking of the thread.
Absolutely agree. I totally understand the decision, and I don't necessarily disagree with it. They needed to protect their IP. Hopefully there is a middle ground where we can benefit from the digital medium while they profit. I always like win-win situations.
D&D has always produced more books than most people buy. You don't need the new book to play the game. Instead just play with what you have. D&DI gives you access to most crunch so that you can almost do without the books. Personally I've only got the PHB1+2, DMG, and MM. I'm not sure if I'm going to get anything more at this point. (I was planning on getting more but WotC keeps giving me incentives not to do so.)
True enough. I don't need any of them really. If I want to play 4.0, I can get by with the PHB, DMG, & MM. Throw in a DDi subscription, and really you can get by without ever buying another book. I definitely have more minis than I honestly need (1,134 as of right now according to BiFur.) So I could play D&D 4.0 for the rest of my life right now, especially considering all the optional books I already own.
I simply want more. I'll admit it, I'm addicted. I love the stuff Wizards is putting on dead trees. I readily admit I want it all, I just can't have it right now, so I'm hoping they find a way to make it viable.