I don't know about you, but one of the reasons I subscribed to DDI is so that they could afford to continue to do interesting Podcasts. To have even that become just another sales pitch to me is just insulting.
I listen to a DnD Podcast to get tips, tricks, insight, and inside information to make my DnD game as great as possible, not because I have difficulty reading a novel on my own. I put up with the Penny Arcade crap because it doesn't mess with the normal podcast, but this is going to cause me to stop subscribing if I see something like this again.
Am I alone here? Am I just not understanding how these Author Readings are going to make me a better DM/Player?
I mean, I understand why WotC wouldn't put out a Podcast this month; the game has been pretty stale lately. It's not like they've put out any new products or anything. (That's sarcasm, yes.)
So, yeah, I'm frustrated, and they need to get themselves into that Podcast Studio and make me some quality listening! Some people do this every week! You can do it once a month.
Yours,
Lord Dreadman
As to your concern about Itunes (free service?) it clearly can be an issue of those expecting the content available only for pay.
Offhand what I have read about those things they appear to be ads. *shrugs*
Yours,
Lord Dreadman
i have not downloaded any of the latest 9 podcasts, as i'm neither interested in the penny arcade stuff, nor any more author readings. get back to core dnd podcasts, please...
i'm neither interested in the penny arcade stuff, nor
Welp.
That's a first.
And sometimes the reading might push me towards buying a book I didn't know about, and then end up enjoying said book. That'd be worth it to me as well.
Btw, I love the Penny Arcade podcasts. The are some of the best content produced currently. Highly entertaining, very funny, and reminds me of why I love playing this game so much. On top of that, they are free.
Welp.
That's a first.
please keep your insults to yourself. there happen to be people who just like different stuff than you.
I remember the early days of the DnD Podcast when I would get chills about a story they would tell or a suggestion they would make, and I would say, "Wow! I can't wait to use that in my game!"
That still happens from time to time, but it is increasingly rare. ... I knew it was a bad idea to lose Dave Noonan.
I just want the good times back, and poor Mike Mearls can't seem to produce them on his own.
Yours,
Lord Dreadman
Insult? I wasn't insulting you.
well... comparing someone to a young dog has hardly the effect of doing something different?
I don't know about you, but one of the reasons I subscribed to DDI is so that they could afford to continue to do interesting Podcasts.
You don't need to subscribe to the Insider to get the podcasts. Whether your funding supports them or not, I have no idea. Just want to clarify that to avoid confusion. I had to read your statement twice.
Back to the main point, Agreed... author readings don't do much for me. But I'm not a regular listener to the podcasts, so I can't make an honest comparison.
wb, I think he was using a colloquial meaning roughly "well...". It's not uncommon for me in the Midwest US to hear that term with no relation to dogs or birthing.
huh... really? never heard of that. must be very local since neither my standard dictionary, nor merriam-webster nor dictionary.com have it in them. (and they have pretty "low" language as well in there)
At the time, I also hoped I would get more episodes, but at this point I would be happy just to get the same amount of episodes at standard quality.
Just wanted to clarify that I'm aware that it is free, but that I am also paying the company for web content in an effort to support a product I believe in. Honestly, I believe that sort of loyalty should be honored by WotC, especially since they were providing the service before I ever bought into DDI.
So they really need to get back to the office and fix this, because this is my favorite Podcast, and I shall be
... very put out if they make we wait another entire month for it.Yours,
Lord Dreadman
wb, I think he was using a colloquial meaning roughly "well...".
Yup, that's how I read it. I do that sort of thing all the time ... with words like "yup" (derived from "yeah" or "yes"). This isn't meant to be pajoritive; just to try to resolve this argument, where I don't believe any offense was meant.
... Don't be mad, WB. I actually agree with your posts completely, I just hate to see arguments sprung up around miscommunication.
(Now to demonstrate: )
Welp ... that about wraps it up.
Yours,
Lord Dreadman
Yeah, that would be "whelp," not welp, wb. :D
Actually Oats, either spelling would refer to the young of a small mammal.When used in the manner we midwesterners are so fond of 'welp' isn't even really a colloquism, it's more of a bastardization of 'well' brought on by accent and poor grammer. Of course I've been guilty of using it myself from time to time. Incidently I even tried to find it in the Redneck Dictionary, but it's not in there either.
Anyway, I was just trying to head off a dispute based on miscommunication. Back to the subject at hand - We need more podcasts that aren't author readings! Can I get a harumph gentlemen?
That is all.
Lord Dreadman
The Podcast exists for entertainment value, but that is not the only reason it exists. The tips, tricks, insight, and inside information make my game better than it could have been otherwise, and keeps me smiling and remembering why I play the game throughout.
The author readings would be okay if they didn't inturrupt the regular Podcast. It has the feeling of, "we didn't get around to the real podcast this month so who wants to show his book off?"
I was upset the first time, but I thought it was just a one-time thing. They have fans of that show and they just disappointed a bunch of them, myself included.
I think they need to record another really soon. Twice next month, in fact. And I think they need to say they are sorry about replacing it this month with a throwout bit of listening. Other companies applogise all the time. What makes WotC think they're above it?
Can you tell that I'm upset? I am. They shouldn't let this happen again.
Yours,
Lord Dreadman
please keep your insults to yourself. there happen to be people who just like different stuff than you.
what what what? woah man! WOAH! you took, 'that's a first' as an Insult? an INSULT!
holy freaking cow man... I can say no more to you seriously. but to anyone ELSE reading this Please Please PLEASE lets not get so sensitive, or perhaps insecure, that some one pointing out that it was the first that he had heard of some one 'not liking' a product or offering is considered insulting.
there is NOTHING insulting about that comment. That the op (original poster,) of the 'that's a first' comment was called an 'insulter' is more name calling and insulting than the op inflicted upon whitebaron.
We need to be a bit more understanding and less prone to 'seek offense' than that - please! these forums will become a horrible horrible place, if PC'ism and self censorship has to be taken to a level that has to take into consideration people as easily offended as whitebaron was.
zWolf
---
PS after having read down further... Ooooooo I Get it now! It didn't even cross my mind that 'welp' might be considered an insult heh. ahem, color me embarrassed. I'll leave my impassioned plea up there, but ya... I hear 'welp' all the time when it is meant as 'well'. (Idaho... does that count as 'mid west'... I don't think so.. so your colloquialism is spreading I guess... look out California! heh.) so, ok, anyway, I'm glad that every one is happy!
zWolf -out.
Anyway.. I'm glad I know the Podcast is another author reading, saves me downloading it.
Like the OP I have no interest in author readings, and like WB I have no interest in PVP podcasts either.
Its a pity that as DnD tries to get more digital it gets less able to be digital.
Just because you hear it all the time doesn't make it common outside your region.. Hint if its not appearing in national/international market products its a good bet its not forum safe.
Oh, brother - ya this is what I'm talking about, that some one would have to search or have knowledge of the 'esperanto' version of how to say something takes all the flavor out of language. Cailte why would you sit on the side that say's;
"first check everywhere to make sure that your local 'slang' isn't offensive to some one somewhere in the world and censor out anything that anyone might take offense of. "
Why not take the more tolerant approach and just ask every one to 'chill' a bit on the "I take offense at that!" button.
anyway, I've de-railed the topic enough, but, I just wish we were moving in the opposite direction of the "Orwellian" society described in 1984 in stead of rushing head long into it.
either way,
No, Calite I will not remove 'welp' from my vocabulary just because it's not used every where in the world and generally understood.
however, I do think less of you that you even suggested it. and guess what, you should not even care.
zWolf -out.
If they want to ADD the Author Readings in addition to the old podcasts, Sure! But, don't REPLACE the old podcast.
Thanks.
(Idaho... does that count as 'mid west'... I don't think so.. so your colloquialism is spreading I guess... look out California! heh.)
Idaho is currently being annexed into the Midwest region. We are quietly and stealthily enveloping all parts of 'fly-over' country. Once complete we will be free to strike upon the East or West coast with impunity. Soon after the entire country (excluding Hawaii) will be converted to rednecks! Now, go do your part and buy a can of chew.
Oh and:
*points* I didn't get a Harumph out of that guy!
Idaho is currently being annexed into the Midwest region. We are quietly and stealthily enveloping all parts of 'fly-over' country. Once complete we will be free to strike upon the East or West coast with impunity. Soon after the entire country (excluding Hawaii) will be converted to rednecks! Now, go do your part and buy a can of chew.
Oh and:
*points* I didn't get a Harumph out of that guy!
No WONDER all my teeth are falling out these days!!! and the strange apathy that I have felt about it all... it makes total sense now!
What's up, WotC? If you can't keep up with your own schedual at least have the guts to tell us so. This is so not going to rest any time soon.
Get in here and tell us that you're sorry.
Yours,
Lord Dreadman
Amazing. They've been in the office all day, and we don't have an appology yet. And don't pretend they haven't seen this because I know they have.
What's up, WotC? If you can't keep up with your own schedual at least have the guts to tell us so. This is so not going to rest any time soon.
Get in here and tell us that you're sorry.
Yours,
Lord Dreadman
Actually WotC did tells us that read months ago that they might not always meet plan schedules. Just that they planed to meet them, see sig.
What drives me up the wall is that they got to Friday, hadn't done a Podcast, and got an author into the studio to pay lip service to us. As if we wouldn't notice that this isn't an actual Podcast, but a waste of space on my (and anyone else's) computer!
They don't need to appologise for missing a release date. They need to appologise for treating us like morons.
Most Podcasts put out a note that they need more time to put out the content or something polite like that. This just feels like a screw, and they need to fix it.
Time's a-wastin', WotC. Where's that Podcast?
Yours,
Lord Dreadman
The problem wasn't that they missed the release date of the Podcast and reschedualed ... that happens all the time. It's annoying, but I don't get angry over it.
What drives me up the wall is that they got to Friday, hadn't done a Podcast, and got an author into the studio to pay lip service to us. As if we wouldn't notice that this isn't an actual Podcast, but a waste of space on my (and anyone else's) computer!
They don't need to appologise for missing a release date. They need to appologise for treating us like morons.
Most Podcasts put out a note that they need more time to put out the content or something polite like that. This just feels like a screw, and they need to fix it.
Time's a-wastin', WotC. Where's that Podcast?
Yours,
Lord Dreadman
Hmm, my error. As some know I rarely waste my resources doing podcasts, vids or any kind of sound. I am also tend to be down on images. As such I never even considered checking to see if a podcast was released.
It now appears to me your complaint that a podcast was released, however just did not match the topic of the the expected podcast that was to be released.
Oh I clearly agree they need to fix communications, it would be very helpful if they explained delays or changes. Alas this has been a open request for something nearing 5 years, change can come slow. *sighs*
It sounds like you did get the podcast, just of something not expected. It quite likely might have been misnamed as well.
It would be nice if they did better, of course Mud, Wolf or anybody else can confirm if my most recent interpretation is error as well.
The problem wasn't that they missed the release date of the Podcast and reschedualed ... that happens all the time. It's annoying, but I don't get angry over it.
What drives me up the wall is that they got to Friday, hadn't done a Podcast, and got an author into the studio to pay lip service to us. As if we wouldn't notice that this isn't an actual Podcast, but a waste of space on my (and anyone else's) computer!
They don't need to appologise for missing a release date. They need to appologise for treating us like morons.
Most Podcasts put out a note that they need more time to put out the content or something polite like that. This just feels like a screw, and they need to fix it.
Time's a-wastin', WotC. Where's that Podcast?
Yours,
Lord Dreadman
Hold your horses there Tanto. You're speculating and ranting about the quality of free content. I'm all for telling Wotc what we do and don't like, but I don't expect them to apologize when I don't like something or fix what isn't broken. They don't have to provide the podcast at all. Wotc isn't under any requirement to make podcasts of any particular style, despite what they originally said about the podcast feature. You haven't paid for anything when it comes to podcasts, so there's no obligation for an apology. The proper procedure IMO is to continue to ask for the regular podcasts to return, ask MB to pass it up the chain, and maybe even contact Customer Service about being dissapointed in the current offering. Throwing an e-tantrum is unlikely to accomplish anything constructive though.
all i know is, that free content is symptomatic for their paid content as well. at least that's the way i see it. they utterly fail to produce meaningful free content these days, and i wonder how people not following the ddi closely should know what awaits them.
also, whether its free or not, is not important. what is important, is that if you put up a freaking schedule, you should better hold it, or explain changes. we are not asking wonders, just wotc behaving like any sensible person would do - apologize for missed dates (even if they don't take it serious, but its just a matter of manners), explain or just notify of changed plans. webcomics do it, free podcasts do it, and a company earning a few million bucks on the products they try to sell via that webpage as well can not do it? that tells nothing good about their online dpt....
all i know is, that free content is symptomatic for their paid content as well. at least that's the way i see it. they utterly fail to produce meaningful free content these days, and i wonder how people not following the ddi closely should know what awaits them.
also, whether its free or not, is not important. what is important, is that if you put up a freaking schedule, you should better hold it, or explain changes. we are not asking wonders, just wotc behaving like any sensible person would do - apologize for missed dates (even if they don't take it serious, but its just a matter of manners), explain or just notify of changed plans. webcomics do it, free podcasts do it, and a company earning a few million bucks on the products they try to sell via that webpage as well can not do it? that tells nothing good about their online dpt....
I don't disagree with any of that. I've stated from the beginning that I wish they would treat the schedule seriously, and it would do wonders if they bothered to make a statement before making a change in plans. Like the old adage; an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
I just don't think it does any good to discuss it in the tone that LordDreadman did. Honey and flies and all that...
Amazing. They've been in the office all day, and we don't have an appology yet. And don't pretend they haven't seen this because I know they have.
What's up, WotC? If you can't keep up with your own schedual at least have the guts to tell us so. This is so not going to rest any time soon.
Get in here and tell us that you're sorry.
Yours,
Lord Dreadman
Which podcast are you talking about?? The one that was scheduled for today (Richard Baker: Corsair) is out in iTunes, and is up on the website.
That is exactly the problem I'm talking about.
Yours,
Lord Dreadman
You appear to be extremely upset that the content of the podcast is not what you want it to be.
Let's see if I understand you.
You're entirely unsympathetic because you think that a fourteen minute author reading counts as "tips, tricks, insight, and inside information to make your DnD game as great as possible." You know, like the Podcast is supposed to be.
Don't patronize me. The content of my favorite Podcast is valid thing to be concerned about. If you like the Author Readings, just say so. Your oppinion counts here. So does mine.
Yours,
Lord Dreadman
I was trying to figure out if it had been different from what was advertised, was not up, was mis-labelled, had not made it to iTunes/WotC website or if there was a seperate problem.
In essence, I was trying to figure out why *you* were/are angry at WotC.
I have let WotC know about this thread and let the know that there are people who are unhappy with the direction that the podcasts have taken recently.
Thanks for letting them know, because this is upsetting to me. You've done right by me MB. Thanks.
Yours,
Lord Dreadman
I have let WotC know about this thread and let the know that there are people who are unhappy with the direction that the podcasts have taken recently.
Well as long as you are doing that for so far one user, perhaps you could add my comment that I do and have believed they are wasting resources on making any podcast.
I and WotC both understand that there can be silent readers that support or object to any post. It is hard to claim the lurkers support me. It is also clear that based on estimated sales and total membership of forums (which includes non D&D *shudders*) only a faction of those forum members have purchased D&D, let alone 4th D&D.
I will admit to almost buying MtCG, but I saved a little instead.
I guess in many ways this is expectations. Those newer appear to have higher expectations then those of us about longer. The answer to that is something the community has been asking for the last few years (increased communications). We even got close to that with initial Ken Troop post (with limited followup), we got it with the weekly DDI report and inter spaced we heard from others involved with DDI.
*sighs* LordDreadman indeed might be disappointed in title compared to content. This though is a minor complaint.
Title to content has been a recurring event, the lack of complied free issues is still out there, there are far more things to complain about except "I did not like what I saw" if one desires to complain.
The over sweeping AP still appears disconnected, only recently we were told there is a guide. So many problems that one did not like a vid merits being sent up the line?
Well as long as you are doing that for so far one user, perhaps you could add my comment that I do and have believed they are wasting resources on making any podcast.
Whenever I post a comment, I always link to a thread about the topic. CM reads the thread as, so as long as your point is clear, they will pick up on it.
*sighs* LordDreadman indeed might be disappointed in title compared to content. This though is a minor complaint.
Title to content has been a recurring event, the lack of complied free issues is still out there, there are far more things to complain about except "I did not like what I saw" if one desires to complain.
The over sweeping AP still appears disconnected, only recently we were told there is a guide. So many problems that one did not like a vid merits being sent up the line?
I try to catch what I can and fire up notices about what I see that people have problems with. A fair number of people have commented in this thread that they didn't like the state of the podcasts. A lot of people in other threads have indicated that they loved the podcasts. So I brought up both sides to WotC.
But, if you downgrade the podcasts to ads as well, there's nothing left for non-paying users. if you want them to stop podcasting, you actually tell them to stop caring for those who buy only their books, and not their online product.
oh, and bunny: got a link to someone actually saying he likes the author readings? i can see people liking or disliking other stuff, but the wotc authors are not even that good at reading their books, and its content you either get anyway (if you buy many wotc books, like me, it's a given i'll read that sooner or later if its set in FR or Eberron), or are completely uninterested in. like that, podcasts are a waste of space and waste of time - and it seems like it's really only filler material because they could not produce a "real podcast".
kentinal, i do not understand why you are so angry about the podcast, but you should notice this: the podcast is one of the last bastions of free content. the previews are nice, but they are not content, they are ads. while people like me do not like the Penny Arcade etc podcasts, i support them fully, as i can easily see that others like them.
But, if you downgrade the podcasts to ads as well, there's nothing left for non-paying users. if you want them to stop podcasting, you actually tell them to stop caring for those who buy only their books, and not their online product.
oh, and bunny: got a link to someone actually saying he likes the author readings? i can see people liking or disliking other stuff, but the wotc authors are not even that good at reading their books, and its content you either get anyway (if you buy many wotc books, like me, it's a given i'll read that sooner or later if its set in FR or Eberron), or are completely uninterested in. like that, podcasts are a waste of space and waste of time - and it seems like it's really only filler material because they could not produce a "real podcast".
So far I've read all the books they're doing readings for *before* they've put up the podcast, so yeah these have been useless to me. I suppose it's all a moot point for me though: I'm a DDI subscriber so I get new content enough to keep me satisfied.
But, considering they've fired Dave Noonan and GamerZero and promoted Mike Mearls, WotC/Hasbro probably doesn't consider the podcasts as nothing more than a marketing gimick now. I had assumed that they would have a podcast with a preview of what's in PHB2 as a lead up to the release. It's been such a long time that I've wanted to listen to a podcast, my iTunes asked me if I wanted to discontinue my subscription.
Now we know they're aware of this and they still sit silently.
I'm not kidding about an appology. If you didn't want to do a real Podcast anymore, you should have said so. And, since you didn't say so then, you need to say so now.
By the way, for this month, I really would be satisfied with a post from WotC staff that simply says, "We're sorry about the Podcast. It won't happen again."
Then, of course, keep your word. That would be fine.
Good luck in your meetings about this.
Yours,
Lord Dreadman
Wanting repentance ( change if you will,) seems effective, but an apology? that just seems megalomaniac or something weird to demand that they apologize for releasing sub standard free content. anyway, to each his own I suppose, but for me, just get it right in the future is all I ask... no groveling before the masses required in my book.
zWolf -out.
I do want to posit that I'm not being petty when I ask for an appology. Repentance, if I may use your word my friend, is not true repentance without feeling sorry for what we did wrong in the first place. I simply want them to remember that they disappointed people who play their game and buy their books. I would hardly say that I'm being conceited when I ask for them to make things right between us. I want things to be right between us ... but it doesn't just happen. They have to want that too.
For the record, I never wanted any groveling. I just want them to say they are sorry for how things went this last week. Two words is not too much to ask for the trust and buisness that we give to them on a monthly basis. Respect goes two ways, and each day that passes feels more and more like they don't care to address the issue. Frankly, it's maddening. And, as you might guess, it's making me mad.
Yours,
Lord Dreadman
But I expect it, nonetheless.
You out there, Mike? James? Richard? We're waiting ... very patiently, I might add.
Yours,
Lord Dreadman
Not even on the third day of inaction, Mr. Wolf? Oh well, like you say, to each his own.
I do want to posit that I'm not being petty when I ask for an appology. Repentance, if I may use your word my friend, is not true repentance without feeling sorry for what we did wrong in the first place. I simply want them to remember that they disappointed people who play their game and buy their books. I would hardly say that I'm being conceited when I ask for them to make things right between us. I want things to be right between us ... but it doesn't just happen. They have to want that too.
For the record, I never wanted any groveling. I just want them to say they are sorry for how things went this last week. Two words is not too much to ask for the trust and buisness that we give to them on a monthly basis. Respect goes two ways, and each day that passes feels more and more like they don't care to address the issue. Frankly, it's maddening. And, as you might guess, it's making me mad.
Yours,
Lord Dreadman
Well stated Mr. Dreadman.
By the way, right now I'm really glad that I didn't hold my breath. That would have been extremely hard to explain to St. Peter.
Anyways, day four. All's quiet on the WotC front. ... Though I'm still making some noise.
Yours,
Lord Dreadman