Do you need to maintain a subscription - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Do you need to maintain a subscription

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
Geekoid
Feb 01, 2009 15:24:28 Do you need to maintain a subscription to keep using the Characters Builder?

I am sure this question has been answered somewhere, I just can't find it.

Personally, I would like to just buy CB for 40 bucks and get updates like normal software. I have no need for any of the other items being offered for a subscription. Since character generation is THE common factor all perspective new players will need, I would think WotC would want as wide a distribution as possible.
#2
asmodeuslore
Feb 01, 2009 15:48:47 You can keep using the program, but you will not get any updates, so no new material.
#3
Kentinal
Feb 01, 2009 16:17:19
Do you need to maintain a subscription to keep using the Characters Builder?

I am sure this question has been answered somewhere, I just can't find it.

Personally, I would like to just buy CB for 40 bucks and get updates like normal software. I have no need for any of the other items being offered for a subscription. Since character generation is THE common factor all perspective new players will need, I would think WotC would want as wide a distribution as possible.

Well No to your question, once you have it you have it for life of your harddrive.

The idea of paying 40 dollars and getting free updates forever is not a business model all companies use. Oh some companies do this, however some companies charge for expansions (updates and/or addition of data packs).

The WotC current model is subscription will automatically give you the updates as well as access to other DDI content.

If you have no use for other DDI and do not want a data set update more then once a year, all you have to do is subscribe for one month once every year.
#4
Geekoid
Feb 01, 2009 20:45:59 Thanks for the answers.
Most application that require updates the update are affered for free, in fact I can't think of an application that doesn't do that. Of course, new Features usually require an expansion pack.

Interesting to see where this model goes.

For the record, I know I said 40, but I would pay 75 for a life time update subscription for just CB.
A personal choice, I know.
#5
asmodeuslore
Feb 02, 2009 0:02:05 Think of it more as a subscription service, instead of just as buying a single program.

Think of World of Warcraft. You are paying for the continued access to the data on their servers. With Wizards, you are doing the same thing. You get the program for free, but you are paying for the ability to continually access the wotc servers, and get a copy of the latest information about the game, including Errata Updates, new feats, powers, classes, rituals, etc etc.

The difference is that WoW makes you pay for the program, and the subscription, and once you cancel your WoW account, you can't keep playing on their servers. With the Character Builder, you get the beta demo for free, and even once your end your subscription, you can still keep using it. You just have to use old information.

So, if you are happy with the copy on your own local pc, and no longer need access to their servers, then you don't need to keep a subscription going. But if you want to keep getting the latest updates, then a subscription is the best way to go.
#6
Krusk
Feb 02, 2009 23:58:42 Im debaitng on buying a month now, and then a month every three or so months, to save on the cash. Will I still be able to use the character builder (the main reason I am buying) in the intermitent months (obviously without updates) or will I have to go back to doing it by hand?

(for the record I too would much rather just buy it once for 40-50$ instead of this monthly subscription deal)
#7
mudbunny
Feb 03, 2009 8:42:12 @Krusk - You will be able to use it in-between subscription periods, as long as you don't require it to be re-updated. So if your HD dies, you need to re-install windows or something like that, you will be limited to the demo version until the next time you subscribe and can update.
#8
asmodeuslore
Feb 03, 2009 20:11:09
@Krusk - You will be able to use it in-between subscription periods, as long as you don't require it to be re-updated. So if your HD dies, you need to re-install windows or something like that, you will be limited to the demo version until the next time you subscribe and can update.

Didn't they say something about how if you called customer service, they would help you get a copy of anything you had lost? I know they said this for the magazine pdfs. I don't know if it applied to the character builder as well though.
#9
thax
Feb 03, 2009 20:25:35
Think of it more as a subscription service, instead of just as buying a single program.

Think of World of Warcraft.

Please don't compare the two to one another. They are completely different in execution and services. DDi has tools and a virtual table for use with dungeon crawls (and has the lesser use of playing from different locals, though the Windows platform only limits this aspect) and ghosts of some former mags. WoW has a persistent world that is played in a first/third person environment in real time and has the software on a cd for use on the computer itself, instead of cheap NET programing.

Others have answered the questions, but my stance is that it isn't worth keeping if it can't get patched, and the service needs to be maintained to "update" it with the corrected information and the lastest information from DDi and last months releases.

You don't need to keep subscribed to DDi to use it, but you have an "as is" app when that sub runs out.
#10
Krusk
Feb 06, 2009 15:02:47
@Krusk - You will be able to use it in-between subscription periods, as long as you don't require it to be re-updated. So if your HD dies, you need to re-install windows or something like that, you will be limited to the demo version until the next time you subscribe and can update.

Thanks, as soon as phb 2 comes out, i might be buying myself a months worth of subscription to give it a test run. See how many months it's worth buying, and all that. Maybe even all of them, if it really wows me.
#11
mudbunny
Feb 06, 2009 15:07:53
Thanks, as soon as phb 2 comes out, i might be buying myself a months worth of subscription to give it a test run. See how many months it's worth buying, and all that. Maybe even all of them, if it really wows me.

No problem. ~~Also, the demo version will be updated as well, so it will also have levels 1-3 of the various races/classes in PHB 2 when it comes out.~~

I have been informed that this is *not* the case.

My apologies for the confusion.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Geekoid Feb 01, 2009 15:24:28	Do you need to maintain a subscription to keep using the Characters Builder? I am sure this question has been answered somewhere, I just can't find it. Personally, I would like to just buy CB for 40 bucks and get updates like normal software. I have no need for any of the other items being offered for a subscription. Since character generation is THE common factor all perspective new players will need, I would think WotC would want as wide a distribution as possible.
#2 asmodeuslore Feb 01, 2009 15:48:47	You can keep using the program, but you will not get any updates, so no new material.
#3 Kentinal Feb 01, 2009 16:17:19	Do you need to maintain a subscription to keep using the Characters Builder? I am sure this question has been answered somewhere, I just can't find it. Personally, I would like to just buy CB for 40 bucks and get updates like normal software. I have no need for any of the other items being offered for a subscription. Since character generation is THE common factor all perspective new players will need, I would think WotC would want as wide a distribution as possible. Well No to your question, once you have it you have it for life of your harddrive. The idea of paying 40 dollars and getting free updates forever is not a business model all companies use. Oh some companies do this, however some companies charge for expansions (updates and/or addition of data packs). The WotC current model is subscription will automatically give you the updates as well as access to other DDI content. If you have no use for other DDI and do not want a data set update more then once a year, all you have to do is subscribe for one month once every year.
#4 Geekoid Feb 01, 2009 20:45:59	Thanks for the answers. Most application that require updates the update are affered for free, in fact I can't think of an application that doesn't do that. Of course, new Features usually require an expansion pack. Interesting to see where this model goes. For the record, I know I said 40, but I would pay 75 for a life time update subscription for just CB. A personal choice, I know.
#5 asmodeuslore Feb 02, 2009 0:02:05	Think of it more as a subscription service, instead of just as buying a single program. Think of World of Warcraft. You are paying for the continued access to the data on their servers. With Wizards, you are doing the same thing. You get the program for free, but you are paying for the ability to continually access the wotc servers, and get a copy of the latest information about the game, including Errata Updates, new feats, powers, classes, rituals, etc etc. The difference is that WoW makes you pay for the program, and the subscription, and once you cancel your WoW account, you can't keep playing on their servers. With the Character Builder, you get the beta demo for free, and even once your end your subscription, you can still keep using it. You just have to use old information. So, if you are happy with the copy on your own local pc, and no longer need access to their servers, then you don't need to keep a subscription going. But if you want to keep getting the latest updates, then a subscription is the best way to go.
#6 Krusk Feb 02, 2009 23:58:42	Im debaitng on buying a month now, and then a month every three or so months, to save on the cash. Will I still be able to use the character builder (the main reason I am buying) in the intermitent months (obviously without updates) or will I have to go back to doing it by hand? (for the record I too would much rather just buy it once for 40-50$ instead of this monthly subscription deal)
#7 mudbunny Feb 03, 2009 8:42:12	@Krusk - You will be able to use it in-between subscription periods, as long as you don't require it to be re-updated. So if your HD dies, you need to re-install windows or something like that, you will be limited to the demo version until the next time you subscribe and can update.
#8 asmodeuslore Feb 03, 2009 20:11:09	@Krusk - You will be able to use it in-between subscription periods, as long as you don't require it to be re-updated. So if your HD dies, you need to re-install windows or something like that, you will be limited to the demo version until the next time you subscribe and can update. Didn't they say something about how if you called customer service, they would help you get a copy of anything you had lost? I know they said this for the magazine pdfs. I don't know if it applied to the character builder as well though.
#9 thax Feb 03, 2009 20:25:35	Think of it more as a subscription service, instead of just as buying a single program. Think of World of Warcraft. Please don't compare the two to one another. They are completely different in execution and services. DDi has tools and a virtual table for use with dungeon crawls (and has the lesser use of playing from different locals, though the Windows platform only limits this aspect) and ghosts of some former mags. WoW has a persistent world that is played in a first/third person environment in real time and has the software on a cd for use on the computer itself, instead of cheap NET programing. Others have answered the questions, but my stance is that it isn't worth keeping if it can't get patched, and the service needs to be maintained to "update" it with the corrected information and the lastest information from DDi and last months releases. You don't need to keep subscribed to DDi to use it, but you have an "as is" app when that sub runs out.
#10 Krusk Feb 06, 2009 15:02:47	@Krusk - You will be able to use it in-between subscription periods, as long as you don't require it to be re-updated. So if your HD dies, you need to re-install windows or something like that, you will be limited to the demo version until the next time you subscribe and can update. Thanks, as soon as phb 2 comes out, i might be buying myself a months worth of subscription to give it a test run. See how many months it's worth buying, and all that. Maybe even all of them, if it really wows me.
#11 mudbunny Feb 06, 2009 15:07:53	Thanks, as soon as phb 2 comes out, i might be buying myself a months worth of subscription to give it a test run. See how many months it's worth buying, and all that. Maybe even all of them, if it really wows me. No problem. ~~Also, the demo version will be updated as well, so it will also have levels 1-3 of the various races/classes in PHB 2 when it comes out.~~ I have been informed that this is not the case. My apologies for the confusion.