Setting this feedback thread in advance for Randy's Digital Insider #12, due to go live tomorrow.
Character builder screenshots next week!!!
That is all?
Well I do agree it is better then months of silence, telling us they are reading but have no new answers is discouraging. Especially when there are other questions out there.
Other than that where's those screenshots ;)
It shows they actually are aware of our concerns and their own operations.
First we had the issue with the lack of printing permission for the online articles. The questions about that have never been answered, but it's something they should have thought about and had a clear published policy onwhen they decided to go digital.
Now we have the auto-resubscription thingie, which is a needlessly complex process and what put me off subscribing until such time as it's fixed.
And of course there's still the total lack of confirmation about pricing and availability of Dungeon and Dragon backissues. The paranoid might be suspecting that it's a ploy to push people into subscribing by now. I wouldn't go that far, but it's just another way that WotC is putting me off subscribing. Even after all the complaints about the lack of information that we get given, we're still not being told things we really should know in order to decide whether to sign up or not.
The lack of payment options is annoying too. Given the popularity of Paypal, why in $Deity's name wouldn't they have that ready before launch? Are they trying to drive customers away?
To be honest, I think a lot of this would have worked out better if they'd had a month's closed beta of the payment system before setting it in place live. With bugs and feedback from a decent sized sample group there wouldn't have been nearly so many hassles for everyone else.
Don't get me wrong, I'd like to give DDi a trial of three months or so. But so far it's WotC own competence level which has put me off risking my money and credit card details.
We've been seeing screen shots since WOTC started to pimp DDi.*blink*
That is all?
Well I do agree it is better then months of silence, telling us they are reading but have no new answers is discouraging. Especially when there are other questions out there.
Keep in mind this format not only gives us regular communication, but also addresses the other complaint many people had - that there was nowhere on the DDI site to get "news" and official word.
People kept saying they didn't want to have to dig through the forums to see what the latest word was, and now they don't.
As MB said - sometimes "we're working on it" IS the news. Much as we'd all love to see it, there can't be something new every week.
I hadn't heard this. Is this still an issue? B/C I want to subscribe, but I WILL NOT, if I cannot print articles! That's the only way I read them...
>lack of printing permission for the online articles.
I hadn't heard this. Is this still an issue? B/C I want to subscribe, but I WILL NOT, if I cannot print articles! That's the only way I read them...
I'm not a lawyer, I'm nobody official, and this opinion is mine and mine alone.
That said - printing articles for your own enjoyment, to keep on your bookshelf, or (in the case of the RPGA) to show how new rules elements work for your character(s) at a convention - probably fall under "Fair Use."
In the RPGA forums it's a given that you need to have a copy of an article to show how, say, the Artificer works. If only because in the RPGA we can't assume that every GM has access to every book/magazine - much less assume they've got every single feat/power/item memorized.
Nobody in our forums has said that this use would be infringement.
Of course, this is countered by the fact that printing copies to give to all your friends, or everyone in your "group" would almost certainly be infringement and could lead to problems.
WotC also has the option, if they so desired, to turn off printing from PDFs. Despite having this option the PDFs (to date) have not had this DRM restriction enabled - while not an express endorsement of the right to print, it does seem to imply that WotC has no qualms with it - for personal use.
So, I'll ask it again in the hopes that it gets answered: is Wizards going to offer a two-tier subscription process after the advanced tools are released?
So, I'll ask it again in the hopes that it gets answered: is Wizards going to offer a two-tier subscription process after the advanced tools are released?
I know for a fact that WotC is currently discussing the pricing options that will be available throughout the deployment of the applications and afterwards. The current web-only subscription is an option that they are considering.
First they said the closed beta of the character maker would start by end of oct., next week. Now we are suposted to be happy with more screen shots?
never trust software developers. NEVER. and if they start to charge early with promises of beta, better wait.
I know for a fact that WotC is currently discussing the pricing options that will be available throughout the deployment of the applications and afterwards. The current web-only subscription is an option that they are considering.
i posted in your thread already, i hope it'll be a good discussion. what i really want to urge wotc: INFORM YOUR CUSTOMERS UPFRONT. that people don't know now, what exactly will or won't be added to their accounts later is a pity and shows either disrespect for the customer, or bad organisation/management/pr. one cannot tell from the outside, which lets everyone be as optimistic or pessimistic about the real reasons as they currently feel about it.
it's not about not mentioning anything whether there will be more bonus tools or not.
it's not about having varying schedules for articles or aplications
it's about what lots of posters in various threads have already begun to wonder about - what will happen, once the other applications go live? the currently available information leaves the conclusion to yourself. either they'll add something or everything, or they won't, they might raise the price after each app, after the last one, after...
I'm gonna be one of those guys who says "I knew him before he was famous."
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I was a little surprised that he said that everything just seemed to work after flipping the switch. I saw a lot of people with problems logging in(typically, just needing to reboot their browser).
Of course, you never quite hear as much from the people who it just worked for. Its probably that I actually scan the forums for problems, so my perception is slanted.
First they said the closed beta of the character maker would start by end of oct., next week. Now we are suposted to be happy with more screen shots?
They never said beta would be out by the end of october.
Randy's #10 news articlesaid "Weeks, not Months". In order to be accurate, he would have to have the closed beta available before 2 months had passed. He posted that on Oct 8th, so he has until Dec 8th.
I brought this up with Solice, and she said they will not have the closed beta available before the end of oct, but will meet the 'weeks, not months' deadline. She would not confirm the Dec 8th deadline. She's a slippery one.
I'm not a lawyer, I'm nobody official, and this opinion is mine and mine alone.
That said - printing articles for your own enjoyment, to keep on your bookshelf, or (in the case of the RPGA) to show how new rules elements work for your character(s) at a convention - probably fall under "Fair Use."
In the RPGA forums it's a given that you need to have a copy of an article to show how, say, the Artificer works. If only because in the RPGA we can't assume that every GM has access to every book/magazine - much less assume they've got every single feat/power/item memorized.
Nobody in our forums has said that this use would be infringement.
I should have been more clear. The problem was that people were trying to get them printed and professionally bound by companies like Kinkos (?sp - they don't have that company here) for their own use, and getting told "No Way" because there wasn't any notice giving permission to print them for personal use in the PDFs. When asked about this, Gamer_Zero said he'd put the issue to the WotC legal people to see what the company's legal position on it was, but nobody ever mentioned it again.
It's not so much an issue for me, because I have access to a laser printer, thermal binder and a gadget for putting ring type bindings on printouts, but it's still cheaper to go to a professional company for most people.
As I said at the time, it was a major oversight that the legal people hadn't considered and figured out their position on printing as soon as they decided to go digital only, even if the decision was "No printing at all". Leaving the issue in legal limbo so long makes them look... less than capable. If it is allowable to have the articles/issues printed out, there should be a notice saying so in there in the file for people who go to outside sources to have it done.
Of course, this is countered by the fact that printing copies to give to all your friends, or everyone in your "group" would almost certainly be infringement and could lead to problems.
I don't think anyone would disagree with that.
WotC also has the option, if they so desired, to turn off printing from PDFs. Despite having this option the PDFs (to date) have not had this DRM restriction enabled - while not an express endorsement of the right to print, it does seem to imply that WotC has no qualms with it - for personal use.
Switching off the option to print would kill the magazines faster than almost anything else they could do.
I should have been more clear. The problem was that people were trying to get them printed and professionally bound by companies like Kinkos (?sp - they don't have that company here) for their own use, and getting told "No Way" because there wasn't any notice giving permission to print them for personal use in the PDFs.
Ah, you're right, I misunderstood that point completely.
Can't say I fault Kinko's and other print/copy services for being reluctant, if only to cover their own butts, legally.
When asked about this, Gamer_Zero said he'd put the issue to the WotC legal people to see what the company's legal position on it was, but nobody ever mentioned it again.
That sounds like a cue for Mudbunny to come in and say:
"I've passed this on to Solice to see if she can find out more for us. I'll let you know what I hear back, if she doesn't post herself."
They never said beta would be out by the end of october.
Randy's #10 news articlesaid "Weeks, not Months". In order to be accurate, he would have to have the closed beta available before 2 months had passed. He posted that on Oct 8th, so he has until Dec 8th.
I brought this up with Solice, and she said they will not have the closed beta available before the end of oct, but will meet the 'weeks, not months' deadline. She would not confirm the Dec 8th deadline. She's a slippery one.
Gee when most people hear the term "weeks", its common thought that they mean before 4 weeks witch is a month. And when they hear "months" it usally means 5 weeks or more.
So when WOTC said the character maker would be ready in "weeks" and not months" those were the terms they used, niot me. Everyone usally assumes that it would be out in 5 weeks or less. Now WOTC is backtracking with what they said. More outright deception from WOTC. I'm done dealing with a company that likes to continue toitally decive its customer base.
I guess it's time for me to throw in my two since worth. I have been playing D&D since the early days, and when I say early I mean early, started in 1977.(Scary Huh?) Anyways with that being said I have seen the D&D system go through some pretty amazing changes, but I have to say that the 4th edition is a breath of fresh air. It reminds me of the old days, throwing dice and killing monsters with the space to adapt and grow my Characters and Adventures as a DM.
D&D has grown and stretch sometimes good, sometimes not so good, but with the advent of the tools I see coming with D&DI I think we will see a good period for our beloved RPG.
Also I at first have to admit, I was disappointed to hear that Dungeon and Dragon would not be a real Mag anymore, but after seeing the quality of the electronic Magazines, I can only say well done.
So there you have it, my two well ok twenty cents worth.
Charlie Stayton
Williamsburg, Va.
A few clarifications:
Yes you can print out your PDF's for game night. Please do!
Our schedule for the Character Builder has not slipped. We are on target to reach the original timelines Randy mentioned on October 8th.
Thank you all!
If I had to pick a priority, I'd say solve the download wierdness first. The way things are now, some people aren't able to view the articles at all, and that's not good for paying customers. At the very least, there has to be the possibility of a "work-around" and some of those experiencing problems may not be aware of them or how to work them. A very big issue.
Gee when most people hear the term "weeks", its common thought that they mean before 4 weeks witch is a month. And when they hear "months" it usally means 5 weeks or more.
So when WOTC said the character maker would be ready in "weeks" and not months" those were the terms they used, niot me. Everyone usally assumes that it would be out in 5 weeks or less. Now WOTC is backtracking with what they said. More outright deception from WOTC. I'm done dealing with a company that likes to continue toitally decive its customer base.
When I hear "weeks" I think 4-6.
When I hear "months" I think 2+ months.
When I hear "weeks" I think 4-6.
When I hear "months" I think 2+ months.
everything below 6, actually.
6+ is months.
everything below 6, actually.
6+ is months.
I guess I'm too accustomed to corporate timetables for my own good. Seems like every project I get at work that will take weeks takes 4-6. ~shrug~
more than 1 week. Less than 2 months. So 2-7 weeks.
The only thing that is bugging me is that there is no button/check box for me to click to say "keep me logged in" to DDI for x days/weeks like we have on this forum for example.
I am using a RSS firefox plugin that allows me to click on new article notices that opens the article in a new tab. At the moment I have to login for every new tab.
Get a plug-in that automatically refreshes a DDI page every 15-20 minutes. That will keep you logged in for a while.
That is a bit of a kludge. Perhaps a 18 or 24 hr timeout on the part of DDI would be a better solution and still allow them to lock out subs that expire.
I agree with the comment made earlier: I can already write up a character sheet, I don't need the builder, but I can't draw for crap so I really need the Visualizer!
The gladiator articles and the compendium have been useful, but other than that I'm a little disappointed...
... "we told you everything would be ready in weeks, 52 weeks from launch"
Lolz I hope not!
Thanks
And, Mods, please feel free to pass this up the chain of command!
When errata and glitches are located in the magazines (now reported in the errata forum created in early October), will the PDFs be updated or corrected?
Or are the forums intended to fullfill that function?
I'm not alleging that they haven't been corrected.. I'm not sure actually. I just want to know if R&D will be correcting some of the PDFs, so I'll know whether its worthwhile download the issues just prior to using an adventure (because some corrections will have been made)..
...or do I have to mine the forums in order to head off trouble spots?
Sorry if this is posted in the wrong place! Thanks!
I've already subscribed, but I was hoping that the Character Visualizer would be out by now, they've had videos of it on youtube for a while. This is actually one of the main reasons I did subscribe.
I agree with the comment made earlier: I can already write up a character sheet, I don't need the builder, but I can't draw for crap so I really need the Visualizer!
The gladiator articles and the compendium have been useful, but other than that I'm a little disappointed...
The character visualizer is not one of the tools you have subscribed to. they will be increasing the charge as things come out I hope you were aware of that as it really could be clearer that it's not included now or in the future.
That said the Visualizer is probably a long way off as the builder is the next tool and it hasn't even been beta tested yet.