1. Events that are sanctioned using the new system do not permit the Senior GM to download a copy of the adventure(s) selected for the event.
2. Events that are sanctioned using the new system show up in the public event calendar without any mention of the adventure(s) that will be played.
3. Characters listed in the "My Characters" section of the website appear to be separated into "WPN" and "Private" categories. I have not yet tried to report an event created under the new system, but I am worried there might be problems.
Has anyone else noticed these problems? Has anyone determined a work-around for any of them?
3. Characters listed in the "My Characters" section of the website appear to be separated into "WPN" and "Private" categories. I have not yet tried to report an event created under the new system, but I am worried there might be problems.
Buh? Why the hell would they do that?
All my characters are now "private play", with zero in the "Wizards play network" side.
LFR characters are portable between private and public games, this makes no sense at all.
-karma
I'm currently not able to create WPN events, it seems. I've emailed the DCI (both in the US and the UK) but not had a response yet.
I'd expect it to take a while to get things ironed out, as it always does when the system changes!
Could people who can create WPN events tell me what the chart on the home page of your members' area looks like? Mine says
"If you are currently not a coordinator for this brand please contact your DCI/RPGA representative for access to sanction this brand."
Which is a bit confusing. Whom and how am I supposed to contact my DCI/RPGA Rep? I used to be a WPN member who could order things like gamedays... now I cannot.
Rant rant rant, ok to the point: I call the customer service line directly, because my emails concerning issues have always been ignored. Wait time for customer service is actually not bad at all, 2-4 minutes TOPS. And having a human voice sort your problems (which folks, are not your fault) in a matter of minutes is divine. Seriously, if it wasn't for their Excellent Telephone customer service, I would have burned my RPGA card and resorted to pirating. If you do call, remember to take a deep breath and relax a little so you dont snap anyone's head off, they are truly helpful over the phone.
United States/Worldwide
RPGA HQ
General Phone: 800-324-6496
Fax: 425-687-8287
Customer Service: http://wizards.custhelp.com
UK, Eire, & South Africa Local Contact
Customer Service
United Kingdom
Email: [email]wizards@hasbro.co.uk[/email]
Phone: 0800-2242-7276
Fax: 020-8744-5844
Asia-Pacific Local Contact
Dale Aitken
Organized Play Manager
RPGA Network
Wizards of the Coast UK Limited
570 Blaxland Road
Eastwood NSW 2122
Australia
Phone: 022-612-9874-0999
Fax: 011-612-9874-9731
Email: [email]dale.aitken@retail.wizards.com[/email]
How long it'll take to process your email is anyone's guess - which makes contacting customer services a better option sometimes.
I'm in no immediate hurry to get this sorted out - obviously changes to systems do lead to teething problems!
Thanks for the head's up on these; I guess I'll be re-doing my guides in the next few days to reflect the new reporting habits and visual cues.
As an aside, the "private" versus "WPN" entries under "My Characters" shouldn't be different - as an organized campaign I would think that it would be one communal pool, with homebrew characters perhaps "tracked" under the private setting (one can only hope, right?)....
As for my data under the RPGA login:
Current Memberships
Type Level .
RPGA D&D - Player Active
RPGA D&D - GM Master Card
RPGA D&D - Rewards Program Active Card
D&D WPN - CO Gateway
Magic - Coordinator Gateway
Magic - Player Active
Magic Player Rewards Active
WPN - Coordinator Gateway
They could easily just swap the logos around to correct the problems with the characters. But they would have to change linking for the logos in the ordering system.
I note that the "Characters" field for Private Play has the code "LFR" while the WPN Play is "LFR2" - looks like there are two databases now. . . which is less than ideal to say the least.
I'll be passing this along to CM to see what can be done.
Hopefully we'll get a reply from one of them directly here in the thread (I linked it to all of them) - but if they reply to me directly, I'll be sure to pass along what I hear immediately.
Or had some poeple Beta it.
You would think that when they make these changes they woudl have extensively tested it first...
Or had some poeple Beta it.
~shrug~ I'd have expected that before the DCI merger during GenCon as well, but it is what it is.
That WE'RE the beta testers. ;)
I have now went from almost 20 rewards points to just 1. Not that I wont have 5 pts by the time this cycle ends, but still.
I know they are still working on it so I will give it time. Just wanted to let someone know what I have noticed so far.
My rewards shows me at 9 current points, which is enough (but seems low to me for some reason)... perhaps they are doing the mailing soon or something.
I got a response from the WPN. It seems that my reported problems number 1 and 2 have been resolved, and that number 3 is a known issue and being worked on. I for one am quite impressed with the quick response, but it would have been nicer for the basic regression testing to be done before the launch rather than after. ;)
That's good news.
All my existing LFR characters are only listed under Private Play. I'd definitely like to hear from anyone who's reported a WPN event, as to whether their players' PCs showed up properly.
I completed all the events with my players and DMs for the day, got all the needed information from everyone.
I was able to enter the event information without a single issue; everything behaved exactly as it has in the past.
However!
When I went to check character status (yeah, I finally got to play a second adventure with my gnoll sorcerer!) his new data was nowhere to be found; it was not added to the "private" OR the "WPN" data. I had already created a character with the exact same name for WPN just to be sure that it wouldn't get rolled to a faulty array entry.
Hrm.
Hope the devs are checking this thread; glad to be a part of the feedback process.
Hope the devs are checking this thread; glad to be a part of the feedback process.
I gave this thread to everyone I have a contact for, so here's hoping they are.
This is just painful to watch.
I am a developer by trade, I cannot for the life of me figure out why this is causing so much of an issue on the technical side. I can only guess what they are attempting to do, it just appears so clumsy and not thought out.
This is my biggest impression as well. I know people who manage larger and more complex databases every day. The DCI/RPGA database and web interface is nothing special. Its requirements far from unique. It should be a straight forward job for a single halfway competent administrator. I'm not talking about some h4x0r genius, just a decent by-the-book admin.
These types of issues should not happen. Should not.
I can't quite recall what my Rewards listing looked like previously, although I know that I had 10 GM Reward points, but it now shows
Total GM Reward Points: 93, Current GM Reward Points: 38. GM Reward: 7. Total GM Reward WPN Points: 0 (Current 0. Reward
Previous listings are: Batch 19 (2009-01-21) Total GM Reward Points: 236. Current GM Reward Points: 46. GM Reward: 2.
Batch 17 (2008-04-02) Total GM Reward Points: 190. Current GM Reward Points: 190. GM Reward: 9
It's interesting to note that the entry under 'GM Reward' for the previous reward batches is the rounded down result of Current GM Reward Points divided by 20, i.e. the number of reward batches I was due (46/20=2.something; 190/20=9.something). The entry under 'GM Reward' for the top line is the rounded-down result of Current GM Reward Points divided by 5. (38/5=7.something) Whether that's a co-incidence, or a result of the threshold changing from 20 to 5 I don't know.
Obviously, I've not GMd 37 sessions since the rewards counter was re-set, but it's interesting to point out!
Now, I'm not talking about the people in charge of the RPGA; I have confidence that Tulach, et al. are really trying to do a good job. Unfortunately, they're not the ones who tell the programmers, web gnomes, and database gurus what to work on. That's done by somebody higher up, somebody who obviously assigns the RPGA the lowest possible priority.
It's as if the RPGA folks say, "We need X," and this guy says, "Oh? Well, it's only the RPGA, I'll let Ross the Intern work on that during his lunch break this Tuesday. No sense wasting time on quality control; after all, it's only the RPGA."
All the issues we've faced throughout the campaign stem from this chronic apathy. And it's finally reached a point where, for me, the frustration outweighs the fun. So, I'm out. I'm done with LFR; it's just not worth it any more.
Good luck to the rest of you; I hope things get better. I have a feeling they won't.
It's as if the RPGA folks say, "We need X," and this guy says, "Oh? Well, it's only the RPGA, I'll let Ross the Intern work on that during his lunch break this Tuesday. No sense wasting time on quality control; after all, it's only the RPGA."
That is the scene I imagine too. The RPGA needs some more funding so they can replace that lonely Microsoft-reject serving as an intern with a real software developer. Seriously. I would have fired that guy, and I assume it is a guy, long ago.
I am a developer by trade, I cannot for the life of me figure out why this is causing so much of an issue on the technical side. I can only guess what they are attempting to do, it just appears so clumsy and not thought out. If they were updating the system, they would only need to replicate the databases and build their new system in a non-production environment. A temporary freeze on event reporting could take place for a week while the migration is completed. Bugs can be worked out after the transition.
This is just painful to watch.
I was software developer (desktop apps/web apps/client-server) by trade. I am now a software test manager. I cant believe how bad the DCI website is designed and implemented.
I too have all my characters now marked as "private". I have lost all of my GM reward points and all of the adventures that I have run/played have been at retail stores.
I think wizards is just trying to cut costs by not sending out that many GM points (they already cut out the players rewards)
If the general quality of campaign management stays at these excremental levels I'm going to find my own last straw one of these days.
Well, I personally don't see campaign management as the problem. I see database/web management as the problem. I think the campaign staff is great, and I applaud all their efforts on our behalf.
I think WotC's track record of any web or database system is horrible. Am I close to a last straw? Nope. Why? I still love to play and run RPGA games. I'll keep on doing it, with or without rewards of any kind. Going to conventions and interacting with multiple groups of players is what it is all about.
I hope they get the ordering problems sorted out sooner rather than later. I've got games to run!
Well, I personally don't see campaign management as the problem. I see database/web management as the problem. I think the campaign staff is great, and I applaud all their efforts on our behalf.
It's well known that the 'official' campaign staff does not have much input into much of the campaign decisions and maintenance. However, just because WotC has chosen not to make the person or people responsible for these decisions public knowledge does not mean they are not running the campaign. These are RPGA events. If the RPGA does not have the ability or authority to address known, acknowledged, chronic problems then they need to step aside and officially hand control of the campaign to whoever is currently in charge of these decisions.
On the whole I have had lots of fun playing and running LFR and plan to continue both for the foreseeable future. I am grateful to the many, many people who have put a lot of hard work into it. However, they can't take the credit for the successes of the campaign and then handwave the problems as somebody else's responsibility. If the RPGA database is a mess, it's their problem and they need to fix it.
It is not the RPGA database, it is the DCI database that also is used for RPGA.
And I, for one, wouldn't want to see what the DCI management would do to the rest of teh RPGA, since they have trouble understanding the needs of the RPGA as far as the database goes...
Q. Why did you change the event types from convention, retail, gameday, and home to Wizards Play Network and private?
A. We had a lot of confusion over the term "gameday," since it was being used to describe both Worldwide D&D Game Day and a type of RPGA public event that was essentially a mini-convention. In addition, we decided it would be much easier for an organizer to simply select whether their game was open to the public or a private session. Public play, no matter where it occurs, counts toward an organizer's credit in the Wizards Play Network. Conventions will still receive special attention through the convention support program; information on the program and its benefits can be found at www.wizards.com/conventions.
Q. What is the difference between Wizards Play Network play and private play? How do the previous RPGA types fit into these categories?
A. Wizards Play Network play is simply any play that occurs in a public location that is open to public participation. Private play is closed to the public – either you're playing a game in a home or other private location, or you're playing a closed session in a public place. The previous RPGA categories of convention, gameday, and retail all map to Wizards Play Network play, except for the old home category, which is now considered private play. All RPGA organizers that organize public events (like conventions or in-store games) are Wizards Play Network organizers, and should sign up through the Wizards Play Network at www.wizards.com/wpn to receive credit for their work.
Q. When I log into the character tracker to check on my Living Forgotten Realms character, I seem to have 2 versions of that character. What's going on?
A. When we split the play categories into 2 separate types, the character tracker database also split. We are working on correcting that issue, and before the summer convention season arrives we'll have an update about the future utility of the character tracker for Living Forgotten Realms.
Q. I want to run Wizards Play Network games. How do I start?
A. You may already be doing so, and you should definitely receive credit for your work! Simply go to www.wizards.com/wpn and sign up to ensure that you're getting the support you need. All public RPGA play is part of the Wizards Play Network, so if you organize any RPGA games in public, you should definitely take advantage of the program and its support.
Q. Do DMs still get credit toward their DM Rewards if they run games in private?
A. Yes. If you DM a game and you're signed up for our DM Rewards program, your activity will count toward your reward regardless of the event type. If you haven't signed up for DM Rewards, you should definitely do so – the program has just been re-launched, and the first mailings are going out soon. You even get a very cool adventure just for signing up, and each year just for updating your contact information. For more information on DM Rewards, head to www.wizards.com/dndrewards.
Dude, do you sleep?
-karma
EDIT: Okay, changed my settings to Eastern from GMT, so now they show the right times for me. :D
I'm just messing with ya.
-karma
I have the same problem:
"If you are currently not a coordinator for this brand please contact your DCI/RPGA representative for access to sanction this brand."
Which is a bit confusing. Whom and how am I supposed to contact my DCI/RPGA Rep? I used to be a WPN member who could order things like gamedays... now I cannot.
I have the same issue here.
I was able to sanction delves and public events but now I cannot.
I have yet to obtain an answer from the costumer service.
RPGA D&D - Player Active
RPGA D&D - GM Master Card
RPGA D&D - Rewards Program Active Card
D&D WPN - CO Gateway
D&D WPN - Rewards Program Active
From what I have seen from other discussions, if you have the bold line above in your memberships, you should be able to sanction WPN events. If not, you can go to the WPN sign up page, follow the instructions, and you shoudl be able to unlock being able to sanction events.
Hope that helps.
Am I missing anything?
Do you have suitable public venues on file with the DCI at which you plan to hold the public events?
[email]dci@wizards.com[/email] seem to be sorting my problems out. Things are taking about 3 days to get processed.
I just can't go in the WPA sanctioning section.
I have no issues at all with the DCI; I've already asked for help, yet I have to heard an answer, I suppose I can only wait.
Sorry we've not been able to help!
What error message are you getting when you try?
Do you have suitable public venues on file with the DCI at which you plan to hold the public events?
[email]dci@wizards.com[/email] seem to be sorting my problems out. Things are taking about 3 days to get processed.
It seems that the dci E-mail address has been closed. I got an auto-reply that all communications should go through Customer Service.
I have, I did but I am unable to sanction.
Am I missing anything?
No. That's weird. You have more stuff than I do. (what I posted above is what is in my memberships), and I am able to sanction WPN events.
I believe that error message is the one I received when I didnt have a location associated with my WPN account. I exchanged emails with a WPN representative and got 2 locations setup for me.
Care to explain in detail?
Care to explain in detail?
What more can I say. If you do not have a Game Store/Book Store etc associated with your account then you can not order modules for public play. I exchanged emails with a WPN rep and gave him:
Store Name
Store Street Address
Store City and State
Store Zip Code
I did this for 2 locations and for 2 different people as well.
Try contacting them with the above information at Wizards Play Network
I'm addressing a number of these issues with WotC CM today, so I'd like to make sure I'm covering all the "big ticket" items at once.
Let me know if there's anything major I'm missing here. (Note - this is the forum summary, I intend to be a little more verbose in my e-mail).
1) Two LFR/Character Databases. Should we leave the "Public" one emtpy? Should we put in characters? Will the data be merged at some point? Do we know when/how it will be fixed?
2) Ordering/Sanctioning events. Many DMs are suddenly unable to sanction public games. We've been told historically to contact [email]dci@wizards.com[/email] for help, but there's reports this may now be a dead-end addresss? How can judges best get help with this issue?
3) Some DMs are losing/have lost DM Rewards points following the database split. Any chance of these being restored automatically, or should players start writing to Customer Service?
I think that's the main issues I'm hearing about right now.
My hope is that Community Management will be able to get some official comments above and beyond Chris' "State of the RPGA" article in Dragon this past week.
At the same time, I don't want to get hopes up too high. I doubt we'll get an answer of "it'll be fixed next Friday" but if we can at least get some status updates I'll feel like I'm doing my job as VCL.
So, let me know if I'm missing anything, guys, and I'll add it to the e-mail I'm sending off.
1) Two LFR/Character Databases. Should we leave the "Public" one emtpy? Should we put in characters? Will the data be merged at some point? Do we know when/how it will be fixed?
They can just simply switch the databases so that they put the original database under the Public database.
2) Ordering/Sanctioning events. Many DMs are suddenly unable to sanction public games. We've been told historically to contact [email]dci@wizards.com[/email] for help, but there's reports this may now be a dead-end addresss? How can judges best get help with this issue?
I believe that this is the email address for the Wizards Play Network
3) Some DMs are losing/have lost DM Rewards points following the database split. Any chance of these being restored automatically, or should players start writing to Customer Service?
An explanation of what the WPN points are would be in order as well and how these effect the GM Rewards Program if they do at all.
They can just simply switch the databases so that they put the original database under the Public database.
Rather than switch, I'd hope it's as simple as linking the character tables to both simultaneously, while leaving the "location" tables as separate entities.
Apparently it *isn't* but that's what I hope to find out.
I believe that this is the email address for the Wizards Play Network
I'll note that.
An explanation of what the WPN points are would be in order as well and how these effect the GM Rewards Program if they do at all.
Good one - though I might just poke the DCI/WPN VCL for help with that one.
In an effort to provide answers 24/7 as well as to better track issues and find quality solutions, Wizards of the Coast has discontinued use of both [email]DCI@wizards.com[/email] and [email]WPN@wizards.com[/email].
Please discontinue directing people to those email addresses going forward.
I'm not clear on how this move contributes to the stated goal of "provid[ing] answers 24/7," but there you have it.
I got this in my inbox earlier today.
I'm not clear on how this move contributes to the stated goal of "provid[ing] answers 24/7," but there you have it.
What was the email they responded to you from?
And did they give you an email address to send queries to?
My guess is that contacting the WPN/RPGA/DCI will now be via customer service - which makes sense, but means we (and they!) have various bits of FAQs/often-referenced posts to edit (particularly in terms of adding retail venues - and, for those running other events, reporting delinquent events).
What was the email they responded to you from?
And did they give you an email address to send queries to?
That e-mail was sent by John Carter, the DCI Judge Manager, to DCIJUDGE-L, a mailing list for Magic Judges and Rules Advisors. The Magic community tends to get more timely information about new developments than the RPGA does.
According to the e-mail, all inquiries are to go through customer service.
My reports have all been passed up the chain of the WPN.
If, for some reason, they weren't aware of our issues before, they are now.
While this doesn't mean it's a simple matter of someone snapping their fingers and everything being made right, it should certainly shed that much more light on what's going on.
With a little luck we can look forward to reports from some of the WPN staffers here in our neck of the woods with what's going on internally.
As always I'll pass along any information I get as I get it.
Edit: I received confirmations a day later, so I guess it's working now.
I have, I did but I am unable to sanction.
Am I missing anything?
I have almost the exact same list except for "D&D WPN - Rewards Program". What is the difference between that and "RPGA D&D - Rewards Program"? And how do I sign up for the WPN Rewards Program?
I have almost the exact same list except for "D&D WPN - Rewards Program". What is the difference between that and "RPGA D&D - Rewards Program"? And how do I sign up for the WPN Rewards Program?
I believe that D&D - Reward Program means "rewards for DMing Private RPGA events" and D&D WPN - Rewards Program means "rewards for DMing Public (WPN) RPGA events".
Of course there are serious problems with reporting WPN events at the moment, as documented all over these forums!
As to the second question, I would contact www.wizards.com/customerservice and ask to be added to the D&D WPN Rewards Program and see what they say. I expect they'll just do it for you.