I don't think its a bad deal, i know its allot. i just wish for as you said "increased synergy" and added value for the future. also i thin it would increase sales much more then it would cost
Unless it is done through Amazon to get both, then i do not think that DDB wants the hassle of physical books. that is not what they do. They do not have a shipping or warehouse dept, which they would if they offered both. or they would have to have an agreement with Amazon to supply the physical books. then there is the pain of how do they split the cost/ROI of the physical book sale. More headaches that ddb doesn't need right now when all they want to do is improve the current product and add content in a timely fashion as it is released.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
I just want to tell everyone "happy gaming" and actually mean it. Whatever your game is, just have fun with it, it is after all, just a game.
Actually, Curse is owned by Amazon so they do have the supply and infrastructure, and WOTC prints the books so they also have the supply. so either way. but you do present a great solution since curse is owned by Amazon which has all the books, Amazon could offer package deals that include both.
Actually, Curse is owned by Amazon so they do have the supply and infrastructure, and WOTC prints the books so they also have the supply. so either way. but you do present a great solution since curse is owned by Amazon which has all the books, Amazon could offer package deals that include both.
Since Roll20 has now released their digital version of the PHB and are also selling it for $29.99 reg price (on sale atm for $19.99) I assume every one of you complaining here about having to pay "again" or "too much" will immediately hop over to the Roll20 forums and yell at them as well? Surely Roll20 should also validate your physical book purchase? I mean, it's not impossible, right? And while you're at it, head over to Fantasy Grounds and demand that they also validate your physical book. You should get FREE access to every digital version of the physical book everywhere it appears.
I'll wait here for you to supply links to your posts on the Roll20 and Fantasy Grounds forums so we can see that you are being consistent, and not the least bit hypocritical.
To make it easier for you, I'll even provide links to their forums so you can go right over and complain loudly and rudely.
If you don't go there to demand free/discounted digital copies because you have the physical book, I'm sure we won't hear any of you complain about it here any more.
You forgot to include that when they did have the digital books, they were charging full retail price before DDB came along. Thus DDB is actually saving you money at those places as well.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
I just want to tell everyone "happy gaming" and actually mean it. Whatever your game is, just have fun with it, it is after all, just a game.
Actually, Curse is owned by Amazon so they do have the supply and infrastructure, and WOTC prints the books so they also have the supply. so either way. but you do present a great solution since curse is owned by Amazon which has all the books, Amazon could offer package deals that include both.
I know Curse is owned by Amazon, but what does that have to do with WotC? I mean, they are still buying the books at the same costs as they were before and they won't get a discount on either product just because they are now together.
Maybe you have never dealt with multi organizations like these. I have. Just because one company owns another doesn't automatically mean they get to use all of the parents/childs infrastructure, supplies, labor, etc. they still have to have agreements, Costs/payments, etc company to company in place just as if they were a separate company, because on paper, they are and there is always the chance one company could be sold off from the rest. I know it sounds stupid and at the end of the chain it is the same pot of money, but it has to be separate.
So while yes, Amazon could do this and Curse/DDB could agree to the partnership, they would still need to create and staff a redemption center for the codes and all that jazz. But do not be surprised if it is just double the cost and then you get the whole "I have the legendary bundle on DDB and get a discount, so Amazon should honor that as well" issue. Otherwise, what is the point of the LB if you want both physical and digital? You would open up a whole other can of complaints.
And lets be real honest, none of this helps out with the bulk of the complaints for those that have ALREADY purchased the physical book and are looking for a free handout of the digital book.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
I just want to tell everyone "happy gaming" and actually mean it. Whatever your game is, just have fun with it, it is after all, just a game.
And lets be real honest, none of this helps out with the bulk of the complaints for those that have ALREADY purchased the physical book and are looking for a free handout of the digital book.
Seeing as the profit went to the retailer of the physical book, why wouldn't the complaints go there for a free digital copy, rather than D&D Beyond? If Curse has not received a penny from the physical sale, under what obligation would they be to issue free licenses? In nearly every industry, 'Retailer A' does not receive criticism/complaint for purchases made at competing 'Retailer B'.
the child can use the parent's things if they choose not to that's the parent company that decides that. and also if there is a deal and you did not get it because it came after you then that's sucks for you just like every other time that happens. they don't need a department for this just some coder to take a day and write it in. also, the reason to do this is simple it could increase sales more then the loss of revenue and depending on the margin they make, make them more money in total.
And lets be real honest, none of this helps out with the bulk of the complaints for those that have ALREADY purchased the physical book and are looking for a free handout of the digital book.
Seeing as the profit went to the retailer of the physical book, why wouldn't the complaints go there for a free digital copy, rather than D&D Beyond? If Curse has not received a penny from the physical sale, under what obligation would they be to issue free licenses? In nearly every industry, 'Retailer A' does not receive criticism/complaint for purchases made at competing 'Retailer B'.
Exactly! I know I posted an essay in my last post, but the most important point I made in there was that with the following example:
I buy a movie on iTunes. I stop using my iPod Touch and get my 1st smartphone, a Galaxy S2 (this is obviously years ago). Should I have then expected Google to give me free movies because I bought them on iTunes? Hell no!
A lot of the same arguments apply too! "Well, you can still watch it on Apple stuff!" "Ya, but I want to use it here though..." "So pay for it?" "Why would I buy something twice?!" "Because you want to use this other version? Ok well if cost is the issue then use your time to make the private homebrew you need!" "But that would take work! I don't want to spend money or do any effort!" "Ok, see your doppelganger in the next thread who didn't read the last 42 pages of this same argument over, and over, and over..."
they don't need a department for this just some coder to take a day and write it in.
I knew you'd say something like this the moment you bragged about having an MBA... Programming isn't that simple, sometimes it is, but if you had read my response to you earlier, you'd see my mental process on figuring out the extent of the programming challenge alongside the customer service challenge it would take to do all of this. But business types never get it, just hit the keyboard a bunch and out pops the feature! This is why I'm so glad one of the owners of the company I work for is a sysadmin...
Edit: I honestly don't know why I bother replying to him, he literally has only 6 posts, all in this thread, acting like he knows better than the people running Curse/Twitch/Amazon & and WotC/Hasbro...
the child can use the parent's things if they choose not to that's the parent company that decides that.
Incorrect. As in life, the parent company decides how an owned company can use things, when it can use things, and where the things shall be used. The Parent company is the full owner - BOSS - of the Child company per hierarchical structure.
If my company buys yours, then your company must act and perform to my specification and decision. Not the other way around.
DDB platform and tool valued at x+y USD /mo (distributed across a few tiers of subscription plans with various TOOL unlocks - all content should be unlocked at the first tier, prices of all tiers determined such that WOTC gets their cut and DDB gets what it deserves for the work they put into creating the tool).
So, if I get this right, you are suggesting to change from a perceived* content barrier to an effective functionality barrier, tiying the use of the tools to a subscription in order to be usable, correct?
That sounds like a way worse deal to me. Also, how much would you think it would be a fair cost for your version of business model? 10$ a month for the "basic" tier?
I would also be curious to know where you get your number on the "huge portion" of the customer base. Indeed there is a number of people complaining on this, but calling it a huge portion seems quite overestimating their numbers.
* I say perceived because if instead of complaining right away people would take a little time to read, they'd find that you can re-create ANYTHING and EVERYRHING from the books with the Homebrew tools, which are completely free, and it is legal to do so as long as it is for personal use, which includes sharing these in your campaigns.
I get the feeling, I get the intention, but you know what could have happened if they went for a "4ed"-like digital tool subscription plan? Lots of people would have felt screwed over because "I have bought the physical books, and now they are giving everything away for xyz$ a month... I feel betrayed, I should get at least 1 year of subscription for free!"
And yes, there would have been people complaining like this, I know it and you know it.
We can go on endlessly circling around this issue and coming up with different ideas and "what-if..." and "the should..." and "they just...", truth is there is always going to be people unhappy about any business model ever, because there is always going to be someone that feel betrayed or screwed over for whatever reason and sense of entitlement.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Born in Italy, moved a bunch, living in Spain, my heart always belonged to Roleplaying Games
the child can use the parent's things if they choose not to that's the parent company that decides that. and also if there is a deal and you did not get it because it came after you then that's sucks for you just like every other time that happens. they don't need a department for this just some coder to take a day and write it in. also, the reason to do this is simple it could increase sales more then the loss of revenue and depending on the margin they make, make them more money in total.
for the record, i own all the physical books and I have the Legendary Bundle. I buy most of the books through Amazon (except for the special cover versions). In the end I have paid about the retail price so i don't mind and I am not the one complaining.
Did i before? yes, when i first joined, then it was explained to me as everyone on here is explaining it. some people just won't get it and some refuse to get it.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
I just want to tell everyone "happy gaming" and actually mean it. Whatever your game is, just have fun with it, it is after all, just a game.
DDB platform and tool valued at x+y USD /mo (distributed across a few tiers of subscription plans with various TOOL unlocks - all content should be unlocked at the first tier, prices of all tiers determined such that WOTC gets their cut and DDB gets what it deserves for the work they put into creating the tool).
Also to add on to the above. WotC tried this with 4e and it ended up being a disaster and they lost money. With at least two new books coming out a year, DDB cannot recoup the licensing cost at just $10 a month, so then they have to up it to $20 or $30 (we don't even know the cost honestly and yes, they have to pay a licensing cost for each book sold. No, I have no idea how they do with with piecemeal, I would guess for each section purchased they tally it up and when the total sold no matter which section equals a book, they have to pay for the license). Now who wants to pay that $20 when for just $10 more or even the same cost at $30 I can have a one time cost to buy the physical book from Amazon?
Do you set a term limit to help out? do you have to do at least 6 months? who wants to up front $60-$180 for something you have no idea if you will like or even use, at least with the way it is now, you get a free version that you can do a hell of a lot with before doing the buy-in. Any less and again, they couldn't recoup the license cost.
The only downside i can see with DDB is once i move to a new version or decide to no longer play, i am unable to resell my digital books (i suppose I could try to sell my account, but i am sure that is against the terms and conditions I read very thoroughly (wink, wink) when i signed up).
Now what i could see happening in the near future is having a DM bundle of all the Adventures and Gamer bundle that has all the source books (including DMG, MM, etc) along with the Legendary Bundle for everything.
All mods and patrons who are arguing for the logic behind charging $30 per digital book: I think you're missing a greater issue.
The way I see it, it doesn't matter how many different analogies you use to describe why it makes sense. Would I go to amazon for a hard copy of the PHB after unlocking the digital PHB content through DDB? No. That's ridiculous. But it doesn't matter.
The issue is that a huge portion of your consumer base feels screwed over. Arguing with that is not going to solve the issue.
This is the situation: Your product is designed for recreational enjoyment. You need to get paid. In order to get paid, a barrier is created to the enjoyment. The barrier is: requiring a purchase to unlock content.
What's happening in this situation: You have entered into an encounter with your customers. Roll persuation to convince the customers that their purchase is worth you removing the barrier. The issue you're running into is not that you can't justify your prices - it's that your CHA is -4.
In order to fix this issue, one approach is to shift the value you're putting on content vs. the service DDB actually provides (the website, digitalizing all of the content, UI, etc.) To do that, you would need to go from:
a Huge Portion? I would really like to see where you pulled that number from. the reason we use all those analogies is so people understand how it actually works and not how it is perceived to work.
Umm, I buy the physical books after or before unlocking digital content on DDB, I love the shelf **** and it is handy when you have no internet.
Who feels screwed over? if you do, check yourself. Show me where it says ANYWHERE when you bought the physical book, you would get a digital version unlocked for free or reduced? if that is all you want, heck, go spend the $10 and get the Compendium Version for $10. it is exactly that, just a digital version of the book. Oh you wanted all the cool tools that DDB developed? then pay up and help support DDB so they can continue and stop whining. With all they are doing with Crit Role and getting their name out there, i don't think they are hurting one bit for this "huge portion of consumers" that you perceive it to be just because you are one of them. I think a Hugh portion of consumers who use DDB are very happy and willing to spend the costs and it shows as they keep getting new users.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
I just want to tell everyone "happy gaming" and actually mean it. Whatever your game is, just have fun with it, it is after all, just a game.
Would I go to amazon for a hard copy of the PHB after unlocking the digital PHB content through DDB? No. That's ridiculous. But it doesn't matter.
The issue is that a huge portion of your consumer base feels screwed over. Arguing with that is not going to solve the issue.
You are exactly right - you make the choice regarding which type of media you wish to own and whom to buy it from. If you choose to purchase physical instead of digital, that is a choice you have made. If you choose to do the opposite, that is also your choice. D&D Beyond cannot be held responsible nor obligated to to those who gave their money to another company X months/years back. Why would one feel screwed over? Because they made a previous decision that they no longer desire to have made? Because a better option is now available after they made their choice? The manufacturer, WOTC, has not chosen to offer free digital copies with physical purchases. This was not hinted to nor offered when we all made the decision to purchase physical copies. Due to this, there can be no claims of being "screwed over" for not receiving something we feel entitled to when the product wasn't even available.
In order to fix this issue, one approach is to shift the value you're putting on content vs. the service DDB actually provides (the website, digitalizing all of the content, UI, etc.)
DDB platform and tool valued at x+y USD /mo (distributed across a few tiers of subscription plans with various TOOL unlocks - all content should be unlocked at the first tier, prices of all tiers determined such that WOTC gets their cut and DDB gets what it deserves for the work they put into creating the tool).
WOTC places their value on content and as such, charges licenses for their intellectual property. There is not a foreseeable moment in which value is removed from this content for the same reason this entire thread exists - the community places value upon the content. These business principles have been successful here, uncovering that it's truly a vocal minority who hold issue with "paying again" for a digital convenience. That's all D&D Beyond is, right? A convenience to enjoying D&D in a digital format. Why would this be discounted or given away freely? Those who can't justify the cost can surely continue to enjoy their WOTC content in physical format as they have since the day it was purchased.
I understand the emotional response to seeing a price tag on something you similarly own. The analogous responses in this thread do hold their weight though. Multiple media types are being sold by multiple retailers. One must take into consideration economics and capitalism with regards to business practices and the transition to a digital world. If there was not value in what D&D Beyond is providing, purchases would not be completed and threads on this topic would not have been started. At this point, there is only griping due to cost. The value and interest in the product has been made obvious.
Both sides of the argument have been hashed out in numerous threads now - I've likely read through 100 pages on the topic. The end result is this: D&D Beyond has developed a business model which has been agree upon by all parties of the contract. This model is unlikely to change, despite what individuals may feel they deserve, what it's worth, or how companies should market their material. As dozens have stated, the work around is to create homebrew of the source material owned, or simply continue to play with the physical copy purchased. The suggestions for change are read and appreciated, but this is what it is - not really a debatable topic.
I wonder if the people who think they should get a free digital copy for buying the physical book also believe that people who buy the digital book should get a free physical copy?
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You don't OWN your books on DDB: WotC can change them any time. What do you think will happen when OneD&D comes out?
Not necessarily, I just feel that if I spent this money on the physical version of the book, that there should be some way to redeem it, or at least get some content that I have for it, because I have the content I need in the book, but I don’t want to spend another 25$ to buy the online one, just for convenience of making a character online.
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Unless it is done through Amazon to get both, then i do not think that DDB wants the hassle of physical books. that is not what they do. They do not have a shipping or warehouse dept, which they would if they offered both. or they would have to have an agreement with Amazon to supply the physical books. then there is the pain of how do they split the cost/ROI of the physical book sale. More headaches that ddb doesn't need right now when all they want to do is improve the current product and add content in a timely fashion as it is released.
I just want to tell everyone "happy gaming" and actually mean it. Whatever your game is, just have fun with it, it is after all, just a game.
Actually, Curse is owned by Amazon so they do have the supply and infrastructure, and WOTC prints the books so they also have the supply. so either way. but you do present a great solution since curse is owned by Amazon which has all the books, Amazon could offer package deals that include both.
This indeed it's a good option
Price of the PHB in bricks & mortar store is $49.95
Price of the PHB on Amazon is $27.98
Price of PHB on DDB (with no coupon/sale) is $29.99
Cost of buying the Physical PHB from Amazon + Digital PHB from DDB is $57.97
Difference is $8.02
You can wait for a coupon code (like from Critical Role) and save $10
Cost of the DDB PHB Compendium is $19.99, so if you buy the physical PHB from Amazon + DDB PHB Compendium = $47.97, a savings of $1.98
You don't OWN your books on DDB: WotC can change them any time. What do you think will happen when OneD&D comes out?
You forgot to include that when they did have the digital books, they were charging full retail price before DDB came along. Thus DDB is actually saving you money at those places as well.
I just want to tell everyone "happy gaming" and actually mean it. Whatever your game is, just have fun with it, it is after all, just a game.
I know Curse is owned by Amazon, but what does that have to do with WotC? I mean, they are still buying the books at the same costs as they were before and they won't get a discount on either product just because they are now together.
Maybe you have never dealt with multi organizations like these. I have. Just because one company owns another doesn't automatically mean they get to use all of the parents/childs infrastructure, supplies, labor, etc. they still have to have agreements, Costs/payments, etc company to company in place just as if they were a separate company, because on paper, they are and there is always the chance one company could be sold off from the rest. I know it sounds stupid and at the end of the chain it is the same pot of money, but it has to be separate.
So while yes, Amazon could do this and Curse/DDB could agree to the partnership, they would still need to create and staff a redemption center for the codes and all that jazz. But do not be surprised if it is just double the cost and then you get the whole "I have the legendary bundle on DDB and get a discount, so Amazon should honor that as well" issue. Otherwise, what is the point of the LB if you want both physical and digital? You would open up a whole other can of complaints.
And lets be real honest, none of this helps out with the bulk of the complaints for those that have ALREADY purchased the physical book and are looking for a free handout of the digital book.
I just want to tell everyone "happy gaming" and actually mean it. Whatever your game is, just have fun with it, it is after all, just a game.
Seeing as the profit went to the retailer of the physical book, why wouldn't the complaints go there for a free digital copy, rather than D&D Beyond? If Curse has not received a penny from the physical sale, under what obligation would they be to issue free licenses? In nearly every industry, 'Retailer A' does not receive criticism/complaint for purchases made at competing 'Retailer B'.
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the child can use the parent's things if they choose not to that's the parent company that decides that. and also if there is a deal and you did not get it because it came after you then that's sucks for you just like every other time that happens. they don't need a department for this just some coder to take a day and write it in. also, the reason to do this is simple it could increase sales more then the loss of revenue and depending on the margin they make, make them more money in total.
Exactly! I know I posted an essay in my last post, but the most important point I made in there was that with the following example:
I buy a movie on iTunes. I stop using my iPod Touch and get my 1st smartphone, a Galaxy S2 (this is obviously years ago). Should I have then expected Google to give me free movies because I bought them on iTunes? Hell no!
A lot of the same arguments apply too! "Well, you can still watch it on Apple stuff!" "Ya, but I want to use it here though..." "So pay for it?" "Why would I buy something twice?!" "Because you want to use this other version? Ok well if cost is the issue then use your time to make the private homebrew you need!" "But that would take work! I don't want to spend money or do any effort!" "Ok, see your doppelganger in the next thread who didn't read the last 42 pages of this same argument over, and over, and over..."
Man seeing those comments gets old...
I knew you'd say something like this the moment you bragged about having an MBA... Programming isn't that simple, sometimes it is, but if you had read my response to you earlier, you'd see my mental process on figuring out the extent of the programming challenge alongside the customer service challenge it would take to do all of this. But business types never get it, just hit the keyboard a bunch and out pops the feature! This is why I'm so glad one of the owners of the company I work for is a sysadmin...
Edit: I honestly don't know why I bother replying to him, he literally has only 6 posts, all in this thread, acting like he knows better than the people running Curse/Twitch/Amazon & and WotC/Hasbro...
Incorrect. As in life, the parent company decides how an owned company can use things, when it can use things, and where the things shall be used. The Parent company is the full owner - BOSS - of the Child company per hierarchical structure.
If my company buys yours, then your company must act and perform to my specification and decision. Not the other way around.
[ Site Rules & Guidelines ] --- [ Homebrew Rules & Guidelines ]
Send me a message with any questions or concerns
So, if I get this right, you are suggesting to change from a perceived* content barrier to an effective functionality barrier, tiying the use of the tools to a subscription in order to be usable, correct?
That sounds like a way worse deal to me. Also, how much would you think it would be a fair cost for your version of business model? 10$ a month for the "basic" tier?
I would also be curious to know where you get your number on the "huge portion" of the customer base. Indeed there is a number of people complaining on this, but calling it a huge portion seems quite overestimating their numbers.
* I say perceived because if instead of complaining right away people would take a little time to read, they'd find that you can re-create ANYTHING and EVERYRHING from the books with the Homebrew tools, which are completely free, and it is legal to do so as long as it is for personal use, which includes sharing these in your campaigns.
I get the feeling, I get the intention, but you know what could have happened if they went for a "4ed"-like digital tool subscription plan? Lots of people would have felt screwed over because "I have bought the physical books, and now they are giving everything away for xyz$ a month... I feel betrayed, I should get at least 1 year of subscription for free!"
And yes, there would have been people complaining like this, I know it and you know it.
We can go on endlessly circling around this issue and coming up with different ideas and "what-if..." and "the should..." and "they just...", truth is there is always going to be people unhappy about any business model ever, because there is always going to be someone that feel betrayed or screwed over for whatever reason and sense of entitlement.
Born in Italy, moved a bunch, living in Spain, my heart always belonged to Roleplaying Games
No. No subscriptions for content. I'm glad it's a one-time purchase. This way reduces my overall long-term cost.
If you're only interested in short-term use, then just buy the pieces you need. It likely won't cost you more than $50 dollars total.
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for the record, i own all the physical books and I have the Legendary Bundle. I buy most of the books through Amazon (except for the special cover versions). In the end I have paid about the retail price so i don't mind and I am not the one complaining.
Did i before? yes, when i first joined, then it was explained to me as everyone on here is explaining it. some people just won't get it and some refuse to get it.
I just want to tell everyone "happy gaming" and actually mean it. Whatever your game is, just have fun with it, it is after all, just a game.
Literally all of that guy's posts are misinformed complaining about this, when it's been over-explained for 42 pages now...
Also to add on to the above. WotC tried this with 4e and it ended up being a disaster and they lost money. With at least two new books coming out a year, DDB cannot recoup the licensing cost at just $10 a month, so then they have to up it to $20 or $30 (we don't even know the cost honestly and yes, they have to pay a licensing cost for each book sold. No, I have no idea how they do with with piecemeal, I would guess for each section purchased they tally it up and when the total sold no matter which section equals a book, they have to pay for the license). Now who wants to pay that $20 when for just $10 more or even the same cost at $30 I can have a one time cost to buy the physical book from Amazon?
Do you set a term limit to help out? do you have to do at least 6 months? who wants to up front $60-$180 for something you have no idea if you will like or even use, at least with the way it is now, you get a free version that you can do a hell of a lot with before doing the buy-in. Any less and again, they couldn't recoup the license cost.
The only downside i can see with DDB is once i move to a new version or decide to no longer play, i am unable to resell my digital books (i suppose I could try to sell my account, but i am sure that is against the terms and conditions I read very thoroughly (wink, wink) when i signed up).
Now what i could see happening in the near future is having a DM bundle of all the Adventures and Gamer bundle that has all the source books (including DMG, MM, etc) along with the Legendary Bundle for everything.
I just want to tell everyone "happy gaming" and actually mean it. Whatever your game is, just have fun with it, it is after all, just a game.
a Huge Portion? I would really like to see where you pulled that number from. the reason we use all those analogies is so people understand how it actually works and not how it is perceived to work.
Umm, I buy the physical books after or before unlocking digital content on DDB, I love the shelf **** and it is handy when you have no internet.
Who feels screwed over? if you do, check yourself. Show me where it says ANYWHERE when you bought the physical book, you would get a digital version unlocked for free or reduced? if that is all you want, heck, go spend the $10 and get the Compendium Version for $10. it is exactly that, just a digital version of the book. Oh you wanted all the cool tools that DDB developed? then pay up and help support DDB so they can continue and stop whining. With all they are doing with Crit Role and getting their name out there, i don't think they are hurting one bit for this "huge portion of consumers" that you perceive it to be just because you are one of them. I think a Hugh portion of consumers who use DDB are very happy and willing to spend the costs and it shows as they keep getting new users.
I just want to tell everyone "happy gaming" and actually mean it. Whatever your game is, just have fun with it, it is after all, just a game.
You are exactly right - you make the choice regarding which type of media you wish to own and whom to buy it from. If you choose to purchase physical instead of digital, that is a choice you have made. If you choose to do the opposite, that is also your choice. D&D Beyond cannot be held responsible nor obligated to to those who gave their money to another company X months/years back. Why would one feel screwed over? Because they made a previous decision that they no longer desire to have made? Because a better option is now available after they made their choice? The manufacturer, WOTC, has not chosen to offer free digital copies with physical purchases. This was not hinted to nor offered when we all made the decision to purchase physical copies. Due to this, there can be no claims of being "screwed over" for not receiving something we feel entitled to when the product wasn't even available.
WOTC places their value on content and as such, charges licenses for their intellectual property. There is not a foreseeable moment in which value is removed from this content for the same reason this entire thread exists - the community places value upon the content. These business principles have been successful here, uncovering that it's truly a vocal minority who hold issue with "paying again" for a digital convenience. That's all D&D Beyond is, right? A convenience to enjoying D&D in a digital format. Why would this be discounted or given away freely? Those who can't justify the cost can surely continue to enjoy their WOTC content in physical format as they have since the day it was purchased.
I understand the emotional response to seeing a price tag on something you similarly own. The analogous responses in this thread do hold their weight though. Multiple media types are being sold by multiple retailers. One must take into consideration economics and capitalism with regards to business practices and the transition to a digital world. If there was not value in what D&D Beyond is providing, purchases would not be completed and threads on this topic would not have been started. At this point, there is only griping due to cost. The value and interest in the product has been made obvious.
Both sides of the argument have been hashed out in numerous threads now - I've likely read through 100 pages on the topic. The end result is this: D&D Beyond has developed a business model which has been agree upon by all parties of the contract. This model is unlikely to change, despite what individuals may feel they deserve, what it's worth, or how companies should market their material. As dozens have stated, the work around is to create homebrew of the source material owned, or simply continue to play with the physical copy purchased. The suggestions for change are read and appreciated, but this is what it is - not really a debatable topic.
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I wonder if the people who think they should get a free digital copy for buying the physical book also believe that people who buy the digital book should get a free physical copy?
You don't OWN your books on DDB: WotC can change them any time. What do you think will happen when OneD&D comes out?
Not necessarily, I just feel that if I spent this money on the physical version of the book, that there should be some way to redeem it, or at least get some content that I have for it, because I have the content I need in the book, but I don’t want to spend another 25$ to buy the online one, just for convenience of making a character online.