I'm a customer in the UK, and the last two times that I have ordered digital content (Glory of the Giants & Below Phandalin), I can't actually access it until evening of the release day.
As an example, it's currently 1pm and I still can't read Below Phandalin.
Could you maybe look at when you make content available on release day? The entire world isn't in the USA.
No, but that's where the team is that oversees the release process and provides in-situ support during said release. It's not really fair to expect the team to come in during the middle of the night to oversee product release, and it's not really sensible to release a digital product with zero oversight.
No, but that's where the team is that oversees the release process and provides in-situ support during said release. It's not really fair to expect the team to come in during the middle of the night to oversee product release, and it's not really sensible to release a digital product with zero oversight.
It's not like the book isn't already available for those who purchased it in physical + digital pre-order.
No, but that's where the team is that oversees the release process and provides in-situ support during said release. It's not really fair to expect the team to come in during the middle of the night to oversee product release, and it's not really sensible to release a digital product with zero oversight.
It's not like the book isn't already available for those who purchased it in physical + digital pre-order.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Yes, and that release cycle worked the exact same way. However, it's a different entitlement license and so for today's release the same processes need to be run. And those release processes need to be supervised to ensure everything goes correctly and any issues can be quickly rectified.
I'm in the U.S. and I'm still not able to access it, so I'm in complete agreement with OP. Giving a time would be beneficial and keep us from having to play Refresh Bingo. (Also, in years past, pre-ordered releases were often available at midnight EST).
But I will say this, if the release is late because the team isn't coming in in the middle of the night to facilitate that, that's a big step for worker equity, particularly in corporate America. I've had several roles in the past where I was expected to do just that sort of thing.
EDIT: Actually, I lie. I might have it available, however it seems to want to charge me $1.99 for content I preordered.
I also agree re: the timeframe side of things, at the very least a disclaimer advising the exact time (and US notation to not confuse international purchasers) should be provided.
The WOTC website basically had a time advising the countdown in a manner of speaking: it showed how long before launch owners of the dual bundle could use the early access material.
But I'm also having the same issue re: the additional $1.99 cost to obtain my pre-owned materials. Why is this occurring?
When I go into "Sources" it does take me to the chapter listing, but when I click on any of the entries. it takes me to the marketplace page and says I have to pay another $1.99.
In response to workers coming in at midnight; I absolutely wouldn't expect anyone to be obligated to casually work unsocial hours without warning, reward or any of the other reasonable expecatations that one would have for it... that said, WOTC is not a mom-and-pop organisation and could absolutely pay out-of-hours rates for staffing during product launches. I can't comment about being charged the additional money for content, as I can't even get that far at the moment.
I would also add that this isn't just a Phandelver issue... content was gated for most of the release day when Glory of the Giants was released, too. As others have said above, the company knows when they're going to make content available; publishing it wouldn't be unreasonable. It's a digital product... nobody -needs- to pre-order it; it's not going out of stock any time soon. We're largely doing it because we like this hobby and want it to do well. A bit of mutual regard would go a long way.
Edit- For the record, 4pm and I still can't use the product I've paid for.
I'm a customer in the UK, and the last two times that I have ordered digital content (Glory of the Giants & Below Phandalin), I can't actually access it until evening of the release day.
As an example, it's currently 1pm and I still can't read Below Phandalin.
Could you maybe look at when you make content available on release day? The entire world isn't in the USA.
No, but that's where the team is that oversees the release process and provides in-situ support during said release. It's not really fair to expect the team to come in during the middle of the night to oversee product release, and it's not really sensible to release a digital product with zero oversight.
Find my D&D Beyond articles here
Simple fix for this: Also state the time the product comes online, so no one who’s not from the US is wasting their time.
It's not like the book isn't already available for those who purchased it in physical + digital pre-order.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Legendary Bundle Owner - Master Tier Sub
Yes, and that release cycle worked the exact same way. However, it's a different entitlement license and so for today's release the same processes need to be run. And those release processes need to be supervised to ensure everything goes correctly and any issues can be quickly rectified.
Find my D&D Beyond articles here
I'm in the U.S. and I'm still not able to access it, so I'm in complete agreement with OP. Giving a time would be beneficial and keep us from having to play Refresh Bingo. (Also, in years past, pre-ordered releases were often available at midnight EST).
But I will say this, if the release is late because the team isn't coming in in the middle of the night to facilitate that, that's a big step for worker equity, particularly in corporate America. I've had several roles in the past where I was expected to do just that sort of thing.
EDIT: Actually, I lie. I might have it available, however it seems to want to charge me $1.99 for content I preordered.
I also agree re: the timeframe side of things, at the very least a disclaimer advising the exact time (and US notation to not confuse international purchasers) should be provided.
The WOTC website basically had a time advising the countdown in a manner of speaking: it showed how long before launch owners of the dual bundle could use the early access material.
But I'm also having the same issue re: the additional $1.99 cost to obtain my pre-owned materials. Why is this occurring?
EDIT: for those jumping into this post, it looks like the additional cost is being investigated... i suggest heading to the Main Issue post for further reading: https://www.dndbeyond.com/forums/d-d-beyond-general/bugs-support/179868-phandelver-and-below-the-shattered-obelisk-issues
Same living in the US, purchased Phandelver and Below yesterday and still cannot access it.
I ordered it on 6/22/2023 and I cannot access it.
When I go into "Sources" it does take me to the chapter listing, but when I click on any of the entries. it takes me to the marketplace page and says I have to pay another $1.99.
Same issue. I'm also in the the EST timezone of the US.
To avoid polluting the forum, there's a Main Thread (with dev interaction) currently available here:
https://www.dndbeyond.com/forums/d-d-beyond-general/bugs-support/179868-phandelver-and-below-the-shattered-obelisk-issues
At the time of writing, this is being investigated by the D&D beyond team, with updates being posted in the link above
In response to workers coming in at midnight; I absolutely wouldn't expect anyone to be obligated to casually work unsocial hours without warning, reward or any of the other reasonable expecatations that one would have for it... that said, WOTC is not a mom-and-pop organisation and could absolutely pay out-of-hours rates for staffing during product launches. I can't comment about being charged the additional money for content, as I can't even get that far at the moment.
I would also add that this isn't just a Phandelver issue... content was gated for most of the release day when Glory of the Giants was released, too. As others have said above, the company knows when they're going to make content available; publishing it wouldn't be unreasonable. It's a digital product... nobody -needs- to pre-order it; it's not going out of stock any time soon. We're largely doing it because we like this hobby and want it to do well. A bit of mutual regard would go a long way.
Edit- For the record, 4pm and I still can't use the product I've paid for.