I read through this whole thing and it really made me realize that yes. It can be frustrating to think we're paying for the same thing twice if we want the physical book content to be at our fingertips here. But that's basically the same as buying a physical book and being upset that Audible doesn't let me listen to it because I like to have the book on my shelf but I like the convince of just listening to it. It's not fair to bash D&D Beyond for all the hard work they do because technically you can still use that book, options and stat blocks at your fingertips, but it'll take some work. The same amount of work it would take if you didn't use the site at all. They offer an awesome service with tons of free options which makes getting into the hobby much easier for new players. But yeah you can't eat you cake and have it too. So if you want the content online, but it online. If you want it physical in your hands, get it that way. If you want both, pay the money for both or put the work it to port it in via homebrew. They already let us all stretch enough by allowing the sharing via campaigns the way they do.
Hey I have an idea for dnd physical books. What if when you buy a book from dnd beyond there is a single use code inside the book that you can use to put the book online in dnd beyond. Because I have a couple books that I own physically but wish that I could use the content in the book on dnd beyond. Because it is frustrating to buy the book again on dnd beyond when u already have the book.
I realize that but it would be nice and it’s just a suggestion.
And if you have extra workers or not you could just put a sticker inside the cover of the book and write a little bit of code that’s all I’m saying.
Hey I have an idea for dnd physical books. What if when you buy a book from dnd beyond there is a single use code inside the book that you can use to put the book online in dnd beyond. Because I have a couple books that I own physically but wish that I could use the content in the book on dnd beyond. Because it is frustrating to buy the book again on dnd beyond when u already have the book.
Several issues with this:
-DnD Beyond doesn’t sell physical books
-Even if they did, what you are suggesting would only apply to books purchased from DDB, not those purchased from Amazon or your friendly local gaming store, and that would still cause outrage
-it’s not a simple as “a sticker in a book”, especially if it applied to books available everywhere because:
-software must be developed to generate, track and redeem the codes
-the codes must be protected from theft (if it’s a simple sticker in the front of the book, anyone could take a picture of one from a store and redeem it without buying the book(
-WOTC would have to generate the codes, and coordinate their redemption with DDB (and potentially Fantasy Grounds and Role20)
-DDB pays licensing fees to WOTC for the use of their content; so you are asking them to take a loss on every “book” they would give access to through such a program. Remember, they don’t sell physical books, so they get no money from such sales; if you were able to redeem a coupon from the book, they would still have to pay the licensing fees for it, but get nothing from you for it.
-Ultimately, this is out of DDB’s hands: if you want this to happen you need to lobby WOTC, not DDB
All that said though I think everyone on D&D Beyond would love that. Much like I can buy a Blue Ray anywhere and still use a code to put the digital copy on Vudu. Just because this isn't set up yet doesn't mean it never can be. Likewise I wonder the possibility of Beyond supplying a pdf code to be able to easily pay to print out a full physical copy of a book purchased digitally through them. Obviously no one wants bootleg copies going out or placed online but a single use code that could be sent to a print shop etc would he another solve for this dilemma.
Honestly for me the hardest thing is using an adventure book online while trying to run through everything else. Only have so many screens and a physical book helps when you need to add little sticky notes etc so you don't have to stop and read so much right out of the book.
As always live what Beyond does and all the work they already do to integrate the physical and digital formats of this great game we all love.
You can do this without a code. Just buy from marketplace. You can get the full version which includes character sheet automations or you can buy only the select things you need or a Compendium Only version (a digital version of the book, without sheet options).
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Click ✨ HERE ✨ For My Youtube Videos featuring Guides, Tips & Tricks for using D&D Beyond. Need help with Homebrew? Check out ✨ thisFAQ/Guide thread ✨ by IamSposta.
well In a way ddb is asking for your money twice . books and sub , and yes there are some good functions like character creator but hey that is one of the few actual features and you can do it for 3 and they do not want to go full vtt which is shame real shame. as it would pulled for them so many new customers and we would not need to go to others . Look I do have a DM sub but as soon as ill have really good VTT that is user friendly I am out.
As I have said with what they have it is clear that DDB knows how to make good stuff and they could be the king of the hill but they did chose to not to and in this day and age it is about the money so hopefully they will get to their senses and introduce great vtt. At which time there is not going to be a single question to not to buy the stuff on the market here...
well In a way ddb is asking for your money twice . books and sub , and yes there are some good functions like character creator but hey that is one of the few actual features and you can do it for 3 and they do not want to go full vtt which is shame real shame. as it would pulled for them so many new customers and we would not need to go to others . Look I do have a DM sub but as soon as ill have really good VTT that is user friendly I am out.
As I have said with what they have it is clear that DDB knows how to make good stuff and they could be the king of the hill but they did chose to not to and in this day and age it is about the money so hopefully they will get to their senses and introduce great vtt. At which time there is not going to be a single question to not to buy the stuff on the market here...
Dndbeyond is not asking for your money twice. Dndbeyond charges a contracted rate for digital access to licensed content. Dndbeyond also offers their own subscription services to several useful website features. The two products are completely different as you would be paying for different things. I believe you are being unfair in saying they are asking for your money twice.
I believe you're also complaining that dndbeyond's lack of a virtual table top is a hinderance to their business model and that might be true as well. For the products they are offering (digital access to licensed content AND integration of that digital content into their proprietary character sheet tool) they are offering a great deal compared to other options out there, especially when you consider the ease of use dndbeyond provides.
I don't disagree that you should have to pay for digital content purchased on DnDBeyond, but the pricing for the source content is actually pretty high, and your argument here is specious. Comparing MSRP on the WoC site to the price on DnDBeyond is ludicrous, and your flippant "I'm sure you could get better deals on that..." comment constitutes hyperbolic understatement - all of the 5E sourcebooks are available brand new from various online sellers for under (often 10-15% or more) the retail prices for the digital books on DnDBeyond. In fact, for the prices here, one could still save money buying the special edition sourcebooks with foil covers and DM screen in slipcase! The only exception is if you want to go in $400+ on one of the large bundles, which gets you some reasonable savings. While I agree that DnDBeyond has added some valuable features to the content, like linking and searching, the core content has not changed and is not original and the price should reflect that. With decent software and database development (even using off-the-shelf software resources), the aforementioned features can be relatively easily implemented across all of the content anyway.
I fully support reasonable retail prices for original content, or the creation of a marketplace to allow the publication of original content with platform fees for the site. Further, I agree that it does make perfect sense for all of the value-added tools, etc. to be behind a membership paywall, since this does reflect real, original IP of DnDBeyond. I also agree that it makes sense to pay for a digital copy even if you own a paper copy. But digital copies of the books should definitely be significantly cheaper than their paper counterparts, whether or not the buyer owns the paper counterpart. A good analogy here would be a book purchased from Amazon in Kindle format, or B&N in nook format (if that still exists...). These are almost universally cheaper than their paper counterparts. Why? Because the content has already been produced by an author and publisher, and is simply adapted to the digital format. There are no printing costs, etc., and no original creative work to produce the asset. And the result includes valuable features, like searchable digital notetaking, hyperlinking to pages and sections, and a baked in dictionary and sometimes even notations.
The price here is $20 for the kindle/nook equivalent “compendium only” content. You tell me where you can get any of these books in print brand new for $17-$18 (that’s your “10%-15% under” $20) and I’ll go buy them right now and sell them on eBay for $25 a pop (+S&H) all day long. If you really want to compare apples to apples, that’s the “compendium only,” which only costs $20 here. AFAIK, that’s the cheapest there is anywhere, and comes with a free app to download them to. (At least the cheapest that didn’t fall off the back of a truck.)
The extra $10 for the “full version” priced at $29.99 with the interactive everything doesn’t go towards the purchase of the compendium, it pays for this website’s interactive everything and the server space to store it all.
I understand that you are a fanboy, and that's fine. Again, I am only stating facts. The compendium only content is indeed a lower price, but it is not the equivalent of the e-book analogy - because the e-book does, in fact, provide the additional features such as searching, notation, definition, cross reference, etc. Further, when I buy that digital book, I have a permanent digital copy in my possession - mine, offline, forever.
My 10-15% was a guess based on classic core rules books (the old faithful set, consistent since I began playing what was then "AD&D" in 1e): PHB, DMG, MM. I purchased the special edition of these books, as a set in a slipcase with a DM screen for $80. This is right now $85.99 on Amazon. These books are not available as a bundle on DnDBeyond, and to acquire them I would pay $29.99 each. This is a total of $89.97. The difference between what I paid and this amount is 11.1%. The difference between that total and the current Amazon price is indeed only about 4.5% - however, I did not scour the internet looking for a deal, nor is that the crux of my criticism.
If I purchase the 'compendium only' content, may I download it to my device? Yes - but only in the companion mobile app, not on a computer. That is not 'owned' content, it is a license to use the content only on the platform, and in a practical application at the computer, only while online. It is permanent for only as long as the site and service exist and are well-maintained - especially that extra $10 'worth.' In this case, I would compare that $60 required to buy the 'compendium only' content to the $0 it would cost me to borrow the books from a library, or a friend, or during a gaming session at my local store. Not mine to keep, just mine to use... $0 is a 100% discount off of $60.
As for integration with other tools, why should those be tied to a purchase of the digital content, rather than to a membership subscription, if they require hosting space and upkeep? Again, I am a subscriber to the site - I am just critical of their pricing for these specific digital assets. A further important point here - for every other site and service that provides digital media and for which I have a premium subscription, access to critical content is included in the subscription. It is not à la carte as it is here. Especially shady when it comes to a "master level subscription" that does not allow you to create characters of many playable races unless you purchase additional digital content at a premium... that's a lot like a $60 video game that is full of microtransactions that are functional rather than cosmetic. In other words, if the extra $10/book is just to make them work with the site, and pay the upkeep costs you describe (as someone who has maintained group servers for everything from forums to games previously, I understand and appreciate this expense), then what is the extra $60/year for?
Again, I think this is a cool site, and it is facilitating new generations of players getting into D&D, which is great. Unfortunately, the pricing model is not really consistent with the value proposition, and I hope they find a way to tweak it in the future. At present, it would seem the only real reason to subscribe is if you also intend to invest hundreds of dollars in the digital content they are selling in their marketplace, at premium prices, exclusive to the use of this specific platform. That is what I am saying. Clearly from the comments on this forum, this is not an uncommon sentiment - I don't think it is that people don't understand that producing valuable digital content costs money. It is that the pricing for platform specific content here is too high for the value proposition. Selling a single unit of the PHB for $29.99 does not create any appreciable incremental expense for the site - likely fractions of a penny.
A more reasonable pricing model would be to charge the 'compendium' price for all of the books sold through the marketplace, and put the integrated tools behind the paywall. This way, premium subscribers are getting something for what they pay - instead of the right to use something that costs even more to buy, at prices above the common retail price for a hard copy.
Especially shady when it comes to a "master level subscription" that does not allow you to create characters of many playable races unless you purchase additional digital content at a premium... that's a lot like a $60 video game that is full of microtransactions that are functional rather than cosmetic.
Not really - it's like buying World of Warcraft at retail price and then having to pay a $15/month subscription fee to even login... which is exactly how that business model worked.
D&D Beyond is a luxury service for those who desire the convenience of digital gameplay and management. If you don't find value in that, it is 100% alright. However, this pricing model has been in place for roughly 5 years now; I don't see it changing in the short term. The cost of these services vs consumer value is perspective-based to each of us individually. I would reckon that there's enough demand for the product with the current pricing model to keep the ship afloat, but that's just my 2¢.
To each their own. Physical books always remain an option.
I understand that you are a fanboy, and that's fine. Again, I am only stating facts. The compendium only content is indeed a lower price, but it is not the equivalent of the e-book analogy - because the e-book does, in fact, provide the additional features such as searching, notation, definition, cross reference, etc. Further, when I buy that digital book, I have a permanent digital copy in my possession - mine, offline, forever.
That e-book is not attached to a fully interactive character builder. That’s one great big honkin’ feature that you can only get in one place neighbor. 😉 Oh, and the DDB app is offline as well. The only thing there’s no guarantee on is the “forever” part. 🤷♂️ But I won’t be here forever either, so as long as DDB is still around for a few more decades I’ll be okay. But you do you, ain’t nobody twisting your arm to shop here. You’ll have your kindle to use wherever you remember to take it, and I’ll have DDB in my pocket on the phone I’ll already have with me everywhere. I can even play in the forum in my PbP while I’m in the waiting room in doctor’s office, on break at work, anywhere. All with my interactive character sheet and a full library of content. All in my phone. Everywhere. But you do you.
D&D beyond as of today i think is now owned by Wizards Of The Coast. So could the add a feature that we can import our physical books into the digital D&D Beyond format?
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I read through this whole thing and it really made me realize that yes. It can be frustrating to think we're paying for the same thing twice if we want the physical book content to be at our fingertips here. But that's basically the same as buying a physical book and being upset that Audible doesn't let me listen to it because I like to have the book on my shelf but I like the convince of just listening to it. It's not fair to bash D&D Beyond for all the hard work they do because technically you can still use that book, options and stat blocks at your fingertips, but it'll take some work. The same amount of work it would take if you didn't use the site at all. They offer an awesome service with tons of free options which makes getting into the hobby much easier for new players. But yeah you can't eat you cake and have it too. So if you want the content online, but it online. If you want it physical in your hands, get it that way. If you want both, pay the money for both or put the work it to port it in via homebrew. They already let us all stretch enough by allowing the sharing via campaigns the way they do.
Hey I have an idea for dnd physical books. What if when you buy a book from dnd beyond there is a single use code inside the book that you can use to put the book online in dnd beyond. Because I have a couple books that I own physically but wish that I could use the content in the book on dnd beyond. Because it is frustrating to buy the book again on dnd beyond when u already have the book.
I realize that but it would be nice and it’s just a suggestion.
And if you have extra workers or not you could just put a sticker inside the cover of the book and write a little bit of code that’s all I’m saying.
Several issues with this:
-DnD Beyond doesn’t sell physical books
-Even if they did, what you are suggesting would only apply to books purchased from DDB, not those purchased from Amazon or your friendly local gaming store, and that would still cause outrage
-it’s not a simple as “a sticker in a book”, especially if it applied to books available everywhere because:
-software must be developed to generate, track and redeem the codes
-the codes must be protected from theft (if it’s a simple sticker in the front of the book, anyone could take a picture of one from a store and redeem it without buying the book(
-WOTC would have to generate the codes, and coordinate their redemption with DDB (and potentially Fantasy Grounds and Role20)
-DDB pays licensing fees to WOTC for the use of their content; so you are asking them to take a loss on every “book” they would give access to through such a program. Remember, they don’t sell physical books, so they get no money from such sales; if you were able to redeem a coupon from the book, they would still have to pay the licensing fees for it, but get nothing from you for it.
-Ultimately, this is out of DDB’s hands: if you want this to happen you need to lobby WOTC, not DDB
Trying to Decide if DDB is for you? A few helpful threads: A Buyer's Guide to DDB; What I/We Bought and Why; How some DMs use DDB; A Newer Thread on Using DDB to Play
Helpful threads on other topics: Homebrew FAQ by IamSposta; Accessing Content by ConalTheGreat;
Check your entitlements here. | Support Ticket LInk
ok ok it was just a suggestion I didn't know I'm sorry
All that said though I think everyone on D&D Beyond would love that. Much like I can buy a Blue Ray anywhere and still use a code to put the digital copy on Vudu. Just because this isn't set up yet doesn't mean it never can be. Likewise I wonder the possibility of Beyond supplying a pdf code to be able to easily pay to print out a full physical copy of a book purchased digitally through them. Obviously no one wants bootleg copies going out or placed online but a single use code that could be sent to a print shop etc would he another solve for this dilemma.
Honestly for me the hardest thing is using an adventure book online while trying to run through everything else. Only have so many screens and a physical book helps when you need to add little sticky notes etc so you don't have to stop and read so much right out of the book.
As always live what Beyond does and all the work they already do to integrate the physical and digital formats of this great game we all love.
Ok let me pay the licensing fee and enter a code.
You can do this without a code. Just buy from marketplace. You can get the full version which includes character sheet automations or you can buy only the select things you need or a Compendium Only version (a digital version of the book, without sheet options).
Click ✨ HERE ✨ For My Youtube Videos featuring Guides, Tips & Tricks for using D&D Beyond.
Need help with Homebrew? Check out ✨ this FAQ/Guide thread ✨ by IamSposta.
well In a way ddb is asking for your money twice . books and sub , and yes there are some good functions like character creator but hey that is one of the few actual features and you can do it for 3 and they do not want to go full vtt which is shame real shame. as it would pulled for them so many new customers and we would not need to go to others . Look I do have a DM sub but as soon as ill have really good VTT that is user friendly I am out.
As I have said with what they have it is clear that DDB knows how to make good stuff and they could be the king of the hill but they did chose to not to and in this day and age it is about the money so hopefully they will get to their senses and introduce great vtt. At which time there is not going to be a single question to not to buy the stuff on the market here...
So can I then print out the book I will buy here? for my self to have a physical copy?
Dndbeyond is not asking for your money twice. Dndbeyond charges a contracted rate for digital access to licensed content. Dndbeyond also offers their own subscription services to several useful website features. The two products are completely different as you would be paying for different things. I believe you are being unfair in saying they are asking for your money twice.
I believe you're also complaining that dndbeyond's lack of a virtual table top is a hinderance to their business model and that might be true as well. For the products they are offering (digital access to licensed content AND integration of that digital content into their proprietary character sheet tool) they are offering a great deal compared to other options out there, especially when you consider the ease of use dndbeyond provides.
How to: Replace DEX in your AC | Jump & Suffocation stats | Build a (Spell & class effect buff system | Wild Shape effect system) | Tool Proficiencies as Custom Skills | Spells at higher levels explained | Superior Fighting/Martial Adept Fix | Snippet Codes Explored - Subclasses | Snippet Math Theory | Homebrew Weapons Explained
Check out my: FEATS | MAGIC ITEMS | MONSTERS | SUBCLASSES Artificer Specialist: Weaveblade
Dndbeyond images not loading A PERMANENT WORKAROUND!!! (thank you Jay_Lane)
Nothing is stopping you from printing web pages from any website.
How to: Replace DEX in your AC | Jump & Suffocation stats | Build a (Spell & class effect buff system | Wild Shape effect system) | Tool Proficiencies as Custom Skills | Spells at higher levels explained | Superior Fighting/Martial Adept Fix | Snippet Codes Explored - Subclasses | Snippet Math Theory | Homebrew Weapons Explained
Check out my: FEATS | MAGIC ITEMS | MONSTERS | SUBCLASSES Artificer Specialist: Weaveblade
Dndbeyond images not loading A PERMANENT WORKAROUND!!! (thank you Jay_Lane)
But you may well discover that printing out all the pages on your own costs more in ink and paper than purchasing the physical book would.
Trying to Decide if DDB is for you? A few helpful threads: A Buyer's Guide to DDB; What I/We Bought and Why; How some DMs use DDB; A Newer Thread on Using DDB to Play
Helpful threads on other topics: Homebrew FAQ by IamSposta; Accessing Content by ConalTheGreat;
Check your entitlements here. | Support Ticket LInk
And it won’t be as nice.
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting
I don't disagree that you should have to pay for digital content purchased on DnDBeyond, but the pricing for the source content is actually pretty high, and your argument here is specious. Comparing MSRP on the WoC site to the price on DnDBeyond is ludicrous, and your flippant "I'm sure you could get better deals on that..." comment constitutes hyperbolic understatement - all of the 5E sourcebooks are available brand new from various online sellers for under (often 10-15% or more) the retail prices for the digital books on DnDBeyond. In fact, for the prices here, one could still save money buying the special edition sourcebooks with foil covers and DM screen in slipcase! The only exception is if you want to go in $400+ on one of the large bundles, which gets you some reasonable savings. While I agree that DnDBeyond has added some valuable features to the content, like linking and searching, the core content has not changed and is not original and the price should reflect that. With decent software and database development (even using off-the-shelf software resources), the aforementioned features can be relatively easily implemented across all of the content anyway.
I fully support reasonable retail prices for original content, or the creation of a marketplace to allow the publication of original content with platform fees for the site. Further, I agree that it does make perfect sense for all of the value-added tools, etc. to be behind a membership paywall, since this does reflect real, original IP of DnDBeyond. I also agree that it makes sense to pay for a digital copy even if you own a paper copy. But digital copies of the books should definitely be significantly cheaper than their paper counterparts, whether or not the buyer owns the paper counterpart. A good analogy here would be a book purchased from Amazon in Kindle format, or B&N in nook format (if that still exists...). These are almost universally cheaper than their paper counterparts. Why? Because the content has already been produced by an author and publisher, and is simply adapted to the digital format. There are no printing costs, etc., and no original creative work to produce the asset. And the result includes valuable features, like searchable digital notetaking, hyperlinking to pages and sections, and a baked in dictionary and sometimes even notations.
The price here is $20 for the kindle/nook equivalent “compendium only” content. You tell me where you can get any of these books in print brand new for $17-$18 (that’s your “10%-15% under” $20) and I’ll go buy them right now and sell them on eBay for $25 a pop (+S&H) all day long. If you really want to compare apples to apples, that’s the “compendium only,” which only costs $20 here. AFAIK, that’s the cheapest there is anywhere, and comes with a free app to download them to. (At least the cheapest that didn’t fall off the back of a truck.)
The extra $10 for the “full version” priced at $29.99 with the interactive everything doesn’t go towards the purchase of the compendium, it pays for this website’s interactive everything and the server space to store it all.
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting
I understand that you are a fanboy, and that's fine. Again, I am only stating facts. The compendium only content is indeed a lower price, but it is not the equivalent of the e-book analogy - because the e-book does, in fact, provide the additional features such as searching, notation, definition, cross reference, etc. Further, when I buy that digital book, I have a permanent digital copy in my possession - mine, offline, forever.
My 10-15% was a guess based on classic core rules books (the old faithful set, consistent since I began playing what was then "AD&D" in 1e): PHB, DMG, MM. I purchased the special edition of these books, as a set in a slipcase with a DM screen for $80. This is right now $85.99 on Amazon. These books are not available as a bundle on DnDBeyond, and to acquire them I would pay $29.99 each. This is a total of $89.97. The difference between what I paid and this amount is 11.1%. The difference between that total and the current Amazon price is indeed only about 4.5% - however, I did not scour the internet looking for a deal, nor is that the crux of my criticism.
If I purchase the 'compendium only' content, may I download it to my device? Yes - but only in the companion mobile app, not on a computer. That is not 'owned' content, it is a license to use the content only on the platform, and in a practical application at the computer, only while online. It is permanent for only as long as the site and service exist and are well-maintained - especially that extra $10 'worth.' In this case, I would compare that $60 required to buy the 'compendium only' content to the $0 it would cost me to borrow the books from a library, or a friend, or during a gaming session at my local store. Not mine to keep, just mine to use... $0 is a 100% discount off of $60.
As for integration with other tools, why should those be tied to a purchase of the digital content, rather than to a membership subscription, if they require hosting space and upkeep? Again, I am a subscriber to the site - I am just critical of their pricing for these specific digital assets. A further important point here - for every other site and service that provides digital media and for which I have a premium subscription, access to critical content is included in the subscription. It is not à la carte as it is here. Especially shady when it comes to a "master level subscription" that does not allow you to create characters of many playable races unless you purchase additional digital content at a premium... that's a lot like a $60 video game that is full of microtransactions that are functional rather than cosmetic. In other words, if the extra $10/book is just to make them work with the site, and pay the upkeep costs you describe (as someone who has maintained group servers for everything from forums to games previously, I understand and appreciate this expense), then what is the extra $60/year for?
Again, I think this is a cool site, and it is facilitating new generations of players getting into D&D, which is great. Unfortunately, the pricing model is not really consistent with the value proposition, and I hope they find a way to tweak it in the future. At present, it would seem the only real reason to subscribe is if you also intend to invest hundreds of dollars in the digital content they are selling in their marketplace, at premium prices, exclusive to the use of this specific platform. That is what I am saying. Clearly from the comments on this forum, this is not an uncommon sentiment - I don't think it is that people don't understand that producing valuable digital content costs money. It is that the pricing for platform specific content here is too high for the value proposition. Selling a single unit of the PHB for $29.99 does not create any appreciable incremental expense for the site - likely fractions of a penny.
A more reasonable pricing model would be to charge the 'compendium' price for all of the books sold through the marketplace, and put the integrated tools behind the paywall. This way, premium subscribers are getting something for what they pay - instead of the right to use something that costs even more to buy, at prices above the common retail price for a hard copy.
Not really - it's like buying World of Warcraft at retail price and then having to pay a $15/month subscription fee to even login... which is exactly how that business model worked.
D&D Beyond is a luxury service for those who desire the convenience of digital gameplay and management. If you don't find value in that, it is 100% alright. However, this pricing model has been in place for roughly 5 years now; I don't see it changing in the short term. The cost of these services vs consumer value is perspective-based to each of us individually. I would reckon that there's enough demand for the product with the current pricing model to keep the ship afloat, but that's just my 2¢.
To each their own. Physical books always remain an option.
That e-book is not attached to a fully interactive character builder. That’s one great big honkin’ feature that you can only get in one place neighbor. 😉 Oh, and the DDB app is offline as well. The only thing there’s no guarantee on is the “forever” part. 🤷♂️ But I won’t be here forever either, so as long as DDB is still around for a few more decades I’ll be okay. But you do you, ain’t nobody twisting your arm to shop here. You’ll have your kindle to use wherever you remember to take it, and I’ll have DDB in my pocket on the phone I’ll already have with me everywhere. I can even play in the forum in my PbP while I’m in the waiting room in doctor’s office, on break at work, anywhere. All with my interactive character sheet and a full library of content. All in my phone. Everywhere. But you do you.
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting
Thanks
D&D beyond as of today i think is now owned by Wizards Of The Coast. So could the add a feature that we can import our physical books into the digital D&D Beyond format?