Kindof as an aside, I wonder how many physical copies are sold in Brick n Mortar stores any more compared to online sellers? Amazon being the obvious one but there are a lot of specialists as well. I think you can safely say, that online is generally significantly discounted on RRP which Brick n Mortar shops generally use. Amazon can easily handle some sort of code system, and do so all the time for console and PC games. Preorder codes etc.
Personally I think that the sale of physical books is going to greatly diminish and perhaps fade away in general in favour of services like DnD Beyond. I'm still buying physical copies but to be honest, I don't use them other than for decoration on my shelves. The tools on digital make it so much more powerful than dead tree.
We don't need to support amazon/big box stores anymore given they already get exceptions from MAP already. In my area most of the local playgroups buy their books from the LGS since you usually can get them faster than online. Plus most of my friends really like the hobby editions which is LGS only.
DDB is nice but its better as a compliment to the physical books than a replacement. Don't wanna get sidetracked by basically when you "buy" a book digitally you don't own you merely have access as long as the provider supports it. For example WOTC could decide to use another company or bring the online portal in house and then your unlocked content gets wiped away. But buying a physical book you own it indefinitely. Don't get me wrong DDB is a great tool but its best used in conjunction with the books. My view comes from past experience with WOTC other digital products where they changed providers frequently causing you to start all over again.
That would require the stores to change their till systems to support code generation as point of sale. A lot of smaller stores use whitelabel payment software that can't support this, or older till systems.
I wonder if there could be a way similar to what gamestop and target do with codes where once you buy the item the code is actually printed on the receipt. This is how I got minecraft from gamestop back in the day and untitled goose game on the switch from target more recently. I know it would require working with retailers but who knows, it could even work in some retailers favor to help entice more purchases from them directly.
edit - I totally missed someone recommeding this already lol
I wonder if there could be a way similar to what gamestop and target do with codes where once you buy the item the code is actually printed on the receipt. This is how I got minecraft from gamestop back in the day and untitled goose game on the switch from target more recently. I know it would require working with retailers but who knows, it could even work in some retailers favor to help entice more purchases from them directly.
edit - I totally missed someone recommeding this already lol
The challenge is that Gamestop and Target are chains, and their respective HQs have control over how the POS (Point of Sale) machines work: all the Target POS machines are programmed the same way; ditto for Gamestop. But D&D books are sold at all sorts of different shops, some of which are chains like Target, others of which--like most local FLGSs (Friendly Local Gaming Stores)--are Mom & Pop places or small chains, each with its on POS system, and no centralized control center for all of them. The logistics for making it work are extensive and complicated, therefore making it expensive. Not to mention that it doesn't deal with the reality that DDB and WOTC are different companies.
what would be a good idea is to keep a digital record of the cereal numbers of each book and if a valid number is put into some kind of redemption software, it causes a digital copy to be placed onto the account that the code was put into.
what would be a good idea is to keep a digital record of the cereal numbers of each book and if a valid number is put into some kind of redemption software, it causes a digital copy to be placed onto the account that the code was put into.
With D&D Beyond operating as a re-seller, they are equivelant to a FLGS. This means that if WOTC offered codes for free digital content, they would need to pay or finance D&D Beyond for their efforts in digital conversion and toolset development. This is an extra expense to WOTC with zero additional income. Similarly, if one purchased digital content, it would serve no financial sense to have them walk into a book store and receive a physical copy for free.
what would be a good idea is to keep a digital record of the cereal numbers of each book and if a valid number is put into some kind of redemption software, it causes a digital copy to be placed onto the account that the code was put into.
It should also be noted that the numbers printed inside the books aren't unique. All copies of the Player's Handbook have the exact same ISBM, and the printing reference is the same through all books of the same printing. There are no unique reference numbers in the books at all.
easiest solution would be just to give the codes to the LGS to hand out when the books are purchased. They don't need to package them with the book. This is already standard operating procedure with other WOTC products so it would be a fairly easy transition. FNM giveaways are done very much the same way in the MTG world so more than likely the stores would already be accustomed to this. No worries about the store pocketing the codes or reselling them as that would be a WPN violation and could cost them the ability to sell any WOTC products. Very similar to what happens to street date offenders.
easiest solution would be just to give the codes to the LGS to hand out when the books are purchased. They don't need to package them with the book. This is already standard operating procedure with other WOTC products so it would be a fairly easy transition. FNM giveaways are done very much the same way in the MTG world so more than likely the stores would already be accustomed to this. No worries about the store pocketing the codes or reselling them as that would be a WPN violation and could cost them the ability to sell any WOTC products. Very similar to what happens to street date offenders.
Except codes are terrible from a loss prevention point of view, a loss the gaming store has to absorb. You can mitigate this with point of sale authentication, but that requires the gaming store to install these systems at their pos. Both of these are immediately hurting small gaming stores.
easiest solution would be just to give the codes to the LGS to hand out when the books are purchased. They don't need to package them with the book. This is already standard operating procedure with other WOTC products so it would be a fairly easy transition. FNM giveaways are done very much the same way in the MTG world so more than likely the stores would already be accustomed to this. No worries about the store pocketing the codes or reselling them as that would be a WPN violation and could cost them the ability to sell any WOTC products. Very similar to what happens to street date offenders.
Except codes are terrible from a loss prevention point of view, a loss the gaming store has to absorb. You can mitigate this with point of sale authentication, but that requires the gaming store to install these systems at their pos. Both of these are immediately hurting small gaming stores.
what system? there is no system WOTC uses actual pre packaged plastic sleeves for all of their FNM giveaways just put the codes in those. They are held behind the counter when someone buys a book you give them the packaged code. Again this isn't even a change as WOTC already does this with magic
D&D books will never feature codes for DDB due to a taxation reason in the US and outside it (among other reasons).
We might see boxed sets (physically sealed like the Essential Kit, MTG packages, etc) featuring virtual activation on DDB and other platforms in the future. But not books.
The developer of this site has made a few transitions, from independent to Twitch (Amazon) to Fandom (Wikia). It probably would have been easier to work in content codes on physical media during the Twitch phase rather than now, seeing as Amazon could have easily supported that with existing infrastructure. I don't know what, if any, experience Fandom has with mixed media and/or marketing. They seem to be more into managing this stuff rather than developing it or creating cross content platforms. I really doubt we will ever see a good implementation of a code system that works with anything other than boxed game expansions. The expertise just doesn't seem to exist at this point.
In my opinion, I think this will fall under the category of "WotC Technological Shortfalls.' It isn't the first time they've slipped up outsourcing development or management of their IP (Sword Coast Legends, Pool of Radiance: Ruins of Myth Drannor, Iron & Blood: Warriors of Ravenloft, etc.). I don't fault them in any way, as they are dedicated to their function as a designer/developer of kick-ass table top and card games. They're really good at that and don't want to thin that expertise just to jump into video games or other technologies, but understandably don't want to miss out on that medium, so they license out or contract with outfits like Curse LLC or Fandom to try and cover that end. I just wish them better luck with it in the future.
Maybe have the code in the book, but apply a similar idea that gift cards have, so that it only works once purchased.
The problem with this is the gift card activation system. I've worked with these systems when I did retail and they're not cheap. They're either bespoke pieces of software or hardware that ties into the gift card companies verification system, meaning when you buy a card, it's basically just a piece of plastic with a magnetic strip. The clerk then swipes the card, authenticates it with the service, and applies the value.
These systems are not cheap and not trivial to get installed. I can assure you that most gaming stores would not get such a system installed just to support a single product tie.
Honestly I think the simple thing people seem to not connect correctly is the fact that they think getting a online code and a hard copy will be the same price s it is now. Which is not going to be the case. It might be technically slightly cheaper than currently the price of buying the book and buying access on DDB. But the price is still going to go up if they did indeed combine these two items. So wanting the code in the book is going to be just like buying a book and pdf. Maybe like a 10% discount by buying together. But it won't be a s "cheap" as I think many people want it to be.
Funny this thread is seeing some recent activity. How about this as a concept.
what if Beyond added a “Master Tier of Everything” level. $99 a year and you get access to everything on the site, but only as long as your subscription is active?
That would be a decision Wizards of the Coast would have to make as D&D Beyond can't dictate the terms of how they distribute Wizard's content. WotC did subscription models for the previous edition and, from all accounts, it wasn't a very positive outcome.
We don't need to support amazon/big box stores anymore given they already get exceptions from MAP already. In my area most of the local playgroups buy their books from the LGS since you usually can get them faster than online. Plus most of my friends really like the hobby editions which is LGS only.
DDB is nice but its better as a compliment to the physical books than a replacement. Don't wanna get sidetracked by basically when you "buy" a book digitally you don't own you merely have access as long as the provider supports it. For example WOTC could decide to use another company or bring the online portal in house and then your unlocked content gets wiped away. But buying a physical book you own it indefinitely. Don't get me wrong DDB is a great tool but its best used in conjunction with the books. My view comes from past experience with WOTC other digital products where they changed providers frequently causing you to start all over again.
treat it like certain gift cards, the download code is on the receipt
That would require the stores to change their till systems to support code generation as point of sale. A lot of smaller stores use whitelabel payment software that can't support this, or older till systems.
Find my D&D Beyond articles here
Start with the stores that can! Help other stores convert
I wonder if there could be a way similar to what gamestop and target do with codes where once you buy the item the code is actually printed on the receipt. This is how I got minecraft from gamestop back in the day and untitled goose game on the switch from target more recently. I know it would require working with retailers but who knows, it could even work in some retailers favor to help entice more purchases from them directly.
edit - I totally missed someone recommeding this already lol
Full of rice, beans, and bad ideas.
The challenge is that Gamestop and Target are chains, and their respective HQs have control over how the POS (Point of Sale) machines work: all the Target POS machines are programmed the same way; ditto for Gamestop. But D&D books are sold at all sorts of different shops, some of which are chains like Target, others of which--like most local FLGSs (Friendly Local Gaming Stores)--are Mom & Pop places or small chains, each with its on POS system, and no centralized control center for all of them. The logistics for making it work are extensive and complicated, therefore making it expensive. Not to mention that it doesn't deal with the reality that DDB and WOTC are different companies.
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
what would be a good idea is to keep a digital record of the cereal numbers of each book and if a valid number is put into some kind of redemption software, it causes a digital copy to be placed onto the account that the code was put into.
With D&D Beyond operating as a re-seller, they are equivelant to a FLGS. This means that if WOTC offered codes for free digital content, they would need to pay or finance D&D Beyond for their efforts in digital conversion and toolset development. This is an extra expense to WOTC with zero additional income. Similarly, if one purchased digital content, it would serve no financial sense to have them walk into a book store and receive a physical copy for free.
It should also be noted that the numbers printed inside the books aren't unique. All copies of the Player's Handbook have the exact same ISBM, and the printing reference is the same through all books of the same printing. There are no unique reference numbers in the books at all.
Find my D&D Beyond articles here
easiest solution would be just to give the codes to the LGS to hand out when the books are purchased. They don't need to package them with the book. This is already standard operating procedure with other WOTC products so it would be a fairly easy transition. FNM giveaways are done very much the same way in the MTG world so more than likely the stores would already be accustomed to this. No worries about the store pocketing the codes or reselling them as that would be a WPN violation and could cost them the ability to sell any WOTC products. Very similar to what happens to street date offenders.
Except codes are terrible from a loss prevention point of view, a loss the gaming store has to absorb. You can mitigate this with point of sale authentication, but that requires the gaming store to install these systems at their pos. Both of these are immediately hurting small gaming stores.
Find my D&D Beyond articles here
what system? there is no system WOTC uses actual pre packaged plastic sleeves for all of their FNM giveaways just put the codes in those. They are held behind the counter when someone buys a book you give them the packaged code. Again this isn't even a change as WOTC already does this with magic
D&D books will never feature codes for DDB due to a taxation reason in the US and outside it (among other reasons).
We might see boxed sets (physically sealed like the Essential Kit, MTG packages, etc) featuring virtual activation on DDB and other platforms in the future. But not books.
The developer of this site has made a few transitions, from independent to Twitch (Amazon) to Fandom (Wikia). It probably would have been easier to work in content codes on physical media during the Twitch phase rather than now, seeing as Amazon could have easily supported that with existing infrastructure. I don't know what, if any, experience Fandom has with mixed media and/or marketing. They seem to be more into managing this stuff rather than developing it or creating cross content platforms. I really doubt we will ever see a good implementation of a code system that works with anything other than boxed game expansions. The expertise just doesn't seem to exist at this point.
In my opinion, I think this will fall under the category of "WotC Technological Shortfalls.' It isn't the first time they've slipped up outsourcing development or management of their IP (Sword Coast Legends, Pool of Radiance: Ruins of Myth Drannor, Iron & Blood: Warriors of Ravenloft, etc.). I don't fault them in any way, as they are dedicated to their function as a designer/developer of kick-ass table top and card games. They're really good at that and don't want to thin that expertise just to jump into video games or other technologies, but understandably don't want to miss out on that medium, so they license out or contract with outfits like Curse LLC or Fandom to try and cover that end. I just wish them better luck with it in the future.
Maybe have the code in the book, but apply a similar idea that gift cards have, so that it only works once purchased.
That is what I want! A box of stuff which includes digital and a physical book
Cause I want both but my wallet cries
I mean I wait for bundles to go on sale
The problem with this is the gift card activation system. I've worked with these systems when I did retail and they're not cheap. They're either bespoke pieces of software or hardware that ties into the gift card companies verification system, meaning when you buy a card, it's basically just a piece of plastic with a magnetic strip. The clerk then swipes the card, authenticates it with the service, and applies the value.
These systems are not cheap and not trivial to get installed. I can assure you that most gaming stores would not get such a system installed just to support a single product tie.
Find my D&D Beyond articles here
Honestly I think the simple thing people seem to not connect correctly is the fact that they think getting a online code and a hard copy will be the same price s it is now. Which is not going to be the case. It might be technically slightly cheaper than currently the price of buying the book and buying access on DDB. But the price is still going to go up if they did indeed combine these two items. So wanting the code in the book is going to be just like buying a book and pdf. Maybe like a 10% discount by buying together. But it won't be a s "cheap" as I think many people want it to be.
Funny this thread is seeing some recent activity. How about this as a concept.
what if Beyond added a “Master Tier of Everything” level. $99 a year and you get access to everything on the site, but only as long as your subscription is active?
That would be a decision Wizards of the Coast would have to make as D&D Beyond can't dictate the terms of how they distribute Wizard's content. WotC did subscription models for the previous edition and, from all accounts, it wasn't a very positive outcome.
Find my D&D Beyond articles here