I know that there is no feisable way for Wizards to know what books we've purchased. That said, how will things like the DM's guide and Volo's factor into D&D Beyond. It looks like currently only SRD data in listed, which I can understand. Just curious as to if there will be a subscription or a flat fee to purchase additional material. I know Fantasy Grounds has all the officially published data for purchase that integrates well into their client.
I am also curious about if my players will need to purchase anything, or if me having some sort of DM license will allow them to access content. I can see this product dying if the DM has to purchase content, then the players need to turn around and purchase parts of the same content again.
This is definitely one of the things I'm worried about as well, but frankly, even if I end up just using the site for SRD content, I'm already happy with where it is for that.
The 4th Edition material, tool, and Dragon Magazine was an individual subscription base. I think they should offer a tiered service myself.
Basic - Cost Free - 1 Character Sheet store, Access to basic rules (already free)
AD&D Player - Cost $5/mo - 5 Character Sheets, Access to Compendium materials (Basic & PHB Classes etc)
The Elitist - Cost $10/mo - Unlimited Character Sheets, Full Compendium Access (Basic, PHB, Monster Manual)
DM Monthly - Cost $15 - Unlimited Character Sheets, Full Compendium Access, and a monthly Module/Adventure (this would also start a catalog of new content)
This way even DM levels will have to buy campaign materials or brew at home using the tools/info on online.
The Whole Shebang - One time fee $300 - DM level access and the inclusion of all Campaign content released for the campaign cycle, with a renewal fee for each new campaign cycle release.
This would be the best value for dedicated D&D players as at $50 per manual your already saving money especially if you get the same material as the DM Guide, PHB, Monster Manual, adn Treasure books, then pile on the 3 to 4 campaign books as well for single cycle.
Basic - Cost Free - 1 Character Sheet store, Access to basic rules (already free)
I know pricing and things is something they've said they very much need to work on, but I want to publicly state that limiting the character builder that heavily would not interest me in subscribing, but instead just send me to any of the countless other ways of tracking character sheets.
Honestly, I was pretty happy with how the D&D Insider subscription worked for 4th Edition. I would be fine if they went that route, as long as we get as much content and usability out of it. That said, since Curse is tied to Amazon, why not use the Amazon login instead of Twitch? Then I could verify my book purchase there, kind of like verifying a game purchase from Humble Bundle in Steam. Of course that leaves brick and mortar stores in the cold a bit, so would be nice to be able to verify those purchases as well.
Isn't rolling up a bunch of different characters to see what you'd want to play what most people do? I will use Fantasy Grounds as an example again. I can share out everything I've purchased to whoever is in my campaign, that allows the players to use the materials I've purchased to make a character for my campaign, we've made dozens just in case a character dies or a player gets bored. I understand Wizards wants to make money off of their product, and I fully support supporting them. The cost structure will make or break D&D Beyond and I really hope it makes it.
Free is free and data storage costs money so there has to be some limit. Previously there wasn't even a free option with D&D content access at all. Offering that up for one character is like a gateway to see if you like it and want to pay for it, or go find your other solution.
And while there are other ways to track character sheets should this service offer premium content integration with rule sets, classes, etc it would by far surpass anything currently available, legally. I mean think of it this way, you have a friend that wants to try D&D what easier way to send him to the free service to make a character with all his options right there to make his character, print the sheet or use the app then show up and get to gaming. Don't like that character scrap 'em and make a new one.
And again that's the FREE version, $5 a month and you get five more, hell make it 10, at least then they having paying customers to cover the cost of data storage.
I feel like a monthly subscription around 5USD would be a very popular option for most players at my tables, I don't think that amount of money is an unreasonable request to avoid purchasing players handbooks, especially for new to tabletop gaming players who might be turned away by a buy-in price over $100 to not borrow from others.
I do however feel that there shouldn't be a separation of all of the available information for character creation in price points, that has a "pay-to-win" feel where if two players sitting at the same table have different sets of information one will feel cheated because they spent less. My model would be a little different:
Basic Package - Access to all spells on lists, feats, classes, races, alternatives, non-magic items and two or three "sheets", 10 homebrews (Items/Feats/Etc).
Advanced Package - Basic + Magic Items, Monsters (Discourages power play by not being in basic), unlimited "sheets", 30 homebrews.
Full Package - Everything, Unlimited homebrew space, a forum badge, and most importantly all the Campaigns.
Prices would probably be from 5USD-10USD-15USD. And there would be an option to purchase campaigns outside of the full package for set fee's in case players wanted to run with only an advanced for a DM.
... DM Monthly - Cost $15 - Unlimited Character Sheets, Full Compendium Access, and a monthly Module/Adventure (this would also start a catalog of new content) ...
I very sincerely hope not. I've already bought at least one copy of every 5E book in hard copy (two copies of the PHB). I'd be willing to pay $5, maybe $10 if the features were really compelling. But anything beyond that won't happen. At that point, I'll use free tools like KFC and use the $15 a month to buy more miniatures.
But all of this is speculation. I hope they arrive at a pricing model we can all live with. I really want to like this app.
There are plenty of models where purchasing a physical book brings with it a digital version (Marvel comics being the first that comes to mind). I could see a future where buying a hardcover D&D book also unlocks the content in D&D Beyond. That would keep local games stores in the loop, as well.
That said, it's all speculation at this point. We shall see what the monetization model is like very soon.
Free is free and data storage costs money so there has to be some limit. Previously there wasn't even a free option with D&D content access at all. Offering that up for one character is like a gateway to see if you like it and want to pay for it, or go find your other solution.
Free IS free, but I think you're vastly overestimating the amount of data that, say, ten character sheets would take up. Compared to the very existence of the forum, I'm sure, a drop in the bucket. And while I certainly only speak for myself, I can honestly say that locking any decent number of characters behind anything but a small, one-time fee would disinterest me from the character builder entirely. The ability to easily reference content is nice, but I'd rather spend a few hours pouring over books than pay for anything less than, say, five or ten character slots.
Let me just put it like this, 4th Editions digital model was simply $15 a month for a character builder, monthly digital magazine (pdf), and Compendium access, ie the Rules. So if for $15 a month you got unlimited character sheets, access to all content digitally, and monthly content moving forward. That would be above and beyond what was in place previously.
As far as getting access to digital content that you already have in printed format, I do not believe that is going to happen. It intrudes on Wizard/Hasbro's sales model so I imagine much like the previous digital offerings they will be separate.
The SRD is useless... we already have that for free on the website in a few different formats. I pray to Oghma that he inspires the developers with way to allow this app to cover all printed and legal information for 5e and not just the SRD, all while not just giving away information to people who don't want to buy the books. What I do know, though, is that whether this is accessible by a one time payment or a subscription format, if the information isn't across all of 5e and not just the SRD, I'm going to lose interest in it incredibly fast. I get there is a bit of a disparity between some players and others. I typically spend more money on books, miniatures, and maps than the rest of the groups I usually play with. Some of my players only own the Player's Handbook and nothing else. Whatever format used would need to accommodate the most number of players... it's a tough call.
I really wish that they had had the forthought to print a unique ID in each book that could be linked to an online account thereby giving WotC a way of verifying purchase, and also having a book tied to a single account. This would also promote people buying books new instead of used since the code would not be transferable.
I really wish this was part of their rollout strategy from the beginning, especially since, I think at this point in the 21st century, you expect the flagship rpg to have digital tools as part of a book purchase.
Re-buying content will never feel good and I suspect could be the single biggest factor that determines the success of DNDBeyond.
What would be wonderful is if they already did, but it's hidden someone on the copyright page and we find out it's been there all along when D&D Beyond goes live.
I really wish that they had had the forthought to print a unique ID in each book that could be linked to an online account thereby giving WotC a way of verifying purchase, and also having a book tied to a single account. This would also promote people buying books new instead of used since the code would not be transferable.
I really wish this was part of their rollout strategy from the beginning, especially since, I think at this point in the 21st century, you expect the flagship rpg to have digital tools as part of a book purchase.
Re-buying content will never feel good and I suspect could be the single biggest factor that determines the success of DNDBeyond.
That would be awesome!
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I know that there is no feisable way for Wizards to know what books we've purchased. That said, how will things like the DM's guide and Volo's factor into D&D Beyond. It looks like currently only SRD data in listed, which I can understand. Just curious as to if there will be a subscription or a flat fee to purchase additional material. I know Fantasy Grounds has all the officially published data for purchase that integrates well into their client.
They tweeted a vague answer to this question, saying the won't force people to rebuy stuff.
I am also curious about if my players will need to purchase anything, or if me having some sort of DM license will allow them to access content. I can see this product dying if the DM has to purchase content, then the players need to turn around and purchase parts of the same content again.
They have been fairly silent on the method they plan to use to monetize this. I could see a few options:
It isn't clear what way they will go, but the twitch involvement makes me think it will be subscription based... We'll see how it shakes out.
This is definitely one of the things I'm worried about as well, but frankly, even if I end up just using the site for SRD content, I'm already happy with where it is for that.
The 4th Edition material, tool, and Dragon Magazine was an individual subscription base. I think they should offer a tiered service myself.
Basic - Cost Free - 1 Character Sheet store, Access to basic rules (already free)
AD&D Player - Cost $5/mo - 5 Character Sheets, Access to Compendium materials (Basic & PHB Classes etc)
The Elitist - Cost $10/mo - Unlimited Character Sheets, Full Compendium Access (Basic, PHB, Monster Manual)
DM Monthly - Cost $15 - Unlimited Character Sheets, Full Compendium Access, and a monthly Module/Adventure (this would also start a catalog of new content)
This way even DM levels will have to buy campaign materials or brew at home using the tools/info on online.
The Whole Shebang - One time fee $300 - DM level access and the inclusion of all Campaign content released for the campaign cycle, with a renewal fee for each new campaign cycle release.
This would be the best value for dedicated D&D players as at $50 per manual your already saving money especially if you get the same material as the DM Guide, PHB, Monster Manual, adn Treasure books, then pile on the 3 to 4 campaign books as well for single cycle.
I mean that would be my vote.
A tauren in a big Browncoat.
Honestly, I was pretty happy with how the D&D Insider subscription worked for 4th Edition. I would be fine if they went that route, as long as we get as much content and usability out of it. That said, since Curse is tied to Amazon, why not use the Amazon login instead of Twitch? Then I could verify my book purchase there, kind of like verifying a game purchase from Humble Bundle in Steam. Of course that leaves brick and mortar stores in the cold a bit, so would be nice to be able to verify those purchases as well.
Isn't rolling up a bunch of different characters to see what you'd want to play what most people do? I will use Fantasy Grounds as an example again. I can share out everything I've purchased to whoever is in my campaign, that allows the players to use the materials I've purchased to make a character for my campaign, we've made dozens just in case a character dies or a player gets bored. I understand Wizards wants to make money off of their product, and I fully support supporting them. The cost structure will make or break D&D Beyond and I really hope it makes it.
Free is free and data storage costs money so there has to be some limit. Previously there wasn't even a free option with D&D content access at all. Offering that up for one character is like a gateway to see if you like it and want to pay for it, or go find your other solution.
And while there are other ways to track character sheets should this service offer premium content integration with rule sets, classes, etc it would by far surpass anything currently available, legally. I mean think of it this way, you have a friend that wants to try D&D what easier way to send him to the free service to make a character with all his options right there to make his character, print the sheet or use the app then show up and get to gaming. Don't like that character scrap 'em and make a new one.
And again that's the FREE version, $5 a month and you get five more, hell make it 10, at least then they having paying customers to cover the cost of data storage.
A tauren in a big Browncoat.
I feel like a monthly subscription around 5USD would be a very popular option for most players at my tables, I don't think that amount of money is an unreasonable request to avoid purchasing players handbooks, especially for new to tabletop gaming players who might be turned away by a buy-in price over $100 to not borrow from others.
I do however feel that there shouldn't be a separation of all of the available information for character creation in price points, that has a "pay-to-win" feel where if two players sitting at the same table have different sets of information one will feel cheated because they spent less. My model would be a little different:
Basic Package - Access to all spells on lists, feats, classes, races, alternatives, non-magic items and two or three "sheets", 10 homebrews (Items/Feats/Etc).
Advanced Package - Basic + Magic Items, Monsters (Discourages power play by not being in basic), unlimited "sheets", 30 homebrews.
Full Package - Everything, Unlimited homebrew space, a forum badge, and most importantly all the Campaigns.
Prices would probably be from 5USD-10USD-15USD. And there would be an option to purchase campaigns outside of the full package for set fee's in case players wanted to run with only an advanced for a DM.
There are plenty of models where purchasing a physical book brings with it a digital version (Marvel comics being the first that comes to mind). I could see a future where buying a hardcover D&D book also unlocks the content in D&D Beyond. That would keep local games stores in the loop, as well.
That said, it's all speculation at this point. We shall see what the monetization model is like very soon.
Let me just put it like this, 4th Editions digital model was simply $15 a month for a character builder, monthly digital magazine (pdf), and Compendium access, ie the Rules. So if for $15 a month you got unlimited character sheets, access to all content digitally, and monthly content moving forward. That would be above and beyond what was in place previously.
As far as getting access to digital content that you already have in printed format, I do not believe that is going to happen. It intrudes on Wizard/Hasbro's sales model so I imagine much like the previous digital offerings they will be separate.
A tauren in a big Browncoat.
The SRD is useless... we already have that for free on the website in a few different formats. I pray to Oghma that he inspires the developers with way to allow this app to cover all printed and legal information for 5e and not just the SRD, all while not just giving away information to people who don't want to buy the books. What I do know, though, is that whether this is accessible by a one time payment or a subscription format, if the information isn't across all of 5e and not just the SRD, I'm going to lose interest in it incredibly fast. I get there is a bit of a disparity between some players and others. I typically spend more money on books, miniatures, and maps than the rest of the groups I usually play with. Some of my players only own the Player's Handbook and nothing else. Whatever format used would need to accommodate the most number of players... it's a tough call.
I really wish that they had had the forthought to print a unique ID in each book that could be linked to an online account thereby giving WotC a way of verifying purchase, and also having a book tied to a single account. This would also promote people buying books new instead of used since the code would not be transferable.
I really wish this was part of their rollout strategy from the beginning, especially since, I think at this point in the 21st century, you expect the flagship rpg to have digital tools as part of a book purchase.
Re-buying content will never feel good and I suspect could be the single biggest factor that determines the success of DNDBeyond.
What would be wonderful is if they already did, but it's hidden someone on the copyright page and we find out it's been there all along when D&D Beyond goes live.
Is there a way to find out what we need to have or get for this?
Raymond Neill