Now that Wizards of the Coast have joined with DnD Beyond, is there any way to get the online content when you purchase the physical books? Is this being looked into? Does anyone know?
Now that Wizards of the Coast have joined with DnD Beyond, is there any way to get the online content when you purchase the physical books? Is this being looked into? Does anyone know?
No, there have been no announcements or indications that digital content will be freely given away on D&D Beyond for past physical book purchases.
Now that Wizards of the Coast have joined with DnD Beyond, is there any way to get the online content when you purchase the physical books? Is this being looked into? Does anyone know?
Nothing has changed. It is unlikely to change for the next little while. If there is a change in this front, I imagine it would coincide with the 2024 relaunch, if it does change. Regardless, any purchases made before that point will almost certainly be unable to be redeemed - there's no feasible way to know who are the genuine owners of physical media when a system of identifying them wasn't in place.
Perhaps in 2024 things will change and new purchases will give access, but I wouldn't hold my breath - and it's even less likely that such a move wouod happen before then.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
If you're not willing or able to to discuss in good faith, then don't be surprised if I don't respond, there are better things in life for me to do than humour you. This signature is that response.
Wow. I've spent money on the books and now I have to buy them again. Why not just put an access code in the physical material, on the inside? One time use of course.
Wow. I've spent money on the books and now I have to buy them again. Why not just put an access code in the physical material, on the inside? One time use of course.
This has been discussed on numerous threads, you can find an explanation in any of the 60+ replies on a thread like this one here.
Now that Wizards of the Coast have joined with DnD Beyond, is there any way to get the online content when you purchase the physical books? Is this being looked into? Does anyone know?
Dude, if WotC did that, the hobby shops would not be happy. Lets say, WotC gives you a 50% discount to use D&D Beyond with your physical copy you bought from your hobby shop. The hobby shop doesn't see a dime from the digital purchase. Worse, WotC stopped posting any adventurers league meet ups for in store costing the hobby shop sales. Yes they can make it up with card sales, but now its lessening the need for the hobby shop to carry books and minis.
If WOTC sell direct to the end user then WOTC gets more of the profit from each book.
I don't think that they need the hobby shops.
Well hobby shops are where people gather to play D&D. Online is where people are going today. However, you aren't going to see people sticking with D&D they would get playing in person. A lot of people meet and play in hobby shops and it helps the shop get business. I guess WotC thinks that shops will still carry their merch and minis if they aren't getting help from D&D sending players to their shop.
If WOTC sell direct to the end user then WOTC gets more of the profit from each book.
I don't think that they need the hobby shops.
Well hobby shops are where people gather to play D&D. Online is where people are going today. However, you aren't going to see people sticking with D&D they would get playing in person. A lot of people meet and play in hobby shops and it helps the shop get business. I guess WotC thinks that shops will still carry their merch and minis if they aren't getting help from D&D sending players to their shop.
I would think that there are a huge number of people who will play online that wouldn't ever play at a hobby shop. Part of this boils down to the sheer volume of people who can easily play online, but not in person because there isn't a hobby shop or game store anywhere even close to them. I think that many of those people who play online will absolutely keep playing either because they don't have local people to play with, or they don't care about in person vs. online. I happen to live within driving distance of no less than 6 game stores, and of those 4 carry extremely limited D&D merchandise, while 2 have surprisingly strong selections. At least 3 of those shops used to have weekly D&D nights on their calendars. Now, post-pandemic, none of them do. Is this because of WotC freezing out game stores? I have no idea, but between Amazon and the many ways of finding tools and groups for playing online, local game and hobby shops are probably not how the vast majority of people discover D&D, purchase or consume content, or find players or play games. I started playing in the early 80s when hobby shops and game stores were absolutely the only way to get materials and where most of us did at least meet players, if not play at the shop, but those days are definitely long gone.
If WOTC sell direct to the end user then WOTC gets more of the profit from each book.
I don't think that they need the hobby shops.
Well hobby shops are where people gather to play D&D. Online is where people are going today. However, you aren't going to see people sticking with D&D they would get playing in person. A lot of people meet and play in hobby shops and it helps the shop get business. I guess WotC thinks that shops will still carry their merch and minis if they aren't getting help from D&D sending players to their shop.
I would think that there are a huge number of people who will play online that wouldn't ever play at a hobby shop. Part of this boils down to the sheer volume of people who can easily play online, but not in person because there isn't a hobby shop or game store anywhere even close to them. I think that many of those people who play online will absolutely keep playing either because they don't have local people to play with, or they don't care about in person vs. online. I happen to live within driving distance of no less than 6 game stores, and of those 4 carry extremely limited D&D merchandise, while 2 have surprisingly strong selections. At least 3 of those shops used to have weekly D&D nights on their calendars. Now, post-pandemic, none of them do. Is this because of WotC freezing out game stores? I have no idea, but between Amazon and the many ways of finding tools and groups for playing online, local game and hobby shops are probably not how the vast majority of people discover D&D, purchase or consume content, or find players or play games. I started playing in the early 80s when hobby shops and game stores were absolutely the only way to get materials and where most of us did at least meet players, if not play at the shop, but those days are definitely long gone.
My local hobby shop I was doing adventurers league, just put up a shingle, and people would sign up and we'd run a campaign. Now however, that hobby shop is going to require a fair bit of work. We have a more established shop with tables where you can play but its $3/head and that is grating. I get it, no issue for me, however for people not well off its a dick move.
WotC cut adventurers league from their site, its online only now, but the MTG events those are still up, meaning its deliberate. It was a great way of getting new players. I was turning away players from table due to Adventurers league and got requests to start a second group midweek from the owner, but couldn't. Its a deliberate move by WotC to make more money by going online and charging for their content there. I get WotC move, but playing with minis, a grid and friends is a lot better than sitting behind a screen. I say bold move Cotton, lets see how it rolls.
If WOTC sell direct to the end user then WOTC gets more of the profit from each book.
I don't think that they need the hobby shops.
Well hobby shops are where people gather to play D&D. Online is where people are going today. However, you aren't going to see people sticking with D&D they would get playing in person. A lot of people meet and play in hobby shops and it helps the shop get business. I guess WotC thinks that shops will still carry their merch and minis if they aren't getting help from D&D sending players to their shop.
I would think that there are a huge number of people who will play online that wouldn't ever play at a hobby shop. Part of this boils down to the sheer volume of people who can easily play online, but not in person because there isn't a hobby shop or game store anywhere even close to them. I think that many of those people who play online will absolutely keep playing either because they don't have local people to play with, or they don't care about in person vs. online. I happen to live within driving distance of no less than 6 game stores, and of those 4 carry extremely limited D&D merchandise, while 2 have surprisingly strong selections. At least 3 of those shops used to have weekly D&D nights on their calendars. Now, post-pandemic, none of them do. Is this because of WotC freezing out game stores? I have no idea, but between Amazon and the many ways of finding tools and groups for playing online, local game and hobby shops are probably not how the vast majority of people discover D&D, purchase or consume content, or find players or play games. I started playing in the early 80s when hobby shops and game stores were absolutely the only way to get materials and where most of us did at least meet players, if not play at the shop, but those days are definitely long gone.
My local hobby shop I was doing adventurers league, just put up a shingle, and people would sign up and we'd run a campaign. Now however, that hobby shop is going to require a fair bit of work. We have a more established shop with tables where you can play but its $3/head and that is grating. I get it, no issue for me, however for people not well off its a dick move.
WotC cut adventurers league from their site, its online only now, but the MTG events those are still up, meaning its deliberate. It was a great way of getting new players. I was turning away players from table due to Adventurers league and got requests to start a second group midweek from the owner, but couldn't. Its a deliberate move by WotC to make more money by going online and charging for their content there. I get WotC move, but playing with minis, a grid and friends is a lot better than sitting behind a screen. I say bold move Cotton, lets see how it rolls.
While I agree that sitting around a table with friends, rolling real dice is much more enjoyable for me, I don't think that means that people online won't stick with the hobby because they aren't playing at a table. I think it's absolutely possible to have meaningful, enjoyable games online that will be memorable and inspiring for the people playing them. I think many of those people will continue to play online because they enjoy D&D and that's what is available to them. I'd go a step further and say that I imagine that there are probably a significant number of people who, given the experience of IRL and online D&D, would prefer online games. It might be due social anxiety, shyness or insecurity or it might be the ability to create maps and effects with VTTs that would be difficult or impossible at a real life table. My experience in the last few years (not counting pandemic reasons) is that fewer people/games seem to be happening at the FLGS' and hobby shops. While I don't have anything but a best guess at this, I think that most of the stores I've been to survive largely on the MTG sessions, tournaments, etc. more than any other part of their (visible) business. That's just pure conjecture on my part though.
I don't think I've been to a local store in decades. Amazon is cheaper for books and a VTT or my living room is more convenient and considerably more comfortable.
It seems to me that the purchase of D&D Beyond was to internalize electronic book sales rather than just get a small slice of licensing fees. I could be wrong but it makes sense to me. If that is the case, maybe they might do some sort of bundle where you buy the physical book from Beyond and get 20% off the online version or something to the effect. I'm sure whatever they do will be based on how many physical books are moving vs. electronic versions, and where specifically those physical books are moving from (hobby shops, amazon, Wal-Mart, etc.).
Deep down, no matter how you look at it, behind Wizards is Hasbro holding out their hand and waiting for their money.
I have gamed in gaming shops for a long time, usually mom and pop stores, and if they make up pay twice for the content its quite stupid to use both. the game is expensive enough with $50 a book and I have supported them for years, thats a quick way to turn us away from dnd, I play other versions like WoD, Rogue Trader, Star Wars, Star Trek, and Rifts and im sure I can sell my 20+ dnd books to go else where.... Seriously greed from a big company that has had a fallowing is getting carried a way.... The only one you dont have to worry about me going to is Mathfinder aka Pathfinder, tried it have the books and will be the first to go and 2 of the 3 I have havent been opened. So DnD open your eyes, dont get too greedy or loose a lot of people by pushing us away, by the way most of mine are limited edition covers
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
Now that Wizards of the Coast have joined with DnD Beyond, is there any way to get the online content when you purchase the physical books? Is this being looked into? Does anyone know?
No, there have been no announcements or indications that digital content will be freely given away on D&D Beyond for past physical book purchases.
Nothing has changed. It is unlikely to change for the next little while. If there is a change in this front, I imagine it would coincide with the 2024 relaunch, if it does change. Regardless, any purchases made before that point will almost certainly be unable to be redeemed - there's no feasible way to know who are the genuine owners of physical media when a system of identifying them wasn't in place.
Perhaps in 2024 things will change and new purchases will give access, but I wouldn't hold my breath - and it's even less likely that such a move wouod happen before then.
If you're not willing or able to to discuss in good faith, then don't be surprised if I don't respond, there are better things in life for me to do than humour you. This signature is that response.
Thank you all
Welp that sucks for me
Wow. I've spent money on the books and now I have to buy them again. Why not just put an access code in the physical material, on the inside? One time use of course.
This has been discussed on numerous threads, you can find an explanation in any of the 60+ replies on a thread like this one here.
BoringBard's long and tedious posts somehow manage to enrapture audiences. How? Because he used Charm Person, the #1 bard spell!
He/him pronouns. Call me Bard. PROUD NERD!
Ever wanted to talk about your parties' worst mistakes? Do so HERE. What's your favorite class, why? Share & explain
HERE.What if they set it up so you could buy the physical books on D&DBeyond and then add-on the digital version... just a thought.
While that would work, it cuts out the largest supporter of DnD and TTRPGs; the local gaming store.
Wizards has no reason to want to cut them out of the loop when it comes to connecting with players.
Dude, if WotC did that, the hobby shops would not be happy. Lets say, WotC gives you a 50% discount to use D&D Beyond with your physical copy you bought from your hobby shop. The hobby shop doesn't see a dime from the digital purchase. Worse, WotC stopped posting any adventurers league meet ups for in store costing the hobby shop sales. Yes they can make it up with card sales, but now its lessening the need for the hobby shop to carry books and minis.
https://locator.wizards.com/search?searchType=dnd&query=Seattle, WA, USA&distance=100&page=1&sort=date&sortDirection=asc
If WOTC sell direct to the end user then WOTC gets more of the profit from each book.
I don't think that they need the hobby shops.
Well hobby shops are where people gather to play D&D. Online is where people are going today. However, you aren't going to see people sticking with D&D they would get playing in person. A lot of people meet and play in hobby shops and it helps the shop get business. I guess WotC thinks that shops will still carry their merch and minis if they aren't getting help from D&D sending players to their shop.
I would think that there are a huge number of people who will play online that wouldn't ever play at a hobby shop. Part of this boils down to the sheer volume of people who can easily play online, but not in person because there isn't a hobby shop or game store anywhere even close to them. I think that many of those people who play online will absolutely keep playing either because they don't have local people to play with, or they don't care about in person vs. online. I happen to live within driving distance of no less than 6 game stores, and of those 4 carry extremely limited D&D merchandise, while 2 have surprisingly strong selections. At least 3 of those shops used to have weekly D&D nights on their calendars. Now, post-pandemic, none of them do. Is this because of WotC freezing out game stores? I have no idea, but between Amazon and the many ways of finding tools and groups for playing online, local game and hobby shops are probably not how the vast majority of people discover D&D, purchase or consume content, or find players or play games. I started playing in the early 80s when hobby shops and game stores were absolutely the only way to get materials and where most of us did at least meet players, if not play at the shop, but those days are definitely long gone.
My local hobby shop I was doing adventurers league, just put up a shingle, and people would sign up and we'd run a campaign. Now however, that hobby shop is going to require a fair bit of work. We have a more established shop with tables where you can play but its $3/head and that is grating. I get it, no issue for me, however for people not well off its a dick move.
WotC cut adventurers league from their site, its online only now, but the MTG events those are still up, meaning its deliberate. It was a great way of getting new players. I was turning away players from table due to Adventurers league and got requests to start a second group midweek from the owner, but couldn't. Its a deliberate move by WotC to make more money by going online and charging for their content there. I get WotC move, but playing with minis, a grid and friends is a lot better than sitting behind a screen. I say bold move Cotton, lets see how it rolls.
While I agree that sitting around a table with friends, rolling real dice is much more enjoyable for me, I don't think that means that people online won't stick with the hobby because they aren't playing at a table. I think it's absolutely possible to have meaningful, enjoyable games online that will be memorable and inspiring for the people playing them. I think many of those people will continue to play online because they enjoy D&D and that's what is available to them. I'd go a step further and say that I imagine that there are probably a significant number of people who, given the experience of IRL and online D&D, would prefer online games. It might be due social anxiety, shyness or insecurity or it might be the ability to create maps and effects with VTTs that would be difficult or impossible at a real life table. My experience in the last few years (not counting pandemic reasons) is that fewer people/games seem to be happening at the FLGS' and hobby shops. While I don't have anything but a best guess at this, I think that most of the stores I've been to survive largely on the MTG sessions, tournaments, etc. more than any other part of their (visible) business. That's just pure conjecture on my part though.
I don't think I've been to a local store in decades. Amazon is cheaper for books and a VTT or my living room is more convenient and considerably more comfortable.
It seems to me that the purchase of D&D Beyond was to internalize electronic book sales rather than just get a small slice of licensing fees. I could be wrong but it makes sense to me. If that is the case, maybe they might do some sort of bundle where you buy the physical book from Beyond and get 20% off the online version or something to the effect. I'm sure whatever they do will be based on how many physical books are moving vs. electronic versions, and where specifically those physical books are moving from (hobby shops, amazon, Wal-Mart, etc.).
Deep down, no matter how you look at it, behind Wizards is Hasbro holding out their hand and waiting for their money.
Cough* Physical Digital Bundle * Cough
Things like discounts/bundles have also already been discussed before.
BoringBard's long and tedious posts somehow manage to enrapture audiences. How? Because he used Charm Person, the #1 bard spell!
He/him pronouns. Call me Bard. PROUD NERD!
Ever wanted to talk about your parties' worst mistakes? Do so HERE. What's your favorite class, why? Share & explain
HERE.I have gamed in gaming shops for a long time, usually mom and pop stores, and if they make up pay twice for the content its quite stupid to use both. the game is expensive enough with $50 a book and I have supported them for years, thats a quick way to turn us away from dnd, I play other versions like WoD, Rogue Trader, Star Wars, Star Trek, and Rifts and im sure I can sell my 20+ dnd books to go else where.... Seriously greed from a big company that has had a fallowing is getting carried a way.... The only one you dont have to worry about me going to is Mathfinder aka Pathfinder, tried it have the books and will be the first to go and 2 of the 3 I have havent been opened. So DnD open your eyes, dont get too greedy or loose a lot of people by pushing us away, by the way most of mine are limited edition covers