Just building off the above, Radiant Citadel will be released on July 19th, even later than indicated in the opening post.
Since supply chain really shouldn’t be a factor for digital, would be kind of nice if we could get the book on its initial release date - some revenge for us digital folks who had to wait a few extra months before receiving MMM! (Joking. Mostly.)
WotC always ties the digital to physical release. I've never seen a clear rationale for it other than I think WotC still believes physical is primary and they don't want digital to further impact physical sales. Strixhaven and Fizban's were both delayed (as was the boxed set that first had MMM) and same digital embargo took place.
It's sort of funny, because influencers and reviewers still get their preview copies about a week or so ahead or maybe further (I think those folks get them maybe two weeks ahead with an admonishment that they can;t show or discuss the content until a week out). It's nothing to do with digital vs physical, but it's another wrinkle in the roll out.
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Jander Sunstar is the thinking person's Drizzt, fight me.
WotC always ties the digital to physical release. I've never seen a clear rationale for it other than I think WotC still believes physical is primary and they don't want digital to further impact physical sales. Strixhaven and Fizban's were both delayed (as was the boxed set that first had MMM) and same digital embargo took place.
It's sort of funny, because influencers and reviewers still get their preview copies about a week or so ahead or maybe further (I think those folks get them maybe two weeks ahead with an admonishment that they can;t show or discuss the content until a week out). It's nothing to do with digital vs physical, but it's another wrinkle in the roll out.
In the past, it's probably because physical was WotC's thing. Digital was just them throwing DDB a bone with some risk free profits as a nice aside. Now that digital is WotC's thing too, it'll be interesting if they change tack.
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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.
WotC always ties the digital to physical release. I've never seen a clear rationale for it other than I think WotC still believes physical is primary and they don't want digital to further impact physical sales. Strixhaven and Fizban's were both delayed (as was the boxed set that first had MMM) and same digital embargo took place.
It's sort of funny, because influencers and reviewers still get their preview copies about a week or so ahead or maybe further (I think those folks get them maybe two weeks ahead with an admonishment that they can;t show or discuss the content until a week out). It's nothing to do with digital vs physical, but it's another wrinkle in the roll out.
In the past, it's probably because physical was WotC's thing. Digital was just them throwing DDB a bone with some risk free profits as a nice aside. Now that digital is WotC's thing too, it'll be interesting if they change tack.
I think physical books is still and will still be seen as WotC's main product probably through WOTC PROJEKT D&D 2024 GOLD. Digital is already WotC's thing with Magic, right? I don't really know as I'm not a Magic player; and while it's likely not a perfect analogy, do digital Magic players get new content ahead of the physical card buyers? I don't actually know, but the practices WotC already has in place with Magic may be an indicator.
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Jander Sunstar is the thinking person's Drizzt, fight me.
I'm not a huge Magic person, but buzz I've seen suggests that Wizards went hard on digital for Magic for obvious reasons the last few years but this year they're trying to put the genie back in the bottle and almost completely shift focus back to physical releases. It's apparently hurting a lot of streamers and the like.
I don't really know as I'm not a Magic player; and while it's likely not a perfect analogy, do digital Magic players get new content ahead of the physical card buyers? I don't actually know, but the practices WotC already has in place with Magic may be an indicator.
They get content at the same time as everyone else, though they also receive unique digital-only content consisting of cards whose rules text cannot function in paper Magic (things that maintain bonuses, even if they enter “hidden” zones where in paper you could not know where they were post-shuffle or cheat with them easier).
So, keeping with the “release everything at same time” model from Magic, I expect they’ll keep that for D&D also. Which makes sense - it feels bad to see another group of players get a new shiny toy while you have to wait. (Here’s looking at you, paper MMM.)
I'm not a huge Magic person, but buzz I've seen suggests that Wizards went hard on digital for Magic for obvious reasons the last few years but this year they're trying to put the genie back in the bottle and almost completely shift focus back to physical releases. It's apparently hurting a lot of streamers and the like.
They never really shifted away from paper Magic, and investor documents from Hasbro show that paper Magic is both continuing to grow and is the larger revenue source. There is still a lot of focus on digital in addition to paper - and they seem to have realised that both monetisation systems can coexist. Not sure that’s as relevant to D&D though, since Magic has the advantage of utilising different formats, some of which lend themselves better to paper or digital.
I still don't understand why they are being delayed.
Do we know yet?
It could be supply issue, printing issues, last minute rewrites, the work of a demon with an unspeakable name. It was rather vague, but the email dndbeyond (who is now wotc) stated too much demand for the physical copy and they just didn't make enough gosh darn it. Which i kinda scoff at, because it seems more niche than a core rules book and they haven't had issues printing (or reprinting) those.
I still don't understand why they are being delayed.
Do we know yet?
Wizards is having a lot of problem right now printing product due to paper shortages and rising costs. Just by way of example, based on Q1 2022 earnings reports, Wizards of the Coast generated 9% more revenue in 2021 than in their prior year... but actually pocketed 3% less in profit due to scarcity of paper and other supplies driving up costs. The situation has gotten so bad that Hasbro is investing a huge pile of money in making a strategic paper reserve, so they can have a stockpile to hedge against future supply disruptions--but that is still getting up and running and is likely going to take quite a while to build up.
Given the serious issues they have had with printing, the popularity of the product itself (Candlekeep sold quite well since folks like the "mini adventure you can slide into your homebrew" format, so there's reason to believe this book will be popular also), and the general fact that D&D is getting more popular at a fairly rapid rate driving up demand for each new book, it is hardly surprising that we are seeing some delays, and I would not be surprised if we see more delays in the future if the supply chain issues are not sorted out.
They get content at the same time as everyone else, though they also receive unique digital-only content consisting of cards whose rules text cannot function in paper Magic (things that maintain bonuses, even if they enter “hidden” zones where in paper you could not know where they were post-shuffle or cheat with them easier).
Right, so a rough analog is the "Only on DDB" Spelljammer preview bestiary (I may be mistaken, but I'm not sure if those monsters are slated for the actual Spelljammer books).
Wizards is having a lot of problem right now printing product due to paper shortages and rising costs. Just by way of example, based on Q1 2022 earnings reports, Wizards of the Coast generated 9% more revenue in 2021 than in their prior year... but actually pocketed 3% less in profit due to scarcity of paper and other supplies driving up costs. The situation has gotten so bad that Hasbro is investing a huge pile of money in making a strategic paper reserve, so they can have a stockpile to hedge against future supply disruptions--but that is still getting up and running and is likely going to take quite a while to build up.
Given the serious issues they have had with printing, the popularity of the product itself (Candlekeep sold quite well since folks like the "mini adventure you can slide into your homebrew" format, so there's reason to believe this book will be popular also), and the general fact that D&D is getting more popular at a fairly rapid rate driving up demand for each new book, it is hardly surprising that we are seeing some delays, and I would not be surprised if we see more delays in the future if the supply chain issues are not sorted out.
To be fair, _everyone_ in TTRPG is having trouble at the printing press, I've got a number of pre-orders and kickstarters from some no-slouch and very professional game designers, but I'm treating fulfillment of those as Message in a Bottle timetables. They'll float here eventually. WotC/Hasbro due to their size actually have a better lock into the printers and distributors than most everyone else. This time around there's also a product that isn't a book, one of the terrain cases (though a lot of the box's contents may well be paper based) finding friction in the pipeline. My thinking is that the Dragonlance book and companion wargame* are probably going to suffer delays because those are intended for a simultaneous release, which is a harder logistical lift for the foreseeable future.**
*Digress from topic, but kinda curious whether this new wargame for Dragonlance may have a digital version which would be a step into DDB supporting VTT play (battlefields being arguably easier to simulate than a proper dungeon).
**I wonder if the realities of production and distribution (and major digression but more global discussions of leaving or at least curtailing neo-liberal trade policies and arrangements as discussed in the Times) may lead Hasbro and Wotc to slow their product tempo ... which I feel may not be a bad a thing as MMM strikes me as a rushed and sloppier product than I'd have expected from WotC.
WotC always ties the digital to physical release. I've never seen a clear rationale for it other than I think WotC still believes physical is primary and they don't want digital to further impact physical sales. Strixhaven and Fizban's were both delayed (as was the boxed set that first had MMM) and same digital embargo took place.
I think one clear reason is to support the local gaming stores out there. WotC has done lots of partnerships with them in the past, and games held there have had a huge impact on the spread of the brand over the history of the game. Digital cuts those stores out completely, and thus gives them less incentive to provide public gaming space or sponsored events.
I was invited to my group of 10+ years thanks to a pickup game at my local store.
Of course now that the D&D has become prevalent with streamers and other modern media, the recruiting role of gaming stores has diminished a lot. It does seem like a doomed relationship as physical books and stores both are in decline, but for now I think honoring that long-running partnership is the right thing to do.
Of course now that the D&D has become prevalent with streamers and other modern media, the recruiting role of gaming stores has diminished a lot. It does seem like a doomed relationship as physical books and stores both are in decline, but for now I think honoring that long-running partnership is the right thing to do.
I don't think that's necessarily true. Obviously I can't speak for all FLGSs, but I know that around where I am, FLGs have a lot of games full of new players and outreach events that bring in a lot of new people, even if only for one or two sessions to try out the game. As much as print media is in decline, and brick-and-mortar shopping is also, I don't see FLGSs not being a major player in both actually playing the game and recruitment of new players.
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She/Her Player and Dungeon Master
Thanks for the update.
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Looks like delayed again.
https://twitter.com/Wizards_DnD/status/1529138087678423040?t=5CHGepTTl4XW_7FnSESTmw&s=19
Thanks for the updated delay info
She/Her Player and Dungeon Master
Just building off the above, Radiant Citadel will be released on July 19th, even later than indicated in the opening post.
Since supply chain really shouldn’t be a factor for digital, would be kind of nice if we could get the book on its initial release date - some revenge for us digital folks who had to wait a few extra months before receiving MMM! (Joking. Mostly.)
Yeah, it'd be nice if the digital version wasn't necessarily tied to the physical release.
WotC always ties the digital to physical release. I've never seen a clear rationale for it other than I think WotC still believes physical is primary and they don't want digital to further impact physical sales. Strixhaven and Fizban's were both delayed (as was the boxed set that first had MMM) and same digital embargo took place.
It's sort of funny, because influencers and reviewers still get their preview copies about a week or so ahead or maybe further (I think those folks get them maybe two weeks ahead with an admonishment that they can;t show or discuss the content until a week out). It's nothing to do with digital vs physical, but it's another wrinkle in the roll out.
Jander Sunstar is the thinking person's Drizzt, fight me.
The email phrasing was great. The digital version was delayed because of demand, as if they ran out of ones or zeroes.
In the past, it's probably because physical was WotC's thing. Digital was just them throwing DDB a bone with some risk free profits as a nice aside. Now that digital is WotC's thing too, it'll be interesting if they change tack.
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.
The supply chain has finally hit the vast network of tubes that is the Internet.
I think physical books is still and will still be seen as WotC's main product probably through WOTC PROJEKT D&D 2024 GOLD. Digital is already WotC's thing with Magic, right? I don't really know as I'm not a Magic player; and while it's likely not a perfect analogy, do digital Magic players get new content ahead of the physical card buyers? I don't actually know, but the practices WotC already has in place with Magic may be an indicator.
Jander Sunstar is the thinking person's Drizzt, fight me.
I'm not a huge Magic person, but buzz I've seen suggests that Wizards went hard on digital for Magic for obvious reasons the last few years but this year they're trying to put the genie back in the bottle and almost completely shift focus back to physical releases. It's apparently hurting a lot of streamers and the like.
They get content at the same time as everyone else, though they also receive unique digital-only content consisting of cards whose rules text cannot function in paper Magic (things that maintain bonuses, even if they enter “hidden” zones where in paper you could not know where they were post-shuffle or cheat with them easier).
So, keeping with the “release everything at same time” model from Magic, I expect they’ll keep that for D&D also. Which makes sense - it feels bad to see another group of players get a new shiny toy while you have to wait. (Here’s looking at you, paper MMM.)
They never really shifted away from paper Magic, and investor documents from Hasbro show that paper Magic is both continuing to grow and is the larger revenue source. There is still a lot of focus on digital in addition to paper - and they seem to have realised that both monetisation systems can coexist. Not sure that’s as relevant to D&D though, since Magic has the advantage of utilising different formats, some of which lend themselves better to paper or digital.
I still don't understand why they are being delayed.
Do we know yet?
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HERE.It could be supply issue, printing issues, last minute rewrites, the work of a demon with an unspeakable name. It was rather vague, but the email dndbeyond (who is now wotc) stated too much demand for the physical copy and they just didn't make enough gosh darn it. Which i kinda scoff at, because it seems more niche than a core rules book and they haven't had issues printing (or reprinting) those.
Wizards is having a lot of problem right now printing product due to paper shortages and rising costs. Just by way of example, based on Q1 2022 earnings reports, Wizards of the Coast generated 9% more revenue in 2021 than in their prior year... but actually pocketed 3% less in profit due to scarcity of paper and other supplies driving up costs. The situation has gotten so bad that Hasbro is investing a huge pile of money in making a strategic paper reserve, so they can have a stockpile to hedge against future supply disruptions--but that is still getting up and running and is likely going to take quite a while to build up.
Given the serious issues they have had with printing, the popularity of the product itself (Candlekeep sold quite well since folks like the "mini adventure you can slide into your homebrew" format, so there's reason to believe this book will be popular also), and the general fact that D&D is getting more popular at a fairly rapid rate driving up demand for each new book, it is hardly surprising that we are seeing some delays, and I would not be surprised if we see more delays in the future if the supply chain issues are not sorted out.
Right, so a rough analog is the "Only on DDB" Spelljammer preview bestiary (I may be mistaken, but I'm not sure if those monsters are slated for the actual Spelljammer books).
To be fair, _everyone_ in TTRPG is having trouble at the printing press, I've got a number of pre-orders and kickstarters from some no-slouch and very professional game designers, but I'm treating fulfillment of those as Message in a Bottle timetables. They'll float here eventually. WotC/Hasbro due to their size actually have a better lock into the printers and distributors than most everyone else. This time around there's also a product that isn't a book, one of the terrain cases (though a lot of the box's contents may well be paper based) finding friction in the pipeline. My thinking is that the Dragonlance book and companion wargame* are probably going to suffer delays because those are intended for a simultaneous release, which is a harder logistical lift for the foreseeable future.**
*Digress from topic, but kinda curious whether this new wargame for Dragonlance may have a digital version which would be a step into DDB supporting VTT play (battlefields being arguably easier to simulate than a proper dungeon).
**I wonder if the realities of production and distribution (and major digression but more global discussions of leaving or at least curtailing neo-liberal trade policies and arrangements as discussed in the Times) may lead Hasbro and Wotc to slow their product tempo ... which I feel may not be a bad a thing as MMM strikes me as a rushed and sloppier product than I'd have expected from WotC.
Jander Sunstar is the thinking person's Drizzt, fight me.
This is why they should switch to hemp based paper as it is faster and cheaper to produce and more sustainable than tree pulp paper.
I think one clear reason is to support the local gaming stores out there. WotC has done lots of partnerships with them in the past, and games held there have had a huge impact on the spread of the brand over the history of the game. Digital cuts those stores out completely, and thus gives them less incentive to provide public gaming space or sponsored events.
I was invited to my group of 10+ years thanks to a pickup game at my local store.
Of course now that the D&D has become prevalent with streamers and other modern media, the recruiting role of gaming stores has diminished a lot. It does seem like a doomed relationship as physical books and stores both are in decline, but for now I think honoring that long-running partnership is the right thing to do.
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(Artificer) Swordmage | Glasswright | (Barbarian) Path of the Savage Embrace
(Bard) College of Dance | (Fighter) Warlord | Cannoneer
(Monk) Way of the Elements | (Ranger) Blade Dancer
(Rogue) DaggerMaster | Inquisitor | (Sorcerer) Riftwalker | Spellfist
(Warlock) The Swarm
I don't think that's necessarily true. Obviously I can't speak for all FLGSs, but I know that around where I am, FLGs have a lot of games full of new players and outreach events that bring in a lot of new people, even if only for one or two sessions to try out the game. As much as print media is in decline, and brick-and-mortar shopping is also, I don't see FLGSs not being a major player in both actually playing the game and recruitment of new players.