Why?!? Why should they prioritize the VTT?!? What makes that any more important than non VTT development?
It was the centerpiece of both the most recent D&D Direct as well as the OneD&D announcement itself. It's importance to their upcoming strategy is undeniable.
As for why, they discussed this along with their "three pillars" - Fun/Convenience/Authenticity. No other VTT on the market, in their view, adequately delivers on all three, so they see the opportunity for a strong competitive advantage here. And that will give them a direct means to address the biggest weakness they see in the hobby right now, i.e. getting more people to transition from being players to being DMs.
None of which answers my question as to why that should take priority over development of DM’s tools for no -VTT users. This website was originally built to support in-person games around a tabletop. It’s actually in DDB’s mission to support TTD&D. The Combat Tracker is part of that.
Can you be specific about what functionality the site will be losing then? There is no DDB combat tracker now. You'll be able to use DDB at your physical tables the way you do now. You'll still be getting what you're paying for now. What exactly is the issue? Did an employee promise you a combat tracker in writing or something?
Uhh…. I don’t believe you know quite exactly what you’re talking about. I guess pictures of it didn’t happen…?
What’s that say? Does that say “Combat Tracker?” I believe it does.
That's what you meant? So you're whining for them to create something they already created?
The combat tracker is half done at best, and has apparently been abandoned as a project in favor of we have no idea they haven't updated DDB in a year or more now. Sposta feels some kinda way about that. I'm just ridiculously grateful that Containers made it in under the feature freeze.
Why?!? Why should they prioritize the VTT?!? What makes that any more important than non VTT development?
It was the centerpiece of both the most recent D&D Direct as well as the OneD&D announcement itself. It's importance to their upcoming strategy is undeniable.
As for why, they discussed this along with their "three pillars" - Fun/Convenience/Authenticity. No other VTT on the market, in their view, adequately delivers on all three, so they see the opportunity for a strong competitive advantage here. And that will give them a direct means to address the biggest weakness they see in the hobby right now, i.e. getting more people to transition from being players to being DMs.
None of which answers my question as to why that should take priority over development of DM’s tools for no -VTT users. This website was originally built to support in-person games around a tabletop. It’s actually in DDB’s mission to support TTD&D. The Combat Tracker is part of that.
Can you be specific about what functionality the site will be losing then? There is no DDB combat tracker now. You'll be able to use DDB at your physical tables the way you do now. You'll still be getting what you're paying for now. What exactly is the issue? Did an employee promise you a combat tracker in writing or something?
Uhh…. I don’t believe you know quite exactly what you’re talking about. I guess pictures of it didn’t happen…?
What’s that say? Does that say “Combat Tracker?” I believe it does.
That's what you meant? So you're whining for them to create something they already created?
First off, I’m not “whining.” Second, it’s been in beta testing for-ev-ver. I would like them to continue working on it to actually make it more useful, and actually integrate it into a functional DM’s screen like they said they were gonna do. **** the VTT, I don’t give a 💩 about that. I want the features they promised to support the game.
The combat tracker is half done at best, and has apparently been abandoned as a project in favor of we have no idea they haven't updated DDB in a year or more now. Sposta feels some kinda way about that. I'm just ridiculously grateful that Containers made it in under the feature freeze.
My guess is that DDB has determined that relatively few people actually use the service for running games (as opposed to as a reference) so... they aren't developing that part.
As the way I use the service is as a reference, I'm personally fine with that, but I can certainly understand people who feel otherwise.
The combat tracker is half done at best, and has apparently been abandoned as a project in favor of we have no idea they haven't updated DDB in a year or more now. Sposta feels some kinda way about that. I'm just ridiculously grateful that Containers made it in under the feature freeze.
My guess is that DDB has determined that relatively few people actually use the service for running games (as opposed to as a reference) so... they aren't developing that part.
As the way I use the service is as a reference, I'm personally fine with that, but I can certainly understand people who feel otherwise.
More people might use the site to run their games if their DM’s services were better. 😒
They still don't have a digital DM's screen to go alongside the digital character sheet. That's a pretty big hole, too. I'd say it's an even bigger hole than the half-baked combat tracker.
... me personally, a VTT will do next to nothing to get me more financially involved in DDB. In fact, I'm pretty sure it would of basically zero use to me beyond as a novelty occasionally...A properly developed combat tracker would actually be very helpful.
I would actually love both 😂 The Combat Tracker is in dire need of an update. I do however use it in all my virtual and in person games.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
#Open D&D
Have the Physical Books? Confused as to why you're not allowed to redeem them for free on D&D Beyond? Questions answered here at the Hardcover Books, D&D Beyond and You FAQ
Looking to add mouse-over triggered tooltips to such things like magic items, monsters or combat actions? Then dash over to the How to Add Tooltips thread.
I wish you guys would stop changing D&D when you already have a great system going with 5th Edition. It's almost like you want to find ways to ruin the game so nobody will want anything more to do with it. What is the matter with you guys and girls? Seriously.
The combat tracker is half done at best, and has apparently been abandoned as a project in favor of we have no idea they haven't updated DDB in a year or more now. Sposta feels some kinda way about that. I'm just ridiculously grateful that Containers made it in under the feature freeze.
And I sympathize, but for the reasons I explained to them at length, the VTT is clearly the priority. And that makes perfect sense from a business standpoint.
I wish you guys would stop changing D&D when you already have a great system going with 5th Edition. It's almost like you want to find ways to ruin the game so nobody will want anything more to do with it. What is the matter with you guys and girls? Seriously.
Yeah, I can't believe I'm saying this given how the thread began, but we should really get back on topic.
To throw in my two cents regarding homebrew vs official content updates, the thing to remember is that for drop-in oneshots and pickup games, it is far more beneficial to say "I am using the official race of flying space-monkies who can somehow put clothes on underneath their attached arm-flaps" than say "I have this homebrew race I would like to use, are you happy to go over it and see if it's overpowered or not, and get concensus from everyone on whether it's ok to use?" when you're joining an unknown game, which happens significantly more often these days than it did before Covid thanks to the explosion of online gaming.
If you approach a new table with "I thought dragonborn were underpowered so I made them more powerful and am using these rules" then you will probably be shut down. If you say "I'm using Fizbans dragonborn", not so likely.
For established gaming groups, homebrew is the better way to go, because it's 100% flexible and will conform to your needs. For joining unknown tables, I would far rather have more options than have to justify or explain homebrew. And if you don't get to use it, then you have to remake a character, which takes time, and it a lot of schlep.
That's what you meant? So you're whining for them to create something they already created?
The combat tracker is half done at best, and has apparently been abandoned as a project in favor of we have no idea they haven't updated DDB in a year or more now. Sposta feels some kinda way about that. I'm just ridiculously grateful that Containers made it in under the feature freeze.
Please do not contact or message me.
First off, I’m not “whining.” Second, it’s been in beta testing for-ev-ver. I would like them to continue working on it to actually make it more useful, and actually integrate it into a functional DM’s screen like they said they were gonna do. **** the VTT, I don’t give a 💩 about that. I want the features they promised to support the game.
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting
My guess is that DDB has determined that relatively few people actually use the service for running games (as opposed to as a reference) so... they aren't developing that part.
As the way I use the service is as a reference, I'm personally fine with that, but I can certainly understand people who feel otherwise.
More people might use the site to run their games if their DM’s services were better. 😒
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting
They still don't have a digital DM's screen to go alongside the digital character sheet. That's a pretty big hole, too. I'd say it's an even bigger hole than the half-baked combat tracker.
Please do not contact or message me.
I would actually love both 😂 The Combat Tracker is in dire need of an update. I do however use it in all my virtual and in person games.
#Open D&D
Have the Physical Books? Confused as to why you're not allowed to redeem them for free on D&D Beyond? Questions answered here at the Hardcover Books, D&D Beyond and You FAQ
Looking to add mouse-over triggered tooltips to such things like magic items, monsters or combat actions? Then dash over to the How to Add Tooltips thread.
I believe this was the original topic of the thread, which was not related to Gary Gygax, Dave Arneson, or the development rate for D&DB:
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.And I sympathize, but for the reasons I explained to them at length, the VTT is clearly the priority. And that makes perfect sense from a business standpoint.
Yeah, I can't believe I'm saying this given how the thread began, but we should really get back on topic.
To throw in my two cents regarding homebrew vs official content updates, the thing to remember is that for drop-in oneshots and pickup games, it is far more beneficial to say "I am using the official race of flying space-monkies who can somehow put clothes on underneath their attached arm-flaps" than say "I have this homebrew race I would like to use, are you happy to go over it and see if it's overpowered or not, and get concensus from everyone on whether it's ok to use?" when you're joining an unknown game, which happens significantly more often these days than it did before Covid thanks to the explosion of online gaming.
If you approach a new table with "I thought dragonborn were underpowered so I made them more powerful and am using these rules" then you will probably be shut down. If you say "I'm using Fizbans dragonborn", not so likely.
For established gaming groups, homebrew is the better way to go, because it's 100% flexible and will conform to your needs. For joining unknown tables, I would far rather have more options than have to justify or explain homebrew. And if you don't get to use it, then you have to remake a character, which takes time, and it a lot of schlep.
Make your Artificer work with any other class with 174 Multiclassing Feats for your Artificer Multiclass Character!
DM's Guild Releases on This Thread Or check them all out on DMs Guild!
DrivethruRPG Releases on This Thread - latest release: My Character is a Werewolf: balanced rules for Lycanthropy!
I have started discussing/reviewing 3rd party D&D content on Substack - stay tuned for semi-regular posts!