I'd absolutely love it if this turns out the same way it works with my Marvel comics. Every Wednesday I hit up my local comic book shop to pick up my books and chat with the owner for a bit. Then when I get home I peel off the little stickers, put in the codes on Marvel's website, and the "free" digital copies get added to my account so I can download and read them in the Marvel app on my Android tablet.
If, in some months or a year from now or whenever this all gets worked out, I get to buy a physical 5E book, peel off a little sticker, and get a free/discounted copy on DDB, that would be rad. But right now it seems like it's much too soon to know what's going to happen. I'd rather not set expectations for myself and find out later the reality of the situation is considerably less exciting.
That would be nice, I also think they can go with the sale point being DDB with dead tree books being sent via Amazon to prevent international shipping costs. This can be done by just increasing the cost here by an amount for a bundle price as Amazon would need to make money as well as they need profit to stay in business. But it is so early in this that details will have to wait until WotC decides what they are gonna do.
I'd absolutely love it if this turns out the same way it works with my Marvel comics. Every Wednesday I hit up my local comic book shop to pick up my books and chat with the owner for a bit. Then when I get home I peel off the little stickers, put in the codes on Marvel's website, and the "free" digital copies get added to my account so I can download and read them in the Marvel app on my Android tablet.
If, in some months or a year from now or whenever this all gets worked out, I get to buy a physical 5E book, peel off a little sticker, and get a free/discounted copy on DDB, that would be rad. But right now it seems like it's much too soon to know what's going to happen. I'd rather not set expectations for myself and find out later the reality of the situation is considerably less exciting.
That would be nice, I also think they can go with the sale point being DDB with dead tree books being sent via Amazon to prevent international shipping costs. This can be done by just increasing the cost here by an amount for a bundle price as Amazon would need to make money as well as they need profit to stay in business. But it is so early in this that details will have to wait until WotC decides what they are gonna do.
anything that stops our local games shop benefiting is a bad thing, this push to Amazon is not a good thing. That sticker option would be good.
The store in my town I buy D&D books from has one of those really old calculators with the roll of paper they use at checkout. You want that guy to have to make a "D&D Beyond Gift Card"? That's just not going to happen.
Sure that might be a niche case, but there are a lot of people that like to support their local game store, and it seems like putting it on the book seller will unfairly burden some small game stores.
I understand wanting this to happen, and I've been trying to think it through, however it's just... not as easy as some people would want to believe for this particular kind of product.
Wizards has also said they don't want to do anything that would stop people from being able to look through the physical books at the store, because the art and whatnot can be a big selling point. People are less likely to want to buy it without leafing through, and so individually-wrapped books go against how Wizard thinks the books sell.
individually wrapped books is also awful in a day and age that all companies need to move away from plastics.
What about it makes it nonviable? Isn't it the same principle as having to get a gift card activated at the checkout?
You are relying on every store that sells DnD books doing this, including Walmart etc. This is just not viable and the large stores will charge WOTC for this service.
We need to be realistic here, anything that requires a human by a till to do an extra thing is not a viable option, there might be ways around this but it is not going to be as straightforward and all it takes is a tiny % to not have this work and the bad publicity will blow it out of proportion.
Why not just have sale on beyond if you buy on hypo drive you can get a book shipped to you for free as an option. This way it’s optional, still charge mssrp both sides are happy no different then buying a book except if purchased here you get a free digital bonus.
I own the Legendary Bundle, can I get physical copies of everything sent to me since I already paid for the stuff? How about a coupon for the money I've already spent here? I can take that coupon to my local gaming store and it shouldn't be too hard for them to honor it and sell me a physical copy of something I already own digitally for like $20 or $30. I've already paid dndbeyond for the content and since they're owned by Wizards of the Coast now, should I expect them to give me stuff for free because it's probably not that hard to do anyways.
If WotC thinks this is a good idea for business, I'll respect any argument for giving free access to this medium if you actually purchase a different medium. Until then, stop complaining about not getting stuff for free.
I own the Legendary Bundle, can I get physical copies of everything sent to me since I already paid for the stuff? How about a coupon for the money I've already spent here? I can take that coupon to my local gaming store and it shouldn't be too hard for them to honor it and sell me a physical copy of something I already own digitally for like $20 or $30. I've already paid dndbeyond for the content and since they're owned by Wizards of the Coast now, should I expect them to give me stuff for free because it's probably not that hard to do anyways.
If WotC thinks this is a good idea for business, I'll respect any argument for giving free access to this medium if you actually purchase a different medium. Until then, stop complaining about not getting stuff for free.
That's an entirely different situation. I bought books on DnDBeyond that went on sale the next week. I don't get to ask for my money back in that case. Just because a new company comes in and makes a change to allow for getting 2 media at once doesn't at all mean it should be retroactive. Even for a hyperbolic argument, this isn't in the realm of sense.
I own the Legendary Bundle, can I get physical copies of everything sent to me since I already paid for the stuff? How about a coupon for the money I've already spent here? I can take that coupon to my local gaming store and it shouldn't be too hard for them to honor it and sell me a physical copy of something I already own digitally for like $20 or $30. I've already paid dndbeyond for the content and since they're owned by Wizards of the Coast now, should I expect them to give me stuff for free because it's probably not that hard to do anyways.
If WotC thinks this is a good idea for business, I'll respect any argument for giving free access to this medium if you actually purchase a different medium. Until then, stop complaining about not getting stuff for free.
While I am not sure that $20 or $30 would be realistic, I think you are on to something. This discussion often focuses on if someone owns the physical books first, but the simpler way for WOTC or DNDB to manage the situations is reversed. Buy here on DNDB first, email a coupon code for a discount of physical books. If supports digital and brick and mortar at the same time.
2 SKUs, one for mass market and one for your local nerd shop. Mass market doesn't get the code and is a little cheaper (doubtful because this is Wizards we're talking about lol) and the nerd shop one gets the SKU with a code that is sealed. Every nerd shop gets an unsealed display piece so you can look in the book before you buy it.
Not the best solution and it could work, but this is Wizards so they'll just try to double dip if they can because nerd behavior has rewarded this business practice.
I don't see anyway for folks that own physical books to get a free or discounted book on DND Beyond. That might happen going forward but there are details to be worked out. Folks that have DND Beyond digital books might get an offer to buy a physical book(s) at a discount, but don't expect them to print and mail you books for free.
Maybe there could be some sort of quiz that's impossible without the books (randomized)
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My cults are dead, let's talk about myself where they used to be. I am The_cool_Elsecaller, a transfem lesbian who is still in the closet to all but a few people I know IRL. I enjoy video games, reading, writing, and sleeping. Feel free to PM me if you want writing advice or just want to talk.
"Life before death. Strength before weakness. Journey before destination"
I'd absolutely love it if this turns out the same way it works with my Marvel comics. Every Wednesday I hit up my local comic book shop to pick up my books and chat with the owner for a bit. Then when I get home I peel off the little stickers, put in the codes on Marvel's website, and the "free" digital copies get added to my account so I can download and read them in the Marvel app on my Android tablet.
If, in some months or a year from now or whenever this all gets worked out, I get to buy a physical 5E book, peel off a little sticker, and get a free/discounted copy on DDB, that would be rad. But right now it seems like it's much too soon to know what's going to happen. I'd rather not set expectations for myself and find out later the reality of the situation is considerably less exciting.
That would be nice, I also think they can go with the sale point being DDB with dead tree books being sent via Amazon to prevent international shipping costs. This can be done by just increasing the cost here by an amount for a bundle price as Amazon would need to make money as well as they need profit to stay in business. But it is so early in this that details will have to wait until WotC decides what they are gonna do.
anything that stops our local games shop benefiting is a bad thing, this push to Amazon is not a good thing. That sticker option would be good.
But my LGS is not a good or decent shop by any means, not allowing Adventure League or gaming in general in store even though it has space and tables due to them not being able to prove you bought your books there. If it was a Friendly Game store I would agree but the guy that owns it is an ass, so buying my physical books off amazon.ca for about 48 Canadian compared to the 70 to 80 he charges is a no brainer. Also my town has only 1 game store and I cannot afford to open one myself getting to another game store is a 3.5 hour drive on the highway to a big city.
Ok I am going to put this another way then, let’s say wizards do include a code, or give a voucher or something else for those of you who want access to everything twice.
That will have to be paid for, so the price will go up. Now let’s say for example the price goes up 50%, that means those who play DND and don’t want to use DDB (there are still many out there) will be forced to pay more, personally I think the way it is done right now is perfect. I own every book, I only need about 10% of that material on DDB if that. I don’t use DDB for looking up rules or anything like that, I read the book for that. All I have purchased on DDB is the monsters, for the encounter builder, the magic items from a couple of books, and the 3 specific non standard races and sub classes some of my players use. Why do I need to have access to every variation of every thing when I much prefer having a physical book? Why would I choose to pay a premium for material I will never use.
A friend of mine prefers reading things digitally, but even he doesn’t buy all the contents of every book, he picks and chooses what he wants and needs for his game.
If Wizards do decide to tie together digital and physical access then expect a significant increase in physical book costs. Lost mines and Dragon of Iceapire peak remember pretty much just provide the rules that anyone can get for free online so you pay a premium to have that in a physical form with an adventure.
I totally agree with you. I think it's absolutely ridiculous that you can't do that. If i want the same book physically and virtually, I shouldn't have to pay for it twice.
I totally agree with you. I think it's absolutely ridiculous that you can't do that. If i want the same book physically and virtually, I shouldn't have to pay for it twice.
Perhaps if bundled physically and digitally, it would be charged twice as expensive. In this format, you can pick and choose your medium of preference.
I wouldn't be quick to assume that included digital content = free. Why would D&D Beyond even be hosted and run if it were just a means of delivering free content for physical book purchases? Why would not everyone purchase physical over digital, if it meant receiving digital for free? The entire model that some argue for is not sustainable nor practical.
If I buy the special hardcover edition of a book and then want the trade paper back from the same publisher, I have to pay twice. If I purchase the hardcover and audiobook, I have to pay twice.They're different products, and so is DnDBeyond. It's not simply a PDF or rules reference like other publishers, it's a sophisticated toolset that requires a significant investment of capital.
WotC is a commercial company that needs to work for its own commercial interest – and so do we. If it doesn't do well it's parent company scales it back and we miss out on all the goodies they make. You might want something for nothing but I want WotC to keep producing robust and fun content and tools.
I totally agree with your mindset, that said WotC have bought D&D beyond, so they might try and so something in the future but doubtful. Personally I tend to buy the physical books and just buy separate parts, spells, races etc in my own time. Don't buy the general info or monster stats. Feel your pain. Truly
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That would be nice, I also think they can go with the sale point being DDB with dead tree books being sent via Amazon to prevent international shipping costs. This can be done by just increasing the cost here by an amount for a bundle price as Amazon would need to make money as well as they need profit to stay in business. But it is so early in this that details will have to wait until WotC decides what they are gonna do.
anything that stops our local games shop benefiting is a bad thing, this push to Amazon is not a good thing. That sticker option would be good.
individually wrapped books is also awful in a day and age that all companies need to move away from plastics.
You are relying on every store that sells DnD books doing this, including Walmart etc. This is just not viable and the large stores will charge WOTC for this service.
We need to be realistic here, anything that requires a human by a till to do an extra thing is not a viable option, there might be ways around this but it is not going to be as straightforward and all it takes is a tiny % to not have this work and the bad publicity will blow it out of proportion.
Why not just have sale on beyond if you buy on hypo drive you can get a book shipped to you for free as an option. This way it’s optional, still charge mssrp both sides are happy no different then buying a book except if purchased here you get a free digital bonus.
I own the Legendary Bundle, can I get physical copies of everything sent to me since I already paid for the stuff? How about a coupon for the money I've already spent here? I can take that coupon to my local gaming store and it shouldn't be too hard for them to honor it and sell me a physical copy of something I already own digitally for like $20 or $30. I've already paid dndbeyond for the content and since they're owned by Wizards of the Coast now, should I expect them to give me stuff for free because it's probably not that hard to do anyways.
If WotC thinks this is a good idea for business, I'll respect any argument for giving free access to this medium if you actually purchase a different medium. Until then, stop complaining about not getting stuff for free.
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That's an entirely different situation. I bought books on DnDBeyond that went on sale the next week. I don't get to ask for my money back in that case. Just because a new company comes in and makes a change to allow for getting 2 media at once doesn't at all mean it should be retroactive. Even for a hyperbolic argument, this isn't in the realm of sense.
While I am not sure that $20 or $30 would be realistic, I think you are on to something. This discussion often focuses on if someone owns the physical books first, but the simpler way for WOTC or DNDB to manage the situations is reversed. Buy here on DNDB first, email a coupon code for a discount of physical books. If supports digital and brick and mortar at the same time.
2 SKUs, one for mass market and one for your local nerd shop. Mass market doesn't get the code and is a little cheaper (doubtful because this is Wizards we're talking about lol) and the nerd shop one gets the SKU with a code that is sealed. Every nerd shop gets an unsealed display piece so you can look in the book before you buy it.
Not the best solution and it could work, but this is Wizards so they'll just try to double dip if they can because nerd behavior has rewarded this business practice.
I don't see anyway for folks that own physical books to get a free or discounted book on DND Beyond. That might happen going forward but there are details to be worked out. Folks that have DND Beyond digital books might get an offer to buy a physical book(s) at a discount, but don't expect them to print and mail you books for free.
Maybe there could be some sort of quiz that's impossible without the books (randomized)
My cults are dead, let's talk about myself where they used to be. I am The_cool_Elsecaller, a transfem lesbian who is still in the closet to all but a few people I know IRL. I enjoy video games, reading, writing, and sleeping. Feel free to PM me if you want writing advice or just want to talk.
"Life before death. Strength before weakness. Journey before destination"
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But my LGS is not a good or decent shop by any means, not allowing Adventure League or gaming in general in store even though it has space and tables due to them not being able to prove you bought your books there. If it was a Friendly Game store I would agree but the guy that owns it is an ass, so buying my physical books off amazon.ca for about 48 Canadian compared to the 70 to 80 he charges is a no brainer. Also my town has only 1 game store and I cannot afford to open one myself getting to another game store is a 3.5 hour drive on the highway to a big city.
Ok I am going to put this another way then, let’s say wizards do include a code, or give a voucher or something else for those of you who want access to everything twice.
That will have to be paid for, so the price will go up. Now let’s say for example the price goes up 50%, that means those who play DND and don’t want to use DDB (there are still many out there) will be forced to pay more, personally I think the way it is done right now is perfect. I own every book, I only need about 10% of that material on DDB if that. I don’t use DDB for looking up rules or anything like that, I read the book for that. All I have purchased on DDB is the monsters, for the encounter builder, the magic items from a couple of books, and the 3 specific non standard races and sub classes some of my players use. Why do I need to have access to every variation of every thing when I much prefer having a physical book? Why would I choose to pay a premium for material I will never use.
A friend of mine prefers reading things digitally, but even he doesn’t buy all the contents of every book, he picks and chooses what he wants and needs for his game.
If Wizards do decide to tie together digital and physical access then expect a significant increase in physical book costs. Lost mines and Dragon of Iceapire peak remember pretty much just provide the rules that anyone can get for free online so you pay a premium to have that in a physical form with an adventure.
Within a day all the answers would be up on Reddit
I totally agree with you. I think it's absolutely ridiculous that you can't do that. If i want the same book physically and virtually, I shouldn't have to pay for it twice.
Perhaps if bundled physically and digitally, it would be charged twice as expensive. In this format, you can pick and choose your medium of preference.
I wouldn't be quick to assume that included digital content = free. Why would D&D Beyond even be hosted and run if it were just a means of delivering free content for physical book purchases? Why would not everyone purchase physical over digital, if it meant receiving digital for free? The entire model that some argue for is not sustainable nor practical.
Just my 2¢ though.
If I buy the special hardcover edition of a book and then want the trade paper back from the same publisher, I have to pay twice. If I purchase the hardcover and audiobook, I have to pay twice.They're different products, and so is DnDBeyond. It's not simply a PDF or rules reference like other publishers, it's a sophisticated toolset that requires a significant investment of capital.
WotC is a commercial company that needs to work for its own commercial interest – and so do we. If it doesn't do well it's parent company scales it back and we miss out on all the goodies they make. You might want something for nothing but I want WotC to keep producing robust and fun content and tools.
I totally agree with your mindset, that said WotC have bought D&D beyond, so they might try and so something in the future but doubtful. Personally I tend to buy the physical books and just buy separate parts, spells, races etc in my own time. Don't buy the general info or monster stats. Feel your pain. Truly