Wizards has advertised DDB and supported it via social media, interviews, podcasts, etc in ways that they never have with FG or roll20. The relationship between WotC and DDB is clearly qualitatively different than those other platforms.
I think that might just be a false appearance caused by the recent(ish) change to how WotC is presenting itself and D&D (by which I mean the ~3 months uptick in video activity which started with the Stream of Annihilation and includes all the Dragon Talk videos) , since the only reason I know anything about the Fantasy Grounds and Roll20 offerings is because WotC told me about them, just like D&D Beyond.
In fact, the interview segments from the Stream of Annihilation appear to include a Roll20 interview, a Fantasy grounds interview, and the D&D Beyond interview, suggesting relatively equal support for those various digital licenses.
2 companies signed a license to sell WOTC content but also have arrangements in place to sell other companies content.
1 company signed a license agreement to sell WOTC content only.
You would hope the exclusivity of the deal got them a better deal on the license fees. I'm sure all of these companies have direct access to WOTC should they need them just like i'm sure WOTC are happily sitting back receiving the checks every month as they come in letting them make even more profit of content have already completed while focusing on bringing us new content.
The license arrangements end up costing us more due to the requirement to buy content a few times but at the end of the day I'd prefer the software tools to be created and supported by software engineers and the rpg content to be created by the dice rolling nerds.
Now they just need to grant a license agreement to Lone Wolf Development for Hero Lab Online and Realm Works and I will be a happy gamer.
No. DDB and WotC clearly have a very different working relationship than WotC and those other platforms. DDB is a platform that, while operated by Curse, is officially supported by WotC in a way that Roll20 and FG are not. I think this is where the "but Curse and Wizards are totally separate entities!" line of argument falls apart--Curse was clearly contracted by WotC to create DDB. Roll20 and FG are entirely independent entities. I think that it would be cool if in the future those platforms offered some kind of integration with DDB where a DDB membership/subscription could replace the need to purchase 5e content on those platforms, but I have no idea what the logistics of that could look like.
I am not sure what makes you believe that DDB is "supported by WotC" any more than Roll20 and FG. I ave read and watched every interview I am aware of and never got that impression. I know Curse contacted WotC about making the product and not the other way around. I am fairly certain that Curse is not payed by WotC and in fact have to pay WotC just. What makes you think DDB has any different deal than the others services?
So I'm not sure how many remember, but near when 5e first came out, there was talk of a digital tool then. In the end, something happened (I got the idea that WotC was not happy with the production) and we never got to see that initial tool. But WotC has been asked about publishing content digitally in the past (through kindle, Google play, etc), and said if they wanted to launch the books digitally, they would do it themselves, in their own way. Curse may have contacted WotC, but they were filling a void that WotC was already searching to fill. It's also clear through the video interviews that WotC puts a lot more into DDB than FG or R20. And WotC's promotion of the digital tool highly exceeds the marketing they have done for FG or R20. They have made very clear that this is their tool to use, and in partnering with Curse, they have people with the preferred skill set to make changes while they can solely monitor content and request changes.
Well, there's also this, which is worth mentioning. ^^^
I get what you're saying, but there's been such a strong push by WotC that doesn't exist for other platforms. Anyway, a better question: does it really matter?
I think it matters insofar as the main argument I see time and time again against there being any kind of partnership/discount offer is "but they are different companies and that's not how things work!" which imo is incredibly disingenuous
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DM: The Cult of the Crystal Spider (Currently playing Storm King's Thunder) Player: The Knuckles of Arth - Lemire (Tiefling Rogue 5/Fighter 1)
I think it matters insofar as the main argument I see time and time again against there being any kind of partnership/discount offer is "but they are different companies and that's not how things work!" which imo is incredibly disingenuous
At the same time the books are discounted from MSRP, it would appear that most people want a discount from Amazon prices.
This thread has taken a turn into a great deal of speculation, and it's an older topic that isn't quite as relevant in our post-launch world. We're going to go ahead and lock it.
As a parting thought, I will confirm that we do have a great relationship with Wizards of the Coast and are partnered closely with them with the official digital toolset for D&D fifth edition, the original video content we produce, and conventions and events.
Thanks!
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And they've promoted FG and roll20 on their website.
http://dnd.wizards.com/articles/news/play-dd-fantasy-grounds-virtual-table
http://dnd.wizards.com/products/digital-games/mobiletablet-pcmac/roll20
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The difference is quite clear in my head.
2 companies signed a license to sell WOTC content but also have arrangements in place to sell other companies content.
1 company signed a license agreement to sell WOTC content only.
You would hope the exclusivity of the deal got them a better deal on the license fees. I'm sure all of these companies have direct access to WOTC should they need them just like i'm sure WOTC are happily sitting back receiving the checks every month as they come in letting them make even more profit of content have already completed while focusing on bringing us new content.
The license arrangements end up costing us more due to the requirement to buy content a few times but at the end of the day I'd prefer the software tools to be created and supported by software engineers and the rpg content to be created by the dice rolling nerds.
Now they just need to grant a license agreement to Lone Wolf Development for Hero Lab Online and Realm Works and I will be a happy gamer.
Daplunk's YouTube Channel: Realm Works and Hero Lab Videos / Campaign Cartographer 3+ Videos
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-Dresden White
I think it matters insofar as the main argument I see time and time again against there being any kind of partnership/discount offer is "but they are different companies and that's not how things work!" which imo is incredibly disingenuous
DM: The Cult of the Crystal Spider (Currently playing Storm King's Thunder)
Player: The Knuckles of Arth - Lemire (Tiefling Rogue 5/Fighter 1)
Feature Requests || Homebrew FAQ || Pricing FAQ || Hardcovers FAQ || Snippet Codes || Tooltips
DDB Guides & FAQs, Class Guides, Character Builds, Game Guides, Useful Websites, and WOTC Resources
Hello everyone!
This thread has taken a turn into a great deal of speculation, and it's an older topic that isn't quite as relevant in our post-launch world. We're going to go ahead and lock it.
As a parting thought, I will confirm that we do have a great relationship with Wizards of the Coast and are partnered closely with them with the official digital toolset for D&D fifth edition, the original video content we produce, and conventions and events.
Thanks!