While we will no longer be officially supporting this content, you are welcome to use our homebrew tools to create UA content you'd like to use.
Yeah that's great except that your homebrew tools are still a complete dumpster fire. Any plan to use some of the newly freed-up time and resources to improve that?
100% this. The tools they want their users to use are trash, so maybe fix the things you're suggesting people spend their time to use.
While we will no longer be officially supporting this content, you are welcome to use our homebrew tools to create UA content you'd like to use.
Yeah that's great except that your homebrew tools are still a complete dumpster fire. Any plan to use some of the newly freed-up time and resources to improve that?
100% this. The tools they want their users to use are trash, so maybe fix the things you're suggesting people spend their time to use.
It’s the exact same tool the Devs use to implement everything on DDB.
Hold on, the orchestra wasn’t ready for that hyper melodramatic monologue. The director is asking for another take. (Just make sure you can bring that same level of emotion the second time.)
True and for beyond its revenue comes from it's users meaning if enough users request a feature that is viable then they will do it. A perfect example of this is the Sonic movie, after all in the original previews sonic looked like trash and when possible customers complained about it Paramount fixed it. It's the same situation here if enough users complain about this decision then it will be changed. I don't know why this is so hard for you to understand after all it's common sense for a business to cater to the desires of it's customer base at least to some extent.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
If I can't say something nice, I try to not say anything at all. So if I suddenly stop participating in a topic that's probably why.
I honestly believe that people will complain about anything. DDB could come out and say that the entire site is now being funded by Elon Musk for all users to use for free and anything you’ve paid for will be refunded and people would still complain.
HOW DARE HE!!! Someone get muh pitchfork and torch!! Hold my earrings and hand me the Vaseline….
True and for beyond its revenue comes from it's users meaning if enough users request a feature that is viable then they will do it. A perfect example of this is the Sonic movie, after all in the original previews sonic looked like trash and when possible customers complained about it Paramount fixed it. It's the same situation here if enough users complain about this decision then it will be changed. I don't know why this is so hard for you to understand after all it's common sense for a business to cater to the desires of it's customer base at least to some extent.
Two things. First, with a movie that movie is the entire product. Customers can't pay a reduced price to only see the parts without Sonic actually being on screen - if the movie sucks, they don't go because the movie is all that might interest them. DDB on the other hand has a number of functions: just because DDB has less value without UA doesn't mean users can't still want to use it. Ergo, people complaining about the loss of UA aren't necessarily customers that will be lost entirely. Second, with all due respect, the couple of dozen complainers here are - and I'm really underselling it with this euphemistic statement - rather unlikely to even be noticeable on DDB's balance sheet.
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Want to start playing but don't have anyone to play with? You can try these options: [link].
The movie thing was a comparison a very simple one at that I'm sure if I really tried I could find something similar enough business wise that fits the situation but even if I did I'm sure you'd find some way to argue against it since all you seemingly want to do is disagree. And as for your second point as much as it pains me I do agree but here's the part you apparently can't understand this is something some of us don't like and because of this we are letting beyond know our opinion on the matter in the hopes the change their mind, why you feel the need to attack (can't think of a better word) us I don't know. And now I need to leave for a bit because I'm getting real close to saying things that would get me in trouble with mods.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
If I can't say something nice, I try to not say anything at all. So if I suddenly stop participating in a topic that's probably why.
"Monetizing UA would not be a sound business decision because by monetizing it, less people will try it out simply because they don't want to pay for it."
There's the nub of the problem. "I want the thing, but I don't want to pay for the thing" is not something a business will take much notice of, I think.
The movie thing was a comparison a very simple one at that I'm sure if I really tried I could find something similar enough business wise that fits the situation but even if I did I'm sure you'd find some way to argue against it since all you seemingly want to do is disagree. And as for your second point as much as it pains me I do agree but here's the part you apparently can't understand this is something some of us don't like and because of this we are letting beyond know our opinion on the matter in the hopes the change their mind, why you feel the need to attack (can't think of a better word) us I don't know. And now I need to leave for a bit because I'm getting real close to saying things that would get me in trouble with mods.
I'm not attacking you. I find it hard to see your arguments, that's all. I understand how you feel, but that's only an emotional side.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Want to start playing but don't have anyone to play with? You can try these options: [link].
"Monetizing UA would not be a sound business decision because by monetizing it, less people will try it out simply because they don't want to pay for it."
There's the nub of the problem. "I want the thing, but I don't want to pay for the thing" is not something a business will take much notice of, I think.
Nearly 100 years of broadcast television suggests you may be mistaken. It seems companies were able to find ways to monetize quite profitably, even without directly charging their viewers.
Are people honestly upset by this? I see some negative comments, but I can’t imagine being so bent out of shape over something that the players can easily make for their private use whenever they want. Homebrewing UA might even be better, because new characters can use it while that option would not be available after UA was archived. I just don’t understand the anger, I guess.
Yes, I'm really upset I paid hundreds of dollars relying on a service that is now being cut off. I paid those hundreds of dollars because I have a job and a family to support so I have better things to do with my time than create "homebrew" duplicates of official content that dndbeyond has always provided and which dndbeyond is way better equipped to make than me. I'm particularly upset because if I spend that time I'll know I'm uselessly duplicating work that hundreds or thousands of other players are being forced to do for themselves because we can't share official homebrew.
This is the problem. UA is not official content. It is stuff that is being investigated as possibly becoming official. The bad assumption that it is official is part of the problem along with the staff workload for features.
While we will no longer be officially supporting this content, you are welcome to use our homebrew tools to create UA content you'd like to use.
Yeah that's great except that your homebrew tools are still a complete dumpster fire. Any plan to use some of the newly freed-up time and resources to improve that?
100% this. The tools they want their users to use are trash, so maybe fix the things you're suggesting people spend their time to use.
It’s the exact same tool the Devs use to implement everything on DDB.
Well then it would be a great idea to make the tools better especially since you've got your own employees wasting time using the terrible kludgy tools.... Maybe if you made the tools more streamlined for everyone then your developers would have more time to spend on things like UA that clearly a lot of users love..... Then you wouldn't need to force your customers to duplicate work that has already been done....
Also it's super annoying to be forced to Homebrew UA and know that potentially hundreds or thousands (?) of other users are having to do the same exact tedious work that you're being forced to do because DDB won't let you share UA Homebrew. It's simply exasperating.
They're not homebrew tools. They're mechanic implementation tools, which have some capabilities for homebrewing. Which makes sense, since homebrewing by definition involves creating things that may not exist yet and it's simply not possible to create tools that anticipate everything anyone may come up with. That's the whole issue with this UA problem to begin with. DDB possibly could/should have tried to be (even) more open with what they set up, but there are limits to what can be conceived of without actually knowing the future and none of us have a crystal ball or magic mirror to pierce the veil of time. Some things will be easy to homebrew with what's in place, some things will be difficult or at minimum require some workarounds, and some things will be flat-out impossible without fresh coding. That's the crux of the matter, and it's a problem that can't be solved.
All that said, if you feel forced to homebrew UA content at all the only one forcing you is yourself. It's playtest material. If you want to playtest it, you don't need to be able to do that by clicking on a DDB sheet. Just roll some dice, virtual or otherwise, or add some modifiers, or apply whatever esoteric ability or quality you want to apply just like we've done for decades. If you just want it because you want content, well, there's infinitely more content out there you'd need to homebrew just the same. I can completely understand disappointment over this; what I can't understand is the drama.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Want to start playing but don't have anyone to play with? You can try these options: [link].
Apologies if buried in pages 3-8, but while I know UA will continue for those who already have it, will those characters therefore be unable to level up?
I don't think you understand something or maybe your wilfully ignoring it but the money beyond gains from subscriptions goes towards everything on the site not just subscriber perks that means it goes to the character builder, site maintenance, the homebrew system, and yes even unearthed arcana. I understand that this is apparently a hard concept to grasp. And as far as the comment saying that just because I pay money doesn't mean I have a say in things is factually wrong because I do have a say, an incredibly small say but I do have one and when other users have a similar opinion as I do, well all those small voices can end up having a rather large say in matters. And finally just like you said a few post ago just because you have an opinion doesn't mean your right that statement works both ways.
In a very loose sense, the money Beyond gains from dice and books also technically goes towards everything on the site. Beyond is not going to implement a policy where money from the DMG will only go towards stuff in the DMG, and I highly doubt most businesses works that way. But that statement is about as meaningful as "everyone drinks pee because most water in the world has probably been through the bladder of one organism or another at one point".
What is not hard to grasp is that customers do not get to dictate where a business decides to allocate their resources.
I do not have an issue with you voicing your disappointment. I have absolutely nothing to gain from your silence, as I want UA to be kept even if it slows other stuff down.
What I do have an issue with is the attitude and entitlement that some folks have shown here just becaus they paid Beyond money. Just because a customer pays others money does not mean it is right to disrespect and talk down to others as if they are lesser beings. Paying other people money also does not mean that the payer gets to dictate what others must do outside the scope of the transaction, and in this case, UA is outside the scope of the subscription. Lumping the UA with subscription is no different from lumping the UA with the PHB or DMG, or lumping Beyond's products with the physical books.
And as for your second point as much as it pains me I do agree but here's the part you apparently can't understand this is something some of us don't like and because of this we are letting beyond know our opinion on the matter in the hopes the change their mind, why you feel the need to attack (can't think of a better word) us I don't know. And now I need to leave for a bit because I'm getting real close to saying things that would get me in trouble with mods.
I do not have an issue with people voicing their disappointment. What I do have an issue is when crap like this gets tossed around:
Absolutely pathetic. You're completely out of touch with your customers and what they desire from the platform. Implementation is the most important aspect of what you do yet the only teams you seem interested in supporting are the microtransaction/virtual dice teams. Careful, your greed is showing.
No more UA, but guys, we get containers!!!! How ******* exciting to be able to put shit in bags. Who gives a flying **** about containers?? DDB must have lost their contract since Wizards is staring their own digital platform. Sucks to suck DDB, I guess your time is running out. It was fun while it lasted.
Apologies if buried in pages 3-8, but while I know UA will continue for those who already have it, will those characters therefore be unable to level up?
I believe an old update fixed that a long while ago, and as long as you have the UA on the character, you should be able to keep leveling up the UA character.
However, just to be on the safe side, I personally create a level 20 copy of almost every UA released on here (I think I missed some of the early ones, especially WGTE stuff), just in case anything goes awry.
That’s really cruddy news all of my players use UA and love to help with the play test feedback. The digital interface makes it really easy for some of my newer players. It also makes me a bit worried about the status of D&D beyond are we gonna start losing more content in the future?
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betrayal at the highest levels of government
you swore to bring us fun
now, you come to us bringing only ruin
how far the mighty have fallen.
I, for one, think this is a good thing. I think the UA just confused things for groups and players.
100% this. The tools they want their users to use are trash, so maybe fix the things you're suggesting people spend their time to use.
It’s the exact same tool the Devs use to implement everything on DDB.
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting
Hold on, the orchestra wasn’t ready for that hyper melodramatic monologue. The director is asking for another take. (Just make sure you can bring that same level of emotion the second time.)
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting
True and for beyond its revenue comes from it's users meaning if enough users request a feature that is viable then they will do it. A perfect example of this is the Sonic movie, after all in the original previews sonic looked like trash and when possible customers complained about it Paramount fixed it. It's the same situation here if enough users complain about this decision then it will be changed. I don't know why this is so hard for you to understand after all it's common sense for a business to cater to the desires of it's customer base at least to some extent.
If I can't say something nice, I try to not say anything at all. So if I suddenly stop participating in a topic that's probably why.
HOW DARE HE!!! Someone get muh pitchfork and torch!! Hold my earrings and hand me the Vaseline….
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting
Two things. First, with a movie that movie is the entire product. Customers can't pay a reduced price to only see the parts without Sonic actually being on screen - if the movie sucks, they don't go because the movie is all that might interest them. DDB on the other hand has a number of functions: just because DDB has less value without UA doesn't mean users can't still want to use it. Ergo, people complaining about the loss of UA aren't necessarily customers that will be lost entirely. Second, with all due respect, the couple of dozen complainers here are - and I'm really underselling it with this euphemistic statement - rather unlikely to even be noticeable on DDB's balance sheet.
Want to start playing but don't have anyone to play with? You can try these options: [link].
The movie thing was a comparison a very simple one at that I'm sure if I really tried I could find something similar enough business wise that fits the situation but even if I did I'm sure you'd find some way to argue against it since all you seemingly want to do is disagree. And as for your second point as much as it pains me I do agree but here's the part you apparently can't understand this is something some of us don't like and because of this we are letting beyond know our opinion on the matter in the hopes the change their mind, why you feel the need to attack (can't think of a better word) us I don't know. And now I need to leave for a bit because I'm getting real close to saying things that would get me in trouble with mods.
If I can't say something nice, I try to not say anything at all. So if I suddenly stop participating in a topic that's probably why.
"Monetizing UA would not be a sound business decision because by monetizing it, less people will try it out simply because they don't want to pay for it."
There's the nub of the problem. "I want the thing, but I don't want to pay for the thing" is not something a business will take much notice of, I think.
It says it right in the article dude
I'm not attacking you. I find it hard to see your arguments, that's all. I understand how you feel, but that's only an emotional side.
Want to start playing but don't have anyone to play with? You can try these options: [link].
Nearly 100 years of broadcast television suggests you may be mistaken. It seems companies were able to find ways to monetize quite profitably, even without directly charging their viewers.
This is the problem. UA is not official content. It is stuff that is being investigated as possibly becoming official. The bad assumption that it is official is part of the problem along with the staff workload for features.
Well then it would be a great idea to make the tools better especially since you've got your own employees wasting time using the terrible kludgy tools.... Maybe if you made the tools more streamlined for everyone then your developers would have more time to spend on things like UA that clearly a lot of users love..... Then you wouldn't need to force your customers to duplicate work that has already been done....
Also it's super annoying to be forced to Homebrew UA and know that potentially hundreds or thousands (?) of other users are having to do the same exact tedious work that you're being forced to do because DDB won't let you share UA Homebrew. It's simply exasperating.
They're not homebrew tools. They're mechanic implementation tools, which have some capabilities for homebrewing. Which makes sense, since homebrewing by definition involves creating things that may not exist yet and it's simply not possible to create tools that anticipate everything anyone may come up with. That's the whole issue with this UA problem to begin with. DDB possibly could/should have tried to be (even) more open with what they set up, but there are limits to what can be conceived of without actually knowing the future and none of us have a crystal ball or magic mirror to pierce the veil of time. Some things will be easy to homebrew with what's in place, some things will be difficult or at minimum require some workarounds, and some things will be flat-out impossible without fresh coding. That's the crux of the matter, and it's a problem that can't be solved.
All that said, if you feel forced to homebrew UA content at all the only one forcing you is yourself. It's playtest material. If you want to playtest it, you don't need to be able to do that by clicking on a DDB sheet. Just roll some dice, virtual or otherwise, or add some modifiers, or apply whatever esoteric ability or quality you want to apply just like we've done for decades. If you just want it because you want content, well, there's infinitely more content out there you'd need to homebrew just the same. I can completely understand disappointment over this; what I can't understand is the drama.
Want to start playing but don't have anyone to play with? You can try these options: [link].
Apologies if buried in pages 3-8, but while I know UA will continue for those who already have it, will those characters therefore be unable to level up?
In a very loose sense, the money Beyond gains from dice and books also technically goes towards everything on the site. Beyond is not going to implement a policy where money from the DMG will only go towards stuff in the DMG, and I highly doubt most businesses works that way. But that statement is about as meaningful as "everyone drinks pee because most water in the world has probably been through the bladder of one organism or another at one point".
What is not hard to grasp is that customers do not get to dictate where a business decides to allocate their resources.
I do not have an issue with you voicing your disappointment. I have absolutely nothing to gain from your silence, as I want UA to be kept even if it slows other stuff down.
What I do have an issue with is the attitude and entitlement that some folks have shown here just becaus they paid Beyond money. Just because a customer pays others money does not mean it is right to disrespect and talk down to others as if they are lesser beings. Paying other people money also does not mean that the payer gets to dictate what others must do outside the scope of the transaction, and in this case, UA is outside the scope of the subscription. Lumping the UA with subscription is no different from lumping the UA with the PHB or DMG, or lumping Beyond's products with the physical books.
I do not have an issue with people voicing their disappointment. What I do have an issue is when crap like this gets tossed around:
Check Licenses and Resync Entitlements: < https://www.dndbeyond.com/account/licenses >
Running the Game by Matt Colville; Introduction: < https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-YZvLUXcR8 >
D&D with High School Students by Bill Allen; Season 1 Episode 1: < https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52NJTUDokyk&t >
I believe an old update fixed that a long while ago, and as long as you have the UA on the character, you should be able to keep leveling up the UA character.
However, just to be on the safe side, I personally create a level 20 copy of almost every UA released on here (I think I missed some of the early ones, especially WGTE stuff), just in case anything goes awry.
Check Licenses and Resync Entitlements: < https://www.dndbeyond.com/account/licenses >
Running the Game by Matt Colville; Introduction: < https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-YZvLUXcR8 >
D&D with High School Students by Bill Allen; Season 1 Episode 1: < https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52NJTUDokyk&t >
That’s really cruddy news all of my players use UA and love to help with the play test feedback. The digital interface makes it really easy for some of my newer players. It also makes me a bit worried about the status of D&D beyond are we gonna start losing more content in the future?