How is the ability to play at a table being removed for you? Are you unable to play at a table with a pencil and paper now? Can you not go to your local game store and buy physical books?
Before there were bundles, WotC was decried for ignoring the demands of the players and killing the game. Now that they have it met this demand they are being accused of polluting it with digital options and killing the game. Some people refuse to be pleased.
The sky is not falling. Every medium for the game that is being asked for is either actively present or being developed. This is a good thing.
No one is saying the ability to play at a table is being taken away. Or the ability to purchase physical books. (I even made mention of the latter in the original post you responded to. I mentioned physical shops. Or Amazon even. So why would I believe we can't buy physical books no more?) Are you really not able to understand the point being made about reorienting the hobby so that online becomes the standard medium for play?
You are—either consciously or unconsciously—misrepresenting what those demands were.
What people were requesting was that purchase of a physical book grant them access to that same content digitally. They haven't met that demand by telling people if they want both they have to pay for both.
You can pay a price that means you will then be able to stream some record available there. Indefinitely.
Or you can pay a price that means you will get that record in the mail. It will cost more. But you will have it in your hands.
Some think when they purchase the physical record they should then be allowed to stream it online as well. At no extra cost. They've paid more. They have the physical object. Why should they then be required to pay extra to listen to it online? they think to themselves. Many online record shops agree with these people and a physical purchase will also mean streaming of that record or a download code. At no extra cost.
But if that record shop stops physical-only sales altogether and now you can only pay the price to stream something or pay the price for streaming and for the physical record if you want the physical record that is not meeting the request of those who think the cost of the physical record should include streaming.
That is a what we call a slap in the face.
Players with Demands: "We have paid for the physical books. We have paid for that content. Shouldn't the physical books come bundled with access to the digital versions for these?"
You: "There are now hybrid bundles and you can pay for both with a single transaction. So why are you complaining?"
Perhaps because those players with demands meant the cost of a physical book should include access to its digital version. Not that they be given the option to pay for both at the same time. Are you really having trouble making this distinction?
INSPIRATIONS:Clark Ashton Smith, Mervyn Peake, Jack Vance, Michael Moorcock, Fritz Leiber, M. John Harrison, Gene Wolfe, Steven Brust, Terry Pratchett, China Miéville.
Call it "freebies" if you must. Many other games and many online game stores provide pdfs at no extra cost. Many online music shops provide streamable and downloadable versions of any physical purchase made at no extra cost. I don't play online so don't even really have a dog in this fight. But I can empathize with players who have paid for the books believing because they have paid for the content in those books it is a bit unfair and unreasonable to expect them to pay for it again.
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INSPIRATIONS:Clark Ashton Smith, Mervyn Peake, Jack Vance, Michael Moorcock, Fritz Leiber, M. John Harrison, Gene Wolfe, Steven Brust, Terry Pratchett, China Miéville.
I mean, it's not that I must call it freebies. It literally is though. So I might as well. Is there a reason I shouldn't?
Imagine if you will you have purchased the entire discography of some artist. You download this onto your computer. Imagine you'd like to listen to it using some portable device. Imagine this is made impossible and you have to rebuy what you've already bought if you wish to do that. Do you really think someone thinking they have already paid for that content and should be able to do this without paying for it again is that someone unreasonably asking for "freebies"?
It wouldn't kill WOTC to include access to the same content on D&D Beyond with any physical purchase.
That literally would be a "freebie." But you meant this negatively connotatively speaking and that's the actual point of contention here.
Why do you think this would be wrong?
When you support something on Kickstarter and pledge to receive the physical book you will get the pdf of that game the moment it's available and the physical book will follow. You are not expected to pledge both amounts or even expected to pay some discounted bundle price. That physical purchase comes with the pdf.
Stores like Exalted Funeral allow you to choose between buying just the pdf or the physical book but the physical book comes with the pdf. At no extra cost.
Even just recently I bought two supplements directly from an indie game designer based in Hungary. At first I bought just the pdfs on DriveThruRPG. Then when I bought the physical books the game designer said he'd give me a discount on these. Subtract the cost of the pdfs. I actually declined this offer. Because impressed by his generosity and wanting to support an independent game designer I didn't then particularly care about paying the full price for physical copies.
That is the difference between doing business with a community and doing business with a corporation.
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INSPIRATIONS:Clark Ashton Smith, Mervyn Peake, Jack Vance, Michael Moorcock, Fritz Leiber, M. John Harrison, Gene Wolfe, Steven Brust, Terry Pratchett, China Miéville.
... Are you really not able to understand the point being made about reorienting the hobby so that online becomes the standard medium for play?
You are—either consciously or unconsciously—misrepresenting what those demands were.
I suppose I don't understand. Guess that means you should stop wasting both of our time on that subject then. I don't care about people whinging about free stuff.
I think that makes pretty obvious they envision a D&D that is played more online than it is around tables. You might not find that troubling. I and many others do. It's an analog pastime that for decades has brought people together. There's nothing wrong with playing online. Some have little choice but to do so. But the ability to do so should be an option available for those who have little choice but to do so. Trying to push the game in a direction where that becomes the paradigm for how it is to be mostly and officially played is wrong on so many levels.
I think it is pretty obvious that WotC is meeting the players where they are at. Again, providing more options = good. More players = good. You have yet to provide evidence that D&D is becoming a digital-only format. If you are worried that the players won't want to play with you because you refuse to play digital, that is not WotC's fault, that is you failing to meet the players where they are at. It is an irrational fear anyway. There are tons of people who reject DDB. Reddit and FB has plenty. Start a LFG post and you will be buried with invites from dozens of people who prefer chisels and stone tablets for their character sheets.
I mean, it's not that I must call it freebies. It literally is though. So I might as well. Is there a reason I shouldn't?
Imagine if you will you have purchased the entire discography of some artist. You download this onto your computer. Imagine you'd like to listen to it using some portable device. Imagine this is made impossible
... Are you really not able to understand the point being made about reorienting the hobby so that online becomes the standard medium for play?
You are—either consciously or unconsciously—misrepresenting what those demands were.
I suppose I don't understand. Guess that means you should stop wasting both of our time on that subject then. I don't care about people whinging about free stuff.
I think that makes pretty obvious they envision a D&D that is played more online than it is around tables. You might not find that troubling. I and many others do. It's an analog pastime that for decades has brought people together. There's nothing wrong with playing online. Some have little choice but to do so. But the ability to do so should be an option available for those who have little choice but to do so. Trying to push the game in a direction where that becomes the paradigm for how it is to be mostly and officially played is wrong on so many levels.
I think it is pretty obvious that WotC is meeting the players where they are at. Again, providing more options = good. More players = good. You have yet to provide evidence that D&D is becoming a digital-only format. If you are worried that the players won't want to play with you because you refuse to play digital, that is not WotC's fault, that is you failing to meet the players where they are at. It is an irrational fear anyway. There are tons of people who reject DDB. Reddit and FB has plenty. Start a LFG post and you will be buried with invites from dozens of people who prefer chisels and stone tablets for their character sheets.
Don't put words in my mouth.
I routinely play in person and in more than one game and with people who have no interest in playing anywhere but around a table.
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INSPIRATIONS:Clark Ashton Smith, Mervyn Peake, Jack Vance, Michael Moorcock, Fritz Leiber, M. John Harrison, Gene Wolfe, Steven Brust, Terry Pratchett, China Miéville.
I mean, it's not that I must call it freebies. It literally is though. So I might as well. Is there a reason I shouldn't?
Imagine if you will you have purchased the entire discography of some artist. You download this onto your computer. Imagine you'd like to listen to it using some portable device. Imagine this is made impossible
It's not at all a bizarre hypothetical because it's happened. There are cases of purchased audio files having been locked in some way so they can not be played using software other than that the vender has made available or be transferred. Not that any of this is the actual point being made: You have paid for that content. Why should you have to pay for it again?
A lot of sentiment in those threads only indicates what I am saying here is true. Many people believe if they've paid for the physical books they should then have access to that same content on D&D Beyond.
If other publishers are happy to give away digital versions of their game products with any physical purchase why is it so unreasonable to expect this of WOTC? Why?
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INSPIRATIONS:Clark Ashton Smith, Mervyn Peake, Jack Vance, Michael Moorcock, Fritz Leiber, M. John Harrison, Gene Wolfe, Steven Brust, Terry Pratchett, China Miéville.
It depends on what the rest of my group decides, but my hope is to change right away. I see far more positives than negatives in the playtest documents.
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Any time an unfathomably powerful entity sweeps in and offers godlike rewards in return for just a few teensy favors, it’s a scam. Unless it’s me. I’d never lie to you, reader dearest.
You have paid for that content. Why should you have to pay for it again?
A lot of sentiment in those threads only indicates what I am saying here is true. Many people believe if they've paid for the physical books they should then have access to that same content on D&D Beyond.
There's a second part to that statement, though, isn't there? Here, let me bold it for you, to make it more clear. ; )
If other publishers are happy to give away digital versions of their game products with any physical purchase why is it so unreasonable to expect this of WOTC? Why?
Why would Wizards do it? Most of the time, those types of maneuvers are meant to secure faith in the product or service, secure mailing list subscriptions, and establish brand recognition for a growing company/studio/artist. They're taking a hit to their income now in the hopes that it will pay off later by getting them a legitimate foothold in their respective industry. Wizards already has a foothold. I think we can agree on that.
Why would Wizards do it? Most of the time, those types of maneuvers are meant to secure faith in the product or service, secure mailing list subscriptions, and establish brand recognition for a growing company/studio/artist. They're taking a hit to their income now in the hopes that it will pay off later by getting them a legitimate foothold in their respective industry. Wizards already has a foothold. I think we can agree on that.
You can go to Bandcamp right now and purchase a physical copy of the latest album from some award-winning artist who have been around for two or three decades and who have more than established their brand and that purchase will still get you a download of that album.
How frequently or infrequently do you buy other games? And do so direct? Just out of curiosity.
Free League Publishing are hardly struggling to gain recognition in the hobby. They've produced award-winning games.
With any purchase of a physical copy of one of their books you receive a PDF of the book immediately once you're through the check out.
There is finding a legitimate foothold in the industry and there is capitalizing on your customers' commitment to your brand.
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INSPIRATIONS:Clark Ashton Smith, Mervyn Peake, Jack Vance, Michael Moorcock, Fritz Leiber, M. John Harrison, Gene Wolfe, Steven Brust, Terry Pratchett, China Miéville.
I have not been impressed with WoTC ever since they forced Mearl's out. Feels like they're become less customer obsessed, and more PR obsessed.
Having said that I do like a lot of the changes I am seeing in One D&D lately. Some of the earlier changes were giving me red flags, but fortunately the community feedback seems to be weeding those awful changes out (like crits). I will wait for a bit to see what needs to be ironed out, then probably switch over.
While being super unimpressed with WoTC in the past, I have tried other gaming systems. PF2E in particular is a missed opportunity imo, it's just not a fun system for me and my group. Instead of designing a system that was fun, they designed a system around patching all the "problems" with PF1. So we will stick with 5e/5.5e for a while longer yet.
And that is how I look at One D&D. It's not really 6e, more 5.5e. And that's fine with me. I don't think we needed a 6e.
You have paid for that content. Why should you have to pay for it again?
A lot of sentiment in those threads only indicates what I am saying here is true. Many people believe if they've paid for the physical books they should then have access to that same content on D&D Beyond.
There's a second part to that statement, though, isn't there? Here, let me bold it for you, to make it more clear. ; )
If other publishers are happy to give away digital versions of their game products with any physical purchase why is it so unreasonable to expect this of WOTC? Why?
Why would Wizards do it? Most of the time, those types of maneuvers are meant to secure faith in the product or service, secure mailing list subscriptions, and establish brand recognition for a growing company/studio/artist. They're taking a hit to their income now in the hopes that it will pay off later by getting them a legitimate foothold in their respective industry. Wizards already has a foothold. I think we can agree on that.
One bad PR move and D&D could go the way of BudLight. Inside of a few months they could back slide out of first place.
Wizards is not any other TTRPG company. They do not need to lower prices to stay competitive. On the other hand, other TTRPG companies probably need to lower their prices to stay competitive. Wizards is doing something right if they can charge a premium and people are still willing to pay for it.
Wizards just does not seem to be interested in offering certain conveniences for free. If a person does not think Wizards is worth it, they do not have to pay Wizards, they can pay Wizards' competitors instead who offer a price point more in line with what the person expects.
Just as not every job is worth working in, not every customer is worth serving. I am sure some people would not mind wiping seniors' bums for minimum wage, but most people would not and most people certainly do not give a damn what those seniors think. I am sure some companies out there would not mind offering free digital stuff with their physical products, but Wizards does not seem to be one of those companies, and Wizards does not seem to care what people who do not want to pay think.
Think you'll find they'll start caring if sales for physical books see a sizable drop compared to the sales figures they've enjoyed for 5e if more than enough players forgo buying those 2024 books. And if the results of this poll give us any indication of what many feel or think about making that switch that is looking to be probable.
Never open a business: If you opened a shop and thought every potential customer who passed you by wasn't worth your time on the contrary you wouldn't be worth theirs.
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INSPIRATIONS:Clark Ashton Smith, Mervyn Peake, Jack Vance, Michael Moorcock, Fritz Leiber, M. John Harrison, Gene Wolfe, Steven Brust, Terry Pratchett, China Miéville.
As for being able to charge a premium and people still being willing to pay for it it's not as if there aren't game products that are more expensive than the 5e books. I guess those publishers must be doing something right too. And because they can't boast the brand recognition 5e has I guess their content and construction must be superior. That must be it!
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INSPIRATIONS:Clark Ashton Smith, Mervyn Peake, Jack Vance, Michael Moorcock, Fritz Leiber, M. John Harrison, Gene Wolfe, Steven Brust, Terry Pratchett, China Miéville.
Many people did not like TCOE, and TCOE sales still turned out fine. I do not think the second set of core books is going to be any different, and I am pretty sure they will still sell like hotcakes like any other sourcebooks. Hell, with how incomplete Beyond is, Beyond is still doing fine.
No one is saying the ability to play at a table is being taken away. Or the ability to purchase physical books. (I even made mention of the latter in the original post you responded to. I mentioned physical shops. Or Amazon even. So why would I believe we can't buy physical books no more?) Are you really not able to understand the point being made about reorienting the hobby so that online becomes the standard medium for play?
You are—either consciously or unconsciously—misrepresenting what those demands were.
What people were requesting was that purchase of a physical book grant them access to that same content digitally. They haven't met that demand by telling people if they want both they have to pay for both.
Like I said:
Players with Demands: "We have paid for the physical books. We have paid for that content. Shouldn't the physical books come bundled with access to the digital versions for these?"
You: "There are now hybrid bundles and you can pay for both with a single transaction. So why are you complaining?"
Perhaps because those players with demands meant the cost of a physical book should include access to its digital version. Not that they be given the option to pay for both at the same time. Are you really having trouble making this distinction?
INSPIRATIONS: Clark Ashton Smith, Mervyn Peake, Jack Vance, Michael Moorcock, Fritz Leiber, M. John Harrison, Gene Wolfe, Steven Brust, Terry Pratchett, China Miéville.
SYSTEMS: ShadowDark, C&C, AD&D.
GEAR: pencils, graph paper, dice.
Oh, so freebies.
Call it "freebies" if you must. Many other games and many online game stores provide pdfs at no extra cost. Many online music shops provide streamable and downloadable versions of any physical purchase made at no extra cost. I don't play online so don't even really have a dog in this fight. But I can empathize with players who have paid for the books believing because they have paid for the content in those books it is a bit unfair and unreasonable to expect them to pay for it again.
INSPIRATIONS: Clark Ashton Smith, Mervyn Peake, Jack Vance, Michael Moorcock, Fritz Leiber, M. John Harrison, Gene Wolfe, Steven Brust, Terry Pratchett, China Miéville.
SYSTEMS: ShadowDark, C&C, AD&D.
GEAR: pencils, graph paper, dice.
I mean, it's not that I must call it freebies. It literally is though. So I might as well. Is there a reason I shouldn't?
Imagine if you will you have purchased the entire discography of some artist. You download this onto your computer. Imagine you'd like to listen to it using some portable device. Imagine this is made impossible and you have to rebuy what you've already bought if you wish to do that. Do you really think someone thinking they have already paid for that content and should be able to do this without paying for it again is that someone unreasonably asking for "freebies"?
It wouldn't kill WOTC to include access to the same content on D&D Beyond with any physical purchase.
That literally would be a "freebie." But you meant this negatively connotatively speaking and that's the actual point of contention here.
Why do you think this would be wrong?
When you support something on Kickstarter and pledge to receive the physical book you will get the pdf of that game the moment it's available and the physical book will follow. You are not expected to pledge both amounts or even expected to pay some discounted bundle price. That physical purchase comes with the pdf.
Stores like Exalted Funeral allow you to choose between buying just the pdf or the physical book but the physical book comes with the pdf. At no extra cost.
Even just recently I bought two supplements directly from an indie game designer based in Hungary. At first I bought just the pdfs on DriveThruRPG. Then when I bought the physical books the game designer said he'd give me a discount on these. Subtract the cost of the pdfs. I actually declined this offer. Because impressed by his generosity and wanting to support an independent game designer I didn't then particularly care about paying the full price for physical copies.
That is the difference between doing business with a community and doing business with a corporation.
INSPIRATIONS: Clark Ashton Smith, Mervyn Peake, Jack Vance, Michael Moorcock, Fritz Leiber, M. John Harrison, Gene Wolfe, Steven Brust, Terry Pratchett, China Miéville.
SYSTEMS: ShadowDark, C&C, AD&D.
GEAR: pencils, graph paper, dice.
I suppose I don't understand. Guess that means you should stop wasting both of our time on that subject then. I don't care about people whinging about free stuff.
I think it is pretty obvious that WotC is meeting the players where they are at. Again, providing more options = good. More players = good. You have yet to provide evidence that D&D is becoming a digital-only format. If you are worried that the players won't want to play with you because you refuse to play digital, that is not WotC's fault, that is you failing to meet the players where they are at. It is an irrational fear anyway. There are tons of people who reject DDB. Reddit and FB has plenty. Start a LFG post and you will be buried with invites from dozens of people who prefer chisels and stone tablets for their character sheets.
DM mostly, Player occasionally | Session 0 form | He/Him/They/Them
EXTENDED SIGNATURE!
Doctor/Published Scholar/Science and Healthcare Advocate/Critter/Trekkie/Gandalf with a Glock
Try DDB free: Free Rules (2024), premade PCs, adventures, one shots, encounters, SC, homebrew, more
Answers: physical books, purchases, and subbing.
Check out my life-changing
That's both a truly bizarre hypothetical and an inaccurate reflection of the situation here. Gosh, maybe you haven't borne witness to the countless times this has already been discussed on these forums. Here are a few.
Can You Download Books Purchased On This Site?
I Have Most Of the Physical Books, How Do I Use Them for Beyond?
Physical Book Price Hike
Or, hey, maybe the very top post pinned in the forum: A Buyer's Guide to D&D Beyond
Don't put words in my mouth.
I routinely play in person and in more than one game and with people who have no interest in playing anywhere but around a table.
INSPIRATIONS: Clark Ashton Smith, Mervyn Peake, Jack Vance, Michael Moorcock, Fritz Leiber, M. John Harrison, Gene Wolfe, Steven Brust, Terry Pratchett, China Miéville.
SYSTEMS: ShadowDark, C&C, AD&D.
GEAR: pencils, graph paper, dice.
Neat.
DM mostly, Player occasionally | Session 0 form | He/Him/They/Them
EXTENDED SIGNATURE!
Doctor/Published Scholar/Science and Healthcare Advocate/Critter/Trekkie/Gandalf with a Glock
Try DDB free: Free Rules (2024), premade PCs, adventures, one shots, encounters, SC, homebrew, more
Answers: physical books, purchases, and subbing.
Check out my life-changing
It's not at all a bizarre hypothetical because it's happened. There are cases of purchased audio files having been locked in some way so they can not be played using software other than that the vender has made available or be transferred. Not that any of this is the actual point being made: You have paid for that content. Why should you have to pay for it again?
A lot of sentiment in those threads only indicates what I am saying here is true. Many people believe if they've paid for the physical books they should then have access to that same content on D&D Beyond.
If other publishers are happy to give away digital versions of their game products with any physical purchase why is it so unreasonable to expect this of WOTC? Why?
INSPIRATIONS: Clark Ashton Smith, Mervyn Peake, Jack Vance, Michael Moorcock, Fritz Leiber, M. John Harrison, Gene Wolfe, Steven Brust, Terry Pratchett, China Miéville.
SYSTEMS: ShadowDark, C&C, AD&D.
GEAR: pencils, graph paper, dice.
It depends on what the rest of my group decides, but my hope is to change right away. I see far more positives than negatives in the playtest documents.
Any time an unfathomably powerful entity sweeps in and offers godlike rewards in return for just a few teensy favors, it’s a scam. Unless it’s me. I’d never lie to you, reader dearest.
Tasha
There's a second part to that statement, though, isn't there? Here, let me bold it for you, to make it more clear. ; )
Why would Wizards do it? Most of the time, those types of maneuvers are meant to secure faith in the product or service, secure mailing list subscriptions, and establish brand recognition for a growing company/studio/artist. They're taking a hit to their income now in the hopes that it will pay off later by getting them a legitimate foothold in their respective industry. Wizards already has a foothold. I think we can agree on that.
You can go to Bandcamp right now and purchase a physical copy of the latest album from some award-winning artist who have been around for two or three decades and who have more than established their brand and that purchase will still get you a download of that album.
How frequently or infrequently do you buy other games? And do so direct? Just out of curiosity.
Free League Publishing are hardly struggling to gain recognition in the hobby. They've produced award-winning games.
With any purchase of a physical copy of one of their books you receive a PDF of the book immediately once you're through the check out.
There is finding a legitimate foothold in the industry and there is capitalizing on your customers' commitment to your brand.
INSPIRATIONS: Clark Ashton Smith, Mervyn Peake, Jack Vance, Michael Moorcock, Fritz Leiber, M. John Harrison, Gene Wolfe, Steven Brust, Terry Pratchett, China Miéville.
SYSTEMS: ShadowDark, C&C, AD&D.
GEAR: pencils, graph paper, dice.
I have not been impressed with WoTC ever since they forced Mearl's out. Feels like they're become less customer obsessed, and more PR obsessed.
Having said that I do like a lot of the changes I am seeing in One D&D lately. Some of the earlier changes were giving me red flags, but fortunately the community feedback seems to be weeding those awful changes out (like crits). I will wait for a bit to see what needs to be ironed out, then probably switch over.
While being super unimpressed with WoTC in the past, I have tried other gaming systems. PF2E in particular is a missed opportunity imo, it's just not a fun system for me and my group. Instead of designing a system that was fun, they designed a system around patching all the "problems" with PF1. So we will stick with 5e/5.5e for a while longer yet.
And that is how I look at One D&D. It's not really 6e, more 5.5e. And that's fine with me. I don't think we needed a 6e.
One bad PR move and D&D could go the way of BudLight. Inside of a few months they could back slide out of first place.
Switch adapting the 5E content. One D&D fixes some imbalances that IMO is a must.
Wizards is not any other TTRPG company. They do not need to lower prices to stay competitive. On the other hand, other TTRPG companies probably need to lower their prices to stay competitive. Wizards is doing something right if they can charge a premium and people are still willing to pay for it.
Wizards just does not seem to be interested in offering certain conveniences for free. If a person does not think Wizards is worth it, they do not have to pay Wizards, they can pay Wizards' competitors instead who offer a price point more in line with what the person expects.
Just as not every job is worth working in, not every customer is worth serving. I am sure some people would not mind wiping seniors' bums for minimum wage, but most people would not and most people certainly do not give a damn what those seniors think. I am sure some companies out there would not mind offering free digital stuff with their physical products, but Wizards does not seem to be one of those companies, and Wizards does not seem to care what people who do not want to pay think.
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 >
Think you'll find they'll start caring if sales for physical books see a sizable drop compared to the sales figures they've enjoyed for 5e if more than enough players forgo buying those 2024 books. And if the results of this poll give us any indication of what many feel or think about making that switch that is looking to be probable.
Never open a business: If you opened a shop and thought every potential customer who passed you by wasn't worth your time on the contrary you wouldn't be worth theirs.
INSPIRATIONS: Clark Ashton Smith, Mervyn Peake, Jack Vance, Michael Moorcock, Fritz Leiber, M. John Harrison, Gene Wolfe, Steven Brust, Terry Pratchett, China Miéville.
SYSTEMS: ShadowDark, C&C, AD&D.
GEAR: pencils, graph paper, dice.
As for being able to charge a premium and people still being willing to pay for it it's not as if there aren't game products that are more expensive than the 5e books. I guess those publishers must be doing something right too. And because they can't boast the brand recognition 5e has I guess their content and construction must be superior. That must be it!
INSPIRATIONS: Clark Ashton Smith, Mervyn Peake, Jack Vance, Michael Moorcock, Fritz Leiber, M. John Harrison, Gene Wolfe, Steven Brust, Terry Pratchett, China Miéville.
SYSTEMS: ShadowDark, C&C, AD&D.
GEAR: pencils, graph paper, dice.
Many people did not like TCOE, and TCOE sales still turned out fine. I do not think the second set of core books is going to be any different, and I am pretty sure they will still sell like hotcakes like any other sourcebooks. Hell, with how incomplete Beyond is, Beyond is still doing fine.
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 >