Wotc obviously views D&D as an "Under-Monitized" ttrpg. We all know if companies think that way, they will try to capitalize in some way, shape or form. I'm doubtful the overwhelming negative response to the OGL update has changed their view on D&D being under-monitized. Having said that, they still changed the previous OGL update and showed a willingness to work with their community. This may be the best opportunity for the D&D community to exercise this leverage and come up with ways Wotc could monetize D&D in such a way that the community can and will support. So if not through intellectual properties, ogl updates and royalties, how should Wotc go forward? What kinds of products/services could or should they capitalize on?
The fact they have not added figures, plushies, actual maps, clothes, bags, and other swag to the D&Dbeyond site as a way to get more merchandising done astounds me, even if it would just be a link to Amazon. I am not exactly in a buying mood nor will I be until they make this all right, but what the heck Hasbro?
The fact they have not added figures, plushies, actual maps, clothes, bags, and other swag to the D&Dbeyond site as a way to get more merchandising done astounds me, even if it would just be a link to Amazon. I am not exactly in a buying mood nor will I be until they make this all right, but what the heck Hasbro?
That does seem like a pretty obvious way to monetize the brand without alienating the player base. Seems rather crazy for a pop culture icon that they don't do much more of this.
A great suggestion. Merch definitely seems doable. Especially with them being a subsidiary of Hasbro.
I am hopeful this thread proves productive and (if good ideas come forward) that the company's powers at be take notes. I should probably go ahead and add, yes, I realize we're doing wotc/hasbros job for them, no, I'm not employed by wotc or hasbro nor associated with them in any way other than the fact that i love D&D. I totally get what you mean about not being in a buying mood, the OGL went over like a led nautilod. I just think we should figure out how their future profits should be acquired before we don't have a say at all. The vote, imo, was a courtesy.
their metric for being under-monetised is compared to things like MTG which is a ridiculous nickle-and-dime fest. It is not something to be looked upon favourably.
This might be a crazy off the wall idea, but since they are a publisher, maybe start publishing better quality content that more people are willing to buy?
This might be a crazy off the wall idea, but since they are a publisher, maybe start publishing better quality content that more people are willing to buy?
Their primary 'competitor' makes products so good that people buy them despite the fact that they can get almost all the content legally for free online.
I do see what the OP is trying to do but having said that WotC should have a better idea on what they can and cannot put up for sale then people on the outside. Companies often spend a lot of time doing market research and study groups (does not mean that they are always successful) but that does not mean people can not chime in and say I want this or I want that or I would buy this and that.
On another thread and in the past I said this, RPG's are more like selling art then selling art supplies. I think more people can see the difference and people in business should definitely be able to see the difference. Simply stating "We think D&D 5e is under monetized" is problematic and often I have seen it have a huge impact on fans, please note I have not been following social media so I do not know all of the in's and out's of WotC's statement and ideas, my position is from a perspective of "we can charge $$$ for a lot more stuff and raise the prices on stuff simply because it is my job to make more $$$". That thought process can have issues.
I do hope the powers that be figure it out and I wish them good luck. But I can also say this seems to be just one of a number of problems in the past few months that have me asking basic questions.
The fact they have not added figures, plushies, actual maps, clothes, bags, and other swag to the D&Dbeyond site as a way to get more merchandising done astounds me, even if it would just be a link to Amazon. I am not exactly in a buying mood nor will I be until they make this all right, but what the heck Hasbro?
They hired Microsoft people to run their company.
Me thinks the focus is on digital, not merchandise. They may see the game, fortnight as the model to follow or maybe a sports game where they can focus on teams players and the like. It is my belief that the VTT they are building is where they think the money is and they want to wall it off so no one can share the wealth. And if we do they want to take a sizable chunk of the profits.
I think D&D Beyond and by extension WotChave plenty of smart ways of monetizing their product, the problem is most corporations won't actually invest in the time and energy it takes to properly monetize... anything, anymore. Hell, look at the Video Game market right now; half finished games and reputations in the trash by the boatloads at this point. Even if we have great ideas, they won't listen, let alone impliment them.
Monetization ideas that are Symbiotic would work best ~ we are a Community Game, after all, and they need to remember that first and foremost.
A D&D Beyond Marketplace where people can have their own Etsy Like shopfronts with digital content 'for sale' ~ let people sell digital character sheets that can be implimented easily on the website, adventures, character icons, art etc - imagine how cool it would be to buy a $5 'adventure pack' from a small scale artist that made a super stylized Crime Noir themed game, and everyone's character sheet and art options and icons all matched because they were all made by the same artist, and the maps and everything too. This would let the community make money on their own creativity, you could take a small percentage [a reasonable amount would be under 10% as a hosting/transaction fee] and generate 'free money' basically. They could also put out their own packs and advertise them as premium content, giving them a King of the Crop station above all other creators automatically, so they could make 100% of the money on these things too if they chose to invest in artists making them.
With this additional marketplace, I'd suggest implimenting some kind of Digital Currency; it would allow smaller artists and creators to offer their works and adventures for not real money, a way for amateurs to cut their teeth that is incorporated to the system is always a smart move in my opinion - Plus, you could always host various art contests, creation contests and seasonal events and offer various prizes that give away this non-real currency as prizes.
Use the non-real currency as a way to incentivize users on the website and forums; allow them to upgrade their icon frames or buy things digitally that are otherwise not really worth real money, but create a sense of advancement through the website as a whole, and foster good will / allow for customization. People are more likely to engage with something that they feel is theirs and they have some ownership of. Find ways to more thoroughly advertise the game and link players together so that they can actually play the game on your website, rather than being forced to use these third party creators to have a good time; see, the ideas are endless and frankly easy, but they ALL require effort. And money. I don't think Hasbro is interested in any of it.
I think D&D Beyond and by extension WotChave plenty of smart ways of monetizing their product, the problem is most corporations won't actually invest in the time and energy it takes to properly monetize... anything, anymore. Hell, look at the Video Game market right now; half finished games and reputations in the trash by the boatloads at this point. Even if we have great ideas, they won't listen, let alone impliment them.
Monetization ideas that are Symbiotic would work best ~ we are a Community Game, after all, and they need to remember that first and foremost.
A D&D Beyond Marketplace where people can have their own Etsy Like shopfronts with digital content 'for sale' ~ let people sell digital character sheets that can be implimented easily on the website, adventures, character icons, art etc - imagine how cool it would be to buy a $5 'adventure pack' from a small scale artist that made a super stylized Crime Noir themed game, and everyone's character sheet and art options and icons all matched because they were all made by the same artist, and the maps and everything too. This would let the community make money on their own creativity, you could take a small percentage [a reasonable amount would be under 10% as a hosting/transaction fee] and generate 'free money' basically. They could also put out their own packs and advertise them as premium content, giving them a King of the Crop station above all other creators automatically, so they could make 100% of the money on these things too if they chose to invest in artists making them.
With this additional marketplace, I'd suggest implimenting some kind of Digital Currency; it would allow smaller artists and creators to offer their works and adventures for not real money, a way for amateurs to cut their teeth that is incorporated to the system is always a smart move in my opinion - Plus, you could always host various art contests, creation contests and seasonal events and offer various prizes that give away this non-real currency as prizes.
Use the non-real currency as a way to incentivize users on the website and forums; allow them to upgrade their icon frames or buy things digitally that are otherwise not really worth real money, but create a sense of advancement through the website as a whole, and foster good will / allow for customization. People are more likely to engage with something that they feel is theirs and they have some ownership of. Find ways to more thoroughly advertise the game and link players together so that they can actually play the game on your website, rather than being forced to use these third party creators to have a good time; see, the ideas are endless and frankly easy, but they ALL require effort. And money. I don't think Hasbro is interested in any of it.
Why talk about new avenues of monetization when they still have products that lack any quality of execution. Case in point DND miniature lines that compliment adventures but release several months later. How does that make any sense at all? Preorders that are fulfilled for weeks after street date? Fix these issues and people will spend more.
Why talk about new avenues of monetization when they still have products that lack any quality of execution. Case in point DND miniature lines that compliment adventures but release several months later. How does that make any sense at all? Preorders that are fulfilled for weeks after street date? Fix these issues and people will spend more.
There is a global event of some kind affecting physical supply chains, especially from the place(s) these things are usually manufactured in.
If they were genuinely serious about 'monetizing' D&D, they'd have given us tools to do so ourselves and monetized -that-. They've sort of invested a little by buying D&D beyond, but let's be real; another company made D&D beyond and WotC bought it.
If it were my IP and I were at the helm, I'd have them hire on some people to impilment a way for people to DM through the site better; some kind of video or livestreaming system where people can host games, make it a sort of competitive atmosphere where the best of the best Dungeon Masters get the most likes / views / kudos and give people ways to tip them during their games. People could have public or private games, but those that like to perform for an audience could use the integrated space to both play the game and show off all at once, and if they're making a little money on the site through tips they'd be more inclined to spend a little money on the site too by buying upgrades or customization features that make it feel more personal to them; like I said before, a symbiotic relationship where both parties are getting something cool is always the best avenue to run a business!
It's now one more subscription under-monetized from me.
Look at DND beyond. Tell me how many real quality of life updates we've had over the last year. What changes have been made to the betas for encounters or to anything on character sheets. Tell me any update on DNDBeyond or any new feature that wasn't an advertisement for a new release or a digital dice set they're charging me money for.
No they'd much rather extort creators and 3rd party publishers from money then try and make something of value here.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"You canceled your subscription on 01/14/2023."
(1) Our job is to be good stewards of the game: Wrong. We are the stewards of the game. You print books.
(2) the OGL exists for the benefit of the fans: Wrong. The OGL exists to benefit Wizards. 3rd party Creators have made your game what it is today.
Offer more bundle deals maybe? 25€ for a a StarterKit, throw in 20€ worth of Idols of the Realm acrylic minies ( the flat printed plastic ones), a basic battle mat, a DM screen and sell it for 60€ I would buy that.
Wotc obviously views D&D as an "Under-Monitized" ttrpg. We all know if companies think that way, they will try to capitalize in some way, shape or form. I'm doubtful the overwhelming negative response to the OGL update has changed their view on D&D being under-monitized. Having said that, they still changed the previous OGL update and showed a willingness to work with their community. This may be the best opportunity for the D&D community to exercise this leverage and come up with ways Wotc could monetize D&D in such a way that the community can and will support. So if not through intellectual properties, ogl updates and royalties, how should Wotc go forward? What kinds of products/services could or should they capitalize on?
Remember, if we don't figure that out, they will.
The fact they have not added figures, plushies, actual maps, clothes, bags, and other swag to the D&Dbeyond site as a way to get more merchandising done astounds me, even if it would just be a link to Amazon. I am not exactly in a buying mood nor will I be until they make this all right, but what the heck Hasbro?
That does seem like a pretty obvious way to monetize the brand without alienating the player base. Seems rather crazy for a pop culture icon that they don't do much more of this.
A great suggestion. Merch definitely seems doable. Especially with them being a subsidiary of Hasbro.
I am hopeful this thread proves productive and (if good ideas come forward) that the company's powers at be take notes. I should probably go ahead and add, yes, I realize we're doing wotc/hasbros job for them, no, I'm not employed by wotc or hasbro nor associated with them in any way other than the fact that i love D&D. I totally get what you mean about not being in a buying mood, the OGL went over like a led nautilod. I just think we should figure out how their future profits should be acquired before we don't have a say at all. The vote, imo, was a courtesy.
their metric for being under-monetised is compared to things like MTG which is a ridiculous nickle-and-dime fest. It is not something to be looked upon favourably.
D&D is totally undermonetized. Look at how cheap this Drizzt figure is.
https://www.dndmini.com/collections/lifestyle-product/products/dungeons-dragons-full-sized-drizzt-foam-statue
Lol! Well, people may be willing but that doesn't make them able. Affordability may be a reasonable suggestion though.
I mean, that's not really fair, and it is hard to tell from the pictures... that is literally a 5 and a half foot statue...
Calm down Harold Hill
This might be a crazy off the wall idea, but since they are a publisher, maybe start publishing better quality content that more people are willing to buy?
Their primary 'competitor' makes products so good that people buy them despite the fact that they can get almost all the content legally for free online.
But that's probably a lot of work...
I do see what the OP is trying to do but having said that WotC should have a better idea on what they can and cannot put up for sale then people on the outside. Companies often spend a lot of time doing market research and study groups (does not mean that they are always successful) but that does not mean people can not chime in and say I want this or I want that or I would buy this and that.
On another thread and in the past I said this, RPG's are more like selling art then selling art supplies. I think more people can see the difference and people in business should definitely be able to see the difference. Simply stating "We think D&D 5e is under monetized" is problematic and often I have seen it have a huge impact on fans, please note I have not been following social media so I do not know all of the in's and out's of WotC's statement and ideas, my position is from a perspective of "we can charge $$$ for a lot more stuff and raise the prices on stuff simply because it is my job to make more $$$". That thought process can have issues.
I do hope the powers that be figure it out and I wish them good luck. But I can also say this seems to be just one of a number of problems in the past few months that have me asking basic questions.
They hired Microsoft people to run their company.
Me thinks the focus is on digital, not merchandise. They may see the game, fortnight as the model to follow or maybe a sports game where they can focus on teams players and the like. It is my belief that the VTT they are building is where they think the money is and they want to wall it off so no one can share the wealth. And if we do they want to take a sizable chunk of the profits.
I think D&D Beyond and by extension WotChave plenty of smart ways of monetizing their product, the problem is most corporations won't actually invest in the time and energy it takes to properly monetize... anything, anymore. Hell, look at the Video Game market right now; half finished games and reputations in the trash by the boatloads at this point. Even if we have great ideas, they won't listen, let alone impliment them.
Monetization ideas that are Symbiotic would work best ~ we are a Community Game, after all, and they need to remember that first and foremost.
A D&D Beyond Marketplace where people can have their own Etsy Like shopfronts with digital content 'for sale' ~ let people sell digital character sheets that can be implimented easily on the website, adventures, character icons, art etc - imagine how cool it would be to buy a $5 'adventure pack' from a small scale artist that made a super stylized Crime Noir themed game, and everyone's character sheet and art options and icons all matched because they were all made by the same artist, and the maps and everything too. This would let the community make money on their own creativity, you could take a small percentage [a reasonable amount would be under 10% as a hosting/transaction fee] and generate 'free money' basically. They could also put out their own packs and advertise them as premium content, giving them a King of the Crop station above all other creators automatically, so they could make 100% of the money on these things too if they chose to invest in artists making them.
With this additional marketplace, I'd suggest implimenting some kind of Digital Currency; it would allow smaller artists and creators to offer their works and adventures for not real money, a way for amateurs to cut their teeth that is incorporated to the system is always a smart move in my opinion - Plus, you could always host various art contests, creation contests and seasonal events and offer various prizes that give away this non-real currency as prizes.
Use the non-real currency as a way to incentivize users on the website and forums; allow them to upgrade their icon frames or buy things digitally that are otherwise not really worth real money, but create a sense of advancement through the website as a whole, and foster good will / allow for customization. People are more likely to engage with something that they feel is theirs and they have some ownership of. Find ways to more thoroughly advertise the game and link players together so that they can actually play the game on your website, rather than being forced to use these third party creators to have a good time; see, the ideas are endless and frankly easy, but they ALL require effort. And money. I don't think Hasbro is interested in any of it.
A D&D Beyond marketplace sounds amazing tbh.
Why talk about new avenues of monetization when they still have products that lack any quality of execution. Case in point DND miniature lines that compliment adventures but release several months later. How does that make any sense at all? Preorders that are fulfilled for weeks after street date? Fix these issues and people will spend more.
There is a global event of some kind affecting physical supply chains, especially from the place(s) these things are usually manufactured in.
If they were genuinely serious about 'monetizing' D&D, they'd have given us tools to do so ourselves and monetized -that-. They've sort of invested a little by buying D&D beyond, but let's be real; another company made D&D beyond and WotC bought it.
If it were my IP and I were at the helm, I'd have them hire on some people to impilment a way for people to DM through the site better; some kind of video or livestreaming system where people can host games, make it a sort of competitive atmosphere where the best of the best Dungeon Masters get the most likes / views / kudos and give people ways to tip them during their games. People could have public or private games, but those that like to perform for an audience could use the integrated space to both play the game and show off all at once, and if they're making a little money on the site through tips they'd be more inclined to spend a little money on the site too by buying upgrades or customization features that make it feel more personal to them; like I said before, a symbiotic relationship where both parties are getting something cool is always the best avenue to run a business!
It honestly could be really cool.
It's now one more subscription under-monetized from me.
Look at DND beyond. Tell me how many real quality of life updates we've had over the last year. What changes have been made to the betas for encounters or to anything on character sheets. Tell me any update on DNDBeyond or any new feature that wasn't an advertisement for a new release or a digital dice set they're charging me money for.
No they'd much rather extort creators and 3rd party publishers from money then try and make something of value here.
"You canceled your subscription on 01/14/2023."
(1) Our job is to be good stewards of the game: Wrong. We are the stewards of the game. You print books.
(2) the OGL exists for the benefit of the fans: Wrong. The OGL exists to benefit Wizards. 3rd party Creators have made your game what it is today.
Offer more bundle deals maybe? 25€ for a a StarterKit, throw in 20€ worth of Idols of the Realm acrylic minies ( the flat printed plastic ones), a basic battle mat, a DM screen and sell it for 60€ I would buy that.
Attack: [roll]3d20dl2+6[/roll] Damage: [roll](if([roll:-1:critical], =0, 1d8, 2{1d8}.expand()))+4[/roll] Sneakattack: [roll](if([roll:-2:critical], =0, 2d6, 2{2d6}.expand()))[/roll]