I’m a new player and I currently only own content on D&D Beyond. I only own the PHB and Xanathar’s Guide to Everything. I heavily prefer the online format as well as being able to have easy access to my purchased content while making characters on the website.
I’m just worried that if the worst comes to pass and DDB shuts down I’ll obviously lose my access to all my content.
Is this something I should realistically be worried about? I’m wanting to buy Tasha’s as well as the DM guide and Monster Manual but I’ll just get the hard covers if DDB going away is a realistic possibility.
When you buy the books on D&D Beyond, do you get PDFs that you can save onto your computer? If so, that should alleviate some of your concerns. If not, then yes, you're completely at the mercy of a company that sent the Pinkertons after a customer because they (the company) messed up and sent out MtG cards that weren't supposed to be out yet. Even if DDB doesn't go away, they'll likely raise prices and expand what they charge for in the future, so it may become non-feasible to use.
I personally only ever purchased hard copies of the books because I never trusted DDB, even before the OGL and Pinkerton fiascos. So you may take my perspective with a grain of salt.
That is a valid fear. However, it's not likely to happen anytime soon. WotC bought the site last year, and are making it a big part of their future plans, which include a refresh of the current edition that's supposed to be backward compatible. (And the playtest materiel looks like that claim is plausible.)
So you're probably good for at least 5-10 years, based on that and prior history. During that time, you can look to build up a physical collection on the cheap, with used books, good sales, and the like.
Whether you should buy future books in physical or digital depends on how you play. If you play online, digital's probably better, but content-sharing means you may not need to buy everything yourself. If you play in person, physical's a bit more work to deal with.
But yeah, long-term, it's a safe bet that the digital books won't exist forever.
Also note that a new edition of D&D will come out next year. I expect that at that point the PHB and DMG will move to legacy content but no longer be available to buy.
It is not clear how things will work if you try to combine old and new in DnDBeyond for example make an existing subclass cleric that gets their domain at level 1 with the new cleric class which it appears will be based around getting their first domain features at level 3.
Whether you go for hard copy or electronic yo7 might want to decide whether you want the current dmg or wait for the new one.
One piece of advice if you want to save copies from books you own for offline reference is to use the "print" function of your web browser to save pages as PDFs to your computer (I know on Chrome it's an option in the Select Printer dropdown menu). You'll be back to the joys of leafing/scrolling through dozens of pages to find what you want, but it's an option.
Regarding "long term", they're already doubling down on the 5th edition rules rather than actually making a whole new edition, despite how some describe it, so I give it at least 10 years minimum before they consider a change big enough that it could lead to taking down the site. D&D is a mainstay product, not just some fad they're supporting until the initial hype dies out.
is there some way to sort the content I have purchased to separate it from sources page.... I have a few "books" but they are mixed in with all the stuff I have not purchased... Am I missing a sort button to click or a My source books and adventures tab??
is there some way to sort the content I have purchased to separate it from sources page.... I have a few "books" but they are mixed in with all the stuff I have not purchased... Am I missing a sort button to click or a My source books and adventures tab??
The main sources page doesn't have any sorting function, as far as I know. I'd suggest just bookmarking each table of contents in your browser and putting them together in a folder.
Simply put prahalagu, it absolutely will happen one day. The money we spend is for the license to use, not own. One day, WotC will mothball DDB when it no longer serves its purpose well. When that happens, every purchase made here will disappear into the ether. This is a guarantee. The question is whether it will be 10 years from now or 20. No one thought the Kindle would last when it first came out. Heck, people still think the Nook is worth their money. I doubt DDB is going anywhere soon. Might even outlive you.
is there some way to sort the content I have purchased to separate it from sources page.... I have a few "books" but they are mixed in with all the stuff I have not purchased... Am I missing a sort button to click or a My source books and adventures tab??
The main sources page doesn't have any sorting function, as far as I know. I'd suggest just bookmarking each table of contents in your browser and putting them together in a folder.
Brilliant and simple! I am ashamed I did not think of it. For the next 5 hours, you sir are my hero.
In addition to taking screen captures or prints, you can also use the Android app to save everything offline, so even if DDB gets shutdown (or you lose internet access) you can still get to all your books. As a extra back-up, run Android on your computer, and use the app there as well. That way even if WotC "updates" DDB to wipe everything, you'll have a reserve installation (that you don't run that last update on, obviously) to access everything.
That said, the by far most likely scenario IMO is "legacy creep" where you can no longer buy old content as a semi-replacement content is published. But the digitalization of all the things is not a fad. If you're worried, wait until the release of whatever One D&D turns into as official content, and see how DDB treats the original PHB, DMG, & MM, and make your decision based on that.
I’m just worried that if the worst comes to pass and DDB shuts down I’ll obviously lose my access to all my content.
Welcome to the cloud. :-)
Are you worried that if Netflix closes down then you'll lose access to your movies? Are you worried that if Spotify closes down then you'll lose your music? How about if Skillpipe closes down and your books go away?
The short answer is, yes, it is a possibility, but it is a possibility that applies to everything on the Internet.
It also apploes to physical services. If your gym closes down then you can't work out there any more. If your local food shop closes down then you can't order food there any more. If Avis goes out of business then you have to give back your rental car.
Think of spending money on DDB as a lease or rental or subscription - not a purchase. You haven't "bought" anything on this site and you don't "own" it, any more than you own the machines at your gym.
I’m just worried that if the worst comes to pass and DDB shuts down I’ll obviously lose my access to all my content.
there's no scenario where all of your content doesn't get removed. It absolutely will happen...along with every other piece of digital content you'll ever buy that's held by a 3rd party.
The more likely outcome than DDB shutting down is a change of policy that makes some content unavailable to try to make you purchase the new content, or they simply add additional paywalls between you and the content you've already paid for.
Anything that you can save onto your own computer so you don't lose it if something changes on DDB, do so. Just don't break laws by giving copies to other people. You don't want them sending the Pinkertons after you.
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I’m a new player and I currently only own content on D&D Beyond. I only own the PHB and Xanathar’s Guide to Everything. I heavily prefer the online format as well as being able to have easy access to my purchased content while making characters on the website.
I’m just worried that if the worst comes to pass and DDB shuts down I’ll obviously lose my access to all my content.
Is this something I should realistically be worried about? I’m wanting to buy Tasha’s as well as the DM guide and Monster Manual but I’ll just get the hard covers if DDB going away is a realistic possibility.
When you buy the books on D&D Beyond, do you get PDFs that you can save onto your computer? If so, that should alleviate some of your concerns. If not, then yes, you're completely at the mercy of a company that sent the Pinkertons after a customer because they (the company) messed up and sent out MtG cards that weren't supposed to be out yet. Even if DDB doesn't go away, they'll likely raise prices and expand what they charge for in the future, so it may become non-feasible to use.
I personally only ever purchased hard copies of the books because I never trusted DDB, even before the OGL and Pinkerton fiascos. So you may take my perspective with a grain of salt.
That is a valid fear. However, it's not likely to happen anytime soon. WotC bought the site last year, and are making it a big part of their future plans, which include a refresh of the current edition that's supposed to be backward compatible. (And the playtest materiel looks like that claim is plausible.)
So you're probably good for at least 5-10 years, based on that and prior history. During that time, you can look to build up a physical collection on the cheap, with used books, good sales, and the like.
Whether you should buy future books in physical or digital depends on how you play. If you play online, digital's probably better, but content-sharing means you may not need to buy everything yourself. If you play in person, physical's a bit more work to deal with.
But yeah, long-term, it's a safe bet that the digital books won't exist forever.
Also note that a new edition of D&D will come out next year. I expect that at that point the PHB and DMG will move to legacy content but no longer be available to buy.
It is not clear how things will work if you try to combine old and new in DnDBeyond for example make an existing subclass cleric that gets their domain at level 1 with the new cleric class which it appears will be based around getting their first domain features at level 3.
Whether you go for hard copy or electronic yo7 might want to decide whether you want the current dmg or wait for the new one.
One piece of advice if you want to save copies from books you own for offline reference is to use the "print" function of your web browser to save pages as PDFs to your computer (I know on Chrome it's an option in the Select Printer dropdown menu). You'll be back to the joys of leafing/scrolling through dozens of pages to find what you want, but it's an option.
Regarding "long term", they're already doubling down on the 5th edition rules rather than actually making a whole new edition, despite how some describe it, so I give it at least 10 years minimum before they consider a change big enough that it could lead to taking down the site. D&D is a mainstay product, not just some fad they're supporting until the initial hype dies out.
is there some way to sort the content I have purchased to separate it from sources page.... I have a few "books" but they are mixed in with all the stuff I have not purchased... Am I missing a sort button to click or a My source books and adventures tab??
The main sources page doesn't have any sorting function, as far as I know. I'd suggest just bookmarking each table of contents in your browser and putting them together in a folder.
Simply put prahalagu, it absolutely will happen one day. The money we spend is for the license to use, not own. One day, WotC will mothball DDB when it no longer serves its purpose well. When that happens, every purchase made here will disappear into the ether. This is a guarantee. The question is whether it will be 10 years from now or 20. No one thought the Kindle would last when it first came out. Heck, people still think the Nook is worth their money. I doubt DDB is going anywhere soon. Might even outlive you.
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Brilliant and simple! I am ashamed I did not think of it. For the next 5 hours, you sir are my hero.
In addition to taking screen captures or prints, you can also use the Android app to save everything offline, so even if DDB gets shutdown (or you lose internet access) you can still get to all your books. As a extra back-up, run Android on your computer, and use the app there as well. That way even if WotC "updates" DDB to wipe everything, you'll have a reserve installation (that you don't run that last update on, obviously) to access everything.
That said, the by far most likely scenario IMO is "legacy creep" where you can no longer buy old content as a semi-replacement content is published. But the digitalization of all the things is not a fad. If you're worried, wait until the release of whatever One D&D turns into as official content, and see how DDB treats the original PHB, DMG, & MM, and make your decision based on that.
Welcome to the cloud. :-)
Are you worried that if Netflix closes down then you'll lose access to your movies? Are you worried that if Spotify closes down then you'll lose your music? How about if Skillpipe closes down and your books go away?
The short answer is, yes, it is a possibility, but it is a possibility that applies to everything on the Internet.
It also apploes to physical services. If your gym closes down then you can't work out there any more. If your local food shop closes down then you can't order food there any more. If Avis goes out of business then you have to give back your rental car.
Think of spending money on DDB as a lease or rental or subscription - not a purchase. You haven't "bought" anything on this site and you don't "own" it, any more than you own the machines at your gym.
there's no scenario where all of your content doesn't get removed. It absolutely will happen...along with every other piece of digital content you'll ever buy that's held by a 3rd party.
no, you should not worry about it.
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Deck of Decks
The more likely outcome than DDB shutting down is a change of policy that makes some content unavailable to try to make you purchase the new content, or they simply add additional paywalls between you and the content you've already paid for.
Anything that you can save onto your own computer so you don't lose it if something changes on DDB, do so. Just don't break laws by giving copies to other people. You don't want them sending the Pinkertons after you.