I think the main problem is that wizards dont put any protective case or plastic over the book stopping people from just opening the book and taking the code. 

if they did decide to do this, the smart thing would probably, moving forward, creating a "deluxe" box edition with the code inside (and maybe some extra stuff?) for less than double the cost of the normal book

THANK YOU. Nothing felt worse than the idea that all of our online books would be obsolete once wizards implemented its own system

Quote from Jenzelta >>

I think the main problem is that wizards dont put any protective case or plastic over the book stopping people from just opening the book and taking the code.

They could also use two-part stickers; top layer peels off to reveal the code, bottom layer will damage the inside cover if removed. If a customer finds that a code is already revealed, and then doesn't work on DDB, it can be reported as stolen (whichever DDB account redeemed it can have the digital book contents revoked).

Quote from Haravikk >>

Quote from Jenzelta >>

I think the main problem is that wizards dont put any protective case or plastic over the book stopping people from just opening the book and taking the code.

They could also use two-part stickers; top layer peels off to reveal the code, bottom layer will damage the inside cover if removed. If a customer finds that a code is already revealed, and then doesn't work on DDB, it can be reported as stolen (whichever DDB account redeemed it can have the digital book contents revoked).

 Couldn’t someone who borrows your book then report the book as stolen and get your account contents revoked?

And many collectors try to keep their books pristine and wouldn’t want to be tearing off stickers and damaging the Like New quality..

Quote from Kaemgen>>

Couldn’t someone who borrows your book then report the book as stolen and get your account contents revoked?

If you lend your books to people who'd do that then you're lending to someone who's not going to be giving your physical book back either. 😝

However reporting a code as stolen would presumably require you to give some kind of proof of purchase with a date (i.e- a receipt/invoice); this is standard practice for most returns/support anyway, and would prove whether the code was stolen or simply used by the original owner.

And many collectors try to keep their books pristine and wouldn’t want to be tearing off stickers and damaging the Like New quality..

The peel away top layer should be non-destructive, the bottom layer just needs to be adhesive enough that it can't be quickly removed; if a collector cares enough they can either use a solvent that'll allow that one to peel away as well or cover it with something else.

So....do we still have to buy books twice if we want a physical copy and a digital?

Quote from SR >>

So....do we still have to buy books twice if we want a physical copy and a digital?

 If they have to start sending out large full-color hardcover books with every digital purchase, the prices will go way up.

Quote from SordidEuphemism >>

Does this mean we'll see hardcovers with discount codes for the online books? It'd go a long way!

 Oh, you sweet summer child...

Quote from Jenzelta >>

I think the main problem is that wizards dont put any protective case or plastic over the book stopping people from just opening the book and taking the code. 

if they did decide to do this, the smart thing would probably, moving forward, creating a "deluxe" box edition with the code inside (and maybe some extra stuff?) for less than double the cost of the normal book

Quote from Haravikk >>

Quote from Jenzelta >>

I think the main problem is that wizards dont put any protective case or plastic over the book stopping people from just opening the book and taking the code.

They could also use two-part stickers; top layer peels off to reveal the code, bottom layer will damage the inside cover if removed. If a customer finds that a code is already revealed, and then doesn't work on DDB, it can be reported as stolen (whichever DDB account redeemed it can have the digital book contents revoked).

It seems to me that either (or maybe even both) of these methods would work well.

All I want is more of what we got in the essentials kit: Buy physical adventure (or sourcebook) and get a code for the digital! Or at least get it at a significant discount. 

Hoping that this doesn't end up with membership price increases. Otherwise, exciting!

So does this mean download codes with physical books?

Bad news.  Less competition as WotC squeeze out any independent players.  I actually hoped they would fall out so we could get third party adventures on DnDBeyond. Oh well never mind.

download codes with books? Just as likely, "now you have the book get the online additional material for a discount", or some such, followed by modules littered with asterisks and "see <online only material>" notes. 

I reserve judgement... 

Congrats! Now where is our very own DNDBeyond VTT? <3

Quote from Elend >>

I actually got mixed feelings about this. On one side I think it's a great move, but on the other, I feel it removes any chance that we will see non-WoTC stuff on the platform. Not even mentioning support for 3rd party VTTs etc.

 I don't know why you'd expect to see non-WotC stuff on D&D Beyond, such as Grim Hollow or MCDM on here, when there's homebrew sections for that and it has always been very WotC D&D heavy. For me, it's not such a loss because I regarded it as a remote possibility.

Quote from Zoken44 >>

So WotC, are you going to seek two bites at the apple making people pay for a digital copy of what they already purchased from you physically?  Or are you going to try to work with people whoa re already supporting you to get them to come to this plat form where they can spend their money directly to you?

https://media.giphy.com/media/5xtDarmwsuR9sDRObyU/giphy.gif

Yes players. But please help dm have the digitals tools they deserve all on the same site -) dnd beyond. Please help us poor dm that do not have a 100 hours of prep time. One tool to rule them all  

Quote from DragonGano >>

All I want is more of what we got in the essentials kit: Buy physical adventure (or sourcebook) and get a code for the digital! Or at least get it at a significant discount. 

 Same. Though not super hopeful.