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Steven Schend
Forgotten Realms Designer & Author
USA
1727 Posts |
 Posted - 20 Apr 2008 : 03:23:07
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quote:
Originally posted by Markustay
A BIT OF A CHANGE? 
May I now refer to you as "the master of understatement"? 
BTW, NO plug coming from you is shameless - when you got it, flaunt it. 
So, without giving a whole lot of spoilers away, what kind of changes do you think may have happened to nearby Loudwater, if any, after the events of your novel?
Maybe I should have asked that in YOUR thread.... 
Nah, I can't be the master of understatement. I'd mumble even more than I do now. 
I've absolutely no spoilers (or information for that matter) about Loudwater to give. One of my central characters in BLACKSTAFF TOWER originally hails from Loudwater, and there's an intriguing (I hope) hook between his family and the history of Waterdeep. However, he's been in Waterdeep about two or more years by the time of the novel, and we don't go back to Loudwater.
And since I'm not privy to what Bruce and the gang are up to in Loudwater, I'm as curious as the next feller.....
Steven |
For current projects and general natter, see www.steveneschend.com
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RodOdom
Senior Scribe
USA
509 Posts |
Posted - 23 Apr 2008 : 08:27:44
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"It was meant to be in the hands of idealists, not capitalists."
I disagree with that. FR probably wouldn't have achieved it's present following without TSR or Wizards.
My objection to 4FR is probably even harsher than yours. The present designers and brand managers have come out and said that there are creative problems with the current setting (too complicated, unwieldy to write for and play with, etc.) IMO, the true problem is that they are not talented enough to make new material as commercially successful as Wizards/Hasbro wants. Repackaging the material to focus on the most broadly appealing aspects of the Realms from the past two decades could be a solution. Discovering the next R.A. Salvatore may help. Removing some of the most distinctive themes of the Realms (Mystra, the Chosen) is not going to solve anything. Adding new stuff is not going to help either, because it's coming from the same middling talent pool.
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Cyria
Acolyte
20 Posts |
Posted - 23 Apr 2008 : 09:21:42
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News:
quote:
Forgotten Realms 4e is three books, period, done, end of line: Forgotten Realms Campaign Guide, Player’s Guide to FR, and DM’s Guide to FR. All settings will be done like that, one per year, until they run out of settings. They mentioned Greyhawk, Ravenloft, Dark Sun, and Spelljammer as settings on their list! Eberron, of course, is the ‘09 setting release (same three books), but it will also get DDI updates starting in June.
If the changed Realms aren't even going to be explored in sourcebooks, that makes me even less likely to abandon the deliciously flavourful pre-4E FR. Maybe there will be DDI articles but so far the products of online Dragon have been very uninspiring. |
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Mace Hammerhand
Great Reader
Germany
2296 Posts |
Posted - 23 Apr 2008 : 13:38:11
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Cyria beat me to it...
Since I'm not gonna switch to 4e I don't care, but I think this is a kick into everyone's faces. DDI or bust, if you want more lore... or novels, or adventures...
Everything Realmsian is covered in those 3 books, and if you need more feats and stuff its splatbooks.
Sad...
On the bright side: aside from a few adventures and the first 2nd edition boxed set I have everything ever printed regarding RPGs, hence I don't care at all. |
Mace's not so gentle gamer's journal My rants were harmless compared to this, beware! |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36877 Posts |
Posted - 23 Apr 2008 : 13:38:19
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Gods, another huge mistake... Part of their success, up until now, has been a steady stream of products for the supported settings. What the heck are they going to do once they've covered all the settings they intend to cover? The only thing left will be to go to 5E, which will further alienate people...
Hasbro buying WotC has turned out to be the worst thing for the company.
When this marketing plan fails, Hasbro is going to either shut down or sell off WotC. Hopefully those new owners will be gamers, and not suits.
I'm a little curious as to why they're basing future products on failed product lines... Don't get me wrong, I'd love to see some of those settings -- particularly Ravenloft and Spelljammer -- revisited, but I can't understand how bringing back something they abandoned is supposed to make money. And I'm also fearful of what they'll do to those settings. The 3E adaptation of Spelljammer was horrible, and with what they're doing to the Realms, I fear that the 4E version of Spelljammer would be even worse... |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
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Mace Hammerhand
Great Reader
Germany
2296 Posts |
Posted - 23 Apr 2008 : 13:41:43
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
Gods, another huge mistake... Part of their success, up until now, has been a steady stream of products for the supported settings. What the heck are they going to do once they've covered all the settings they intend to cover? The only thing left will be to go to 5E, which will further alienate people...
Hasbro buying WotC has turned out to be the worst thing for the company.
When this marketing plan fails, Hasbro is going to either shut down or sell off WotC. Hopefully those new owners will be gamers, and not suits.
I'm a little curious as to why they're basing future products on failed product lines... Don't get me wrong, I'd love to see some of those settings -- particularly Ravenloft and Spelljammer -- revisited, but I can't understand how bringing back something they abandoned is supposed to make money. And I'm also fearful of what they'll do to those settings. The 3E adaptation of Spelljammer was horrible, and with what they're doing to the Realms, I fear that the 4E version of Spelljammer would be even worse...
When this plan fails indeed 
Given that Paizo and others produce better stuff the 800 pound gorilla WotC has grabbed a branch too light to hold on to |
Mace's not so gentle gamer's journal My rants were harmless compared to this, beware! |
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Bakra
Senior Scribe
628 Posts |
Posted - 23 Apr 2008 : 14:23:43
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Chris Sims just clarified the set up for future rpg books is Campaign Guide, Players Guide, and Adventures. Here is the link:
http://www.enworld.org/showthread.php?t=224516
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I hope Candlekeep continues to be the friendly forum of fellow Realms-lovers that it has always been, as we all go through this together. If you don’t want to move to the “new” Realms, that doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with either you or the “old” Realms. Goodness knows Candlekeep, and the hearts of its scribes, are both big enough to accommodate both. If we want them to be.
(Strikes dramatic pose, raises sword to gleam in the sunset, and hopes breeches won’t fall down.)
Enough for now. The Realms lives! I have spoken! Ale and light wines half price, served by a smiling Storm Silverhand fetchingly clad in thigh-high boots and naught else! Ahem . .
So saith Ed. <snip>
love to all,
THO
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Brian R. James
Forgotten Realms Game Designer
USA
1098 Posts |
Posted - 23 Apr 2008 : 14:42:42
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| 3 books then out eh? Looks like Candlekeep is going to have to step up to the plate and fill the void in 2009+ |
Brian R. James - Freelance Game Designer
Follow me on Twitter @brianrjames |
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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 23 Apr 2008 : 14:57:49
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
I'm a little curious as to why they're basing future products on failed product lines... Don't get me wrong, I'd love to see some of those settings -- particularly Ravenloft and Spelljammer -- revisited, but I can't understand how bringing back something they abandoned is supposed to make money.
I agree.
As for the fact that FR will only get three sourcebooks...I'm not too surprised (since the designers keep repeating that they want fewer setting details), and I'm also not concerned, mainly because I don't plan to use the 4E Realms anyway. |
"Instead of asking why we sleep, it might make sense to ask why we wake. Perchance we live to dream. From that perspective, the sea of troubles we navigate in the workaday world might be the price we pay for admission to another night in the world of dreams."
--Richard Greene (letter to Time) |
Edited by - Rinonalyrna Fathomlin on 23 Apr 2008 15:00:04 |
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BlackMoria
Acolyte
Canada
36 Posts |
Posted - 23 Apr 2008 : 15:13:56
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What has me ****** about this is that they butchered the Realms for 'three books and out'.
It is very plain now that their 4e business model is the DDI (subscription model) which means that if you want any further Realms lore and adventures, you probably HAVE to be a subscription to their DDI.
<insert scream of outrage> 
Mod Edit: Watch the language please.  |
Edited by - The Sage on 23 Apr 2008 15:28:31 |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31799 Posts |
Posted - 23 Apr 2008 : 15:35:46
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
Don't get me wrong, I'd love to see some of those settings -- particularly Ravenloft and Spelljammer -- revisited, but I can't understand how bringing back something they abandoned is supposed to make money.
As much as I'm keen on seeing new and official source material for both SPELLJAMMER and RAVENLOFT, it's more than likely that the main goal for WotC here, is just to see what interest these old settings generate amongst the RPG community. With WotC's decreased focus on both the Realms and EBERRON, many of the older TSR settings may simply be resurrected as "Campaign Options" for the D&D Core 4e Rules.
In other words, only the basic elements and aspects of each of the older settings will be translated, along with a slew of new 4e mechanics for players and GM who want optional settings to use for their D&D games.
quote:
And I'm also fearful of what they'll do to those settings. The 3E adaptation of Spelljammer was horrible, and with what they're doing to the Realms, I fear that the 4E version of Spelljammer would be even worse...
Indeed. The only good thing about the 3e interpretation of SPELLJAMMER was that it was limited to one Crystal Sphere, which made it a whole lot easier for SJ-fans to ignore it altogether.
The 3e DRAGON and DUNGEON updates for the DARK SUN setting weren't any better. There was a lot of Athasian-substance lacking in both the rules and settings details WotC updated. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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Ithil
Acolyte
USA
40 Posts |
Posted - 23 Apr 2008 : 15:38:07
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Playing Cyric's advocate for a moment:
So, the more new stuff they put out -- most here don't like because of its "middling quality" and apparent lack of love for the setting. Now they release a plan that says, "We're hitting the Realms first with only what you need to know, and the rest is up to you." And no one's happy.
They've said they'll cease the RSE's, they're not going to officially even tamper with the Realms for a while (in supplements), and the history of the world is completely intact. What's not to like? As Brian James suggested, maybe now would be a good time to invoke some sort of Canon topic for moving forward once the FRCG is released. For those interested, of course.
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31799 Posts |
Posted - 23 Apr 2008 : 15:38:32
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quote:
Originally posted by Brian R. James
3 books then out eh? Looks like Candlekeep is going to have to step up to the plate and fill the void in 2009+
Sounds to me like there'll be plenty of reason to keep the Candlekeep Compendium going in 2009 and beyond. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 23 Apr 2008 : 15:54:15
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quote:
Originally posted by Ithil
Playing Cyric's advocate for a moment:
So, the more new stuff they put out -- most here don't like because of its "middling quality" and apparent lack of love for the setting. Now they release a plan that says, "We're hitting the Realms first with only what you need to know, and the rest is up to you." And no one's happy.
I'm not happy, but I'm not upset either. As I tried to convey above, I'm more indifferent than anything else.
quote:
They've said they'll cease the RSE's...
I have, in fact, given them credit for intending to slow down on the RSEs. That was not a promise, though, and Rich said they would put out another RSE if a good enough idea was pitched to them.
Nowhere did they state they would cease RSEs. |
"Instead of asking why we sleep, it might make sense to ask why we wake. Perchance we live to dream. From that perspective, the sea of troubles we navigate in the workaday world might be the price we pay for admission to another night in the world of dreams."
--Richard Greene (letter to Time) |
Edited by - Rinonalyrna Fathomlin on 23 Apr 2008 15:57:58 |
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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 23 Apr 2008 : 15:56:13
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quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
In other words, only the basic elements and aspects of each of the older settings will be translated, along with a slew of new 4e mechanics for players and GM who want optional settings to use for their D&D games.
A part of me would be happy to see new books on Greyhawk. Another part of me, though, is fearful of what they'll do to the setting--will they change it drastically to make the new rules fit there? That's what Eric Mona is afraid of, and on that, I agree with him. |
"Instead of asking why we sleep, it might make sense to ask why we wake. Perchance we live to dream. From that perspective, the sea of troubles we navigate in the workaday world might be the price we pay for admission to another night in the world of dreams."
--Richard Greene (letter to Time) |
Edited by - Rinonalyrna Fathomlin on 23 Apr 2008 15:58:13 |
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Hawkins
Great Reader
USA
2131 Posts |
Posted - 23 Apr 2008 : 16:24:58
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| I am still waiting for them to show me how DDi is worth paying $9.95/month for. So far most of what they post is drivel compared to what we used to get in the print Dungeon & Dragon mags. If I felt that the content was worth it (and a random Realmslore article of dubious quality does not count), and if I was converting to 4e (which will not be happening for 2 years at the minimum) and if I were planning on using the digital game table or whatever the hell they call it, then I would consider it. |
Errant d20 Designer - My Blog (last updated January 06, 2016)
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36877 Posts |
Posted - 23 Apr 2008 : 16:26:37
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quote:
Originally posted by Ithil
Playing Cyric's advocate for a moment:
So, the more new stuff they put out -- most here don't like because of its "middling quality" and apparent lack of love for the setting. Now they release a plan that says, "We're hitting the Realms first with only what you need to know, and the rest is up to you." And no one's happy.
I have had very few complaints about new stuff. In fact, I generally looked forward to new Realms material. The last few releases I went to purchase on my lunch break, despite not being able to peruse them until I got home from work.
The lack of love for the setting has been the 4E FR material we've seen thus far. The stuff in 3E was, for the most part, pretty good. And 2nd edition was perhaps the high point of quality supplements. I'm not saying there weren't some stinkers here and there, but for the most part, people were happy with new material.
While there have been some objectionable changes with prior editions, the change to 4E is so profound that it's nearly a new setting. This has, understandably, upset people.
I don't think it's wrong to want them to continue following a proven business model of releasing quality supplements for a setting.
quote:
Originally posted by Ithil
They've said they'll cease the RSE's, they're not going to officially even tamper with the Realms for a while (in supplements), and the history of the world is completely intact. What's not to like? As Brian James suggested, maybe now would be a good time to invoke some sort of Canon topic for moving forward once the FRCG is released. For those interested, of course.
They promised no RSEs with 3rd edition, too. And it became a parade of RSEs, leading up to them blowing up the world to fix problems that don't really exist. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
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Mace Hammerhand
Great Reader
Germany
2296 Posts |
Posted - 23 Apr 2008 : 17:53:04
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As I won't change and all that, I really couldn't care less what they do with the Realms. Aside from the whole nonsense, paranoid drivel about gods too intimidating, the divine soap opera and all the other Sellplague related bull.
So it doesn't affect me.
Plus Pathfinder is strong on its way, and that is something I will support. (and if you call me heretic, may I remind you that over the past 2 years I acquired almost everything Realms-related in terms of gaming material) |
Mace's not so gentle gamer's journal My rants were harmless compared to this, beware! |
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Ithil
Acolyte
USA
40 Posts |
Posted - 23 Apr 2008 : 17:57:45
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quote:
Originally posted by HawkinstheDM
I am still waiting for them to show me how DDi is worth paying $9.95/month for. So far most of what they post is drivel compared to what we used to get in the print Dungeon & Dragon mags. If I felt that the content was worth it (and a random Realmslore article of dubious quality does not count), and if I was converting to 4e (which will not be happening for 2 years at the minimum) and if I were planning on using the digital game table or whatever the hell they call it, then I would consider it.
My problem with DDi is not my purchase of it but my players'. If I steer them away from campaign or adventure articles I don't want them to see, they get jipped. Why can't there be an option to just subscribe to the rules updates or Dragon articles? |
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Mace Hammerhand
Great Reader
Germany
2296 Posts |
Posted - 23 Apr 2008 : 21:04:56
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quote:
Originally posted by Ithil
My problem with DDi is not my purchase of it but my players'. If I steer them away from campaign or adventure articles I don't want them to see, they get jipped. Why can't there be an option to just subscribe to the rules updates or Dragon articles?
The problem with that approach is manyfold, so to speak.
This concept: players only get player stuff... that's impossible, from a practical angle. Who can decide? Not the publisher. Plus there would be another monthly rate to implement this, and I think WotC has enough problems as it is to get this baby off the ground.
Also, nothing prevents your players, or mine, or anyone else's to buy the MM and whathaveyou. Should vendors ask for a player's or GM's license? |
Mace's not so gentle gamer's journal My rants were harmless compared to this, beware! |
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Bakra
Senior Scribe
628 Posts |
Posted - 24 Apr 2008 : 12:18:15
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quote:
Originally posted by HawkinstheDM
I am still waiting for them to show me how DDi is worth paying $9.95/month for. So far most of what they post is drivel compared to what we used to get in the print Dungeon & Dragon mags. If I felt that the content was worth it (and a random Realmslore article of dubious quality does not count), and if I was converting to 4e (which will not be happening for 2 years at the minimum) and if I were planning on using the digital game table or whatever the hell they call it, then I would consider it.
After reading the Q&A on WoTC website concerning the DDI, I believe it is worth $9.95 a month. The Dragon and Dungeons magazines are just the side dishes, the tools, applications which make up the virtual game table is the main meal. My current gaming group is literally scatted across Texas, we get together once a month to play if the stars happen to be aligned. The digital game table would allow us to get together more often and be able to ignore certain little things like the cost of fuel. A round trip to Austin on my motorcycle would cost me $28.28 (the travel time to Austin is 3.3 hours BTW)
Keep in mind the DDI sounds good but no one really knows if it is going to work as intended once it comes out. And I reserve the right to change my mind if the bloody thing fails to work.
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I hope Candlekeep continues to be the friendly forum of fellow Realms-lovers that it has always been, as we all go through this together. If you don’t want to move to the “new” Realms, that doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with either you or the “old” Realms. Goodness knows Candlekeep, and the hearts of its scribes, are both big enough to accommodate both. If we want them to be.
(Strikes dramatic pose, raises sword to gleam in the sunset, and hopes breeches won’t fall down.)
Enough for now. The Realms lives! I have spoken! Ale and light wines half price, served by a smiling Storm Silverhand fetchingly clad in thigh-high boots and naught else! Ahem . .
So saith Ed. <snip>
love to all,
THO
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George Krashos
Master of Realmslore
Australia
6680 Posts |
Posted - 24 Apr 2008 : 13:40:19
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I knew that the Realms was pretty much going to be three products in 2008 and then ... nothing - save for what was to come in the DDI. I'm still in two minds as to whether I'll subscribe to the DDI and basically I'll probably wait and see what the FR products this year turn out like. If the post-Spellplague Realms spark my interest and imagination like the Ol' Grey Box did 20 years ago, then I'll get back into the saddle and WotC will get my $$ on an annual basis. If not, well ... well, yeah, they won't.
-- George Krashos
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"Because only we, contrary to the barbarians, never count the enemy in battle." -- Aeschylus |
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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 24 Apr 2008 : 16:25:38
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| I may not be interested in the 4E Realms, but I do like the 4E rules and a lot of the general concepts, so I might well give DDI a shot. |
"Instead of asking why we sleep, it might make sense to ask why we wake. Perchance we live to dream. From that perspective, the sea of troubles we navigate in the workaday world might be the price we pay for admission to another night in the world of dreams."
--Richard Greene (letter to Time) |
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Cyria
Acolyte
20 Posts |
Posted - 24 Apr 2008 : 19:44:30
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
I'm a little curious as to why they're basing future products on failed product lines... Don't get me wrong, I'd love to see some of those settings -- particularly Ravenloft and Spelljammer -- revisited, but I can't understand how bringing back something they abandoned is supposed to make money. And I'm also fearful of what they'll do to those settings. The 3E adaptation of Spelljammer was horrible, and with what they're doing to the Realms, I fear that the 4E version of Spelljammer would be even worse...
I've seen the publishing of multiple settings used as an explanation for TSR's demise so many times, I found this news rather amusing. Apparently WOTC have decided that the right way to have handled that would have been to publish core books and end it there. It remains to be seen whether that fails or they manage to increase profit by getting people to invest in a new setting every year.
I do hope there won't be a 4E Planescape: the cosmology has been altered so massively, even post-Spellplague Realms are more likely to intrigue me than the 4E planes. And my opinion of the Spellplague, well...
quote:
Originally posted by Bakra
After reading the Q&A on WoTC website concerning the DDI, I believe it is worth $9.95 a month. The Dragon and Dungeons magazines are just the side dishes, the tools, applications which make up the virtual game table is the main meal. My current gaming group is literally scatted across Texas, we get together once a month to play if the stars happen to be aligned. The digital game table would allow us to get together more often and be able to ignore certain little things like the cost of fuel. A round trip to Austin on my motorcycle would cost me $28.28 (the travel time to Austin is 3.3 hours BTW)
Keep in mind the DDI sounds good but no one really knows if it is going to work as intended once it comes out. And I reserve the right to change my mind if the bloody thing fails to work.
For me, the problem is that there doesn't seem to be the option to pay for just a couple of those things. I have no need for the game table and don't really see my situation changing in the next few years, barring a gaming/group catastrophe. Dragon and Dungeon are the only things that would be of use to me, but their online content has been bad and delivered very erratically. I'm not going to pay for that kind of material or the possibility that 4E FR updates (how rare, how frequent?) might have snippets I could transport to 3.5.
Also, there's the question of whether WOTC will be able to produce a good digital product. The endless downtime of their forums and their previous digital misadventures leave me sceptical of their ability to suddenly deliver a great DDI. |
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ShadezofDis
Senior Scribe
402 Posts |
Posted - 24 Apr 2008 : 20:14:55
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quote:
Originally posted by Cyria
Also, there's the question of whether WOTC will be able to produce a good digital product. The endless downtime of their forums and their previous digital misadventures leave me sceptical of their ability to suddenly deliver a great DDI.
Couple this with the state of software these days (I almost always wait 1/2 year to a year before purchasing software due to the massive amount of bugs the first release almost always has) and I just can't imagine signing onto DDI right off the bat.
Then add in the fact that the lore that I've seen recently doesn't reach the level of what was free before (waterdeep news, the boarder kingdom lore, the small stories Ed had, the various local snipets, etc) and I just can't imagine that DDI will be a worthwhile investment.
And I have the same distance problem for the game I run (well, less distance but busy schedules all around, and with 7 players it gets damned tough). |
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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 24 Apr 2008 : 20:54:19
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quote:
Originally posted by ShadezofDis
Then add in the fact that the lore that I've seen recently doesn't reach the level of what was free before (waterdeep news, the boarder kingdom lore, the small stories Ed had, the various local snipets, etc)
Agreed. |
"Instead of asking why we sleep, it might make sense to ask why we wake. Perchance we live to dream. From that perspective, the sea of troubles we navigate in the workaday world might be the price we pay for admission to another night in the world of dreams."
--Richard Greene (letter to Time) |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36877 Posts |
Posted - 24 Apr 2008 : 21:41:03
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quote:
Originally posted by ShadezofDis
Couple this with the state of software these days (I almost always wait 1/2 year to a year before purchasing software due to the massive amount of bugs the first release almost always has) and I just can't imagine signing onto DDI right off the bat.
TSR did put out some good software, though. The Dragon Magazine Archive was good, though I never install it anymore (I've copied the pdfs to my hard drive, and it's easier to search from within Adobe), and the FR Atlas software is still good (though the search function could be made a bit neater). The E-Tools software was good, too; it's only real failing was the need to buy the datasets.
Admittedly, those programs were done by a third party, but if they turn to a third party to develop the DDI software, then it could be good.
quote:
Originally posted by ShadezofDis
Then add in the fact that the lore that I've seen recently doesn't reach the level of what was free before (waterdeep news, the boarder kingdom lore, the small stories Ed had, the various local snipets, etc) and I just can't imagine that DDI will be a worthwhile investment.
Yeah, that is what concerns me. And like Cyria said, their online track record is pretty poor. We've had broken links, updates that don't get listed everywhere, a search engine that is nearly useless... |
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ShadezofDis
Senior Scribe
402 Posts |
Posted - 24 Apr 2008 : 21:46:45
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
TSR did put out some good software, though. The Dragon Magazine Archive was good, though I never install it anymore (I've copied the pdfs to my hard drive, and it's easier to search from within Adobe), and the FR Atlas software is still good (though the search function could be made a bit neater). The E-Tools software was good, too; it's only real failing was the need to buy the datasets.
Admittedly, those programs were done by a third party, but if they turn to a third party to develop the DDI software, then it could be good.
Oh no doubt, it's just that I've seen so much software come out in recent years that was absolutely bug ridden and unusable for the first few months, from software developers, that I just can't trust Wizards to be able to handle the technical aspect of it. I mean, it might just be my personal experience but it's seemed like the software world needs a few months of "live time" to work out the bugs.
More of a "I don't trust software" than a "I don't trust Wizards", though I don't trust Wizards.
And I do totally see the desire to move to a digital platform, it's FAR cheaper than printing (which is getting more expensive every day) and most of their customer base has high speed internet, so it makes sense and I think it's a good "business model" move. I just don't trust the content anymore. |
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Mace Hammerhand
Great Reader
Germany
2296 Posts |
Posted - 24 Apr 2008 : 22:21:55
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| I prefer books as...well...books, sure a pdf of my Pathfinder stuff is nice, but still gimme a book on paper any time of the week! |
Mace's not so gentle gamer's journal My rants were harmless compared to this, beware! |
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lowtech
Learned Scribe
USA
315 Posts |
Posted - 24 Apr 2008 : 23:41:46
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quote:
Plus Pathfinder is strong on its way, and that is something I will support. (and if you call me heretic, may I remind you that over the past 2 years I acquired almost everything Realms-related in terms of gaming material)
Yeah, you can't betray somebody who has betrayed you first. |
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4e FR
