No PDF version of D&D 5th PHB?

[Julian Grimm]

The no pdf thing really doesn't affect me as I prefer print over digital in 99% of cases. However, I can see where this can be an issue with those that like to spend money on 1's and 0's and read by the sickly blue glow of their chosen device with nothing physical to show for the purchase. I would sell the PDF's with no problem citing what Uncle P.T. said about certain people and their money. . .


Ok, no reason for this post other than to be a smart-ass. Move along.

[Arduin]

The no pdf thing really doesn't affect me as I prefer print over digital in 99% of cases. However, I can see where this can be an issue with those that like to spend money on 1's and 0's and read by the sickly blue glow of their chosen device with nothing physical to show for the purchase. I would sell the PDF's with no problem citing what Uncle P.T. said about certain people and their money. . .


Ok, no reason for this post other than to be a smart-ass. Move along.

No, you have a good point. M.S. became the most valuable company in the world because is sold "nothing" (0's & 1's) for lots of $.

[Julian Grimm]

The no pdf thing really doesn't affect me as I prefer print over digital in 99% of cases. However, I can see where this can be an issue with those that like to spend money on 1's and 0's and read by the sickly blue glow of their chosen device with nothing physical to show for the purchase. I would sell the PDF's with no problem citing what Uncle P.T. said about certain people and their money. . .


Ok, no reason for this post other than to be a smart-ass. Move along.

No, you have a good point. M.S. became the most valuable company in the world because is sold "nothing" (0's & 1's) for lots of $.

You are correct but, at least for now, when you buy a new version of Windows you can get a disc. With pure digital sales and the new ways that I.P. is being treated (DRM for one and now only buying the license for another) I am skeptical of the digital only format. BITD if you bought a game or a program you got at least a disc but would also get manuals, and sometimes extras, the package.

Personally, I would rather spend my money on something that is substantial than not. This is why I go with books over PDF when I can and am not worried about whether a company sells PDFs or not. Now, I do use some purely digital services. I have Netflix which is basically movie rental and I have used Steam for some games I cannot get physical copies of due to age or compatibility issues. I don't particularly like the Steam option but it is the only alternative I had vs piracy. However, I can say that in the past year I have only spent $20-$30 on digital content (not counting Netflix) vs about twice that for physical material.

Maybe age is beginning to show here but I just do not fully trust nor like digital only formats.

[Arduin]

You are correct but, at least for now, when you buy a new version of Windows you can get a disc. With pure digital sales and the new ways that I.P. is being treated (DRM for one and now only buying the license for another) I am skeptical of the digital only format. BITD if you bought a game or a program you got at least a disc but would also get manuals, and sometimes extras, the package.

Most people who get Win OS don't get a disc. (which is my point on profitability and MS) Getting disc is nothing. The size of many programs today exceed that small size. Back up your stuff. DRM for music, PDF's, etc is a joke.

Personally, I would rather spend my money on something that is substantial than not.

I can see that because you can touch and hold it. However, the digital format I buy in is MUCH more durable that a physical book. You lose your book (by whatever means) and you are hosed. You have to pay again for the material. There would have to be a worldwide disaster of unprecedented scope for me to lose my digital content. And, I can hit "Print" and get a hard copy.

[Julian Grimm]

You are correct but, at least for now, when you buy a new version of Windows you can get a disc. With pure digital sales and the new ways that I.P. is being treated (DRM for one and now only buying the license for another) I am skeptical of the digital only format. BITD if you bought a game or a program you got at least a disc but would also get manuals, and sometimes extras, the package.

Most people who get Win OS don't get a disc. (which is my point on profitability and MS) Getting disc is nothing. The size of many programs today exceed that small size. Back up your stuff. DRM for music, PDF's, etc is a joke.

You have a good point about size and backing things up. Again though this may just be the beginnings of Fuddy-Duddy land for me. I know that things are changing and there is a bit of evolve or die in there. The solution for me is being very careful in what I spend my money on and researching the format. For example, Steam was the lesser of two evils as finding the physical copy of certain games was harder than I imagined. Do I like it? No. But it is a stopgap until I can find what I want. Now, the question is how to back up my games in case something happens where I cannot access the net for a long time.

Personally, I would rather spend my money on something that is substantial than not.

I can see that because you can touch and hold it. However, the digital format I buy in is MUCH more durable that a physical book. You lose your book (by whatever means) and you are hosed. You have to pay again for the material. There would have to be a worldwide disaster of unprecedented scope for me to lose my digital content. And, I can hit "Print" and get a hard copy.

I can see the point of that as well. I'm just not a fan of it. Also it seems that there are very few gaming PDFs that are printer friendly these days which increases the overall cost. While I do like that many companies are offering a bundle of both formats I don't see enough value in it to warrant any more than a $5 hike in price.

Which is where I think the problem truly lies. Personally, I don't see digital as valuable enough to pay more than $10-$15 for the format no matter if it is a program, game or pdf. I know that this is opinion and I even though I have read up on the facts I cannot shake my overall skepticism of it all; and I will admit that this does make me more cynical on the subject than I probably should be.

For me, the perfect marriage of the two would be something like what TSR did with Core Rules or Necromancer did with their codes for extra content. Now, if TLG were to come out with a Core Rules type program with a codes in the books that would get you a digital copy for that program I would pay for it. Of course, this would be as long as it was not a subscription service and was available with a core disc and proper user manual.

I feel like I have been rambling so I will shut up now.

[Arduin]

I feel like I have been rambling so I will shut up now.

You can't be "wrong" for liking physical books over digital as it is your opinion and feelings. Maybe TLG's will join Bits & Mortar someday.

[Julian Grimm]

I feel like I have been rambling so I will shut up now.

You can't be "wrong" for liking physical books over digital as it is your opinion and feelings. Maybe TLG's will join Bits & Mortar someday.

I'm glad you understand. I don't feel like there is a right and wrong in this as it is a matter of preference. That said, inspired by an something I said, I have fired up Core Rules 2 and am seeing if I can trick it into becoming a C&C platform.

[tylermo]

Bits and Mortar, you say? I've been enjoying getting my classic Doctor Who rpg books (from a local retailer) and the pdf (through B&M) all for the same price.