Can you buy content with a demo account?

[Fudly]

and be able to browse it? Such as the Core Class Pack or Monster Manual?

[Fudly]

Well, I tried it, and the answer is no. If WOTC will let you, you guys should allow this. Running an official campaign is far easier with the modules organized on Fantasy Grounds, but people are put off by having to pay $40 on top of paying full-price for the campaign when they have no intention of using Fantasy Grounds as anything but a PDF reader.

[JohnD]

FG isn't a PDF reader.

[Targas]

As far as I know SRD content is included... other than this WOTC is not allowing. But you should know and not rant..

[Fudly]

The SRD is not included with a demo license.

I'm not ranting. I have a license. What I'm saying is WotC doesn't sell digital PDFs, so people are forced to pirate if they want easily referenced spells, monsters, and whatnot. If Smiteworks allowed demo accounts access to paid for content, they could essentially be selling digital PDFs. It'd be an additional revenue stream that would take 5 minutes to implement.

[LordEntrails]

Except that then people would be expecting a PDF and then complain that FG is not a PDF. And that they have to install a program just to "read" their PDF. And that they can't print it and a dozen other complaints because FG is not a book reader.

And, most likely, because the license with WotC doesn't allow them to make it available without a paid license.

[MarianDz]

LordEntrails has right :(
I was thinking about same way as you Fudly why we cant have here some kind of "electronic library", tied to user account. In which we can have stored PDFs of all buyed adventures and player handbooks (DMG, PHB, MM) etc. ... But problems is evidently in licensing, protecting author rights, possibility of printing and at last sharing content what must WotC agreed. If it could be as little possible I think, boys from SmiteW can do it but from some reasons it now possible isnt. Maybe in future :confused: because this way I can utilise tablet for reading named PDFs ;)

[Full Bleed]

And, most likely, because the license with WotC doesn't allow them to make it available without a paid license.
Is anyone sure about this? That doesn't seem like something WotC would care about one way or another. I seriously doubt that they make a penny off the Standard/Ultimate licenses here.

Now, is access to DLC via a Standard license a selling point? Sure. But having to have at least a Standard license is also a deterrent to purchasing DLC.

That said, I'm aware that--previous to the dearth of 5e DLC--FG's licenses provided the bulk of Smiteworks' profits... but that may be a paradigm that is changing. Only Smiteworks knows for sure, but if the DLC is gaining and projected to pass core license revenue in the near future this is an idea that warrants consideration. Further, if Roll20 isn't gating access to their DLC with their subscriptions they will have a leg up in this regard and Smiteworks may not wish to concede that space.


Lastly, I want to mention that while I suspect that this probably won't appeal to a lot of FG users, I do know a player that has yet to actually run a game on FG, but has purchased nearly *all* of the 5e content which they use to prepare for F2F games (and for use with another VTT). While in their case gating the DLC with a license wasn't a deal breaker (they purchased the Ultimate License)... I could see how it would be for some people in the same boat... especially if they have an alternative (Roll20).

FG's superior access and organization of the DLC could very well be a corner-case selling point. And if FGU takes another page from TableTopConnect (and I have no reason to suspect it won't) it's likely to be as much a campaign manager as a VTT in the future. I think reeling people in who are looking for that functionality warrants consideration.

[timdog88]

If I could get a read only version of the content on an iPad or something, I think it'd actually be better than a PDF

[Nylanfs]

I'd like to see a companion app (for android & iOS) that lets you open and view your library components.

[timdog88]

Agreed. If FG added that type of app, then made some tweaks to the character builder so that is was fully automated, you'd have a piece of software that was incredibly useful to people who never planned to play online. I'm sure all that involves some pretty heavy coding though, so I'm not complaining, just dreaming.

[MarianDz]

Agreed. If FG added that type of app, then made some tweaks to the character builder so that is was fully automated, you'd have a piece of software that was incredibly useful to people who never planned to play online. I'm sure all that involves some pretty heavy coding though, so I'm not complaining, just dreaming.

Everything, greater ideas and things too. Starts with "just dreaming" as you written well.
Im glad you writed here, and please never stops share your dreams, because through them only we can push every project forward!

[damned]

Smiteworks have stated several times that under their agreement they cannot sell Wizards DLC without a FG license.

[gaara6666]

Damned I hear you. the legaleze of the issue is that "by selling the fg license with the WOTC trademark, any and all infringements or unauthorized copies of said WOTC trademark are traceable to that entity.

[damned]

Damned I hear you. the legaleze of the issue is that "by selling the fg license with the WOTC trademark, any and all infringements or unauthorized copies of said WOTC trademark are traceable to that entity.

I dont know for sure but I suspect its mostly down to the Wizards wanting to ensure that people know/understand what this product is. It is NOT a PDF. It is NOT a complete character builder. It is NOT a video game. It is rules and reference and data for running games on Fantasy Grounds - hence you need to own Fantasy Grounds to use it. When Smiteworks negotiated this deal the Wizards didnt have any other Digital options about - they had just pulled the pin on their one official product that was still in Beta. I think they were wanting to avoid the mistakes of some of their previous digital ventures. Fortunately Smiteworks did a good job with it. Unfortunately that has meant that the Wizards were then receptive to other VTTs. But thats how it goes. When Smiteworks gets a little bigger and they buy Wizards from Hasbro it will all be sweet.

[Full Bleed]

Smiteworks have stated several times that under their agreement they cannot sell Wizards DLC without a FG license.
Interesting.

It doesn't seem like WotC saddled Roll20 with the same restriction. Perhaps because FG's demo isn't registered to a user like Roll20's free account is (for accountability as noted by gaara6666).

A "registered" demo might loosen that restriction if FG was so inclined.

[damned]

Interesting.

It doesn't seem like WotC saddled Roll20 with the same restriction. Perhaps because FG's demo isn't registered to a user like Roll20's free account is (for accountability as noted by gaara6666).

A "registered" demo might loosen that restriction if FG was so inclined.

But when you couple it with the following comment and the fact that FG has proven a worthwhile and workable model and now its been extended (to roll20) and perhaps evolved?


I dont know for sure but I suspect its mostly down to the Wizards wanting to ensure that people know/understand what this product is. It is NOT a PDF. It is NOT a complete character builder. It is NOT a video game. It is rules and reference and data for running games on Fantasy Grounds - hence you need to own Fantasy Grounds to use it. When Smiteworks negotiated this deal the Wizards didnt have any other Digital options about - they had just pulled the pin on their one official product that was still in Beta. I think they were wanting to avoid the mistakes of some of their previous digital ventures. Fortunately Smiteworks did a good job with it. Unfortunately that has meant that the Wizards were then receptive to other VTTs. But thats how it goes. When Smiteworks gets a little bigger and they buy Wizards from Hasbro it will all be sweet.

Who knows. This is only conjecture based on reading most stuff that crosses these forums :)

[dudeslife]

When Smiteworks gets a little bigger and they buy Wizards from Hasbro it will all be sweet.

My greatest fear is the reverse of this happening..