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kahonen
Senior Scribe
United Kingdom
358 Posts |
 Posted - 19 Feb 2004 : 12:46:02
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I've just had a look at the latest "Map a Week" on the Wizards site:
http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/mw/20040205a
and realised that they are not originals. The maps there are from the Forgotten Realms Adventure "Hellgate Keep" (TSR Code: 9658) which was released February 1998.
Has anyone else noticed anything this with other maps? I'd assumed that these maps were originals produced specifically for the website but perhaps I've been wrong.
Perhaps it's just another indication that Hasbro are "doing things on the cheap" or are running out of ideas.
(Or am I being cynical again?).
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Lord Rad
Great Reader
United Kingdom
2080 Posts |
Posted - 19 Feb 2004 : 13:35:11
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Wow, youre quite right kahonen!  What a dirty trick!!  |
Lord Rad
"What? No, I wasn't reading your module. I was just looking at the pictures"
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Faraer
Great Reader
3308 Posts |
Posted - 19 Feb 2004 : 14:01:16
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You may also recognize the 'Forested City'.
I don't think it's a dirty trick; I'm happy to have electric versions of these maps. |
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Shadowlord
Master of Realmslore
USA
1298 Posts |
Posted - 19 Feb 2004 : 15:29:01
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Hmmm, it is true that sometimes the greatest ideas are meant to be recycled, but they should at least tell you that they're old first. |
The Chosen of Vhaeraun
"Nature is governed by certain immutable rules. By virtue of claw and fang, the lion will always triumph over the goat.Given time, the pounding of the sea will wear away the stone. And when dark elves mingle with the lighter races, the offspring invariably take after the dark parent. It is all much the same. That which is greater shall prevail. Our numbers increase steadily, both through birth and conquest. The dark elves are the dominant race, so ordained by the gods." Ka'Narlist of the Ilythiiri. |
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SiriusBlack
Great Reader
USA
5517 Posts |
Posted - 19 Feb 2004 : 16:31:46
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quote:
Originally posted by kahonen
Perhaps it's just another indication that Hasbro are "doing things on the cheap" or are running out of ideas.
(Or am I being cynical again?).
I'm not surprised and I'm sure it will continue. Many people online proclaimed when 3.5e came out that it was just a device so WOTC could republish stuff already released with updated stats. The mindset being from these people: less design time = less cost in producing a product = bigger profit. But, if WOTC is going to be smacked with this charge of reprinting/republishing stuff, they are not the only ones doing it. Many D20 companies are doing the same thing since 3.5e.
Of course, the maps are free so one can state that since no fee is involved, there should be no complaint about lack of originality. |
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Bookwyrm
Great Reader
USA
4740 Posts |
Posted - 20 Feb 2004 : 16:45:35
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Exactly my thought, Sirius. Of course, they're not completely off the hook, but simple updates are good.
As any current or recent college student would know, having texts updated solely for the sake of money gets very old, very quickly.  |
Hell hath no fury like all of Candlekeep rising in defense of one of its own.
Download the brickfilm masterpiece by Leftfield Studios! See this page for more. |
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SiriusBlack
Great Reader
USA
5517 Posts |
Posted - 21 Feb 2004 : 05:46:04
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quote:
Originally posted by Bookwyrm
As any current or recent college student would know, having texts updated solely for the sake of money gets very old, very quickly.
Indeed, and companies need to remember that they are not college professors with the ability to create an absolute demand for the item. |
Edited by - SiriusBlack on 21 Feb 2004 05:46:28 |
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Bookwyrm
Great Reader
USA
4740 Posts |
Posted - 21 Feb 2004 : 18:02:16
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No, you're wrong on that one. I've talked to many professors, and the problem is that the companies will put out new editions, while making the old ones fall out of print. They can do that easily -- they're the sole publishers of that book! And so when a new semester rolls around, the students have to buy books that are barely changed from old ones, save in the fact that they cost more -- to cover the "cost" of re-aranging the text. My best friend just had to pay for an Economics text that was USD 107.59, I believe. And that was used.
In a way, that's what happened with D&D, though at least in a slightly better way. Wizards at least released the SRD -- something that textbook makers don't do. That allowed people who'd already spent so much on 3e material to upgrade at no cost.
They still could have done better -- like if they did what Ed Greenwood wanted them to do. Namely, publish Realmslore and Realmstats in separate books. That way the Realmslore never goes out of date, because it's not placed in the context of stats.
Actually, I'm so steamed over rising textbook costs that Wizards' apparent obsession with money doesn't seem so bad in comparison. In fact, I'd take Wizards over most textbook makers.
Now if only they'd turn it into a university degree.  |
Hell hath no fury like all of Candlekeep rising in defense of one of its own.
Download the brickfilm masterpiece by Leftfield Studios! See this page for more. |
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Darth KTrava
Learned Scribe
USA
172 Posts |
Posted - 22 Feb 2004 : 01:00:03
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| And also they're SELLING maps that were available on their site for FREE! Makes ya wonder if they're desperate for money..... |
Evil will be dealt with swiftly as it is my duty to remove such evil from my presence.
-Rozhena, Cleric/Divine Champion of Torm |
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Bookwyrm
Great Reader
USA
4740 Posts |
Posted - 22 Feb 2004 : 02:56:19
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| That depends. Are they selling just the maps, or are they there to clarify something in a book? |
Hell hath no fury like all of Candlekeep rising in defense of one of its own.
Download the brickfilm masterpiece by Leftfield Studios! See this page for more. |
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Arivia
Great Reader
Canada
2965 Posts |
Posted - 22 Feb 2004 : 03:00:23
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| Have you seen this and this, yet, Bookwyrm? |
Edited by - Arivia on 22 Feb 2004 03:01:29 |
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Bookwyrm
Great Reader
USA
4740 Posts |
Posted - 22 Feb 2004 : 03:58:16
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| I wasn't trying to defend them. As for that, I don't think I'd want to buy it if it's online. |
Hell hath no fury like all of Candlekeep rising in defense of one of its own.
Download the brickfilm masterpiece by Leftfield Studios! See this page for more. |
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SiriusBlack
Great Reader
USA
5517 Posts |
Posted - 22 Feb 2004 : 04:13:08
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quote:
Originally posted by Arivia
Have you seen this and this, yet, Bookwyrm?
Is anyone planning to buy these items? I recall when I first heard these products mentioned, I had zero interest in obtaining them and that has yet to change. Anyone feel differently? |
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Arivia
Great Reader
Canada
2965 Posts |
Posted - 22 Feb 2004 : 05:09:35
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| I might, but only to acquire full-colour copies of some of the Todd Gamble works. Big might. I view those as more of pieces of artwork more than maps, and would be greatly pleased to have those in better condition than my current printings. |
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SiriusBlack
Great Reader
USA
5517 Posts |
Posted - 22 Feb 2004 : 16:42:36
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quote:
Originally posted by Arivia
I might, but only to acquire full-colour copies of some of the Todd Gamble works. Big might. I view those as more of pieces of artwork more than maps, and would be greatly pleased to have those in better condition than my current printings.
That I can more than understand if someone enjoys a certain artist's work. I have a loved one who has purchased numerous art books because she enjoys certain artists even though many of the drawings can be found online. Something still to be said for having something concrete in your hands in a book versus a computer file or a print out. |
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Bookwyrm
Great Reader
USA
4740 Posts |
Posted - 22 Feb 2004 : 23:54:35
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| Oh yes. Especially if you know it supports the person who created the actual work, whether directly or by royalties. |
Hell hath no fury like all of Candlekeep rising in defense of one of its own.
Download the brickfilm masterpiece by Leftfield Studios! See this page for more. |
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Darth KTrava
Learned Scribe
USA
172 Posts |
Posted - 23 Feb 2004 : 01:13:30
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quote:
Originally posted by Bookwyrm
That depends. Are they selling just the maps, or are they there to clarify something in a book?
Just the maps. In a 2-volume set that's sold separately. |
Evil will be dealt with swiftly as it is my duty to remove such evil from my presence.
-Rozhena, Cleric/Divine Champion of Torm |
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Bookwyrm
Great Reader
USA
4740 Posts |
Posted - 23 Feb 2004 : 01:24:42
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| Yes, so I see. Well, I agree with you on that one. |
Hell hath no fury like all of Candlekeep rising in defense of one of its own.
Download the brickfilm masterpiece by Leftfield Studios! See this page for more. |
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Hasbro - Out of ideas?
