Gamin Steve's interview with Chris Perkins:
All D&D Insider subscribers will get a starter set of 3d [digital] miniatures for use on the game table.
When you "redeem" the books you buy (i.e. type in the code printed in them), you get a digital version (I'm assuming a pdf version) and also some extra stuff. For instance, the Monster Manuals will give you tokens of the monsters within (not 3d versions, just tokens).
They ARE going to be selling "boxes" of 3d [digital]miniatures on D&D Insider.
Same deal with dungeon tiles. You get a starter set and will then be able to buy more tiles down the road.
wtf
WotC's Didier Monin;
There have been many discussions internally on the topic of randomization, and offering the V-minis for the D&D Game Table in randomized boosters is a concept that has gone by the wayside. It was considered, discussed and discarded.(I wonder why?)
Hahaha. That's priceless, if you'll excuse the pun.
Well, it's not like it matters because they're not getting a dime from me.
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Can I "redeem" all my plastic minis? *snerk*
So I buy the books, then I need the minis ('cause the world is now in a grid), then I need a wireless laptop connected to the net, then I have to pay a monthly fee, then I have to buy some other virtual trinckets... and maybe I could play.
Or maybe not, 'cause my players don't have the books, the laptops, the monthly fee paid, and they can't access to all my wundabar gizmos or virtual character sheets or whatever, and I have to DM the old way, telling them what they see, hear, etc. while they roll some dice, take notes, and check their 4-pages character sheets.
4E or not, this smells badly.
What sad is the whole buy the books and you get some Flat token's like the kind that used come in Dragon mag. Exactly how a flat token works on a 3d grid is beyond me. From what I heard the whole DDI thing is being set up by a company with a rather bad buisness record. The DDI thing appears to be aimed at friends whom moved away or the lone Dungeon Master whom lives in the remote Alaska frontier. Charging you per monster,pillar,chest and cobwebs...WOW! Milk'in that sacred cow for all it's worth!
...And that answers the reason they dropped the whole random Virtual Boosters, charging by orc is far more profitable.
Yeah, this info has been out for awhile. I think it is kind of lame.
"Kind of lame" Quite an understatement. It makes it that much more clear that they're in it for the money. The game is just a cash cow to milk for them. Too many decisions have been done with nothing but money in mind. I'm not saying that they should ignore the monetary aspect, but it shouldn't be the sole concern.
I never thought I'd say this, but I'd rather play World of Warcraft. At least they only charge me twice - for the game and for the time. Not for every class, spell, level, race, and so on.
I don't really see a difference in this and paying money for PDF mini's to print out (equally lame) and I don't hear anyone bashing those companies.
I think there's a price difference. Those monster tiles aren't that expensive. They're just a bit of work done for you (if you want tiles with the monsters on them but don't want to spend the to make those files yourself) and with a mite to pay for that. It's all take it or leave it.
But here, they're selling something that should be part of the whole thing. They can't shut up about how great their new virtual gaming table is and how it's the second coming of jesus because you get neat 3d-representations (unlike that crap other companies apparently sell), and nevermind you have to pay through the nose for it.
If you want to get "full use" out of your books with the stuff they keep yapping about, you'll probably end up paying twice the book's price.
No one bashes those companies because those companies don't have a stranglehold on the whole product line. You can buy pdf minis from company A or B or C and they'll all be usable on your physical tabletop. If you want to use the DI system, and you need minis to play online, who do you buy them from? Hmmmmm.....
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No one bashes those companies because those companies don't have a stranglehold on the whole product line. You can buy pdf minis from company A or B or C and they'll all be usable on your physical tabletop. If you want to use the DI system, and you need minis to play online, who do you buy them from? Hmmmmm.....
Or you could use Fantasy Grounds and tell WotC to bugger off. OF COURSE they are the only ones putting out content for THEIR DI. Don't see any 3rd parties making WoW expansions do you? Damn greedy Blizzard.
They are giving you the tokens with the MM. You have to pay for a spruced up 3d version. Sounds reasonable.
Who is really gonna want flat tokens? After you sign up for DDI they give you 3d Starter set! So right there they got ya...wanting more 3d
miniatures.You failed your save vs. Cash trap!
No one bashes those companies because those companies don't have a stranglehold on the whole product line. You can buy pdf minis from company A or B or C and they'll all be usable on your physical tabletop. If you want to use the DI system, and you need minis to play online, who do you buy them from? Hmmmmm.....Or you could use Fantasy Grounds and tell WotC to bugger off. OF COURSE they are the only ones putting out content for THEIR DI. Don't see any 3rd parties making WoW expansions do you? Damn greedy Blizzard.
Good point and totally agree. A closed system for a computer experience makes sense. But you can't compare an open system (pdfs) with a closed system (DI) and say why isn't anyone bashing pdf companies? The analogy is not apples to apples.
The reason many are upset with the DI is that, as Golem101 points out, is takes the concept of "micropayments" and magnifies it to the extreme. I can buy Wow and I can subscribe. Done. Now I don't have to pay a few bucks to access products i already own (download codes in new books), I don't have to pay to get representations of new creatures (virtual minis), etc. I buy one game, one subscription and any expansions, usually spaced many months apart. It seems that everything WoTC is rolling out has a separate charge associated with it, instead of being one unified experience.
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But you can't compare an open system (pdfs) with a closed system (DI) and say why isn't anyone bashing pdf companies? The analogy is not apples to apples.
I see your point there. Then lets go with there was no bashing of CMP for their E-tool packs. That a little better?
I agree with the micropayments, if it turns out like that.
But, if you can play a perfectly decent game of 4e without the DI, then I'll be cool.
Ugh. This is stupid. I was getting excited that they dropped the randomized digital minis idea. But now I only get tokens? My ability to access their technology and use it is limited to tiny representations of the monsters? My first attempt at creating a superb visual experience via the Internet to attempt to make up for the lack of the physical tabletop, good times and laughs will rely upon flat counters?
But you can't compare an open system (pdfs) with a closed system (DI) and say why isn't anyone bashing pdf companies? The analogy is not apples to apples.I see your point there. Then lets go with there was no bashing of CMP for their E-tool packs. That a little better?
I agree with the micropayments, if it turns out like that.
But, if you can play a perfectly decent game of 4e without the DI, then I'll be cool.
Fair enough!
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But now I only get tokens? My ability to access their technology and use it is limited to tiny representations of the monsters? My first attempt at creating a superb visual experience via the Internet to attempt to make up for the lack of the physical tabletop, good times and laughs will rely upon flat counters?
My 3.5e DMG only came with flat, photo copyable tokens. I had to buy miniatures. =(
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Well, I thought that access to the miniatures would be included in the monthly fee for the DI... Having to pay extra is another argument for me against testing these waters. IN addition, you are only able to use them as long as you are subscriber to the DDI. Basically you don't even "own" those minis.
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They are giving you the tokens with the MM. You have to pay for a spruced up 3d version. Sounds reasonable.
Who is really gonna want flat tokens? After you sign up for DDI they give you 3d Starter set! So right there they got ya...wanting more 3d
miniatures.
You failed your save vs. Cash trap!
Anyone who fails this save must have a penalty to the stat the it's based on and rolled a 1. Come on, do you really need a 3d representation of a troll? What can it do that a 2d token can't? And if you really want the "immersion" of having a 3d thing then yah, suck it up and pay for it. Or you just don't.... you do have that choice. I can't see the virtual tabletop getting nearly as much use as they seem to think it will.
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Well, I thought that access to the miniatures would be included in the monthly fee for the DI... Having to pay extra is another argument for me against testing these waters. IN addition, you are only able to use them as long as you are subscriber to the DDI. Basically you don't even "own" those minis.
You don't "own" anything to do with the DI. I seem to also recall that they were going to provide online space for people to post their adventures and other ideas - and oh yah, you can bet that the "ownership" of anything posted on their site goes to WotC. I wouldn't put a single word on there.
WotC, as a company, has lost all credibility and trust from my perspective. I will now deal with them as such.
(Besides, even if you did "own" the minis you have to purchase the rights to use... what else could you do with it? It would be like "owning" the crazy magical whosit that your character found in WoW.... or even the concept that you "own" your copy of WoW... you can't do anything without Blizzard and their servers.)
My 3.5e DMG only came with flat, photo copyable tokens. I had to buy miniatures. =(
Absolutely correct. However, the competition for the paper book is also other gaming products that don't come with miniatures. The online experience competitors for my gaming dollar include three-dimensional images (WoW, Halo, Everquest, etc). A two-dimensional token isn't competitive.
Yeah, this info has been out for awhile. I think it is kind of lame.
While they won't get my money for digi-minis (no desire to play on-line), I don't really see a difference in this and paying money for PDF mini's to print out (equally lame) and I don't hear anyone bashing those companies.
There is a big difference from digi-minis to printable dudes. Anyone that can draw or scan can make printable dudes. When I buy up a pack of cardboard dudes to set up that is all I get in the pack. But if I can print them out then if they get bent or something I can make more. Or just make one hundred of one dude, or something. Plus, I don't have to subscribe to R.I.P.Off.com or wherever to download and use a printable dude. One payment, and the files are mine forever.
Digi-minis that you gotta pay for, after you payed for subscription to the dang site, is stupid.
That's...wow. Pretty damn insane of WotC.
But what more can you expect from them, right?
*sigh* More news to send to my local hobby shop. And then watch the fireworks burst from all the angry D&D fans there that have been griping about 4E along with me.
What has me torqued off is bundling the magazines with this online garbage (my perspective, not everyone's).
I don't want ANY online supplements. I just want the magazines (actually, I want the magazines back). Nothing else is worth money to me.
This deal screws me to the wall. It borders on extortion, forcing me to buy into the online material to get my magazines. Not really -- I don't want (their versions of) the magazines badly enough to subscribe.
To follow up, and on a more positive note (to me), I think the digital portion of all this will go belly-up. TSR discovered D&D couldn't make meaningful profits in terms of software, and WotC (pre-Hasbro) evidently recognized the same thing.
D&D gamers don't want to play on computers, and IMHO never will. We already have computer games for that -- D&D is as much about the people as it is about the play (Lord, I hope I'm right about such an idealistic claim).
We'll just have to wait till the current pinhead managers relearn that lesson.
What's the quote about "those who don't learn from history...?"
:/
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@Crosswiredmind - as always, I can appreciate the fact that you play the Donald Trump capitalist card in defense of 4E. It seems you're saying 'it's not personal, its business'. You defend XPUD's plans to release a new game under the pretense that it is the Dungeons and Dragons we have known for 30+ years. As an American I can't fault you for, on principle, defending capitalism. However, as just one of the millions who value the integrity of our game, our culture, tradition and intellectual history, we hear you on these threds making a clear point that you don't give a damn. Yes, they have found a new way to make money... one electronic piece at a time. And, that's not what many fans of the game expect to be of premier concern from a steward of our game.
The title of this thread is an appropriate statement: DDI - The Greed Continues... A game store owner I know explained to me that he believes Hasbro may actually be very unhappy that XPUD is part of their capitalist entity. They may be tired of the unpredictable distribution scenario i.e. selling thousands of dollars of product to a few people (DMs), and a single PHB to the majority (players). He explained to me that Hasbro wants products that sell. As Erik Mona pointed out in his post on October 23rd entitled 4.0 PAIZO IS STILL UNDECIDED, "It behooves Wizards of the Coast to "monetize" as many aspects of D&D as possible, to keep the game as fresh and free of limiting "baggage" (such as continuity), and to keep up with the design approaches taken by massively multiplayer online roleplaying games that appeal to the next generation of gamers."
Many will agree that not buying 4I (the illegitimate edition) is our right as consumers. Additionally, for those of us who believe that our history should not be treated like "baggage" by a monopolistic and greedy company: can we rally to send a clear message to PAIZO that there are "enough players willing to make a break from Wizards of the Coast and the Dungeons & Dragons brand to sustain a healthy 3.5-based Pathfinder business?"
They are giving you the tokens with the MM. You have to pay for a spruced up 3d version. Sounds reasonable.
Yeah right. After I paid for the book. And then paid again for the book so I get the electronic version. And paid a monthly fee to use the virtual game table. After all these payments, I have to pay yet again? That's not reasonable.
Come on, do you really need a 3d representation of a troll? What can it do that a 2d token can't? And if you really want the "immersion" of having a 3d thing then yah, suck it up and pay for it. Or you just don't.... you do have that choice. I can't see the virtual tabletop getting nearly as much use as they seem to think it will.
Well, I guess that if you pay a monthly fee for wizards oh so new and pretty virtual tabletop instead of any other free service, It might be because you get to use those 3d models.
But they cost extra. So you don't buy them. And don't bother with wizards' Oh So New And Pretty.
Seems that milkin sheep is the new thing. Everyone with half a mind will use free services (if they don't need 3d stuff) or WoW (which isn't much more limited than 4e will be, doesn't charge for every new class and monster to fight, has better graphics, and sound and everything to boot).
To follow up, and on a more positive note (to me), I think the digital portion of all this will go belly-up.[/i]
I agree. They seem intent on taking on WoW. They made 4e too much like WoW, not realising that by making people choose between the two, people will choose WoW - especially if it looks better and turns out to be less expensive all in all.
Sheesh. Remember when gaming used to be a relatively inexpensive hobby, when it only required a couple books, a few funny-looking dice, some pencils and paper, and the rest was in your imagination?
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RPG Superstar 2011 Top 32
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Sheesh. Remember when gaming used to be a relatively inexpensive hobby, when it only required a couple books, a few funny-looking dice, some pencils and paper, and the rest was in your imagination?
Your imagination now costs $5.99 for the first minute, and $1.99 for each additional minute.
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However, as just one of the millions who value the integrity of our game, our culture, tradition and intellectual history, we hear you on these threds making a clear point that you don't give a damn. Yes, they have found a new way to make money... one electronic piece at a time. And, that's not what many fans of the game expect to be of premier concern from a steward of our game.
1) If you do not like it then let them know directly - get a petition going, start a letter writing campaign, something other than gripe as if you are powerless to effect change.
2) they are not stewards - the own the darn thing. If they wanted to hold onto the name and never produce another D&D product ever - that is their prerogative.
Many will agree that not buying 4I (the illegitimate edition) is our right as consumers. Additionally, for those of us who believe that our history should not be treated like "baggage" by a monopolistic and greedy company: [b]can we rally to send a clear message to PAIZO that there are "enough players willing to make a break from Wizards of the Coast and the Dungeons & Dragons brand to sustain a healthy 3.5-based...
Go for it. I will support your right to do so until my last breath. But saying that WotC is greedy just because they want to increase sales is saying that all companies are greedy because they do the exact same thing.
Is Paizo greedy for creating a whole suite of products for the Rise of the Runelords?
No. Of course not.
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Welcome to capitalism. If people buy it it will be brilliant. If people do not then they will drop it.
WotC is not evil. They are not insane. They are in this to make money just like every other company that makes something to sell to others.
Well, I'd have to say that they are shaping up to be greedy beyond mortal comprehension. That is not acceptable, and they do not deserve my patronage. They deserve to be put out of business.
Creative Director
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It's worth bearing in mind that (from everything I've heard about it, at least) the DDI virtual table thingy isn't required to play 4th edition. It's there for players who want to game via the internet. The game itself supposedly still works the same it always had as a tabletop game; with the three core books and pencils and paper and dice and nothing else required.
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Well, I'd have to say that they are shaping up to be greedy beyond mortal comprehension. That is not acceptable, and they do not deserve my patronage. They deserve to be put out of business.Welcome to capitalism. If people buy it it will be brilliant. If people do not then they will drop it.
WotC is not evil. They are not insane. They are in this to make money just like every other company that makes something to sell to others.
Ok. Feel free to believe that if you want but quite frankly that smacks of hyperbole.
It's worth bearing in mind that (from everything I've heard about it, at least) the DDI virtual table thingy isn't required to play 4th edition. It's there for players who want to game via the internet. The game itself supposedly still works the same it always had as a tabletop game; with the three core books and pencils and paper and dice and nothing else required.
I certainly hope so.
As long as the 3 core books aren't more expensive, because of the 'value added' DDI stuff, then the world will still make some sort of sense. Because otherwise, then you'd be paying to allow someone else to be able to play online...which isn't something I'd be adverse to volunteering to do, but I would not like to be required to do so.
I don't know too much about 3D Modeling, but what I do know is that 3D Modelers command a significant salary and that the creation of even a decent static 3D model takes a significant amount of time. If you take a look at most video games, espicially MMOs,you'll see that models are commonly recycled with slight alterations to represent different sorts of enemies. Creating 3D representations for every monster in the D&D game is going to be quite expensive, and you need to generate enough revenue to make your efforts worth your while. You don't really want to raise the price on books or D&D Insider to recoup those costs.
It's worth bearing in mind that (from everything I've heard about it, at least) the DDI virtual table thingy isn't required to play 4th edition. It's there for players who want to game via the internet. The game itself supposedly still works the same it always had as a tabletop game; with the three core books and pencils and paper and dice and nothing else required.
....for now.
It would really suck to need the Digital Initiative to play PnP.
"Can a Spellthief's Steal Spell ability be blocked by Spell Resistance?"
"I don't know. I can't look it up right now, because the rulebook just has this URL under the heading - https://gleemax.com/rules/sr - and then I'd have to enter the UPC from the back of the PHB."
** later that night **
"Alright, everyone. Now that your characters have camped for the night, and you have determined watch order, log on to Gleemax and enter your UPCs from your Mountain Dew cans and your Doritos bags for each of your characters, so that they can have their rations. Otherwise, your characters will die of thirst or starvation."
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Ok. Feel free to believe that if you want but quite frankly that smacks of hyperbole.Well, I'd have to say that they are shaping up to be greedy beyond mortal comprehension. That is not acceptable, and they do not deserve my patronage. They deserve to be put out of business.Welcome to capitalism. If people buy it it will be brilliant. If people do not then they will drop it.
WotC is not evil. They are not insane. They are in this to make money just like every other company that makes something to sell to others.
I know that it is optional, but that's not the point. It's the attitude that they can nickel and dime their customers, who they obviously see as sheep more than people, to death, and they should love them for it. Their greed has blinded them. You still have to subscribe to the DDI and pay an additional fee to unlock the online portion of the book. This used to be a free web enhancement. Soon you will have to pay 10-15 dollars a month plus who knows how much per book to get those web enhancements. I think we can bank on some choice parts of the books being intentionally left out, so they can hit you with these charges to get access to some of the best content, just like some races and classes are being left out of the first PHB so they can get you to buy another book for this core material later. Hey WotC! Greedy much?
I don't know too much about 3D Modeling, but what I do know is that 3D Modelers command a significant salary and that the creation of even a decent static 3D model takes a significant amount of time. If you take a look at most video games, espicially MMOs,you'll see that models are commonly recycled with slight alterations to represent different sorts of enemies. Creating 3D representations for every monster in the D&D game is going to be quite expensive, and you need to generate enough revenue to make your efforts worth your while. You don't really want to raise the price on books or D&D Insider to recoup those costs.
Isn't that what the monthly fee is for? And the exta money they get when we "unlock" the books. That should more than cover it, I think.
It's worth bearing in mind that (from everything I've heard about it, at least) the DDI virtual table thingy isn't required to play 4th edition. It's there for players who want to game via the internet. The game itself supposedly still works the same it always had as a tabletop game; with the three core books and pencils and paper and dice and nothing else required.
Not yet, that is. I can't help but think that they'll try to make people buy more extra stuff from them. It's just like with miniatures: Apparently, 4e doesn't know feet or inches or metres any more - only squares, like a board game. They push the miniatures more, and I can see them pushing the online initiative more.
And one big push for their online programme we all felt already: They killed Dragon and Dungeon in order to replace it with an online subscription thing so if people want monthly "official content", they just have to subscribe to D&D Insider.
Good to see you still only concern yourself with facts, rather than jumping to any conclusion you can, like a good deal of your customers.
You know, I can't help but feel indirectly insulted by this. I'm sure that wasn't your intention, but wording is as important as intent.
Sigh!
I'll grant that WotC hasn't engendered much goodwill with some of their questionable marketing practices the past few months, but come on people they are entitled to make money for producing extra content. No one is being forced to use these 3d miniatures, just as no one is forced to use real miniatures on a tabletop board. They are an extra, just as anything beyond the 3 core books will be. I happen to like using miniatures on a board rather than tokens, so I pay extra for those miniatures. That doesn't mean I have to purchase them though, and that's my whole point, as well as that of some others above. If you don't want to use the 3d miniatures then don't. If you don't want to use the DI then don't. If you don't want to use 4th edition then don't. It's entirely your choice.
I'll be checking out 4th edition, but I find it highly unlikely to be using much of the DI or the 3d miniatures. But for those who want to use them they are there.
I find it somewhat amusing that we don't bash Paizo for greed since they are producing extra, optional content for Pathfinder (the Pathfinder Chronicles). It's the exact same concept that WotC is doing, yet WotC gets bashed and Paizo doesn't. Both companies need to make money to survive and they're both going about it the same way. The only difference is that Paizo has better customer service and marketing so they don't receive the vitriol for every new release.
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My 3.5e DMG only came with flat, photo copyable tokens. I had to buy miniatures. =(Absolutely correct. However, the competition for the paper book is also other gaming products that don't come with miniatures. The online experience competitors for my gaming dollar include three-dimensional images (WoW, Halo, Everquest, etc). A two-dimensional token isn't competitive.
No, the competitors for the WotC Digital Game Table are products like THIS . Not Wow, Halo, EQ, etc.
Well, I thought that access to the miniatures would be included in the monthly fee for the DI... Having to pay extra is another argument for me against testing these waters. IN addition, you are only able to use them as long as you are subscriber to the DDI. Basically you don't even "own" those minis.
And just what will happen with the inevitable D&D 5.0 when the Dragons, demons, devils and other creatures are once again redesigned?
Will WotC update those designs for free? Will they delete all the old images? Will you have to register as a 4.0 or 5.0 player? Will the coding be changed and 4.0 figs will only be usable in 4.0 games (regardless of any changes in appearance to the figures)?
I know I'm getting ahead of myself, but I think about these things. And if I am able to look this far ahead in my thinking, you know that the designers/managers at WotC are thinking about them too. I mean, let's face it...I ain't the sharpest knife in the drawer.
As far as the actual level of "optional-ness" of the DDI, I'll believe it when I see it. And yes, I realize that it will be 100% unprovable to me until 5.0 occurs, and it will be 100% irrelevant because I won't touch 4.0 with a proverbial 10' pole. I am a "no win situation" for WotC.
Right now, WotC has used up any goodwill they ever had with me, and as a (naturally) bitter and suspicious person I doubt that it will be very long before options like racial powers, feats, magic items and new monsters that were "cut" from physical books start making their appearance in the DDI (either in Dragon or Dungeon or as part of the unlocked content of a book). Once that happens, it is no longer an "option" and you are now paying twice for material that you should only have paid once to acquire.
I do wish that I didn't feel quite so bitterly about this.
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You know, I can't help but feel indirectly insulted by this. I'm sure that wasn't your intention, but wording is as important as intent.I've seen plenty of Paizo fans jumping to all kinds of conclusions based on next to nothing, since we have had very little solid information until recently. If you're one of those who did so, why should you feel insulted for me simply pointing out the truth?
I jump to conclusions all the time and I'm not insulted. I mean it's not my fault that the conclusions I jump are the right ones...
Isn't that what the monthly fee is for? And the extra money they get when we "unlock" the books. That should more than cover it, I think.
That depends on the cost of D&D Insider and the size of the subscriber base. Any costs acrued need to be covered by incoming revenue, and each new feature you include in the D&D Insider umbrella raises the monthly cost of D&D Insider. As of now D&D Insider includes Digital Dragon, Digital Dungeon, the Character Creator, the Character Visualizer, the basic Digital Tabletop, and most likely some extra DM tools. Additionally, If I'm not mistaken unlocking a book will be free. As far as I understand things the $1-$2 fee covers receiving an electronic copy of the book that you purchased a physical copy for. Wizards will bear a number of costs for the current feature set including ongoing software development costs for the Character Creator,server maintenance for the Digital Tabletop, and editorial overhead for the management of the digital magazines. I'm also guessing that the subscriber base will not be that large.
That being said, I can understand why some people are feeling like they're nickel and diming their customers. It does seem like the Digital Tabletop might be prohibitively expensive for the complete feature set. I'd argue that's largely due to Wizards overshooting on features. Of course your opinion might differ.
I do, however, have an issue with D&D Insider as a consumer. I want to be nickel and dimed more. When I look at what D&D Insider is offering it looks entirely too much like the 'packages' my cable company offers. There's a heck of a lot being offered that I simply don't want to pay for. I'd much rather be able to buy into D&D Insider without the Digital Tabletop then pay for a feature I don't need.
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RPG Superstar 2011 Top 32
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Oy.
I wonder if there has ever been anything as divisive in the gaming community as the advent of 4e. (I don't think so.)
I'm looking forward to the new books, to see whether I like the new system better. If I don't, I won't use it, plain and simple. I'm not looking forward to the fluff changes (and probably won't include much of what I've heard so far), but I'm still interested in a new ruleset. 3.5 isn't bad, and it's better than 2e, so I wonder if 4e will be even better yet.
I don't think the DI is for me, based on what I've seen. It just doesn't seem to be worth the cash outlay. I really hope that D&D in 4th edition can be played with just pen and paper.