No.
They said in the product thread early on that if you were a subscriber (I believe of the Starfinder Rules, specifically) and you pre-ordered the Beginners Box you would get the PDF for free. (Even though, the box itself doesn't count as a Rulebook Sub item.)
However, if you are not a suscriber and simply order/pre-order the box, you do not get a free PDF.
Umm... That goes against what Vic Wertz said in the original announcement thread.
For reference...
Did something change?
The product page for the beginner box does not mention what Vic said -- so if what he said is true, that needs to be corrected ASAP.
By what Vic said, to get the free PDF you would need to either already be a subscriber, have received Alien Archive 2, and not canceled your subscription since then, or you would need to start up a subscription with Alien Archive 2 before the April authorizations are run.
Note that starting with Alien Archive 3 means that you won't count as a subscriber when the beginner box comes out next month, as Alien Archive 3 does not come out until August.
It definitely isn't part of any subscription.
If Vic's statement is true, though, it should have some text about a PDF such as what we see in this Flip-Mat Classic.
The PDF isn’t included with purchase of the hardcopy. They are two separate products, not part of any subscription.
Except that Vic explicitly said (link above) that you'd get the PDF if you were a subscriber. There are other products that work that way (even though they aren't subscription products) like some of the 'classic' map packs.
Since that post was half a year ago I'd go by the most recent statements to be safe until informed otherwise (hopefully there is a "otherwise").
Given that we are approaching the end of March and this product releases in April, they are running out of time to include the PDF on the product page. I would say that more recent repeated statements would have to take precedence over a single older statement in this regard, so I am not holding out any hope of Starfinder subscribers getting free PDFs of the beginner box.
By the way -- was the Pathfinder beginner box actually part of the subscription at the time it came out? That is what its product page says now. I am actually glad to have the option of skipping the Starfinder beginner box without losing my Superscriber status for doing so.
I get that it's an old statement, but it was made by someone senior enough to know the answer and also senior enough to know not to answer questions like that with definite answers if the answer were still in flux.
I'm the one that asked the question Vic answered, and I've been telling everyone since then who has asked the question that that is how it will work based on Vic's statement. So, if they've changed their minds, they need to hurry up and make that abundantly clear.
Except that Vic explicitly said (link above) that you'd get the PDF if you were a subscriber. There are other products that work that way (even though they aren't subscription products) like some of the 'classic' map packs.
I saw what Vic said and have confidently told people the same thing (I expect that was the intention at the time). However, the creative director of Starfinder has since made a contradictory statement. Also, there’s no indication on the product page clarifying which subscription would be required (rpg or superscriber?) which they generally do when they offer this perk.
It’s not ideal, obviously and it would be great if whichever of them were wrong would retract what they said. However, as a practical matter we have to choose whether to listen to the head of tech six months ago or the head of Starfinder a week ago.
Most recent statement by the most relevant employee says it’s not included. That’s the best we have to go on in a nonideal world.
By the way -- was the Pathfinder beginner box actually part of the subscription at the time it came out? That is what its product page says now. I am actually glad to have the option of skipping the Starfinder beginner box without losing my Superscriber status for doing so.
Yes. There were a few criticisms about that at the time (although as far as I can tell, all before the product launched, making it something of a nonissue).
Hey folks, CS is working with store folks to clarify this as soon as possible.
Thanks, Sara.
If it’s not too late for requests, I’ve always found it a good policy - even if I don’t take advantage of the PDFs, it’s just another thing making me feel valued as a subscriber.
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I would argue that since there's code involved in setting the PDF to automatically go to downloads on shipping, Vic is the more relevant employee, but I'm mostly just posting here not to argue with you but to get Rob to come back and either confirm or correct his statement in light of Vic's comments.
I would argue that since there's code involved in setting the PDF to automatically go to downloads on shipping, Vic is the more relevant employee, but I'm mostly just posting here not to argue with you but to get Rob to come back and either confirm or correct his statement in light of Vic's comments.
Yep. I’m not arguing with you either! I just think we customers need to rely on the most recent info we have.
I feel a little responsible as I’ve definitely told people what now appears to be the wrong thing.
I hope they clarify soon (and I hope Rob is wrong. :p)
I feel a little responsible as I’ve definitely told people what now appears to be the wrong thing.
This is where I'm at, too. I know of at least two people I convinced to subscribe to the Rulebook sub back before AA2 came out specifically so they could get the Beginner Box PDF for free.
Personally, I was planning on just buying the PDFs for the BB, so it doesn't directly impact me.
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Hello Folks!
I'm aiming to clear up any confusion on the PDF availability for the Starfinder Beginner Box.
If you are a subscriber to the Starfinder Roleplaying Game line, and you preorder the Starfinder Beginner Box, you will receive a free PDF of the Beginner Box when it ships. This is stated on the product page here.
The Starfinder Beginner Box is not part of the subscription, so in order to receive it with the free PDF when it releases, you will have to ensure that you preorder it.
If you are not a subscriber to the Starfinder Roleplaying Game line, your preorder will not include the free PDF. If you purchase the beginner box after its release, the purchase will not qualify to receive the free PDF.
Please let us know if there is any additional clarification we can provide or if you have have any concerns.
Thank you for the clarification!
Thanks, Sam! Great. :)
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And I just caved and decided to pre-order.
What is in the pdf version?
What is in the pdf version?
I'm assuming it will be similar to the Pathfinder Beginner box PDF, which had PDF's for the books, the character sheets, the adventures, the maps, and the tokens.
I'm assuming it will be similar to the Pathfinder Beginner box PDF, which had PDF's for the books, the character sheets, the adventures, the maps, and the tokens.
That is not bad.
I was already considering the purchase, just to have some new Starfinder material until AA3 and COM, and that much content might push me over the edge.