[Wreck]

I would like to formally request that Catalyst Games and Cliffhanger Productions re-evaluate their joint decision to only provide in-game content codes in Print Books and Box Sets. I understand that including a SR:O in-game content codes with the purchase of PDF Books means some changes to the sales process of PDF Books. And would require a more effort on the side of Catalyst and it's electronic's distributors for less profit. However, your decision, which is likely an attempt to create incentives for Print material sales also creates a negative incentive NOT to buy PDF materials.

This sends a negative message to me as a consumer, that my business is less valued by Catalyst. Which, in-turn, makes me question my brand loyalty. This decision negatively impacts my purchasing power/choices as a consumer. I, and many other people in the world, have made a conscious decision to move away from Print books. This is a combination of wanting to reduce my consumption of unnecessary paper-products and my physical space limitations. I would even be willing to pay a higher price for the PDF version of the books if it included the content codes. I really like what I've seen so far in the preview releases and I am likely going to buy all of the SR5 materials, but in PDF, not print.

An option which many game producers have used in the past, provides different content depending on the source of the code. Meaning PDF linked codes would provide content X while Print Books provide content Y and Box Sets provide content Z. This creates incentives to purchase of ALL forms of Catalyst's SR5 materials. Which would mean MORE money for Catalyst to produce even MORE material.

For those of you who agree with me that Catalyst Games and Cliffhanger Productions should include in-game content codes with PDFs, please join your voices to mine.

I also have this request on Shadowrun.com: http://www.shadowrun.com/forums/discussion/27669/catalystsro-in-game-content-codes-why-no-pdf-love. Supporters, please add your voice there as well.

Thank you for considering my request.

[Michael Chandra]

I should note that they announced a $20 price for the SR5 PDF, whereas the book is $60. With such a significant price difference, I'm fine with no codes in there, if the price differences are minimal for other books however I'd like a code with them.

[Wreck]

Which is also why I stated I would be willing to pay a higher price for code inclusion.

[Michael Chandra]

Language. :<

http://www.catalystgamelabs.com/2013/03/05/catalyst-game-labs-and-shadowrun-online-cooperation/

"The first series of books and box sets released by Catalyst Game Labs—such as Shadowrun, Fifth Edition, Shadowrun Introductory Box Set, Shadowrun: Crossfire, Stolen Souls, and so on—will contain a unique, one-time use code in every book or box that will allow Shadowrun Online players to obtain unique items only available through the tabletop items."

Also mentioned in Preview #5, with images of some of the toys.

[Rapier]

Post removed by Moderators

Wow relax and take them medication, a content code is a code in printed product you can use to acess a soft version of the material through the web...

I personally agree with the principle that since you pay for the intellectual property when you buy a product, you should also automatically have acess to a soft version of the material. That being said, 20$ for the soft version is very cheap.

[Wildcard]

Just ask a friend then. I know I'm not bothering with SR:Online [Edit : why the hell did I say SR Euro?], and I doubt most players will be either. Easy peasy, no need to get a thousand signatures on a worthless internet petition either.

[Dinendae]

This sends a negative message to me as a consumer, that my business is less valued by Catalyst.

Thank you for considering my request.

Or you could just see it as having a choice, instead of coming off as entitled. Want the codes? Buy an actual book. Want the ability to have the book on any electronic device you can read it on, for one third the price? Buy the PDF. Want the best of both worlds? Buy both. That's what I'll be doing.

[Wreck]

I do not feel entitled to anything, nor do I disagree that the $20 price tag (which is significantly lower than the print version) should necessitate a content-code. This is part of why I also stated that I would be willing to pay a higher price.

@Wildcard, you may feel that voicing myself as a consumer is "worthless." I do not. Will my attempt lead to what I would like to see as a consumer? Maybe, maybe not. But if I don't try, then nothing will ever be changed. As to your suggestion to get the code from a friend who may not want to also play SR:O. I am not trying to just save money. Nor am I trying to gype Catalyst out of what they are do for the wonderful material they produce. I am simply trying to find a happier medium for myself as a consumer.

[Dinendae]

I do not feel entitled to anything, nor do I disagree that the $20 price tag (which is significantly lower than the print version) should necessitate a content-code. This is part of why I also stated that I would be willing to pay a higher price.

The thing is, I see this all the time, though more often in the MMOs I test: There will be a couple different versions offered, with tiered rewards for each 'level.' It also never fails that one version will have something that someone wants, but they want a different version. So threads get started asking for the same thing you are (and generally stating it with that same 'they don't value me statement'): A new tier that combines a cheaper price, bundled with something offered at a higher tier, with the offer of being willing to pay more for that new tier. Really you just need to choose; do you want the code that badly, do you want the convenience and cheaper price of the PDF, or do you want both?

Personally I prefer actual books over PDFs, unless I can't get the material in print. However my group looks to be making the switch over to 5th Ed (which I am very grateful for), so I have made the choice to get the rules as soon as they come out in the PDF, and then grab the actual book when it ships. If you really want the code that badly, and really don't want to get both, then wait. They shouldn't have to make a different version of the PDF just so you can have the code. Try thinking of it as a perk of getting the 'deluxe' version (i.e. the book), instead of you getting hosed for buying a PDF.

[Wreck]

Completely valid argument. I would love to be able to buy the books, but I can't. It's not a price issue either. I think the Print Book and other price sets are completely fair. You are right though that I have to make a decision. But so did the company. And that decision is a combination of their cost-benefit analysis as well as marketing incentives. But that does put me in a "less-valued" tier to the company. And the creation of more tiers creates more pricing and consumption options. Will they make all of the possible options available no. But it doesn't hurt me to try. This is because of a nifty little trick of markets. Demand drives supply. I am just hoping that I am not the only one wanting to be supplied at the level that I would prefer.

[Wildcard]

I do not feel entitled to anything, nor do I disagree that the $20 price tag (which is significantly lower than the print version) should necessitate a content-code. This is part of why I also stated that I would be willing to pay a higher price.

@Wildcard, you may feel that voicing myself as a consumer is "worthless." I do not. Will my attempt lead to what I would like to see as a consumer? Maybe, maybe not. But if I don't try, then nothing will ever be changed. As to your suggestion to get the code from a friend who may not want to also play SR:O. I am not trying to just save money. Nor am I trying to gype Catalyst out of what they are do for the wonderful material they produce. I am simply trying to find a happier medium for myself as a consumer.

You misunderstand. I don't think you're an asshole for demanding virtual items. I just think there's an easier (and cheaper) way to do it by asking friends, and that method also doesn't involve Catalyst changing it's policies, making it infinitely more likely.

[AJCarrington]

While I don't have much stake in the issue, I would suggest your send your post via email, using the contact links on the SR and CGL web sites. I'm pretty sure those go direct to Randall.

[Rapier]

Odly enough asking friends for their ecopy is stealing to me.

And on the same line I think they are taking a huge risk in selling the soft versions for that much lower than the hard version. Hopefully it wont bite them in the ass and reduce their paper copies sale too much.

[Wreck]

Odly enough asking friends for their ecopy is stealing to me.

And on the same line I think they are taking a huge risk in selling the soft versions for that much lower than the hard version. Hopefully it wont bite them in the ass and reduce their paper copies sale too much.

I agree with you 100%.

[AJCarrington]

And on the same line I think they are taking a huge risk in selling the soft versions for that much lower than the hard version. Hopefully it wont bite them in the ass and reduce their paper copies sale too much.

Not sure I agree with you on this point...they've been selling the core SR4A book @$15 for years now.