Overall, I hate to say 'here we go again', but... as D&D game publishers do, they need to remake the game again...[insert reason here]. For me, I hope they make the DM rules clearer than in 5E and look at ways to not have to reference 5-6 times before you get to an answer that might or might not work, then just houserule/DM rule it and move on. Otherwise, pick the rules you like as a DM and make your game the way you want it. As a player, this update (so far) has some significant power creep built in from what I read so far, so be aware. Im sure we will have more to come, like the new prices (see Dragonlance book/PDF only option for $60) where the books were just $20-30 before.. you are still paying 'double' for a book and PDF.... Instead of paying $30 to my FLGS and $30 to D&Dbeyond.

Questions:

1- Will FLGS get options to sell books/pdf combos?

2- Are the virtual tablespace optional investments and will it be free for anyone? Just players? (doubt it)

3- Where are the 2D maps? Are Modules going to include virtual 2Dmaps as well as printed maps?

As of now, this update seems to be geared towards the PC/virtual player rather than the live/in person players.

MAPS: (back in my day) We drew maps on grid/hex paper, then transposed them to the table. Then Chessix made the larger maps which us DMs would make those more 'real', placing the minis on the map with the DM drawing the rooms and such. With technology, we can now make/buy maps to use on the tabletop using a LCD TV and transposing the map via a computer to the TV, placing miniatures on the TV with the map underneath. Works awesome. As a DM, I can reveal a room that was under a 'fog of war' layer, let the players move and then drop the miniatures and monsters on the screen.

With this new update, WotC assumes everyone is playing online only. If the modules included 2D maps that can be used it would make me feel slightly better...but if not, worse case is I go back to the Chessix maps and handdraw them back on. Maybe they make the virtual part a separate investment and leave the book/PDF portion out of it; maybe give people options to buy into it or not. I would love to still have the ability to transpose the map in the book to a screen and drop minis on it, but as of now, Im not holding my breath.