So just wondering why images of book pages counts as an "electronic game" but the dice roller does not?

"An electronic game is a game that employs electronics to create an interactive system with which a player can play."

I assume that it is because the dice could be independent of the game. You can use the standard dice for other games, and there are no rules involved.

Honestly, without anyone seeing the contract, it's pure speculation. Barring someone in FFG having the name Snowden, don't expect to see it... but, my exposure to contreacts and contract development, limited as it is, tells me this: Don't rely on logic. You have to look at the contract for the definitions and how they apply to the contract. If the contract defines "red" as "chocolate milk", then for all issues pertaining to the contract, red is chocolate milk.

It is fun to speculate, though so we can consider a number of possibilities. Edgookin brings up one. Additionally, I have noted that the die roller is not available on the PC or Mac. Considering the terms that are defining pdf's as electronic gaming material allegedly come from some archaic wording in the contract, this same archaic wording might not take into account portable devices. Since pdf's are not specifically confined to portable devices, they still fall into that bucket while mobile apps do not.

Or is might be a cryptic decree from the lizards in Washington DC!

Pick your conspiracy.

It is fun to speculate, though so we can consider a number of possibilities. Edgookin brings up one. Additionally, I have noted that the die roller is not available on the PC or Mac. Considering the terms that are defining pdf's as electronic gaming material allegedly come from some archaic wording in the contract, this same archaic wording might not take into account portable devices. Since pdf's are not specifically confined to portable devices, they still fall into that bucket while mobile apps do not.

Or is might be a cryptic decree from the lizards in Washington DC!

Pick your conspiracy.

Lizards.

I assume that it is because the dice could be independent of the game. You can use the standard dice for other games, and there are no rules involved.

Star Wars on the title, Star Wars imagery, interactive, and it requires rules for the dice to roll and display numbers. Sure meets the definition of a Star Wars electronic game. Where as an image of a book page in no way employs electronics to create an interactive system. The conspiracy I pick is that the situation is not can't, but won't. I mean, even if they were classified as an electronic game it doesn't explain the lack of an SRD or other digital tools. And if the portable device theory was correct, it seems something along the lines of a comic reader app would bypass the "archaic" contract that everyone totally doesn't want to have to follow but just can't get around.

Won't deviates way too much from the SOP. FFG is very good about producing pdf's for their other lines so, if they're not producing them for one specific line, something must be actively prohibiting them.

I think the simplest explanation that makes sense is that there are terms and definitions in the contracts (FFG's and EA's) that make it potentially ligitable if FFG produces pdf's related to Star Wars rpg's. Simply balance the cost of litigation against the projected profits of adding pdf's to the line and, "VOILA!" you have your answer... even if, as my kids would say, "That sucks butt nuggets."

Then again, I might be a minion of the lizards sent to throw you off their scent... but thanks to my foil hat, you will never know!

What we know about the license comes from a Dev at WotC while WotC had the license. We were told then that the license considers PDFs to be electronic gaming. Which is licensed to EA. And in order to untangle things you would have to have both EA and FFG renewing the license at the same time and for the 3 parties to get together with lawyers to extract PDFs from the EA license and give it to FFG. Not likely. As to the Die Roller they were likely to work out a minor exception. Since it makes it easier to sell the various games.

So just wondering why images of book pages counts as an "electronic game" but the dice roller does not?

"An electronic game is a game that employs electronics to create an interactive system with which a player can play."

Because motorcycles don't have doors...

Because...! Well, it is obviously obvious, isn't it?

Actually, there is a truly marvellous explanation for this. Alas, hanc marginis exiguitas non caperet.

If someone really wants to know I would suggest email customer service and ask, they'll either tell you or won't but I doubt seriously posting here accomplishes much.

My own pure speculation:

The dice roller, by itself, is pretty useless. It rolls simulated dice with customized symbols. Big whoop-de-do. No rules, states, etc that form the spine of the game.

Under the terms of the contract as we've heard of them explained, the PDF's would be considered electronic delivery of the game system itself...the rules, mechanics, stats, and so forth.

Sure, it's still annoying that those terms haven't been updated for a more electronic age, but that's how it is, and the roller being of no use without the game may be a small loophole that FFG was able to navigate.