GSL Revised GSL on the way

[lurkinglidda]

In case you haven't seen the thread in the general forum, we have just announced that we will be releasing a revised GSL, SRD and FAQ shortly. The hope was to have all the documents ready before Gen Con, but that was not meant to be.

I'm not able (as in unable, not unwilling) to discuss the specific changes just yet.

[dmccoy1693]

Glad to hear lidda. I can't wait to read it.

[FormerlyDickensC]

I think this is great news. I hope, tho, that shortly is actually short. Ok no whining. But yes, I think this could be really good news.

Perhaps, after its release you/someone/anyone from wotc will be able to discuss it and talk about it?? Or will you still be unable to talk as with the previous (current) release of the GSL?

I would mainly like to hear the intentions behind the given elements of the license. What are the goals of the license. And, if some of those goals were not actually achieved, then why? Why/what were issues compromised, what forced the compromise and why the given manner of compromise reached? ..if ever you are able to discuss. My hope is that through such discussion, there is some middle ground to be reached between the triumvirate of consumer/3pp/wotc. But maybe I'm overstepping my bounds.

[ruemere]

Thank you for your valiant efforts, Madam.

Still, within this short announcement, there is no mention on whether any restrictions are to be lifted or clarification of terms applied. The statement of goodwill is however there, so, while late, it may still be useful to those publishers who are sitting on the fence.

Personally, I'm still waiting for PHB2 to make a decision whether to purchase 4E. I know, on the other hand, that I will not be using it within next two years. My players and me have decided to continue current campaign, and so we will be switching to Pathfinder.

Finally, I'd like to say that decision to add additional abstraction layer[1] to game system, is the real dealbreaker for me. So, while I may enjoy 4E some time in the future as a player, it is unlikely to make me switch as a GM.

Regards,
Ruemere

[1] The game system layers of d20: the world, the mechanics.
4E version: the world, the intermediate translation layer, the mechanics - the new layer is needed to translate effects of mechanics into consistent results in game world.
To, it is a deal breaker, since it makes character in game actions even more removed from the world than before.

[Drkfathr1]

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

This bodes very well, and does go to show that there are some very strong advocates still working within WOTC to make things right, and I think that the trust that is given to Scott and Linae is obviously well deserved.

[see]

Seeing will be believing.

[Bacris]

I await the revisions with eager anticipation.

[Cwheeler]

Crosses fingers in the hope that

a) The changes are what is needed

and

b) They come before the damage of 'rats from a ship' syndrome is irreprable.


Best of luck, and thanks for letting us know .

[Corjay]

Considering WOTC's slow to respond ways in other areas (often taking up to 6 months to formulate a reply), I think everyone should view it as a good sign that WOTC is being so proactive so quickly.

Here are the major changes we should be expecting to see (disregarding minor irritants to selective individuals, irritating to some, laudable to others):
1) Periodical publishers inability to support past issues. (Subsection 6.1)
2) Once changed to GSL, product line cannot be changed back to OGL, meaning the product rises or falls with 4e. (Subsection 6.1)
3) Licensee's inability to use their own IP after the termination of the GSL (Subsection 6.1, 6.1b)
4) No cushion period or protections for licensee for termination of GSL (Subsection 11.1)
5) Total destruction of product line upon termination of GSL (Subsection 11.3)

[DiasExMachina]

Thats fairly interesting news, though I don't think it will affect companies that have already signed onto the GSL. We knew the stakes going in. Unless you make it more restrictive, no additional freedom you will offer will really affect the progress we are making on current project (though it may help with future projects, I personally am not as certain). We will still be renaming all our creatures; we will still be keeping the rules unchanged. When it comes to the changes we instigated to follow the GSL, we are actually happier now with our new version than the last one. Don't expect a huge retroactive alteration based on the revisions of this new GSL for Amethyst. We thank you for the boost in confidence as it shows those willing to sign onto the GSL in its current state did not truly think we were making a pact with the devil.

Still up for coffee, right Lidda?

[Brown Jenkin]

Originally Posted by Corjay

Considering WOTC's slow to respond ways in other areas (often taking up to 6 months to formulate a reply), I think everyone should view it as a good sign that WOTC is being so proactive so quickly.

Here are the major changes we should be expecting to see (disregarding minor irritants to selective individuals, irritating to some, laudable to others):
1) Periodical publishers inability to support past issues. (Subsection 6.1)
2) Once changed to GSL, product line cannot be changed back to OGL, meaning the product rises or falls with 4e. (Subsection 6.1)
3) Licensee's inability to use their own IP after the termination of the GSL (Subsection 6.1, 6.1b)
4) No cushion period or protections for licensee for termination of GSL (Subsection 11.1)
5) Total destruction of product line upon termination of GSL (Subsection 11.3)

6) Removal of the change at will clause. Wiithout that change any and all other changes mean nothing in the long run.

[Brown Jenkin]

It seems the Rouse has been slipping info to Scott Adams. From August 28: http://www.dilbert.com/strips/



Don't know if the image will change tomorrow.

[Jack99]

Sooooooo

It's been a while, Scott, since we have heard your pretty voice over here.. errr, well, you know what I mean..

How are things coming along? Last time I saw a post from you (I think it was on Gleemax) you said things were going well, and that you were going to a meeting with the lawyers. But this was weeks ago.

Care to update us a bit?

[Angellis_ater]

Looking forward to it... soon.

[Wystan]

Still interested in hearing about this... Any info?

[Ourph]

Originally Posted by lurkinglidda

In case you haven't seen the thread in the general forum, we have just announced that we will be releasing a revised GSL, SRD and FAQ shortly.

Apparently, someone forgot to add the qualifier "for some definitions of the term shortly".

[Lizard]

Originally Posted by Ourph

Apparently, someone forgot to add the qualifier "for some definitions of the term shortly".

You know, I'm 99.99% certain that when she wrote that, she wasn't expecting unemployment. I really do not blame her for not taking time from her job search to work on the GSL for us.

[Ourph]

Originally Posted by Lizard

You know, I'm 99.99% certain that when she wrote that, she wasn't expecting unemployment. I really do not blame her for not taking time from her job search to work on the GSL for us.

IIRC, Linae and Scott's part of the rewrite was done when the announcement was made (pre-Gen Con) and the ball was in the legal people's court. My comment was a (perhaps lame) attempt at humor, not a shot at Linae (or Scott for that matter). I'm sure if it were up to them the thing would have been done long ago.

[ruemere]

Quite a few days passed since the announcement (30, to be precise). There is no revised document or any type of announcement which could indicate the state of progress of the documents.
Linae is no longer with WotC. Scott is still working there.

Several conclusions can be drawn here. These are:
- the review process is seriously flawed.
- everyone interested is likely in for a long wait.

Given past experiences, I would expect revised GSL around February or possibly earlier, however with fewer changes than people are hoping for.
It is my estimate that right now the document is being circulated and multiple people are either adding notes to proposed changes or executives are requesting information on why each of changes is to take place.

The problem here is that there is probably nobody is willing to accept full responsibility for the document at the management level. And so things get stalled.

Regards,
Ruemere

[CapnZapp]

Of course the GSL would have been done by now if anyone at Wizards really gave a damn.

Instead, I would say it is quite likely Wizards see no problems with the GSL dragging on and having issues, as this means fewer competitors for this first very important sales season.