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4 Hours w/ RSD - Escapist Bonus Column
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<blockquote data-quote="TheFindus" data-source="post: 7647699" data-attributes="member: 75791"><p>Interesting post.</p><p></p><p>My two cents, actually three.</p><p></p><p>First, the OGL succeeded in legally creating an everlasting version of the game, which is 3rd edition. That this version of the game would be everlasting seems to have been the goal, which was achieved.</p><p>I am not sure, though, that this was such a wise business decision for WotC back then, because I think it is bad for a company that wants to keep selling stuff in the future to create a product that can go on forever. There is a reason why you cannot still buy new models of the Mercedes-Benz 300S Coupe from 1951. Great car, though. Also, legally, WotC would have been able to allow 3rd party publishers to use the 3rd edition rules for non-WotC-products without letting them use the rules forever. A free liscense to use the rules, not just core, that has to be renewed every 4-5 years, for example. </p><p>In addition, an RPG is dissimilar to software, which eventually becomes "better" as technology progresses. Plus, roleplayers seem to be a conservative bunch and seem to stick with what they know and play. So the thought that "if we produce a new version of the game that is sooo much better and people will buy it voluntarily" is therefore not so easy to follow. Because, what is "better" in a roleplaying game? This forum is proof of the fact that when 2 roleplayers are talking about the quality of the game and what makes it "better" than the other game, you have at least 3 different opinions. And why should I buy new books if I have a shelf full already?</p><p>So the decision to create the OGL back then is one of the reasons why WotC is less strong than it could have been. All the positive effects could have been achieved with a legally different version of the OGL. 3e would not have been everlasting, though.</p><p></p><p>Second, the OGL does not only make it legally easy for the main competitor of WotC, which is Paizo, but for all other companies as well. And that is what I consider to be the main reason why there is more support by the market for the 3rd edition version of d20. This is the real legal monster that Mr. Dancey and others created as WotC representatives 12+ years ago. Which serves some of those others, that have left WotC long ago, very well today. Which is, so that I am being understood the right way, fine with me, because if a company lets its managers basically (not legally, I know) give away their IP, it is only normal that the competition will blossom. You cannot blame the competition of today for that. And neither do I.</p><p></p><p>Third, I think Mr. Dancey is right about what RPGs will move to be to attract new players - family games instead games you have to prepare for intensly. When talking about PF though, one has to remember in my opinion that this version of the game encourages rule mastery to a very high degree. The better you know the rules and every aspect of the game, the better your character will be. If you do not, your character will mostly suck. I speak of experience because I used to optimize the hell out of my 3e characters and played with people who did not. Together with the issue of game and class balance, this does not suit the character of a family game. Therefore, 5e will look nothing like 3e. And I am not sure if Paizo can deliver a family game.</p><p></p><p>Very interesting post, though.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="TheFindus, post: 7647699, member: 75791"] Interesting post. My two cents, actually three. First, the OGL succeeded in legally creating an everlasting version of the game, which is 3rd edition. That this version of the game would be everlasting seems to have been the goal, which was achieved. I am not sure, though, that this was such a wise business decision for WotC back then, because I think it is bad for a company that wants to keep selling stuff in the future to create a product that can go on forever. There is a reason why you cannot still buy new models of the Mercedes-Benz 300S Coupe from 1951. Great car, though. Also, legally, WotC would have been able to allow 3rd party publishers to use the 3rd edition rules for non-WotC-products without letting them use the rules forever. A free liscense to use the rules, not just core, that has to be renewed every 4-5 years, for example. In addition, an RPG is dissimilar to software, which eventually becomes "better" as technology progresses. Plus, roleplayers seem to be a conservative bunch and seem to stick with what they know and play. So the thought that "if we produce a new version of the game that is sooo much better and people will buy it voluntarily" is therefore not so easy to follow. Because, what is "better" in a roleplaying game? This forum is proof of the fact that when 2 roleplayers are talking about the quality of the game and what makes it "better" than the other game, you have at least 3 different opinions. And why should I buy new books if I have a shelf full already? So the decision to create the OGL back then is one of the reasons why WotC is less strong than it could have been. All the positive effects could have been achieved with a legally different version of the OGL. 3e would not have been everlasting, though. Second, the OGL does not only make it legally easy for the main competitor of WotC, which is Paizo, but for all other companies as well. And that is what I consider to be the main reason why there is more support by the market for the 3rd edition version of d20. This is the real legal monster that Mr. Dancey and others created as WotC representatives 12+ years ago. Which serves some of those others, that have left WotC long ago, very well today. Which is, so that I am being understood the right way, fine with me, because if a company lets its managers basically (not legally, I know) give away their IP, it is only normal that the competition will blossom. You cannot blame the competition of today for that. And neither do I. Third, I think Mr. Dancey is right about what RPGs will move to be to attract new players - family games instead games you have to prepare for intensly. When talking about PF though, one has to remember in my opinion that this version of the game encourages rule mastery to a very high degree. The better you know the rules and every aspect of the game, the better your character will be. If you do not, your character will mostly suck. I speak of experience because I used to optimize the hell out of my 3e characters and played with people who did not. Together with the issue of game and class balance, this does not suit the character of a family game. Therefore, 5e will look nothing like 3e. And I am not sure if Paizo can deliver a family game. Very interesting post, though. [/QUOTE]
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