WotC Unveils Draft of New Open Gaming License

As promised earlier this week, WotC has posted the draft OGL v.1.2 license for the community to see.

A survey will be going live tomorrow for feedback.

Starting the OGL ‘Playtest’

In this article, you can review a draft of OGL 1.2, submit feedback via survey, and learn about a Creative Commons license that puts D&D's core mech...

www.dndbeyond.com

The current iteration contains clauses which prohibit offensive content, applies only to TTRPG books and PDFs, no right of ownership going to WotC, and an optional creator content badge for your products.

One important element, the ability for WotC to change the license at-will has also been addressed, allowing the only two specific changes they can make -- how you cite WotC in your work, and contact details.

This license will be irrevocable.

The OGL v1.0a is still being 'de-authorized'.

 

[mamba]

The VTT policy is an obvious trap though, as there is absolutely nothing that indicate that that policy can't be changed at will, once the VTT segment can no longer rely on the combined effort of the entire community to protect them via the 1.0a outrage.

apart from "Very limited license changes allowed. Only two sections can be changed once OGL 1.2 is live: how you cite Wizards in your work and how we can contact each other.", which is really all that is needed

 

[overgeeked]

"We want our work to be shared by as many people as possible but we don't want horrific bigots to profit off of our work" is actually a pretty awesome stance, and exactly what I would try to do had I had my hands on any halfway decent property.

It's also super easy to not be a horrific bigot, like you pretty much have to try and make it core to your identity (see: NuTSR), if you actually want to be even a halfway decent human being this isn't something you need to really worry about.

Why does that strike me as a variation of “If you have nothing to hide you have nothing to fear.”

WotC being the sole arbiter of what’s offensive is not something anyone should be okay with. How long did they leave the Romani racism in Strahd? Didn’t they just have to reprint a book for blatant racism? Giving them the power to decide on this morality clause it a terrible idea.

 

[Snarf Zagyg]

Exactly, if it can't be used to lie, it can't be used to tell the truth. Because who are they to act as morality police and decide who gets in? Why does a group of mostly white guys -and American and privileged too to booth- gets to decide what is racist, sexist, and so on? Specially with a documented track record of sexism, racism and tokenism?

Great point.

Perhaps all disputes should be sent to the court of LaNasa.

 

[UngeheuerLich]

You can trust Wizards, if you like. Thats totally fine.

They are 100% being dishonest with the community and 3PP creators, but its within your rights to not care.

Don't ascribe to me what I do care for and what not.
And get your math straight.

 

[mamba]

I'm actually kind of impressed (and sad) to see how well the anchoring seems to have worked. Lots of folks up in arms a week ago seem to be conceding.

This is past my line in the sand, so if anything, they are conceding, at least from where I stand. Some people are unable to recognize a victory when it is staring them in the face it seems

 

[dave2008]

Want to make a VTT that includes the SRD and has animated tokens+effects, or an SRD-based computer game?

Absolutely fine under 1.0a with a promise from them that it would be fine forever. Not fine now.

The VTT agreement is a separate thing and I am fine with that. I looked over it and I didn't particularly like it, but I am fine with it being outside the OGL. Let it develop separately IMO.

 

[Thaumaturge]

I haven’t made it through all of the pages, but MyLawyerFriend has a breakdown of this version of the OGL, including notes on what is good and what needs improvement.

Thaumaturge.

 

[Scribe]

In the end, "But we have to force them to allow terrible racists products for D&D," may not be the hill you want to die on.

Even if we deign to pretend thats actually something they care about...

I wonder if we can get them to release the full 3.5 SRD (Minus Spell Names/Monster Names that IP/Protected) and then walk away from the table.

 

[Enrahim2]

apart from "Very limited license changes allowed. Only two sections can be changed once OGL 1.2 is live: how you cite Wizards in your work and how we can contact each other.", which is really all that is needed

But the VTT policy is not part of that license. It is a seperate document!

 

[FormerLurker]

Oh, gee. That's awesome. You can't copyright the core mechanics anyway. So...thanks for nothing.

You can't copyright mechanical ideas. But you can copy the expression of said rules. The actual text.
Having it be Creative Commons means people don't have to rewrite the entire block of rules text, rephrasing the rules in their own words. It keeps creators safe from accidental copyright infringement or creation of a derivative work by not altering the text enough.