3e SRDs, Paizo, Planescape, Cleric class, OSR, curious thoughts

[Yaarel]

I don't think there's an "angle". I think this was probably a tumultuous time within WotC. They managed to get their ducks in a row to release the 5.1 SRD. Expecting more INSTANTLY is unrealistic.

I agree with the forumers emphasizing the exigent decision to release the 5.1 to the CC.

But the remaining insistence to "deauthorize" future content remains telltale.

(Partly, this is a way to disassociate from genuinely problematic content by future indy creators. But the OGL 1.1 wasnt about this. It was about controlling the digital market.)

Hasbro-WotC has "big" plans in the works, and these plans are still underway, despite the "loss" of the 5.1 SRD.

Unfortunately, 4e's SRD wasn't collected in a single document like 3e nd 5e were. So, putting together a useful 4e SRD is real work. That would be extra work with little payoff, so I don't expect them to do it.

I dont expect anything from 4e either. But it would be nice.

The original motive of the 4e GSL was to try control branding, much like now for 6e. Then, mainly to lure back 3eers and old schoolers, 5e intentionally avoided 4e content, such as Warlord.

It occurs to me, ironically, Warlord might be a future vehicle for Product Identity. While they cant own the word "warlord", obviously, there can be future movie characters who are Warlords, who can be controlled as Product Identity. Then offer Warlord class options that entangle the Product Identity setting features. Perhaps, Hasbro-WotC will choose to not release the Warlord and only make it a proprietary Product Identity content.

 

[Umbran]

But the remaining insistence to "deauthorize" future content remains telltale.

What remaining insistence? Where have they insisted anything about deauthorizing since yesterday?

You'd need to make a solid argument that there's a business reason to deauthorize the license to kill off materials relating to 3e and prior for deauthorizing to make any sense.

Hasbro-WotC has "big" plans in the works, and these plans are still underway, despite the "loss" of the 5.1 SRD.

You say this as if big plans are somehow sinister, or unexpected for billion-dolllar companies.

It occurs to me, ironically, Warlord might be a future vehicle for Product Identity. While they cant own the word "warlord", obviously, there can be future movie characters who are Warlords, who can be controlled as Product Identity. Then offer Warlord class options that entangle the Product Identity setting features. Perhaps, Hasbro-WotC will choose to not release the Warlord and only make it a proprietary Product Identity content.

This sounds far-fetched, to me. The Warlord is not so large a draw as to base an entire brand strategy around it.

 

[Yaarel]

What remaining insistence? Where have they insisted anything about deauthorizing since yesterday?

It is in the forum article: WotC Backs Down: Original OGL To Be Left Untouched; Whole 5E Rules Released as Creative Commons

"We are leaving OGL 1.0a in place, as is. Untouched."

As Morrus correctly comments:

"But WotC has not admitted that they cannot revoke it. ... Those using the 3E SRD or any third party SRDs still have issues as WotC still hasn't revoked the incorrect claim that they can revoke access to those at-will."

The insistence to be able to deauthorize the OGL 1.0a remains in place.

You'd need to make a solid argument that there's a business reason to deauthorize the license to kill off materials relating to 3e and prior for deauthorizing to make any sense.

The argument is, the control of Product Identity, branding, and licensing to movies, tv shows, and the "recurring" revenue from videogames, VTTS, and so on.

You say this as if big plans are somehow sinister, or unexpected for billion-dolllar companies.

I didnt say sinister.

OK, the attempt to deauthorize the OGL 1.0a was sinister.

But now, with 5.1 in the CC, it is back to "normal" business predation.

This sounds far-fetched, to me. The Warlord is not so large a draw as to base an entire brand strategy around it.

Who said an "entire" brand strategy?

I just said, Warlord can turn out to be useful Product Identity that comes with a following of fans.

 

[Scribe]

I think you give them far too much credit @Yaarel. Wizards is essentially the joker at this point. They have no plan.

 

[Yaarel]

I think you give them far too much credit @Yaarel. Wizards is essentially the joker at this point. They have no plan.

Heh, they did spend millions and millions of dollars for some reason.

 

[Scribe]

Heh, they did spend millions and millions of dollars for some reason.

Yes. They may have some loose ideas, but its clear from this debacle they have no plan.

I'm going to try and dial back the amount of truth I tell regarding them, its just not worth it at this point, and they did what I wanted so I'll just let them go on and do whatever, but no.

This is not some plot to center Planescape re: Pathfinder re: 3.5 SRD.

They are still trying to put their pants on.

 

[Incenjucar]

Planescape doesn't really get a lot out of 3.5 except psionics and a few replaceable monsters. The setting has not been treated well since 2E ended. SRDs are all pretty thin on planar information in general.