OGL: Kobold Press 'Raising Our Flag' For New Open RPG

Kobold Press has announced its plans regarding the upcoming new OGL v1.1, which involves a new, open game codenamed Project Black Flag.

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Kobold Press has been and always will be committed to open gaming and the tabletop community. Our goal is to continue creating the best materials for players and game masters alike.

This means Kobold Press will release its current Kickstarter projects as planned, including Campaign Builder: Cities & Towns (already printed and on its way to backers this winter).

In particular, Deep Magic Volume 2 will remain fully compatible with the 5E rules. We are working with our VTT partners to maintain support for digital platforms.

As we look ahead, it becomes even more important for our actions to represent our values. While we wait to see what the future holds, we are moving forward with clear-eyed work on a new Core Fantasy tabletop ruleset: available, open, and subscription-free for those who love it—Code Name: Project Black Flag.

All Kobolds look forward to the continued evolution of tabletop gaming. We aim to play our part in making the game better for everyone. Rest assured, Kobold Press intends to maintain a strong presence in the tabletop RPG community. We are not going anywhere.

Raising Our Flag - Kobold Press

Kobold Press is committed to open gaming. We are moving forward with clear-eyed work on a new Core Fantasy tabletop ruleset: available, open, and subscription-free for those who love it—Code Name: Project Black Flag.

koboldpress.com

 

[Parmandur]

I get that, but I also love that they give us the normal choices .... separating them is better, IMO, but keeping them like they are MIGHT be better for newbies (how many newbies will buy this?).

Yeah, I think noting "This heritage is common for Dwarves and Gnomes" and that sort of thing would make sense, but placing them under totally seperate headers and lists can help unlock creative remixing (like Stone Elves, say, or Captain Carrot). Rename "Dwarven weapon training" to "Clan Weapon training," make that Stone Heritage can apply to any crafts focused Clan culture.

I like that the ASI bonus is simply put into rolling abilities, "add +2 to any ability 226 or lower, and +1 to any ability 17 or lower." All sorts of weirdness sorted out there, without rejiggering the game math.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Grr. I could have sworn I was on this mailing list. Just signed up again and hoping they send out a second wave of this PDF later on.

 

[overgeeked]

Looks like they kicked up the standard array a bit.

 

[overgeeked]

Starting with a character concept is dangerous in a class-and-race game. The players' imagination will always find the spaces the designers have yet to fill.

 

[Marc Radle]

Playtest Packet 1 Is Here For Project Black Flag!​

Playtest Packet 1 is here for Project Black Flag! - Kobold Press

 

[overgeeked]

Yeah, it reads like 5E text. To me, that's not good. I'm just not the target audience any more. That's too bad. Best of luck with Black Flag. Hope they keep the name. It's too good to change.

 

[darjr]

Oh thanks!

Also I created a new thread in case folks wanna break up convo

 

[Marc Radle]

Yeah, it reads like 5E text. To me, that's not good. I'm just not the target audience any more. That's too bad. Best of luck with Black Flag. Hope they keep the name. It's too good to change.

This is the time to participate in the playtest and tell us what you like, don't like, or would like to see.
Trust me, we ARE listening!! The idea is to remain 5E compatible but we also want to improve, expand, and innovate!

If you have thoughts or ideas, sign up and participate - I promise you will be heard

 

[overgeeked]

This is the time to participate in the playtest and tell us what you like, don't like, or would like to see.
Trust me, we ARE listening!! The idea is to remain 5E compatible but we also want to improve, expand, and innovate!

If you have thoughts or ideas, sign up and participate - I promise you will be heard

And I absolutely appreciate that. Thank you.

I don't like 5E. So I'm not your target audience. Changing the game to suit me would alienate 95% of your target audience.

Consider that there are already at least two 5E-alike but heavier games out there. If you're going to change anything, think about making the game lighter rather than heavier.

Best of luck with the game. I hope it does everything you want it to and more.

 

[Reynard]

And I absolutely appreciate that. Thank you.

I don't like 5E. So I'm not your target audience. Changing the game to suit me would alienate 95% of your target audience.

Consider that there are already at least two 5E-alike but heavier games out there. If you're going to change anything, think about making the game lighter rather than heavier.

Best of luck with the game. I hope it does everything you want it to and more.

What's the heavier 5E alike other than LevelUp/A5E?