D&D General The Resurrection of Mike Mearls Games.

[EthanSental]

19 patrons so it really did just start. I’ll join for free and pay when it gets off the ground.

 

[Shardstone]

Unfortunately he mentioned in another thread that anything he did while working for WotC they own, so it will most likely be all-new material.

Here's a link: https://www.enworld.org/threads/fixing-challenge-rating.702118/#post-9243519

Just make a Psychic class instead of a Psion ))

 

[Blue]

Just make a Psychic class instead of a Psion ))

I'm fairly sure he could start over, but it would also mean none of the existing mechanics, not just a name.

 

[cbwjm]

I'm fairly sure he could start over, but it would also mean none of the existing mechanics, not just a name.

Isn't there something about not being able to copyright game mechanics? I'm no expert on it but remember reading aomething about this, might just be things like rolling dice.

 

[GMMichael]

Unfortunately he mentioned in another thread that anything he did while working for WotC they own, so it will most likely be all-new material.

This, like the WotC pounds, is a shedding of dead weight. He's free to create new and awesome things. Like Tyler Durden.

 

[bedir than]

Isn't there something about not being able to copyright game mechanics? I'm no expert on it but remember reading aomething about this, might just be things like rolling dice.

It's likely a contractual arrangement due to employment, not a IP issue

 

[Blue]

Isn't there something about not being able to copyright game mechanics? I'm no expert on it but remember reading aomething about this, might just be things like rolling dice.

Yes, but...

I am not a lawyer, don't take this as statement of fact, just some things I've heard and would be glad to hear someone with actual knowledge talk about.

(a) My understanding is that "mechanics can't be copyrighted" has never been tested legally on more than "roll dice, move piece ahead, follow instructions" level. Are RPG mechanics complex enough they are a creative endeavor or otherwise fall outside of it? No one wants to pay lawyers to find out, especially a solo game designer with a Patreon vs. an established company with a legal department on salary.

(b) Regardless of copyright, he said WotC owns his output (such as a work-for-hire). There may be other, non-copyright ways he would not be allowed to use it without their permission/license.

 

[mearls]

Thanks for the support anyone! I was very pleasantly surprised to see that I already have subscribers and backers. Thanks so much!

In terms of owning stuff, it basically means that I could not take stuff released by WotC and try to revise it without their permission. Since I was an employee when I wrote it, the company owns it. There's nothing weird or sinister in that - it's standard practice in gaming.

All that said, my plans are to show off how flexible 5e can be and the sorts of things you can build with it. Spell slots and the class + sub-class approach to class design are just two paths among many.

Oh, and the weight thing - I'm about 30 - 40 pounds down from where I was when I was working on D&D. Plus, I now shave my head!

 

[Twiggly the Gnome]

I'

In terms of owning stuff, it basically means that I could not take stuff released by WotC and try to revise it without their permission. Since I was an employee when I wrote it, the company owns it. There's nothing weird or sinister in that - it's standard practice in gaming.

Does that include the Happy Fun Hour stuff?

 

[darjr]

Thanks for the support anyone! I was very pleasantly surprised to see that I already have subscribers and backers. Thanks so much!

In terms of owning stuff, it basically means that I could not take stuff released by WotC and try to revise it without their permission. Since I was an employee when I wrote it, the company owns it. There's nothing weird or sinister in that - it's standard practice in gaming.

All that said, my plans are to show off how flexible 5e can be and the sorts of things you can build with it. Spell slots and the class + sub-class approach to class design are just two paths among many.

Oh, and the weight thing - I'm about 30 - 40 pounds down from where I was when I was working on D&D. Plus, I now shave my head!

Awesome!

I remember a little skunkworks Starfrontiers and Gamme World things you ran at GaryCon. I’d love to see something similar.