you do realize that the OGL is completely meaningless for that extended base, it existing or not and its content make zero difference here, so that is absolutely not why WotC did what they did
???
I'm not sure what you are meaning. The OGL means nothing to those who are only using the D&D books. They aren't effected by it if the license changes as far as WotC is concerned.
It means a whole lot to those who are either playing games based on OGL (such as Advanced 5e for example). In fact, you may never even touch D&D and still be playing a game that utilizes the OGL.
It was an attempt to get money from the larger market. To bring money in from such things as the larger companies out there that may have games that were competing for the D&D market and to make money off of them.
Other areas which WotC/Hasbro have extended (in the recent past) to try to get money from fans rather than just the players would be things like the D&D movie, or looking into D&D shows. Both garner public awareness of the brand while at the same time bringing in those who may have no interest in playing the game, but have an interest in the brand itself.
The idea is NOT to cater just to the players, but to try to extend it so that it is more of a brand then just a game.
It's been ongoing. There have been several things which have given power to those who argue against some of the more insane movies that have been pushed (for example, the OGL changes). One of those is some of the same that have been brought up against my posts (hey...these aren't actually players, they are merely fans, and there aren't as many as you think there are...etc.). IF...and that's the IF...there are suddenly 60 million fans in the past 10 years...the question then comes about...where did these numbers come from?
60 million didn't just appear out of thin air. It's FAR harder to argue against certain types of monetization when those who are for that type of monetization point towards the idea that these are 60 million fans of the 5e version and are just as big as other consumer groups then it is when you can point out that it's merely 25 million.
It's so insane that SOME of those that have stood by your sides and fought against some of the monetization may actually say at some point...I"m done. I'm not fighting this anymore. It's insane. At this point, just show me the money cause I don't care anymore about anything else.
Cause really, if the fans don't even really care and are on the side of some VP that is doing this just to garner money from them...then why in the world should the others really care and change from the path they are being pushed towards?
When numbers are spouted...it's NOT for your benefit (believe it or not). This number if official, isn't being put out there so that players can cheer about it. It's not there just for hype. This is there for the investors (my view of it). If this is legit, it's for something else. Instead of just accepting it, people should start to question where this number is coming from. What backs it up.
The funny thing is...sometimes players and fans are fighting and trying to argue the very people that are defending the players, while empowering the very people that push things like the OGL changes, the Beyond modifications that were backtracked just recently, and other things. You can cheer the numbrs...but a jump of 60 million in that short of a time indicates over 100% growth at the most conservative, and up to 400% growth with a more liberal view.
I know no one wants to hear it here (and perhaps it's because no one really cares until it actually comes back to bite them)? but THIS is actually REALLY big for investors. That type of growth is massive.
People wonder how WotC came up with the idea to do the OGL changes, or why they do certain things with TV and media...they wonder what inspires them to do these things.
I'm right here, right now, pointing out one of the factors, and I'm telling you that if this is legit, it's going to cause an even greater push for even more monetization in ways that we probably can't even imagine at this point.
I'm finding that even though everyone SEEMS to complain when the events occur, no one really cares about WHY or WHAT causes them to occur in the first place.
But, I already knew that, unfortunately (and which of course should make me question, why even pursue trying to show people that here??? This probably will be the last post, because truthfully, me trying to defend it or explain it is really...not something I really have any desire to do anymore. I'm done with trying to be on the fans side I think). That's why...my original post was simply me throwing up my hands really, with the conjecture of how in the world that massive jump in numbers even happened (really, that type of growth in just the past few years...it wasn't long ago that they claimed 40 or 50 million) and instead of trying to figure out what actually WAS the reasoning behind it...simply said...okay...at this point...just show me the money.
I don't care anymore about whether they actually have 85 million fans or not as long as I see results and money pouring in. It makes no sense, but IF it really is true...then I expect them to monetize the heck out of this and bring in the money for all those who have HAS as part of their portfolios. I don't care about the complaints I'll see out of this. I just want to see results at this point. If it's true...I don't want them doing light miniscule stuff at monetization anymore....I want to actually SEE the big bucks and if not, I want someone held responsible for NOT bringing in the green.
