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That's basically what's done with OSRIC, although OSRIC's the opposite of the "new" game design discussed so far: it's designed to use the core 1e rules and go backward. Some people think it's across the line legally (they're wrong, I think, btw). But in terms of opening systems up for further...

I am hoping that OSRIC fosters modules and supplements in which the author of the supplement "breaks" the rules (substituting a formula or probability curve or creative resolution) in a way that's specific to the module. The world is the GM's oyster, a blank slate. When the author of a module...

Tangents happen, I'm hardly innocent on that count. :) And I strongly agree that the two systems will support each other in forming the niche market for OOP-type resources. Right now, the key is to get that niche market going at all. Eventually, of course, competition will develop: that's...

This is a very incisive and informed commentary. OSRIC is intended to help bring matters closer to an efficient market, although we have to carry the negative externality with us like a virus. We are specifically working to create a new market using the flexibility of an open system to reduce...

Right (as long as you're not using the legal term "fair use"). They just couldn't use the OSRIC trademark. As long as they were correct about what's a "rule" in the legal sense and what's not, that would work, I think. The difficulty is being right about what's a "rule." RPG books contain a...

Let's not derail the thread into a discussion of C&C. It's nice to have a place to discuss OSRIC. ;)

Actually, it depends on what he means by the question, Stuart. If you want to simply print and sell the OSRIC document, you can do that without permission, and if you're doing it in print you can add your logo to the existing ones. But you're not allowed to change anything else in the...

I’m not Stuart’s attorney, and this isn’t in any way an official stance, so take this as you will. Mr.Dancey’s analysis is insightful, and might even be applicable in certain areas of copyright law. It is compact and elegant. It isn’t the law, it’s an opinion about how the law should be...

It could probably be used that way as it stands, but you'd have some areas where you weren't playing exactly by the 1e book. We didn't push the envelope all the way, and as (someone - sorry, I forget the name, but the guy who saw it as a bait-and-switch) said, it's not actually a copy of 1e...

You're probably right, Whizbang. I wrote it, and it ain't ad copy. :) But at the time I wrote it it was a long time ago (before P&P got involved), and before independent laywers other than myself had gone over the document. I didn't want to throw down a gauntlet.

Well, apparently I killed the thread with the long post.... Sorry about that. EDIT: cross posted. NEW EDIT: I think the OSRIC site will improve over time. At the beginning we weren't saying that OSRIC is compatible with 1e. Now that I know it's not claimed as a WotC trademark the language...

I'm Matt Finch, the "Initial Author" of OSRIC. Which, given the vast improvements and reworking of the document made by Stuart, is largely an honorary title. However, what I did do was to originate the idea of what the document's supposed to accomplish. Again, Stuart has refined that concept...

I think this is the main, driving distinction between the older versions and the newer versions; the scope of the rules. Not the detail of the rules, but the kinds of activities they cover. In OD&D and AD&D there is no "skill" system that covers activity beyond a few small areas (combat...

Thanks, Melkor! :) The heat will fade over time, I'm pretty sure. EDIT: I'm Matt.

I think the term "old school" is useful, but it's one of those terms with a huge number of meanings that doesn't hold up well when it's broken down. To me, as someone who still plays the old rules themselves, "old school" is mainly about two things (no, this is not an edition war point, and...

Treebore, were you able to get it? I'd love to hear how the adventure goes: I saw an unbelievable variety of results and actions happen during the various playtests. It seems like this adventure goes wildly differently depending on the players.

The pdf version is actually up for sale now on RPGnow.

Yes. However, all of what you've mentioned is trademark-oriented. If you're addressing what their concerns might be from a brand management perspective, your post is on point and illustrates why they might try to restrict the formation of a new market (illegal if it's not actually based on...

Thanks, Henry! :) Maybe Pod-caverns of the Sinister Shroom will entice you and your gang into a quick game! The title certainly seems to be popular so far... :)

This is true: high quality is important to protect a brand name. Slipshod work really damages a for-profit company's reputation. But OSRIC isn't about profit or protecting intellectual property; it's left to the publishers to develop their IP and release or control it as they see fit, it's up...