Answers on the GSL!

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

See, what I'm wondering is whether the GSL allows for a 4E Freeport Guide. Since the new Freeport line is explicitly system free, you guys might be able to do one, but because there is already an OGL/d20 Freeport Guide, maybe not. The content would be different, because most of the stuff in the Freeport Guides is system-specific stat block stuff, meant to supplement the content of the Pirate's Guide to Freeport. Since the d20 license is going poof, then you're gonna hafta sell through the existing stock of d20 Freeport Guides anyway, but does the True20 Freeport Guide come close enough to keep you from doing a 4E/GSL Freeport Guide?

I dunno.

It is system-free, right? Why does it need any system-specific license? Or do you mean a 4E Freeport Guide would contain rules material? If the (system-free) Freeport line is under the OGL, it seems impossible to use the GSL in this case.

 

[Nellisir]

It is system-free, right? Why does it need any system-specific license? Or do you mean a 4E Freeport Guide would contain rules material? If the (system-free) Freeport line is under the OGL, it seems impossible to use the GSL in this case.

Freeport has gone system-free, but Green Ronin has done 3 versions (that I know of) of the Freeport Companion: a True20 version, a d20 version, and a Savage Worlds version. The GSL would appear to prohibit a 4e Freeport Companion unless at least the d20 Freeport Companion is no longer offered, and possibly the other two.

 

[Flynn]

Freeport has gone system-free, but Green Ronin has done 3 versions (that I know of) of the Freeport Companion: a True20 version, a d20 version, and a Savage Worlds version. The GSL would appear to prohibit a 4e Freeport Companion unless at least the d20 Freeport Companion is no longer offered, and possibly the other two.

The Savage Worlds companion, Savage Freeport, is a licensed Savage Worlds product, which is neither D20 System-based nor OGL, and thus, as I understand it, would not be a problem for future GSL publications. As both the D20 and True20 versions are OGL and D20 System-based, I can see the potential need for the removal of at least the D20 version, if not the True20 version as well, before moving forward with a GSL version.

Just An Attempt To Help Clarify,
Flynn

 

[mxyzplk]

But the other camp has their point as well. If Open Gaming was a true paradigm shift you would have seen other big companies like White Wolf or Games Workshop use it. Instead, they didn't.

Well, that's a bit of a fallacy. Microsoft hasn't moved to open source, but that doesn't mean open source isn't a paradigm shift in the market. By its nature smaller, younger companies tend to adopt its tenets in order to compete with the bigger, closed beasts.

Not that it wouldn't be great for other RPG publishers to go open - not sure SJG's RPG sales make them count as one of the big ones any more, GW only does RPGs on and off, and Palladium/Kevin Siembieda would only do it over his dead body, but it is certainly true that more could. I think venerable lines like Runequest and Traveller going open is a big statement though.

 

[jmucchiello]

Well, I'll admit to a lot of unnecessary pessimism. (Although I scored on the Q&A not being answered before May 1.) I'm still disappointed I can't make a Joe's Book of Enchantment 4e. Maybe Mucchiello's Manual of Mentalism.... Yeah, that rolls off the tongue.

So yes, the GSL is the best option we were going to get in this actual real world, as opposed to the fantasy world you're discussing.

Yes, but Alz was licensing his complaint with the GSL under the GSL so he has to keep his discussion in the fantasy world or violate the license. When we get more info on the modern GSL he can take it to the real world.

And where's JV's wedding photos?

People don't know how to hijack threads any more.

 

[Greylock]

I would be appreciative if one of our known publishers hanging about here would give me an idea of how they define "product line". I can imagine several interpretations of the phrase, but it was stated earlier in this thread that "product line" has a specific meaning to any publisher. Please share, someone?

 

[Greg K]

Chuck,
So, what are RPGObjects plans with the "Blood and [x]" books. Modern High, etc.? I remember in the podcast you giving three possible actions that WOTC could take- two of which would involve RPGO not supporting 4e (although at the moment I can't remember what they were). Personally, I would love to continue supporting RPGObjects as they are one of my two favorite companies along with Green Ronin, but for this to happen RPGO will need to continue supporting the current version of d20M, True20, or both. Personally, I would love to see RPGO's current d20M products done for True20 as one of the main things holding me back from switching entirely to True20 is RPGObjects products for d20M.

 

[Vigilance]

Chuck,
So, what are RPGObjects plans with the "Blood and [x]" books. Modern High, etc.? I remember in the podcast you giving three possible actions that WOTC could take- two of which would involve RPGO not supporting 4e (although at the moment I can't remember what they were). Personally, I would love to continue supporting RPGObjects as they are one of my two favorite companies along with Green Ronin, but for this to happen RPGO will need to continue supporting the current version of d20M, True20, or both. Personally, I would love to see RPGO's current d20M products done for True20 as one of the main things holding me back from switching entirely to True20 is RPGObjects products for d20M.

I dont think you'll notice a ton of dramatic changes from us, at least not right away.

Our plans to support Modern20 and Darwin's World are unchanged. After a silence brought about by me taking a couple of freelance gigs, I'm about to start work on a few Modern20 books.

We will also continue to support True 20, though I'm not sure any more conversions are in the works for us.

We did have some fantasy plans that were put on hold, pending the GSL, and there's a possibility that we might update the Legends books to 4e, but that's about it for us.

Our core lines won't be going anywhere, people seem to be happy with them right where they are.

 

[joela]

3pp Srd

? Is this a trick question? All the other companies who have released their games/content as open, which is a large number of them nowadays. From whole games (Action!, Spirit of the Century, RuneQuest, True20, Mongoose Traveller, Pathfinder, etc.) to their content for other games (like most people who have done D&D OGL stuff), there are many other entities and people who have given what they have into the open community. Many have given as much into open gaming as Wizards;

I've been meaning to ask, but why haven't such companies released SRDs of their system on the Internet like WotC to the point where we can create PCs w/o having to purchase their books?

Edit: Please ignore. Found a couple (at least FATE)!

 

[mxyzplk]

Here's a bunch more:

http://www.darkshire.net/jhkim/rpg/srd/

Some have odd names to avoid trademark issues (True SRD = True20, Action-Oriented SRD = Action!, Runic SRD = RuneQuest, etc.)