Community Posts Open Letters To WotC About New OGL

Over the past week there have been several petitions and open letters posted regarding the upcoming Open Game License v1.1, asking Wizards of the Coast to reconsider its current path.

This Open Letter, posted under the social media hashtag #OpenDnD, has already been signed by over 4,000 people, including many small publishers. Behind it are Mike Holik (Mage Hand Press) and Noah Downs (an IP lawyer).

#OpenDND

www.opendnd.games

If this new license gains wide adoption, the tabletop industry will shrink to a fraction of its current size, shuttering the small businesses that populate your local cons and putting a stop to their creations. Innovation in the gaming industry will evaporate; your favorite games will be trapped in the past, instead of being allowed to migrate to your phone, virtual reality, and beyond. Diversity in the industry will shrink away, as projects from marginalized creators are effectively written out of the future.

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This isn't the only such Open Letter -- there's another one authored by Jon Brazer Enterprises which has a number of signatories from various OGL publishers.

As small publishers and individual creators who create considerable content under the OGL 1.0a, we the undersigned call upon you to reverse course in regards to the leaked, alleged text of OGL 1.1. As the leader of the tabletop roleplaying game industry, your direction guides us all. We believe that this new version of the OGL will hurt both us and, by extension, you, and we ask that you hear our concerns.

An Open Letter to Wizards of the Coast Concerning the Leaked OGL 1.1

Dear Wizards of the Coast, As small publishers and individual creators who create considerable content under the OGL 1.0a, we the undersigned call upon you to reverse course in regards to the leake…

jonbrazer.com

There are also several petitions on change.org.

 

[Deset Gled]

The final OGL 1.1 hasn’t been released and there’s already a petition it needs change?

While the fire is not yet visible, the amount of smoke is concerning enough to convince some people to leave the building. Anyone who chooses to stay at this point is advised to note the nearest emergency exit and review their safety plan.

 

[Art Waring]

What we know is way down the chain of a game of telephone.

People confirming they have seen the leaked version. No evidence the leaked version is the one that will be presented on the 13th.

I have updated the OP, showing my sources of the leak confirmation, please see the updates to the OP.

 

[Umbran]

Last night I read it was still a version from early December, not a confirmed final.

Yes, but in that document, it was stated that from the time the license was revealed, creators would have one week to decide if they were going to use the new license. By the time it is officially released, it would likely be too late to negotiate changes.

So, yes, there's a petition now, against the things we have seen, so the thing never gets released in that form.

In addition, this is {+} thread. If you are not on board with the basic premise, take that idea to a different discussion.

 

[Rabulias]

FYI, there are two other petitions on change.org for this:

Sign the Petition (currently leading with 739 signers)

Sign the Petition (62 signers)

 

[Art Waring]

FYI, there are two other petitions on change.org for this:

Sign the Petition (currently leading with 739 signers)

Sign the Petition (62 signers)

Thank you! I will update the OP with the additional petitions.

 

[AdmundfortGeographer]

In addition, this is {+} thread. If you are not on board with the basic premise, take that idea to a different discussion.

That’s fair, but in a defense it was turned into a [+] thread in an update after I posted.

 

[mamba]

What we know is way down the chain of a game of telephone.

no it isn’t, we have excerpts, but granted this is no a ‘we’ as it does not include you

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Mod Note:

Digs and parting shots should not have a place in a [+] thread. Conduct yourselves accordingly or be removed from the discussion.

 

[Art Waring]

Just wanted to say thank to everyone who signed the petition! The top petition is currently counting at over 1862 signatures and going up every minute.

 

[Reynard]

It should be a petition to drop it, and even then it doesn't matter. WotC has shown us what they think of the OGL and the Open Gaming ecosystem. Unless there is a major leadership change, we have to assume that is their agenda going forward, no matter what backpedaling they do in the immediate future.