Could someone please explain (summarize)

[Andy_Collins]

Kalamar and WotC

As far as the Kalamar/D&D situation goes, it's probably easiest to think of it much like a company licensing an intellectual property from its owner (such as Wizards and the Star Wars IP, or WizKids and the Marvel Super Heroes IP).

WotC, as the owner of the property in question, has approval rights to product bearing the D&D logo from Kenzer, just like Lucasfilm has for Star Wars products or Marvel has for products featuring Spider-Man or any of his amazing friends.

While from time to time, a representative of Wizards R&D may be involved in that approval process, it's not exactly true that Wizards R&D (as symbolized by the designers, developers, and editors on staff here) "approves" all rules material presented in Kenzer's Kalamar product line.

Specifically, Wizards R&D does not perform any design, development, or editing of Kenzer's Kalamar products.

Just clearing up some confusion...

 

[CRG]

Thanks all for the clarifications.

Andy, do you have any insight (that you can share) concerning Planescape / Dark Sun ?

 

[Morrus]

Well the Kenzer people have stated on these boards that under the terms of their license they have to get everything approved by WotC before they can publish material under the D&D brand so it goes through both their own in house quality control and a second round at WotC.

Approved and going through a second set of quality control procedures are two diferent things. As I understand it, the "approval" is just a quick rubber-stamp job.

I don't think you'll find (at least I sincerely hope you won't find, as it's not true) Kenzer staff claiming that WotC staff methodically go through their materials.

 

[Morrus]

Ah, OK. Specifically clarified by Andy above. I should read through to the end of the thread before posting, even if I was right!

 

[Rune]

Thanks for the clarification, Andy & Morris. I was only extrapolating on information that was circulating on the Kenzer message boards while the Kalamar Player's Handbook was in stasis, before release.

Sorry if I have helped to spread misinformation; that certainly isn't my intent!