d20 no longer the only Open Source game!

[WizarDru]

As you can read right here at gamingreport.com , Gold Rush Games has released the Action System as an Open Source PDF, similar to the SRD.

Could this be the beginning of a trend? Does this reflect the success of the OGL, or is this just a 'me, too', trend? I've browsed the PDF, and it's a good system. Seems very reminiscent of a GURPS-d20 hybrid, featuring a little of both, but leaning more heavily towards GURPS, as far as character flexibility and modularity. Clearly, it's a good strategy in that I'd never have browsed the system at all, short of this move.


Thoughts?

 

[Apok]

The idea of an Open Source system has been around before OGL. The Fudge (or Fuzion, can't remember which) system has been free and open to all developers for some time.

 

[HellHound]

In addition, there have been other games released under the OGL to date.

But this is the first one with any substantial backing. Congrats Mark and Gold Rush Games!

 

[WizarDru]

The idea of an Open Source system has been around before OGL. The Fudge (or Fuzion, can't remember which) system has been free and open to all developers for some time.

You're thinking of FUDGE. Fuzion is from Gold Rush Games, and was the basis of several of their more recent efforts, like Bushido's newest edition. I think the last version of Champions used the Fuzion system, as did several anime RPGs, IIRC.

FUDGE is the largest prior to d20, but it's not really like the OGL, per se. You still need to go to Steffan O' Sullivan and ask "Mother, may I". He can retain the right not to issue you a royalty-free license (though I am unaware of him doing so and doubt he would). Commercial licenses to FUDGE are at his sufferance, and he can revoke it that privelege at any time. The OGL is there to stay, and they can't yank away what has already been released, correct?

Other than that, while there have been other open-source stuff, none of it, AFAIK, is actually known to more than a handful of folks. I mean, until I googled the subject just now, I'd never heard of Circe, Epitome, Grey Lotus or Jazz...and I'd wager that they're mostly home-brews that have little or no support beyond the original author. Nothing wrong with that, of course (heck, I did my own GURPS Falkenstein and hosted a site for it a few years back, so I'm not throwing stones, here).

My point was more that this was the first one I'd seen that would actually interact with games actually in print, and might have supplements that would actually be seen at your FLGS, as opposed to the author's website.

As it is, I'm going to check some of these other systems out, but I don't really need another set of RPGs. It's just interesting to me.

 

[KnowTheToe]

More the merrier. Multiple successful OGL systems may allow some of the skilled and talented publishers to expand and actually make some money. Not to mention, more interest in the industry the better ti is for players and designers alike.

 

[Razuur]

I was always surprised that White Wolf never released their Storyteller system as and OGC system. I thought it would most likley only be the only real competitor to D20.

Never played Action!, but in an age where my players are only really intersted in 1 or two systems.

D20 ( & OGL ) and Storyteller seem to be the only ones they will play.

Anyone else think that White wold should release Storyteller?

I think it would take off.

They would just need to develop a "CORE" rulebook.

Razuur

 

[bolen]

I talked to david Pullzer who works for steve jackson games, he told me he had the idea to create an OGL for GURPS before dd3e but it never flew. He kind of thought that d20 showed his idea would work well. I have no idea why every company (if they really think they have the best system) doesn't do this.

 

[Michael Tree]

I have no idea why every company (if they really think they have the best system) doesn't do this.

The reason is that for small games, especially ones with niche audiences (ie. most RPGs), the additional 3rd party products would cut into the sales of the original game's products.

There's an excellent discussion with John Nephew, president of Atlas Games, here. in the discussion "Atlas, Ars Magica, & Open Gaming".

I agree that White Wolf's system should be open, even though I don't especially like it. WoD games don't sell because of their system, they sell because of their settings, and their games are big enough to benefit from the extra draw of 3rd party products.

Perhaps WW hasn't done so, because there isn't a "core rulebook" for their system that isn't irrevocably tied into one of their specific games, and all their specific games have different variations on the rules.

 

[Swack-Iron]

You're thinking of FUDGE. Fuzion is from Gold Rush Games, and was the basis of several of their more recent efforts, like Bushido's newest edition. I think the last version of Champions used the Fuzion system, as did several anime RPGs, IIRC.

I'll save Mark a moment of his time by making a couple of minor corrections to your comment, just for the record. No biggie, just a good thing to know for Fuzion and GRG fans.

* Fuzion was originally developed by the Fuzion Labs Group, which was composed of some employees and compatriots of Hero Games (before they were purchased by DOJ) and R. Talsorian Games. Fuzion was never open source in quite the same sense as D20 or Action!, but it is available for licencing for cheap.

* Fuzion was first used for the Bubble Gum Crisis RPG published by RTal. It's second iteration was Champions: New Millenium published by Hero. It has also been used in many other published games and fan works.

* One of Gold Rush Games' products that uses the Fuzion system (and there are several) is Sengoku: Chanbara Roleplaying in Feudal Japan (http://www.sengoku.com). It is not related or affiliated with the older Bushido game in any way, shape or form, save that they both have similar topic matter. Sengoku is the definitive RPG on feudal Japan; you will never find a better, more complete work. It is an excellent reference for gaming, and is entirely useful even if you don't care for the Fuzion system.

-- Swack-Iron, aka Paul (hi Mark!!), GRG shill

 

[WizarDru]

* One of Gold Rush Games' products that uses the Fuzion system (and there are several) is Sengoku: Chanbara Roleplaying in Feudal Japan (http://www.sengoku.com). It is not related or affiliated with the older Bushido game in any way, shape or form, save that they both have similar topic matter. Sengoku is the definitive RPG on feudal Japan; you will never find a better, more complete work. It is an excellent reference for gaming, and is entirely useful even if you don't care for the Fuzion system.

Thanks, Paul. It all comes flooding back now. The clarifications are greatly appreciated. I remember, quite some time back, that it originally was going to be an update to Bushido, but for reasons I'm not privy to, the name, game system and general context were changed.

Not to sidetrack my own thread, but how well does Sengoku do for a less cinematic game? In other words, instead of Lone Wolf and Cub, Zatoichi or The Assassains, would the system let me ratchet down a few pegs, while still staying more heroic than reality? I've threatened to resurrect my Japan game for some time now, but I'm not sure OA really matches the flavor I'm looking for, and neither did GURPS (though that's where the campaign originated from).