Fan websites of WotC products and updated setting, a connection?

[Von Ether]

So far 3 and 3.

Ravenloft
Dragonlance
Dark Sun


All three sites were able to put out 3.0 documents and all three setting have or will go to print soon (Dark Sun being mentioned in the latest Dragon).

Should I venture to think that WotC fan sites have become the RPG version of "sweatshops" where the fans do a lot of work and company comes in on the cheap to clean it up and print it?

 

[Greatwyrm]

I'm no rabid DL fan, but I'd hesitate to equate Weiss' and Hickman's works with sweatshop labor (I'm sure that's not how you meant it to come across).

In any case, I think most of these situations are "win-win". The fans get support for their favorite settings and a little cash. WotC makes money and keeps the fan base happy with comparatively little investment.

Then again, WotC owns most of these properties anyway. Given the choice of a small bite of the action or getting sued for copyright infringemet, it wouldn't take long for me to come to a decision.

(edit) P. S. -- Just out of curiosity, what became of the rumors of someone picking up a Planescape license? Thought I heard White Wolf/SSS was interested.

 

[Heyoka_James]

Well, if that's the case, I'll go and get started on an Al-Qadim fansite so I can give them "encouragement" to do a new Arabian Adventures book for 3.5...

 

[Nightfall]

Great, the rumor I heard was it was more S&SS would hand off some of Planescape to Malhavoc and let them handle it. That was a rumor that I don't hold a lot of credit for at the moment.

 

[Von Ether]

Well, if that's the case, I'll go and get started on an Al-Qadim fansite so I can give them "encouragement" to do a new Arabian Adventures book for 3.5...

It looks good, though the site has to be approved by WotC as the offical fan site and then if they give you permission to put out the 3rd edition, it seems that your odds are pretty good.

 

[BrooklynKnight]

Great, the rumor I heard was it was more S&SS would hand off some of Planescape to Malhavoc and let them handle it. That was a rumor that I don't hold a lot of credit for at the moment.

Bah, sorry to dissapoint you dudes, but the rumor began with the Planescape to 3.5 Petition that was advertised here at Enworld a few weeks ago.

The petition called for WOTC licensing out Planescape to a 3rd party (mentioning SS/Malhavoc as one of the primary choices) instead of investing in it themselves.

This may be where your rumor stems from.

I dont have a link onhand but if you check back through the archives for about 2 weeks you'll find it.

 

[Psychotic Jim]

Is Dark Sun going to get the full Campaign Setting treatment like FR or DL or is it going to be covered in Dungeon and Dragon magazines?

 

[DaveMage]

Is Dark Sun going to get the full Campaign Setting treatment like FR or DL or is it going to be covered in Dungeon and Dragon magazines?

Dragon magazine issue #315 indicates that it will be covered in the April Dungeon and Dragon magazines.

 

[Nightfall]

Well thanks for the clarification Art. As I said didn't quite trust the source.

 

[Greatwyrm]

Bah, sorry to dissapoint you dudes, but the rumor began with the Planescape to 3.5 Petition that was advertised here at Enworld a few weeks ago.

No, I'm sure I heard something quite a while ago. I think I first heard of this when the announcement that Ravenloft would be licensed to SSS was made or maybe around the time of Oriental Adventures.