First 3rd Party Product available already...

[I'm A Banana]

There's no expensive color artwork on the cover, there's no interior illustrations, and it's not by WotC. It's obviously flawed!

While I don't at all doubt that some...let's call them "people"...would out-and-out reject the notion that a "D&D Official Product" not have these things....

...I'd like Jack99 (or someone who actually has a problem with it) to tell me specifically.

Unless you do have that problem with it, Darrin? 'Cuz I would find that...out of character for you.

 

[Darrin Drader]

You have just rolled a natural *1* on your reality check.

You've got the largest 4th edition supporter (Clark at Necromancer) saying that he's not willing to convert over any of his existing IP. You have numerous publishers actively refusing to publish under the terms of the GSL, and you have Paizo sticking with a verson of 3rd edition. I seriously doubt that we're going to see any significant rules innovations due to the restrictions on the license that prevent contradicting anything in the SRD, and since the GSL can and will be revoked at some point in time, I doubt we're going to see very many high quality campaign settings that introduce new and exciting IP.

So what do you have to look forward to? You will most likely see some small new companies like these people jumping in and you might see the bigger players releasing some adventures, monster books, and maybe, just maybe some new classes and such. That's really about it unless someone is willing to roll the dice with the creation of new IP. Welcome to the future of "open gaming."

 

[LeaderDesslok]

The GSL was released at the end of the business day Tuesday, June 17. Even if they faxed the Statement of Acceptance that night, it wouldn't be recevied until June 18. That means no third-party product can possibly come out any sooner than July 1.

 

[Darrin Drader]

Unless you do have that problem with it, Darrin? 'Cuz I would find that...out of character for you.

I'm obviously being sarcastic. I applaud their boldness in being the first to put something out there. I'm being sarcastic because those were ultimately the main reasons the majority of people rejected 3rd party products published under the OGL. Sure, not all of them were wonderful, but ultimately WotCs ability to trounce 3rd party published products under the OGL came down to trade dress and brand loyalty. There's a lot of great stuff out there that was dismissed as crap because it didn't have nice color interiors and the D&D logo on the cover.

 

[Darrin Drader]

The GSL wasreleased at the end of the business day Tuesday, June 17. Even if they faxed the Statement of Acceptance that night, it wouldn't be recevied until June 18. That means no third-party product can possibly come out any sooner than July 1.

Nevertheless, you will be able to walk into your FLGS and pick up a copy of the new free Goodman book on Saturday. There will probably be others as well.

 

[Ruin Explorer]

The GSL was released at the end of the business day Tuesday, June 17. Even if they faxed the Statement of Acceptance that night, it wouldn't be recevied until June 18. That means no third-party product can possibly come out any sooner than July 1.

I love this sort of post. It's what makes the internet the magical, special place that it is. Even when the government and corporations have made it so that every website and messageboard is censored, kid-friendly and closely-monitored, and the whole "wild west" feel of the internet is long gone, people will still be making posts this obviously bonkers. <3.

 

[LeaderDesslok]

Nevertheless, you will be able to walk into your FLGS and pick up a copy of the new free Goodman book on Saturday. There will probably be others as well.

Yes, you are correct, Free Game Day was the exception to the rule.

I also want to add my two cents about the quality of the product...there's nothing wrong with it! I for one don't need fancy full-page color spreads to consider a product worthwhile. There were plenty of flashy Wizards books with phenomenal art that have been released that sucked big time.

This company provided a basic map and some free counters and tracking tables in addition to the small encounter. All this in a free introductory product. I think it's a job well done.

 

[I'm A Banana]

There's a lot of great stuff out there that was dismissed as crap because it didn't have nice color interiors and the D&D logo on the cover.

The brand loyalty that D&D inspires is bizarre and, to my mind, more than a little bordering on religious fanaticism. I've heard a lot of excuses for not going to 3rd parties (production values, "rules balance," whatever), and most of them are kind of weak.

I've heard people claim that they ONLY use WotC products as if they are proud of that fact, as if it makes them pure and elite.

I kind of pity those people the same way I pity, say, agoraphobes, or people who have never been outside of their home nation.

But, regardless, neither Jack99 nor anyone else has really claimed that position in this thread, I think? If they do, I'll certainly throw peanuts at them and mock their parentage and fart in their general direction.

 

[Delta]

I'm particularly intrigued by the fact that they also tried mixing the GSL with the Creative Commons license.

 

[Darrin Drader]

The brand loyalty that D&D inspires is bizarre and, to my mind, more than a little bordering on religious fanaticism. I've heard a lot of excuses for not going to 3rd parties (production values, "rules balance," whatever), and most of them are kind of weak.

I've heard people claim that they ONLY use WotC products as if they are proud of that fact, as if it makes them pure and elite.

I apologize, but that attitude is one of the things that gets my blood pressure up.