Green Ronin announces 3rd Era

[Garnfellow]

Has WotC ever made a definitive statement about the status of the d20 license? Is there a formal press release? An industry mailing list announcement?

The only thing I can recollect was a single EN World post from Scott Rouse stating (if I remember correctly) that the d20 license had ended and there would be a 6 month grace period -- and since this was stated during the GSL development, and considering all the changes to *that* license, I'm not sure I would take that info to the bank.

 

[Ghostwind]

Has WotC ever made a definitive statement about the status of the d20 license? Is there a formal press release? And industry mailing list announcement?

The only thing I can recollect was a single EN World post from Scott Rouse stating (if I remember correctly) that the d20 license had ended and there would be a 6 month grace period -- and since this was stated during the GSL development, and considering all the changes to *that* license, I'm not sure I would take that info to the bank.

There has been no formal definitive statement from Wotc concerning this matter. Many publishers are taking the single post made by Scott Rouse as gospel and moving ahead with plans to destroy their inventory at the end of the year. Some publishers are choosing not to do so at this time.

 

[Edgewood]

3rd Era....this I like!

 

[Garnfellow]

There has been no formal definitive statement from Wotc concerning this matter. Many publishers are taking the single post made by Scott Rouse as gospel and moving ahead with plans to destroy their inventory at the end of the year. Some publishers are choosing not to do so at this time.

Am I the only one who thinks this is crazy?

 

[jinnetics]

Capital idea!

Let's hope this could mean work for the laid-off WOTC folks? (There's probably some clause against it, but it would be a happy ending.)

 

[Scurvy_Platypus]

Am I the only one who thinks this is crazy?

No offense, but it really doesn't matter.

WotC has revoked the d20 STL. The amount of time that's left for publishers to dump their stock with the d20 STL Logo may be debatable, but the d20 STL _is_ dead.

Version 6 of the STL says this:

6. Effects of Termination

Upon termination, You shall immediately stop all use of the Licensed Articles and will destroy any inventory or marketing material in Your possession bearing the d20 System trademark logos. You will remove any use of the d20 System trademark logos from your advertising, web site, letterhead, or any other use. You must instruct any company or individual that You are or become aware of who is in possession of any materials distributed by You bearing the d20 System trademark logos to destroy those materials. You will solely bear any costs related to carrying out this term of the License.

Last heard, WotC was...nice... and gave a 6 month notice to publishers so they could get rid of their stock. Technically, they didn't have to.

Whether any of this is right or wrong is something that's been fought over quite a few times and is really a dead issue.

Just so this post is actually on topic:

I'm pleased that they're making this move. I imagine that this will mean they'll continue to get some "long tail" sales and with offering the titles through Lulu, it means they don't have to worry about the issue of publishing costs. Very smart, considering how things are these days. If someone is happy with a pdf, they can buy it. If their hate of pdf knows no limit, they can shell out the money to get it printed.

It'd be nice if some of the stuff were to be "updated" but I don't think it's really worth their time and effort to do so. They're already going to be spending time and money just stripping this stuff down to OGL it; updating it at the same time is probably a straw that will break the camel's back.

 

[Garnfellow]

No offense, but it really doesn't matter.

No offense, but actually I think it matters quite a lot.

WotC has revoked the d20 STL.

How do you know that? Because of one single post made by Scott Rouse on a messageboard? Made at a point when a lot of things were posted that never actually came to pass?

That seems like a pretty loosey-goosey way to terminate an important license, particularly one in which many people have significant financial stake.

That's why it matters.

 

[Knightfall]

This is great news!

Green Ronin has the best stuff for 3rd Edition.

 

[pawsplay]

That seems like a pretty loosey-goosey way to terminate an important license, particularly one in which many people have significant financial stake.

That's why it matters.

It is really not helpful to any publishers if an official announcement were made, because that means it's time to destroy stock. What matters is that the license is ending, so people are adjusting by getting rid of the logo.

 

[Qwillion]

I must say I am happy with this move. So that when I tell someone they need to get the Advanced Bestiary they can now get it in print! Print on Demand changing the world one book at a time.