GSL: Am I wrong to be concerned?

[hong]

That was the d20 license. Many OGL games have character generation rules.

OGL, d20 STL, whatever. You're still not supposed to write chargen programs for D&D 3E.

 

[redcard]

I hope that their promised "fan site policy" at least gives us some hope hear...

I'm actually more and more concerned the more I read it.

Are we banned from publishing adventures even electronically until we get approved?

 

[hong]

Maybe I'm confusing terms, here....how did DM Genie, PCGEN and others manage to release their products without WotC shutting them down? I was under the impression they were all legal.

I believe they're in that grey area where what they do isn't exactly kosher, but it wouldn't be productive for WotC to shut them down.

 

[Henrix]

Maybe I'm confusing terms, here....how did DM Genie, PCGEN and others manage to release their products without WotC shutting them down? I was under the impression they were all legal.

It's also possible that Wizards would have warned them off had they been able to get a working program out their doors. :/

 

[JDJblatherings]

I'm pretty sure that if your friend created an Excel sheet for chargen today, for 3E, that would also be illegal. The OGL doesn't allow electronic products, and chargen is expressly forbidden.

The D20 license prohibitted such things not the OGL.

 

[HyrumOWC]

OGL, d20 STL, whatever. You're still not supposed to write chargen programs for D&D 3E.

d20 STL and OGL are two completely different animals. You can't use the d20 logo and do chargen programs, but you can use the OGL to do them.

Hyrum.

 

[Scribble]

I think people are making a lot more out of the GSL then is warrented.

I think WoTC wants to promote things like:

New Monsters, New Classes, New Powers, New Feats, New paragon Paths, New Epic Destinies, New Poisons, New Traps and Hazzards...

They just don't want you to create a new game to compete with theirs Ala d20 / non d20 games.

They also don't want you to create things that allow other people to not use their stuff... Like the SRD websites, and books of spells and such.

They want people to help support the game... They don't want leaches.

 

[HyrumOWC]

I think people are making a lot more out of the GSL then is warrented.

I think WoTC wants to promote things like:

New Monsters, New Classes, New Powers, New Feats, New paragon Paths, New Epic Destinies, New Poisons, New Traps and Hazzards...

They just don't want you to create a new game to compete with theirs Ala d20 / non d20 games.

They also don't want you to create things that allow other people to not use their stuff... Like the SRD websites, and books of spells and such.

They want people to help support the game... They don't want leaches.

The problem though is that they're making it difficult to do things as easy as adventures by taking away the ability to do stat blocks. WotC can do them, but 3pp can't. If you're a harried GM, whose products are you going to pick up?

And don't get me started on the idea that if another brand team comes on board 2 years down the road and decides they don't want new classes anymore, they can update the license, not tell you, and then find you in breach and terminate your license or worse.

Not a good environment to run your business IMHO.

Hyrum.

 

[Kzach]

Hrm, this is disappointing. I know someone who is creating a DM/player helper application for the iPhone 2.0. It's even going to be able to use the in-built GPS to locate other nearby players!

I better not tell him about this...

 

[Delta]

I'm pretty sure that if your friend created an Excel sheet for chargen today, for 3E, that would also be illegal. The OGL doesn't allow electronic products, and chargen is expressly forbidden.

Here's a quote from the Wizards website "Software FAQ" ( http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=d20/oglfaq/20040123i ):

Q: How can the OGL be used with software?
A: Just like with other material, the OGL allows you to use any Open Content, provided you follow the terms of the OGL. Follow the requirements of the License, include the text of the license and the appropriate copyright information, and clearly identify Open Content.

Q: So what kinds of programs can I make with the OGL?
A: Anything. Character generators are popular, as are programs that help GMs keep track of their adventure. Random treasure generators are also fun.