GSL questions for Scott Rouse and Mike Lescault

[Vigilance]

this

Wait, does that mean companies can use 4e materials under the existing OGL?

 

[lurkinglidda]

Wait, does that mean companies can use 4e materials under the existing OGL?

No. We've designed the licenses to be mutually exclusive.

 

[Vigilance]

No. We've designed the licenses to be mutually exclusive.

Ok, Im thoroughly confused.

So when you say if you use the logo, you must use the GSL, you're saying we can refrain from using the logo, and publish independent books, including modern books, but can only use materials from the 4e SRD in doing so?

 

[JohnRTroy]

How does this work, precisely? Many works under the OGL quoted verbatim text from the SRD -- that was its purpose, things like feat descriptions, spell descriptions, monsters, and so on. Is there an explicit "safe harbor" provision for the use of this text in GSL works? If I use a monster (let us say, Brass Dragons) in an OGL adventure, and I want to publish a Brass Dragon in a 4e version of that adventure, am I allowed to base it on the Brass Dragon of the 3x SRD?

Why would anybody bother doing so, though?

Remember, The 4e game is extremely different from the 3e one. Dragons don't have spell levels anymore, they have powers, the powers are really different, and the rules for characters have changed. Hit points, powers and effects, etc., it's all changing. All that's really left right now are ability scores and the d20 mechanic.

I mean, WoTC have said that they aren't going to bother with a "conversion book". It would be a lot less painful to take their 4e version of the creature and use that then try to convert a 3e version of something to the 4e version.

 

[Ourph]

The final GSL and SRD are forthcoming. I expect to have final drafts late next week with an aim to have them sent out the following.

Hey Scott, I had two questions.

First, will anyone other than the invited publishers be able to see the contents of the SRD before June 6th?

Second, is the GSL a completely open license (as in, anyone can publish using the GSL without previous approval from WotC) or will there be some sort of application/registration/vetting process involved in using the license?

Thanks for the info. I'm glad you guys can finally talk about this a little.

 

[Scott_Rouse]

Hey Scott, I had two questions.

First, will anyone other than the invited publishers be able to see the contents of the SRD before June 6th?

Likely not.

Second, is the GSL a completely open license (as in, anyone can publish using the GSL without previous approval from WotC) or will there be some sort of application/registration/vetting process involved in using the license?

Thanks for the info. I'm glad you guys can finally talk about this a little.

There is a registration card similar to the d20 STL but that is about it in terms of acceptance.

 

[Voadam]

The final GSL and SRD are forthcoming. I expect to have final drafts late next week with an aim to have them sent out the following.

Will the GSL be publicly available then or not until June?

Can you tell us now what types of products will not be permitted at all under the GSL? (stand alone variant games, srd type products, extreme bad taste products, Specific IP references, etc.)

Can you tell us what the specific goals WotC was trying to achieve by the changes between the GSL and OGL? (i.e limit products to support D&D so no stand alone variant games, prevent copy and paste commercial srds, prevent bad taste products, increase d20 value, etc.)

Thanks

 

[Scott_Rouse]

Will the GSL be publicly available then or not until June?

Can you tell us now what types of products will not be permitted at all under the GSL? (stand alone variant games, srd type products, extreme bad taste products, Specific IP references, etc.)

The allowed products will look a lot like those allowed under the d20 STL.

Can you tell us what the specific goals WotC was trying to achieve by the changes between the GSL and OGL? (i.e limit products to support D&D so no stand alone variant games, prevent copy and paste commercial srds, prevent bad taste products, increase d20 value, etc.)

Thanks

I would say the one primary goals was to allow 3PPs to produce products that supported 4e D&D products from WOTC by tapping into the network effect. In the process over the last few months non D&D 4e d20 came into the mix as well.

A little of all of these were in play as we discuss the GSL with the bid stand out being a license that drove support our core RPG business.

 

[crow81]

It sounds to me like WotC gave 3PP a royal kick in the pants by not allowing them to publish for GenCon. I for one will be interested in seeing the final document.

Not that I will play 4e but sorta like hey look at that car wreck.

 

[Orcus]

Scott.

Thanks.

And please tell Linae I said "thanks" too.

You guys really, really did great. I've had my faith and trust in you for so long. I am so glad to see this finally come to fruition.

Clark