Dias Ex Machina
Publisher / Game Designer
It is an unfortunate landscape in which we live.
There are those that say that with the release of 4ED, all previous versions are irrelevant. There are those that say that previous versions are dead. I even heard a friend say that all companies endorsing OGL will be out of business within two years (with the exception of maybe Paizo).
I am not going to be an alarmist. These critics are looking at 3.0/3.5 and the many versions of Warhammer as proof. None of them had previous editions that were OGL. I don't think OGL is dead but I do think that smaller companies like ours have to accept that if we don't squirm our way into the 4ED bandwagon, we might as well close up shop.
We don't have the clout to push our own OGL product. The GSL is limiting and there are some wording I would have preferred they didn't use (like not allowing us to use the name elf and dwarf how we wish seems almost petty) but it doesn't change the fact that for many of us, we are pushing against a mighty wind. Some large companies can hold their ground but us smaller ones might have no choice. With our primary product line, we discovered that we might be able to squeeze our way through because of the specifics of our setting. I also really doubt WOTC is going to be watchdogging every single company's every single product, ready to sue at slightest breach. Yes, we are taking a chance, but it is not one we want to take; it is one we may need to take.
There are those that say that with the release of 4ED, all previous versions are irrelevant. There are those that say that previous versions are dead. I even heard a friend say that all companies endorsing OGL will be out of business within two years (with the exception of maybe Paizo).
I am not going to be an alarmist. These critics are looking at 3.0/3.5 and the many versions of Warhammer as proof. None of them had previous editions that were OGL. I don't think OGL is dead but I do think that smaller companies like ours have to accept that if we don't squirm our way into the 4ED bandwagon, we might as well close up shop.
We don't have the clout to push our own OGL product. The GSL is limiting and there are some wording I would have preferred they didn't use (like not allowing us to use the name elf and dwarf how we wish seems almost petty) but it doesn't change the fact that for many of us, we are pushing against a mighty wind. Some large companies can hold their ground but us smaller ones might have no choice. With our primary product line, we discovered that we might be able to squeeze our way through because of the specifics of our setting. I also really doubt WOTC is going to be watchdogging every single company's every single product, ready to sue at slightest breach. Yes, we are taking a chance, but it is not one we want to take; it is one we may need to take.