Gygax's views on OGL

[Ranger REG]

If the OGL had been around in the 80's, Gygax could have continued working on and publishing for the game he helped create even after being forced out, without giving one cent to TSR. Perhaps if that had happened, he would be inclined to look more kindly on the concept...

Why couldn't he see it now and take advantage of the opportunity the OGL provide?

Of course, someone did mentioned that he had already published a few d20 products. Sorry, but I won't mention the "H" word.

 

[Ranger REG]

So lets stop worrying about what Gary thinks and just game.

You know, you didn't have to take part in this particular discussion thread.

Granted, this is more of an "industry news" discussion so not many gamers are going to be interested as to what this impacts the RPG market, any more than the Wall Street Journal articles would impact a KMart shopper.

 

[dead]

Another thing I strongly disagree with is the idea that "d20 System" = "D&D" in the minds of most people. Not at all! Certainly not for the general public, and unlikely to be so even in the gaming population.

Who here's equates a "d20 System" product with "D&D"? I see those products as being "compatible with D&D", but that's a long way from being "D&D". When I see a D&D product, I expect a certain standard of product that I do not expect from a normal d20 System product.

I used to think d20 = D&D but I have since been reprimanded. Many folks on this very site opened my mind (not the ones that attacked me with flame and acid, however).

Nevertheless, I think d20 will never shake loose its close association with D&D for as long as the 3E D&D corebooks remain the primary reference for the d20 system.

I personally would like to see a more *neutral* reference document for d20. I don't know if this is possible, but I think it would help in removing that erroneous stigma that d20 = D&D.

Take my gaming shop for example, D&D gets the primary shelf space. Then, like somekind of satilite, all the d20 material hovers close to it -- almost as if it would shrivel up and die if D&D ceased to exist. And I think this is why people confuse d20 with D&D, because it owes it's very life and continued existance to the 3E D&D corerules.

 

[Ranger REG]

Are these percentages a global trend or is it just that I'm living in a back-water, derelict town?

It's common everywhere, usually because distributors and wholesalers want products that can sell and empty their warehouses. But even they themselves have started to filter out products from lesser known publishers and stick to the major publishers that will guarantee higher sales. RPG industry is no different than any other industry, other than not being as highly profitable as TCG, CMG, and boardgames.

That doesn't mean non-d20 products cannot be sold in FLGS, especially those that offer special order service for current and upcoming products.

 

[Derulbaskul]

(snip) I think that the current team running D&D know what they're doing. I think Gary knew what he was doing. I don't think for the period from when Gary lost control until Wizards took over that a certain woman knew what she was doing. (snip)

Although the fact that control was lost tends to suggest that Gary's creative skills far exceeded his business skills (which probably explains why he remains such a nice guy).

The OGL was and is a business decision made to sell PHBs because that's the most --efficient-- way for WotC to make money. This is the only perspective from which to judge the OGL.

 

[Ranger REG]

You say that as if it's a bad thing.

 

[The Thayan Menace]

Lack of Respect & Modules

In many ways, current criticism of Gary Gygax is based very heavily upon his age and, quite honestly, smacks of insolence and disrespect. When I see avid gamers go out of their way to defame the man who is almost single-handedly responsible for popularizing the greatest hobby on earth, I am both saddened and disgusted.
_________________________________________________________________

Though I do not entirely agree with him on OGL, Gygax has an extremely compelling point:

Considering its investment potential, Wizards of the Coast has not been producing a whole lot of adventure modules.

 

[MerricB]

Considering its investment potential, Wizards of the Coast has not been producing a whole lot of adventure modules.

Interestingly, I'd say that, from Wizards of the Coast, we've seen more adventures than in the entire time of Gary's tenure at TSR.

Go to the Free Adventures on Wizards site, go to Dungeon Magazine, go to the Adventure Path and similar.

My quick estimate is somewhere from 100-150 adventures.

Hmm.

Not many adventure modules, as such, but a lot of adventures.

Cheers!

 

[Ottergame]

In many ways, current criticism of Gary Gygax is based very heavily upon his age and, quite honestly, smacks of insolence and disrespect. When I see avid gamers go out of their way to defame the man who is almost single-handedly responsible for popularizing the greatest hobby on earth, I am both saddened and disgusted.
_________________________________________________________________

Though I do not entirely agree with him on OGL, Gygax has an extremely compelling point:

Considering its investment potential, Wizards of the Coast has not been producing a whole lot of adventure modules.

I would hardly say someone disaggreeing with his oppinion is "going out of their way to defame the man". Whatever he may have done in the past doesn't make him right in the present.

 

[MerricB]

Although the fact that control was lost tends to suggest that Gary's creative skills far exceeded his business skills (which probably explains why he remains such a nice guy).

Oh, I think Gary's take on where the game should go wasn't that bad. I do think that his choice of friends and business partners was extremely poor.

Cheers!