How Is There Still PCGen?

[mattcolville]

In anticipation of E-Tools coming out, I was checking out PCGen and astonished by the claims it makes. According to their site, they have data in there from the splatbooks (not open) and Star Wars (not open, and licensed by someone else.) And they encourage donations!

Am I missing something, how are these guys getting away with this? Is it just that no-one at Wizards cares or is it that the app doesn't do what it says it does?

Seems a pretty popular program, I'd be surprised if it managed to 'fly under the radar.'

 

[Crothian]

I don't use it, but my DM swears by this. He has all the characters in there along with countless NPCs.

And I have no idea what the answer is to your question. I never thought of it like that.

 

[Gizzard]

Dont they claim to have permission for the various data they cover? I believe its discussed somewhere on their web-page.

As for why its not going to compete with e-Tools, its written in Java, which makes it a hassle for many users (and slow for all users.) Its still pretty good at what it does though if you can put up with the performance issues and the arcane user-interface.

But thats neither here nor there from a legal standpoint, which is the real meat of your question.

 

[Darklance]

I think its more of a..."Your operation has such a small user base that we really just don't care. If you don't charge for it we won't sue you."

 

[Ranger REG]

I wouldn't be surprised if Wizards' Legal Department is collecting evidence as we speak.

Of course, the folks at PCGen could politicize the situation and convince the PCGen users about a corporation stomping on the little guys. Something like that usually win the public's sympathy.

Lately, they have been blatant about plugging their wares by "informing" those waiting for e-Tools to consider PCGen as a better alternative ... right on Wizards' e-Tools message boards. Of course, the scheme works due to a a lot of impatient, disgruntled gamers waiting for Master Tools/e-Tools.

 

[Nightfall]

Well all I really care about is finding a nice RPG Character Generator that uses Scarred Lands stuff.

 

[mattcolville]

Well all I really care about is finding a nice RPG Character Generator that uses Scarred Lands stuff.

Well, ok. My question wasn't "why do you use it" it was "how do they get away with it?"

 

[mattcolville]

I wouldn't be surprised if Wizards' Legal Department is collecting evidence as we speak.

I'm not sure Wizards has a legal dept. anymore. I think it might all be at HASBRO which means they might be able to get away with charging for it, since they'd be unlikely to ever be noticed by a HASBRO person.

 

[Grazzt]

Well, ok. My question wasn't "why do you use it" it was "how do they get away with it?"

I would imagine WotC just hasn't gotten around to "killing" them yet if they are using non-SRD material (splat books, SW, etc.)

 

[Nightfall]

True and anyway Matt I'm not defending them. Just stating my sincere wish to HAVE something like that.