Lack of Use of OGL

[Steve Conan Trustrum]

In my upcoming solo (non-compilation) works in the d20 community, I make extensive use of OGC that I think are great. However, I rarely use it "as is", instead opting to alter it slightly to better suit my own needs. I also try to include a brief statement on where the material is coming from and why I'm using it in the section's introduction because I like to give the original author more credit than is required by the OGL.

 

[The Sigil]

Reprinting of OGC...

I think there is a fine line to walk here... re-print OGC and incur the wrath of those who already own the source. Don't re-print it and incur the wrath of those who don't (and don't want to have to spend extra money).

Here are my thoughts...

As has already been stated, modules ("adventures" for the non-grognards among us) offer most conducive setting for re-use of OGC in the form of Monsters, Spells, Traps, etc. I have to agree that the market is somewhat limited, though... there are only so many modules for 1st-level characters you can use before you are dealing with 2nd and 3rd level characters... ;-)

As far as "sourcebooks" go, I think that there IS room to include reprints in a sourcebook... provided you are very selective about the way you do it. While nobody wants to see that 32 pages of a 64 page sourcebook consist of reprinted OGC, I don't think people mind if you include 5-10 pages of OGC (a piece here and a piece there) for completeness.

Now, admittedly, I am the publisher of one lone d20 sourcebook in PDF format only -- I am NOT a big-time publisher -- but I concentrated my sourcebook (The Enchiridion of Mystic Music) on bards and music. I wanted to make the book completely self-contained (that is, requiring only the Core Rulebooks for use) and to do that, did not feel bad about including a snippet of OGC here as reprinted OGC. I believe the PDF is 74 pages (about 70 pages if you remove the cover and the OGL/d20STL from the equation) and I would venture to say that the amount of reprinted material is just about right for my goals... I spent 2 pages on a re-print of the bard class (with minor variations), 2 pages reprinting a prestige class (also with minor variations), 1 page reprinting spells, and probably another page or so reprinting snippets from other sources.

In total, the reprinted OGC represented less than 10% of my work, and only the 1 page of spells was reprinted without making changes in order to work it into my book (so 1 page of "complete reprint" as opposed to "reworked" stuff). I have not received any complaints asking "why did you reprint this?"

I would venture to say that provided that you stick to your focus, you can bring in little pieces of OGC "from the outside" and reprint them without worry of people complaining... when they note that you're not including tons of material, but have chosen very carefully only those precise pieces that are absolutely necessary to add to the new and original material in your book in order to allow your product to be more or less of the stand-alone variety, they don't complain. I never had a problem with that as a consumer, and I figure if I didn't have a problem with it as a consumer, I should assume that I could do it as a publisher.

I hope most readers will understand that... they understand that you're trying to save them the trouble of buying another book (or referencing it if they already have it) but at the same time, not trying to make them pay twice for the same material. If that's the goal you have as a publisher, I think it will come through in your publication. OTOH, if you do have the goal of making people pay twice for the same thing, that will come through, too.

Flame away here or send an e-mail to me...

the_sigil@hotmail.com

--The Sigil

 

[enrious]

I thought your inclusion was logical and not over done.

But then, I can only remember the Dark Minstrel and some spells that were included and they certainly fit in with your work.

-----------------------


You know, as just a reader, I never thought about the line publishers walk when deciding to include/exclude OGC stuff.

Might make me think twice before complaining.

 

[Skald]

Using OGC Material

Boy, am I glad I found this thread.

I am currently finishing up the first supplement for the Maidenheim campaign setting, titled Plunder and Murder: Pirate Queens of the Pelaegos. Since the title gives away what the supplement covers, this is a sourcebook for seafaring adventures that takes place within the campaign setting itself. It is not intended to be a new 'generic' d20 rules supplement that would compete with both Seas of Blood and The Seafarer's Handbook.

I pondered the same questions on whether or not to simply refer readers to Seas of Blood and The Seafarer's Handbook, but I did finally decide to include the relevant d20 rules material from both books that I felt were appropriate. Yes, there is some reprinting of previous OGC, particularly the OMCS and the oceangoing and underwater adventuring options. This was not done to beef up the book but rather because not everbody has the two mentioned sourcebooks (or maybe one but not the other). Besides, Seas of Blood costs $19.95 and The Seafarer's Handbook comes in at $24.95, while Plunder and Murder will be much less than both. If you didn't have either book, you'd have to pay over $45 to understand what I was refering to had I not reprinted any valid OGC. This will be a self-contained product as far as the rules are concerned.

What I have done, however, is added in a few new pieces of OGC material that are not going to be Product Identity (such as Port Qualities, class variants, some new feats and spells, the Pirate Queen prestige class, and a few other goodies). Anyone can use this new OGC material. Also, appropriate credit is given to both Mongoose and FFG for the material that I have used in order to keep in compliance with the OGL. To not give them credit would be ridiculous, and illegal.

There is plenty of Product Identity included that cannot be used by other publishers, since the material does expand upon this particular campaign setting. Where the d20 rules are the bones, this material becomes the flesh and blood of the book, providing plenty of juicy details and inspiration for adventures involving piracy and exploration in a Maidenheim campaign. For those who have already enjoyed Maidenheim, I think you'll enjoy Plunder and Murder just as much.

Now the question still remains; what will people think of this? Will I be lauded as a plagiarist? A hack? Or will Plunder and Murder do some d20 justice for the overall desire to use other publishers' OGC? That remains to be seen, largely according to the reasons why someone would purchase it to begin with. Plunder and Murder has been written in mind for those who are already using elements of Maidenheim in their own games, rather than to be presented as an "oh gee, another d20 seafaring book..."

So again, I'm glad I found this thread today. Thanks for all your opinions on the topic.

 

[jkantor]

Perhaps the best approach would be to produce your own book, but have a free web enhancement that collects all the additional OGC that it is based on. That seems to be in the spirit of Open Gaming.

 

[Lizard]

Re: Using OGC Material

Now the question still remains; what will people think of this? Will I be lauded as a plagiarist? A hack?

You can't plagiarize OGC. It's there to be used.

Just be VERY careful about your "Section 15". If you check the copyright notice in SFH, you'll see that *it* credits "Against the Time of Years". You must include that reference as well. (Basically, the rule is, you have to copy the entire "Section 15" of each work you derive from. You may well know this inside out and backwards, but, the sad truth is, a lot of publishers DON'T do this when they SHOULD, so, even if you know the rules, I might do some good by mentioning it in public.)

 

[Paradigm]

Paradigm has already made use of OGC from other (non-WotC) publishers and will continue to do so.