D&D (2024) Lifetime boycott of D&D-branded products?

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Which is kinda weird, since that’s the part that started this whole poop storm. Remember when the rumors that the OGL was going away started, and we all laughed them off because we were so sure it was irrevocable? When nobody was worried because even if WotC released a terrible new license, 3PP could just keep using the old one? Yeah, that switch flipped because the leaked 1.1 draft made clear that they were trying to revoke 1.0 after all. Now WotC says they’re going to edit 1.1 to make it less egregious but they’re still revoking 1.0 and suddenly a bunch of people are fine with it? Did we all get so caught up in the outrage we forgot what we were actually mad about in the first place?

I think we're seeing, yet again, that there is a gravitational pull toward security and the comfort of familiar brands and faces. It's hard to resist and some people have a much lower tolerance for venturing outside of the familiar places they know.

Everyone thinks of themselves as a ranger, but a whole lot of people are actually hobbits.

I don't think that makes them bad people. It just is what it is, even if I strongly disagree with them.

 

[Yaarel]

I think we're seeing, yet again, that there is a gravitational pull toward security and the comfort of familiar brands and faces. It's hard to resist and some people have a much lower tolerance for venturing outside of the familiar places they know.

Everyone thinks of themselves as a ranger, but a whole lot of people are actually hobbits.

I don't think that makes them bad people. It just is what it is, even if I strongly disagree with them.

I am guilty of this.

Since 4e and 5e, I have only played official D&D. I am monogamous by nature.

Heh, even playing 1e and 3e because my friends are playing it is more like watching porn with a spouse.

My interest in other systems like Cortext Prime and Year Zero Engine is flirting only. I havent played these.

But now, Hasbro-WotC is no longer worth my trust. Its over.

Hasbro-WotC, its not me, its you.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

This feels like a good time for ENWorld users to start offering up online games to other members so they can show off alternatives in a safe one-off manner.

 

[UngeheuerLich]

Did we all get so caught up in the outrage we forgot what we were actually mad about in the first place?

There is a distinct difference: if the new license makes it clear that everything released so far is untouched and the new 1.1 is acceptable to publish under, there effectively is a kinda OGL in effect. It really depends on the wording. If the new OGL makes it clear, that once something is approved, it may stay forever, I don't see the great harm and actually see something positive in it.

I don't want D&D to be used by people like TSR.

I do want it to be kid friendly.

If you want settings that are different, just make it game agnostic.

 

[Charlaquin]

There is a distinct difference: if the new license makes it clear that everything released so far is untouched and the new 1.1 is acceptable to publish under, there effectively is a kinda OGL in effect.

Just to make sure I’m understanding you correctly: as long as stuff that has already been published under 1.0 is safe, you’re ok with no new content ever being allowed to be published under 1.0 again?

It really depends on the wording. If the new OGL makes it clear, that once something is approved, it may stay forever, I don't see the great harm and actually see something positive in it.

I don’t understand why you would believe that the new license would remain intact forever when we’ve just spent the last 20 years being led to believe that was true of 1.0 only to have WotC turn around and say it’s not any more. What’s to stop them from doing exactly the same thing again in another 20 years?

I don't want D&D to be used by people like TSR.

I do want it to be kid friendly.

People like TSR can’t use D&D the best OGL 1.0. The closest they can come is to make a product that’s “compatible with the world’s greatest roleplaying game.” This is not a thing anyone was concerned about until WotC decided to spin their attempt to kill open publishing as “preventing offensive material.”

If you want settings that are different, just make it game agnostic.

My motivation here isn’t about wanting settings of any particular kind, it’s about preserving a Creative Commons in gaming.

 

[UngeheuerLich]

I don’t understand why you would believe that the new license would remain intact forever when we’ve just spent the last 20 years being led to believe that was true of 1.0 only to have WotC turn around and say it’s not any more. What’s to stop them from doing exactly the same thing again in another 20 years?

The new licence could get a clause that makes sure that everything published stays safe as they now promise for things already published under 1.0.

The new license could also be marked irrevocable. If the license has acceptable terms that bot only mad peolple would use it, or better, that is used only by sane people, where is the harm?

Are you afraid, that your product fails some decency standards? Then you probably should not publish it in the first place...

but as I said, I want to wait and actually read the original. And I hope it will be acceptable and clear enough, that anybody whonwants to use it can use it woth a hood feeling, even if it is not completwly open.

 

[UngeheuerLich]

This is not a thing anyone was concerned about until WotC decided to spin their attempt to kill open publishing as “preventing offensive material.”

Is it their attempt though, or only what you read into it?

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

The new licence could get a clause that makes sure that everything published stays safe as they now promise for things already published under 1.0.

The new license could also be marked irrevocable.

Both of those things could be true, but nothing in today's statement suggests they're going to happen.

 

[UngeheuerLich]

Both of those things could be true, but nothing in today's statement suggests they're going to happen.

But they took back a lot of the offending parts. Lets see what actually happens. I won't bet on anything right now.

 

[billd91]

Which is kinda weird, since that’s the part that started this whole poop storm. Remember when the rumors that the OGL was going away started, and we all laughed them off because we were so sure it was irrevocable? When nobody was worried because even if WotC released a terrible new license, 3PP could just keep using the old one? Yeah, that switch flipped because the leaked 1.1 draft made clear that they were trying to revoke 1.0 after all. Now WotC says they’re going to edit 1.1 to make it less egregious but they’re still revoking 1.0 and suddenly a bunch of people are fine with it? Did we all get so caught up in the outrage we forgot what we were actually mad about in the first place?

I think there are people out there who recognize that WotC has a valid reason in trying to be a bit more restrictive about their IP - particular as they add more big media projects like the TV show. If you were the owner of D&D, would you be keen on some deep-pocketed goon like Jeff Bezos dropping half a billion on making a D&D-based show for Prime that had most of the trappings of D&D from magic missiles to owlbears because he cited the OGL 1.0a? When the OGL was released, I think it's fair to say that nobody could see that possibility coming - but now...?
I think there could be a community-friendly way to replace OGL 1.0a with something that would be widely acceptable, protected the ability of most 3pp to continue to continue to operate as they always have, and still serve as a way to require certain kinds of projects to have a more traditional license with Hasbro/WotC. Hasbro obviously took a different route in their efforts by unilaterally going nuclear, and that's a terrible wasted opportunity for them.