NWN Conversions of existing modules - big "No-No"

[Hawkshere]

Anyone who thinks a NWN module is not software is fooling themselves. If there's a single line of script in it, its software. The fact that the game exe acts as an underlying nwscript runtime layer doesn't change the fact that your module contains executable instructions.

Legally releasing any conversion module or obvious adaption thereof requires meeting two different requirements:

1. All the classic (A)D&D modules belong to WotC, and you simply cannot use that material without their express permission. End of story.

2. The BioWare EULA states that any NWN modules that are release to the public become their property, and they reserve the right to both supress distribution or reuse any part of it in their own products. (As an aside, it appears that you can host your original module on a sever, and still maintain ownership, as long as you don't distribute the source.)

So even if WotC wanted to give you permission for White Plume Mountian, they'd be in a bind due to Bio's EULA. You'd have to get specific permission from both companies.

Basically, any NWN module adaptions of the old classics are going to be private copies or bootlegs, no matter how you slice it. The OGL is completely irrelevant to NWN.

 

[Tsyr]

Anyone who thinks a NWN module is not software is fooling themselves. If there's a single line of script in it, its software. The fact that the game exe acts as an underlying nwscript runtime layer doesn't change the fact that your module contains executable instructions.

So a PDF file with a hyperlink in it is software now?

 

[Hawkshere]

Well, it's not that hard to blur the line between data and instructions if you try hard enough, but come on! A hyperlink? If someone asked you to make a distinction between an anchor tag and an OnActivateItem script, which is the simple data and which is the algorithm? A simple html page can be considered a mere 'document', but if its heavily laced with javascript? Certainly, the ASP or PHP code on the sever that generated it would be software.

Rather than argue about how many angels can dance on the head of a pin, the point was I've observed that some folks seem to feel an intense desire to apply OGL free love to NWN modules. Between the OGL itself, and BioWare's EULA, there's no amount of rationalization or pretzel logic that will allow derivative NWN modules. You can do completely new content, or you can change the copyrighted elements of the content around enough so that it's no longer considered infringement. Neither option satisfies the understandable urge to faithfully convert the classics, but thems the breaks.