OGL: Kobold Press 'Raising Our Flag' For New Open RPG

Kobold Press has announced its plans regarding the upcoming new OGL v1.1, which involves a new, open game codenamed Project Black Flag.

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Kobold Press has been and always will be committed to open gaming and the tabletop community. Our goal is to continue creating the best materials for players and game masters alike.

This means Kobold Press will release its current Kickstarter projects as planned, including Campaign Builder: Cities & Towns (already printed and on its way to backers this winter).

In particular, Deep Magic Volume 2 will remain fully compatible with the 5E rules. We are working with our VTT partners to maintain support for digital platforms.

As we look ahead, it becomes even more important for our actions to represent our values. While we wait to see what the future holds, we are moving forward with clear-eyed work on a new Core Fantasy tabletop ruleset: available, open, and subscription-free for those who love it—Code Name: Project Black Flag.

All Kobolds look forward to the continued evolution of tabletop gaming. We aim to play our part in making the game better for everyone. Rest assured, Kobold Press intends to maintain a strong presence in the tabletop RPG community. We are not going anywhere.

Raising Our Flag - Kobold Press

Kobold Press is committed to open gaming. We are moving forward with clear-eyed work on a new Core Fantasy tabletop ruleset: available, open, and subscription-free for those who love it—Code Name: Project Black Flag.

koboldpress.com

 

[Reynard]

Received this email today regarding the upcoming playtest process for Black Flag:

Just as with the WotC 1D&D feedback: the time is too short to really get a sense of the impact of most changes. I assume Black Flag is going to be pretty close to the baseline 5E, though, so maybe it won't matter much. I would definitely prefer if they gave us one big playtest document and gave us 6 months to run a campaign.

 

[Zaukrie]

Just signed up for the playtest.....

 

[Velderan]

Just as with the WotC 1D&D feedback: the time is too short to really get a sense of the impact of most changes. I assume Black Flag is going to be pretty close to the baseline 5E, though, so maybe it won't matter much. I would definitely prefer if they gave us one big playtest document and gave us 6 months to run a campaign.

Guessing they're approaching it this way since the goal is compatibility with existing 5e material and it allows people to more accurately identify problem areas in smaller batches. You're right though that it would be nice to get the overall game to see how it all fits together.

 

[overgeeked]

Guessing they're approaching it this way since the goal is compatibility with existing 5e material and it allows people to more accurately identify problem areas in smaller batches. You're right though that it would be nice to get the overall game to see how it all fits together.

I think the first and second sentences there are connected. We already have the overall game. It's 5E. They're playtesting the minor tweaks they're going to implement. There's no need for a whole game playtest when we already have the whole game. They need to figure out how fans are going to react to the minor changes they're making to races, classes, feats, etc. They're not going to fundamentally change how levels, monsters, classes, combat, spells, etc work. It's meant to be a variation of 5E.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Just as with the WotC 1D&D feedback: the time is too short to really get a sense of the impact of most changes. I assume Black Flag is going to be pretty close to the baseline 5E, though, so maybe it won't matter much. I would definitely prefer if they gave us one big playtest document and gave us 6 months to run a campaign.

I think they're trying to get out their own SRD as soon as possible, to support their fairly aggressive 5E/PBF release schedule going forward.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

I think the first and second sentences there are connected. We already have the overall game. It's 5E. They're playtesting the minor tweaks they're going to implement. There's no need for a whole game playtest when we already have the whole game. They need to figure out how fans are going to react to the minor changes they're making to races, classes, feats, etc. They're not going to fundamentally change how levels, monsters, classes, combat, spells, etc work. It's meant to be a variation of 5E.

So what do we think talents are? If they're small tweaks (and I think you're right on that), are they the equivalent of the One D&D first level feats?

 

[Scribe]

"Regardless of what comes, Project Black Flag maintains core compatibility with the 5E products you already know and love, but with a Kobold spin."

They see a chance to make BF the 5E PF, and are going for it!

Which I think is great. Very much looking forward to it.

I missed this, but VERY interesting as I think this is likely the way forward.

If PBF, LevelUp, and whatever else are '5e compatible' systems, this is what (especially with CC license) can allow for 2 or 3 things.

1. The almighty monolith of a 'united' community continues.
2. 3PP can still skim off the top, while also establishing themselves as their own 'thing'.
3. In my ideal world, 5e-alike systems that actually are appealing can be developed!

This, is the ideal world I think.

 

[overgeeked]

So what do we think talents are? If they're small tweaks (and I think you're right on that), are they the equivalent of the One D&D first level feats?

At a guess, renamed feats. Or some kind of feat variant for a particular purpose, so silo them to help balance designs. Like you get a talent from your race. Or a talent from your class. Or something. I don't know. Pure speculation.

 

[TerraDave]

Talents, I think, are part of char gen, though could also be feat replacements.

In any case we have (at least) 2 competing paralel playtests to for the next "evolution" of 5e.

From the latest Black Flag Update Email:

As previously announced, the first Playtest Packet will release this month, and it will be the first of several. Each month a new packet will arrive with new game elements for you to test and provide feedback on. Packet #1 will focus on character building, including the new Talents and Heritage system. (More details available here [link blog]).

Because the project is close to its first release, here’s an overview of the 3-step playtest process.

1. We ask you, our dedicated audience, to test the waters and provide feedback. This will take place over several months.

2. The internal development and editorial team reviews feedback and makes changes where needed.

3. The game undergoes a final consulting and review process before heading back to the editors for final changes.

In other words, you’re right at the sharp edge of the Black Flag development process, and your feedback matters. That feedback helps Kobold Press provide the best game possible!

After each Playtest Packet release, you will have 10 days to submit your feedback via an short, 5 to 8 question online form. (If you don’t send feedback, we assume you loved it, and you’re ready for the next chunk.)

 

[TerraDave]

Also, they edited the blog, its now "lineage" and heritage.