Everyone is pretty mad a Wizards right now. That might or might not pass. Of course everything ties back to them because they own the D&D name, rights, licenses etc.. But what about the OGL model? Has is been successful? Do you think Wizards will continue with it into 4e? And the bigger question: what if someone else created a new, fantasy-based game with an OGL? Would people jump on board? And who besides Wizards has the clout to pull it off? The awesome thing about the OGL is the shared world building and expanding across multiple companies. So, what do you think? What's the future of the OGL?
Open Game License. Should Someone Start a New One?
- Thread starter Ulric
- Start date
pedr
Explorer
I believe that there is a complete SRD-style document for Mongoose's Runequest.
Of course, that means playing Runequest, which is definitely not D&D!
There are plenty of other open and semi-open games out there, IIRC, although many of them are probably more indie than many who are currently annoyed with WotC would like!
I'm sure some more knowledgable people can come along after me and point you in the right directions!
Of course, that means playing Runequest, which is definitely not D&D!
There are plenty of other open and semi-open games out there, IIRC, although many of them are probably more indie than many who are currently annoyed with WotC would like!
I'm sure some more knowledgable people can come along after me and point you in the right directions!
S
shurai
Guest
I get into this a lot in the introductory material for my own roleplaying game, Orp:
http://zuggers.org/orp.pdf
Have you heard of the Creative Commons? I'm using one of their licensing schemes for my own game. It provides easy to use licensing options similar to the OGL, but for all kinds of content and not just gaming-related material:
http://creativecommons.org/
They give you several different options for what kind of license you want to include with your work, and people are using it to "open-source" all kinds of creative work, from writing and graphics to music and video.
While I'm on the subject, I'd very much like to get feedback on Orp. : ]
http://zuggers.org/orp.pdf
Have you heard of the Creative Commons? I'm using one of their licensing schemes for my own game. It provides easy to use licensing options similar to the OGL, but for all kinds of content and not just gaming-related material:
http://creativecommons.org/
They give you several different options for what kind of license you want to include with your work, and people are using it to "open-source" all kinds of creative work, from writing and graphics to music and video.
While I'm on the subject, I'd very much like to get feedback on Orp. : ]
MoogleEmpMog
First Post
For a fantasy game? Square-Enix and JK Rowling, and possibly Blizzard, Nintendo, Games Workshop and the Tolkien estate, have the clout to compete with Wizards head-to-head, and in every case it's based entirely on their IPs - an Open Gaming License wouldn't be helpful to any of them, because OGL games wouldn't be using the IPs and so, what would be the point?
No RPG company could hope to make a dent.
In any case, since the OGL is free and pretty much impossible to remove, Wizards' actions matter only insofar as people who want to stick with the latest version of D&D will move on to 4e when it comes out; existing d20 companies have no other reason to close up shop, nor do they have any real connection to Wizards that 'fan rage' should spill over onto them. Heck, Mongoose and Green Ronin *already* have their own OGLs (AEG, too, I believe).
No RPG company could hope to make a dent.
In any case, since the OGL is free and pretty much impossible to remove, Wizards' actions matter only insofar as people who want to stick with the latest version of D&D will move on to 4e when it comes out; existing d20 companies have no other reason to close up shop, nor do they have any real connection to Wizards that 'fan rage' should spill over onto them. Heck, Mongoose and Green Ronin *already* have their own OGLs (AEG, too, I believe).
HalWhitewyrm
First Post
Minor correction: Mongoose and GR do not have their own Open Gaming License; they have their own systems released under the OGL.
There's no need to create a new OGL; the license is irrevocable and it serves its purpose, so it's in no danger. Besides, there's also Creative Commons which also works just fine. Even the SRD is safe, so we're good there.
There's no need to create a new OGL; the license is irrevocable and it serves its purpose, so it's in no danger. Besides, there's also Creative Commons which also works just fine. Even the SRD is safe, so we're good there.
There are already games, using the existing OGL, which are just as robust if not better in some cases as d20.
True20 - by Green Ronin www.true20.com
M&M Superlink - by Green Ronin http://www.mutantsandmasterminds.com/superlink/
Runequest OGL - by Mongoose Publishing http://www.mongoosepublishing.com/home/series.php?qsSeries=39#
OSRIC - if you want to make 1st edition AD&D compatible material - by Knights & Knaves - http://www.knights-n-knaves.com/osric/
4C - A FASERIP OGL to make material compatible with the MSH game - by Ronin Arts - http://www.roninarts.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=22&sid=68f59c49625a5e598f5bb0152108d59e
There are dozens more but these are just a few companies that have seen the writing on the wall and won't be killed off as easily as when WotC released 3.5.
When WotC releases 4th edition without an OGL this will not invalidate any company from still making d20 or OGL material using the existing rules set.
True20 - by Green Ronin www.true20.com
M&M Superlink - by Green Ronin http://www.mutantsandmasterminds.com/superlink/
Runequest OGL - by Mongoose Publishing http://www.mongoosepublishing.com/home/series.php?qsSeries=39#
OSRIC - if you want to make 1st edition AD&D compatible material - by Knights & Knaves - http://www.knights-n-knaves.com/osric/
4C - A FASERIP OGL to make material compatible with the MSH game - by Ronin Arts - http://www.roninarts.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=22&sid=68f59c49625a5e598f5bb0152108d59e
There are dozens more but these are just a few companies that have seen the writing on the wall and won't be killed off as easily as when WotC released 3.5.
When WotC releases 4th edition without an OGL this will not invalidate any company from still making d20 or OGL material using the existing rules set.
HalWhitewyrm
First Post
Actually, I also heard that they had some kittens held hostage so that angry gamers wouldn't storm their offices, but I have not been able to confirm that rumor.
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Maggan
Writer for CY_BORG, Forbidden Lands and Dragonbane
JPL said:
Search your feelings, JPL. You feel the anger, it is seething within you. Ever since that day when WotC [insert pet peeve here]! Since that day, you have been mad at them. MAD I say. Mad with rage about them daring to cause you to feel like [insert crippled comparison to real life pain and grief here]!
You are mad, even though you won't own up to it! The only way to make [insert henious slur on WotC and/or its staff here] pay is to BOYCOTT [insert range of products covered by boycott that is acceptable to you here].
That will show them!
/M
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