Open Game License. Should Someone Start a New One?

[CaptainChaos]

Mongoose Publishing. Say what you will but they must have a fanbase to keep them in business this long.

Or deep pockets and one of those "we'll lose money for five years" type business plans.

 

[Ranger REG]

Or deep pockets and one of those "we'll lose money for five years" type business plans.

Which is why Mongoose expanded into minis line, like Battlefield Evolution.

--played Challenger II Ultra Modern Combat minis wargame way back in the 90's.

 

[helium3]

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?

If you're hoping a group of people on the internet will come together and actually produce a collaborative project that results in something like the OGL then you're going to sorely disappointed. Every single online collaborative project I've seen started on this message board has ended in failure within a month or two.

If you got a really strong group of motivated people who thought the same way together and tried to hammer it out offline, you might be able to get the project completed. I doubt anyone would use it, though. If you haven't noticed, a lot of folk are real particular about which rule-system they use and they don't easily switch to something new.

 

[Nellisir]

There are a number of companies out there that could hammer out a 3.5 era PH, DMG, and MM (with slightly different names) without too much difficulty. Mongoose has already done it (Pocket Player's Manual). There are a number of established OGL games out there that have already been mentioned. It looks like Paizo is looking to hit the OGL market pretty hard, and hopefully they'll shake things up a bit - the alliance with Necromancer doesn't hurt at all, either. And finally, I think 4e isn't happening anytime soon -- but Revised, Advanced, or D&D 3.6 is closer than you think (within 12 months, IMO).

Paizo is trying pretty hard to hit the ground running, and they've got a great launch platform in Dragon and Dungeon. Skimming through the Pathfinder material, it's clear they're working on a "classic" sword and sorcery-ish style campaign setting. They're touting their OGL-status as a bonus, and apparently actually looking to use OGL material (shock horror awe!) instead of retreading the same darned ground over and over. Nearly all of the new innovations in D&D that have popped up recently have also popped up in OGL material; heck, I could probably match 80% of the PH2 just from Mongoose's library of content, nevermind Sword & Sorcery, Necromancer, Green Ronin, Bastion, and Malhavoc. So if WotC moves away from OGC, the OGL market should be able to keep pace without forcing a change to True20 or reverting to 3.0 rules, particularly if Paizo can provide some kind of market direction or alternative.

 

[Nellisir]

If you got a really strong group of motivated people who thought the same way together and tried to hammer it out offline, you might be able to get the project completed. I doubt anyone would use it, though. If you haven't noticed, a lot of folk are real particular about which rule-system they use and they don't easily switch to something new.

Right now, my money is on Paizo + Necromancer. I think they've got the business know-how to do it, and the idealism to want to do what is best for the D&D/d20/OGL gaming community.

 

[Ulric]

Correct, not "Everyone" is mad at Wizards. And by "mad", yes, I was referring to the dropping of Dragon and Dungeon at print magazines. I, myself, aren't particularly mad at them. Just more annoyed than anything that they didn't prep everyone for the big change and didn't give us more info about the upcoming on-line stuff. Hey, wait... "Wizards Responds" just popped up as a thread. Oh, and keep adding the OGL discussion. I'm getting some good feedback on that.

 

[Steel_Wind]

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?

An interesting point.

While I don't think something like that is viable right now...if a 4th edition were to be created with a closed license... it is possible a timely non WotC OGL based product could arise subsequent to that.

I do think the market forces are very solidly against it though. It is, however, an interesting idea.

 

[Ranger REG]

An interesting point.

While I don't think something like that is viable right now...if a 4th edition were to be created with a closed license... it is possible a timely non WotC OGL based product could arise subsequent to that.

I do think the market forces are very solidly against it though. It is, however, an interesting idea.

"Closed License"??? Only if it suits their interest. Personally, I hope no one seeks such exclusive licensing from WotC.

 

[Alnag]

But what about the OGL model? Has is been successful?

Yes! It was hell successful. Look around... see all that published material. That is the success. The OGL was also very cheap method of testing new mechanics outside the house. The market will tell which is good and which is bad. You can see it right now, when they take parts of UA, True20 and buch of others tested mechanics and make the Star Wars Saga Editon. That is the practical d20 system evolution via OGL. That is the expected success.

Do you think Wizards will continue with it into 4e?

It depends on how smart the management is. They can continue to the possible 5e through the pretty same model of opened continual playtesting. Or they can close the game. In short term (10 years) it will work both. In long-term the later will hurt the game. But who today cares about 2020?

They might be greedy and hope for more money now and close the game. The will probably get more money that way in short perspective. Than it will be matter of design quality. They can also create a schism by this way.

I can tell for myself, I will stay with d20 system. If the 4e will be compatible and nicely done I will buy it for any bloody money the will want me to pay. If it will be too much far from what I am accustomed to, closed and without a vision, I can pretty much stay with current game. The available material is much more than I can consume in my whole life time.

So was the OGL successful? As a tool for D&D survival yes. D&D is still with us. Will it work in this function in future? Only future can tell.