"Open" or license free roleplaying systems

[The Hound]

I'm looking for recommendations for good "Open source," "Open license" or license free role playing systems that could be used in a commercial venture without paying licensing fees. Does anyone here have experience with one that they like and is still available? I went to a dite devoted to that sort of thing and found that all the links were dead.

 

[kroh]

I'm looking for recommendations for good "Open source," "Open license" or license free role playing systems that could be used in a commercial venture without paying licensing fees. Does anyone here have experience with one that they like and is still available? I went to a dite devoted to that sort of thing and found that all the links were dead.

D20 is open but you must comply with the rules agreement of the thing.

The Action System (Gold Rush Games) is open license but again you must comply with the rules.

Some other systems to consider ( and yes you must front some cash out of pocket to play with these guys...It's called investment capital...)

The Fuzion system (R. Talisorian Games) is up for grabs but there is a small licensing fee.

Hero Games Will License thier system but your Product needs to be TIGHT! The owner of the company is very flexible when it comes to the license according to the site and is willing to negotiate a fair contract.

The Savage System is also up for grabs with a reasonable fee. This system is excellent as it incorporates a system for mini's.

Thar ya go...Hope this helps.

Just remember though...if you are planning on being a publisher or writer...invest yourself and don't be affraid to spend a little cash to create a better product. That is the difference bewteen Joe Blohards Books and Basket Welding and companies like Malhavoc Press and Green Ronin. They invest a little to gain a lot back. Your customers will appreciate it.

Regards,
Walt

 

[Yair]

Of course, the serious contender is the Open Game License (OGL), along with the d20 System Trademark License (STL) and it's System Reference Document (SRD). D&D's system (the d20 System) is the best license in town, in that it gives you the greater market. You can just use the OGL without the STL or even the SRD, which has led to...

FUDGE is also released under a fairly free licesne, as well as through the OGL, allowing you to use the Fudge System Trademark License to indicate compatibility.
It's a fun system to tinker with, but it's really more of an aid in making a system than a complete system unto itself.

Action! is another system that is released under the OGL.
I have no experience with it.

You know, I seem to remember "Diamon Rules" or something like that as having their own free license, but I never really tried it and can't find them now. Oh well.

 

[Keeper of Secrets]

In the current climate there is no way I could suggest anything OTHER than d20. If d20 is something you really despise then it may be worth it to wait a year or two in order to see past the d20 juggernaut.

 

[kroh]

Although I agree that d20 has the greater market...I am also sure that there are gamers out there that are starving for new products under the systems that they like rather than having to convert everything over from other systems.

All a matter of preference I guess... Safe bet would be D20...but hey... No one ever did anything truely great by playing it safe!

Regards,
Walt

 

[Lonely Tylenol]

I think that there is some kind of free licensing deal with the Donjon game, in that if you can impress the author with your nifty supplement for the game, he will allow you to sell it through The Forge.

 

[The Hound]

Thanks all. Actually what I am trying to do is an online game that (obviously) requires a set of rules. It might best be described as an online living game, though that is just an analogy. I will be looking for playtesters in the future, then I can provide details.