Planescape Reunion!

[Alejandro]

Monte, not to diminish my excitement for this product, but Malhavoc's track record for open-content has been, in the past, shall we say, less than forgiving?

What kind of open-content can we expect from this product? Will it be truly open, or will it be riddled with crippling PI like Requiem for a God was?

If one really wanted to use a piece of PI, couldn't one simply ask for permission? Though most folks are polite enough to give a heads-up that OGC is about to be used, it's no guarantee that a heads-up will be given. What's the big deal about designating something PI rather than OGC?

 

[jmucchiello]

If one really wanted to use a piece of PI, couldn't one simply ask for permission? Though most folks are polite enough to give a heads-up that OGC is about to be used, it's no guarantee that a heads-up will be given. What's the big deal about designating something PI rather than OGC?

What if he says no?

Also, I have to declare his PI as PI in my work. When you come to me and say, can I use your PI? I respond, "if you use a, b, and c sure. But d and e are Monte Cook's so you have to ask him." Now, imagine someone asks you about using your PI? And so on. If it all was just OGC, permission is not needed but when asked for, the answer is just yes/no.

That assumes I remember that d and e are not mine to offer. When did I write that book? Three years ago? Ooops, my mistake, I get sued by you when he goes after you.

Basically, my point is there is no "simply asking for permission". It is a convoluted morass waiting to happen. My policy is if I have to ask, I find a different source. I don't want to be in a permission where I have to go through my records to answer a simple question. Lawyers do that kind of stuff. I'm not a lawyer by choice.

 

[der_kluge]

Couldn't have said it better.

 

[Alejandro]

I'm strictly a consumer, so must take your concerns at face value. Your policy of "if you have to ask, you find a different source" is very interesting, as it seems somewhat limiting with regard to choice of partners. Good luck in the future with your writing endeavors, jmucchiello and die_kluge.

 

[DaveMage]

As a consumer, I'm really looking forward to this product, as I do for all d20 products from Monte.


However, I certainly sympathize regarding the OGC in Malhavoc products. The OGC declaration in Anger of Angels was chuckle-inducing.

In the Open Game Content section, it seems to indicate that a large amount of material in the book is open game content (with the exception of what's named as PI). And then you look at what's named as PI and I challenge anyone to find any OGC in that product at all except that which is already OGC by appearing in the SRD.

 

[Incenjucar]

Honestly, with all the planar products being released lately, I fail to see why they bothered dropping the PS line to begin with. It's clear that someone's noticed how much we miss it.

 

[Nightfall]

Inj,

Uhm not sure it THAT many. But if you add in Edge of Infinity perhaps. But then SL cosmology is very different from the Great Wheel. Most everything in the planar regions are under control of the gods. But again this is just me speaking my mind about Scarred Lands.

This book rules!!! I can't wait for it to arrive in 2004.

 

[DaveMage]

Honestly, with all the planar products being released lately, I fail to see why they bothered dropping the PS line to begin with. It's clear that someone's noticed how much we miss it.

In the latest Dragon Magazine, it's discussed how Planescape was "under the radar" for the suits at TSR. This probably can be interpreted as the revenues generated from it were not as significant as other product lines.

I really love the setting (best ever, IMO) so I'm disappointed it didn't do well, but I understand the decision to cease the line in these "bottom-line" times.

 

[cleavthorn]

I have seen the top of the mountain...and it is good.

I'll take one, thank you!

 

[jmucchiello]

I'm strictly a consumer, so must take your concerns at face value. Your policy of "if you have to ask, you find a different source" is very interesting, as it seems somewhat limiting with regard to choice of partners. Good luck in the future with your writing endeavors, jmucchiello and die_kluge.

There's a difference between "being curteous and asking someone about using their stuff" and "being forced to ask someone about using their stuff". Given the choice (and there is lots of choice out there), I'll go with the first choice. And I don't think it limits my choice of partners significantly.

Besides, my impression is that Monte doesn't want people building on his stuff. So why should I pester the man to do what he seems not to want me to do? It's not like this is company policy at Malhovic. They've released Sean K. Renyolds material that has nice friendly OGC and PI designations. Thus, it's a personal decision on Monte's part. I have no reason not to respect that.

In any case, I am interested in this product too. But only as a consumer. When I do d20 work, it would sit on the shelf next to the PHB, DMG, MM, d20 Modern, FRCS, AU, etc.