Rich Redman: Why licensed properties suck

[seankreynolds]

I'll chip that working on a licensed product sucks. Especially if the licensor is being petty (as in the "stopped dead in its tracks" case that Rich mentioned but didn't describe in detail, I was at WotC when that happened and it stunned all of us). And they can be really petty about stupid things, too, like "That creature should be bigger" (when it's exactly to scale as described in the source material) or "That creature doesn't look right" (when a side-by-side comparison shows they're almost identical).

And Rich would know about licensing issues, as he's been working on licensing stuff for WotC. I certainly don't envy him that job.

 

[FDP Mike]

It's not all bad

Well, my experience with a licensed product so far hits the opposite end of the spectrum.

Everything that's happened to this point with Blizzard and the Warcraft RPG has only strengthened the game and the line, in my opinion. Sure, Blizzard is concerned that the RPG accurately reflects its vision of the setting, that we get elements such as historical details correct, but Chris Metzen and Bob Fitch have given generously of their time, knowledge, and enthusiasm at every stage. That they're also huge D&D fans anyway certainly helps.

Oddly enough, it seems from this thread, I've actually enjoyed working back and forth with Blizzard on each project in the Warcraft line. I want to get the details right -- to put out books with which Blizzard can be happy, along with the players and fans of the game. Sure, I may not deal with much of the legal side of things, but I am responsible for ensuring that the books get Blizzard's (i.e., Chris Metzen's) approval.

If anything, the fans of licensed products are probably more fickle than the holders of such licenses. Just see the discussion about trolls on the Warcraft RPG forums!

So, working on licensed products does not suck as a general, universal principle in the RPG business. I don't doubt, however, that things can get ... difficult.


Take care,
Mike

 

[Staffan]

I'll chip that working on a licensed product sucks. Especially if the licensor is being petty (as in the "stopped dead in its tracks" case that Rich mentioned but didn't describe in detail, I was at WotC when that happened and it stunned all of us).

That wouldn't happen to be a certain large-scale license for various Hasbro stuff that the licensor stopped just for RPGs but allowed for just about everything else, would it?

 

[BrooklynKnight]

Although rich and sean wont mention who it is. I think they are talking about the Harry Potter rpg.

Of course, one can never be to sure.