So, where is the GSL?!

[Lizard]

Hmm...

"Next week" is almost over. If we assume they won't release on a Friday, it's today, or "next week" becomes "the week after next".

I'll be checking back regularly. Someone post an "It's here!" to this thread if it shows up, 'kay?

I can't imagine them NOT releasing it, but there's now 3.5 months to develop products for 10/1, and the clock is ticking. I am not sure companies will commit development resources until they see what is actually permitted and what they can use from the core books.

 

[Drkfathr1]

yeah, frankly, this is all getting a bit ridiculous.

And it doesn't have to be...if WOTC would at least COMMUNICATE with us and let us know what's going on. Seems to be a real problem with that concept for the folks at Wizards.

 

[Bacris]

I am not sure companies will commit development resources until they see what is actually permitted and what they can use from the core books.

If you go for the "WotC doesn't like 3rd parties" theory, then this is exactly what they want.

Trying to expand the True20 player base keeps looking like a better and better idea.

 

[Lizard]

If you go for the "WotC doesn't like 3rd parties" theory, then this is exactly what they want.

Then they should have said, in August '07, "Sorry, dudes. We don't think the OGL worked the way we hoped it would. We're going this alone, or we might cut deals with a few companies we work with."

Honest, fair, and forthright.

Personally, I feel everyone posting from WOTC has been speaking the truth and does support some form of free (not open) license. I can't help but feel that highers-up are dubious and the fight isn't over. The high sales of 4e out of the gate might have some of them saying, "Hey, we're kicking major ass. This game is a hit! What do we need the GSL for? How much higher could it drive sales?"

I honestly do not think that, right now, there's any plan to NOT issue the GSL or that there was any kind of hoax/scheme/plot. I think there's a chance -- a small chance -- the the "finished" GSL has gone back for a final round of "retooling". Otherwise, it's hard to imagine why it isn't out yet -- you don't need a web site to just post it to ENWorld, RPG.net, and other forums.

In 2000, publishers accepted an unfinished OGL and STL, trusting WOTC to not screw them over in the final draft. Even if there's minor details left, publishing a "Work in progess" GSL would give publishers a good sense of what they can/can't do, with plenty of time to make (presumably) minor edits between now and October.

 

[dmccoy1693]

Trying to expand the True20 player base keeps looking like a better and better idea.

In a different world, the real Fourth Edition is what is known to us as Pathfinder RPG or True20. Long live the once 3rd party companies that choose their own path, becoming 1st party companies: Green Ronin, Paizo, and Mongoose. May their products and licenses live long and prosper.

 

[JohnRTroy]

Scott Rouse responded on Gleemax

I hope, oh god do I hope this frickin thing goes up today. The license is done but late yesterday we added a bunch of new stuff to the SRD to cover some books coming out next year (like PH2 classes, power sources, and weapons).

I am still at home but when I get in this morning I'll get an update from LurkingLidda (Linae) on ripping it to PDFs and posting it today.

 

[Wicht]

Well that sounds... sort of hopeful.

Though why would they think that trashing their word, their reputation and the goodwill of 3rd party publishers more than they already had was worth adding stuff that won't matter until next year?

 

[Brown Jenkin]

I went over and read the WotC forum thread. There was one post that could sort of explain this. Not every culture starts the week on the same day. I have seen calendars that start with either Sunday or Monday. Maybe the explanation is that Wotc uses a calendar that goes from Thursday to Wednesday. That way when they said last Friday it would be up early next week that really meant Thursday or Friday of this week.

 

[dmccoy1693]

Though why would they think that trashing their word, their reputation and the goodwill of 3rd party publishers more than they already had was worth adding stuff that won't matter until next year?

Some publishers are not interested in the GSL if WotC can modify it (like say if they can add a clause about it expiring and all stock written under the license must be destroyed in 2 days). So it looks like they're building it now to withstand all future expansion. Glad to hear it. But really it should not have taken this much bemoaning from fans/publishers to get an update as understandable as this.

This is why I like a 2 license system one that never expires and one that shows compatability and can expire.

 

[Wicht]

Some publishers are not interested in the GSL if WotC can modify it (like say if they can add a clause about it expiring and all stock written under the license must be destroyed in 2 days). So it looks like they're building it now to withstand all future expansion.

Yeah except Mr. Rouse said that they were modifying the SRD, which I hope can and will be done at any time as new material is released. They were not, according to him, making any changes to the GSL.