The SRD and "ongoing" core rules

[TerraDave]

We know that we will have:

-a 4th edition SRD
-A "series" of core rule books that go beyond the first 3.

I see two implications from this, one good, one bad:

BAD: The SRD will have only rules from the first three books, and hence will exclude things like the Bard and Frost Giants.

GOOD: The SRD will be updated and will have all sorts of things the old one never did.

I guess, as was the case with the 3rd ed SRD, the truth could be somewhere in between. (the current SRD was updated for psionics, divine rules, and not much else. Though Unearthed Arcana was published under the OGL, and that stuff was added to SRD fan-sites).

One interesting perspective on this is from Clark Peterson ("Orcus"), from this post:
http://www.enworld.org/showpost.php?p=3831946&postcount=267

I actually expect the 4E SRD (when it is eventually release, but not pre-launch) to be BETTER than the 3e SRD. I expect the 4E one to be more flexible and to integrate more of the non-core books. WotC knows that one problem with the 3E SRD was how it never incorporated the splat book content because of how hard it was to update and maintain the SRD. I expect that to improve in 4E. I've had discussions with people at WotC about thsi very issue. I cant tell you what they will do, but I can tell you they know about this and want to find a solution that lets us support all their books not just the core ones.

This is the GOOD scenario. But can we really hope for that?

 

[SteveC]

This is a really interesting question, actually.

If the only stuff we see in 4E as open content comes from the initial three books, we're going to lose a lot of content from 3X. I expect that we will see updates for the missing classes from third party companies almost immediately, but still: taking something that was open and closing it off is not a good idea (I also wonder if it is even allowed under the OGL...)

So I hope that we see a lot more updates to the new SRD. I'll be buying the core books, and I may pick up some of the splats, but if there's a lot of old material that was open that now isn't, that will cut into my purchases quite a bit.

But I, for one, will do my part! I am committed to updating the bard class to be in line with 4E once it launches, and my bard will be open content. And totally metal.

--Steve

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

31946&postcount=267[/url]



This is the GOOD scenario. But can we really hope for that?

You can always hope.

I think it is not unlikely. They written about how a long of the rules elements are contained within a database of rules. It should be a lot easier to semi-automatically extract such rules and put them in the SRD than anything else.

The hardest parts will always be new rule subsystems (new spell system, new inter-party mechanics), but elements within a subsystem (a monster, a feat, a spell, a skill) will be very easy. And this is usually the most tedious part - writing up how feats generally function requires some work, but writing down all the myriads of new feats that were added in the last supplement is a lot more tedious. A mostly automatic process of putting these inside an SRD will probably ease things a lot.

 

[cerberus2112]

You mean, if the database just had an extra column for the SRD, and anything with a "Yes" got added?

 

[Scribble]

I think the problem is they have to go through the new feats, powers, abilities, etc, and remove all of the non OGL content, and then check to make sure nothing is conflicting with previous OGL stuff, and then upload.

Not a HUGE deal, but still probably a lot of work for a company to do, and spend resources on.

Incidently I think if they DO manage to continuously update the SRD they could benefit greatly. I noticed that a lot og games seemed to be either all 3rd party stuff, or all WOTC (official) stuff. Not a huge amount of in between. I think mainly because each company providing support had to go off in their own directions instead of staying close to WOTC.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

It's only players who seem to think that WotC hates the SRD. The big publishers have reported a very different story. I don't see it as terribly unlikely that all sorts of good stuff will be in the 4E SRD as time goes on.

Heck, look at how many people bought what was essentially just an OGL/D20 compilation (Unearthed Arcana 3E), even though every speck of it was in the SRD (and out there in OGL land before that).

Good OGL material will sell, even if WotC is offering it for "free." People not buying Deities and Demigods, or whatever it was in the 3E incarnation, was mostly because it was dog, not because the crunch was available in the SRD.

 

[Woas]

Since there is a such a big push for electronic use, maybe the 4e will be a "make your own" where when you purchase a new book and enter the secret number it will give access to that book on your personal SRD account.

 

[Varianor Abroad]

I agree that it looks GOOD as a probable condition. However, this means that WotC will have to pay someone to do regular updates. Or change their system to allow more "automatic" updates once books are created.

 

[Knight Otu]

Since there is a such a big push for electronic use, maybe the 4e will be a "make your own" where when you purchase a new book and enter the secret number it will give access to that book on your personal SRD account.

Wizards has already stated that the SRD will be on a free site. According to them, there will be no fee to either access the new SRD or to use the new OGL.

As for the question at hand, take it with a few grains of salt, but Scott Rouse has stated that Psionics will enter the SRD eventually, and someone else (I believe Chris Sims?) has stated that Psionic will be in a Player's Handbook. Taken together, that makes me hopeful for the GOOD scenario, though there may be an INTERMEDIATE scenario.

 

[dmccoy1693]

I agree that it looks GOOD as a probable condition. However, this means that WotC will have to pay someone to do regular updates. Or change their system to allow more "automatic" updates once books are created.

I believe that Orcus said one time that he feels (and has suggested to WotC) that the 4E SRD is just a listing of what is allowable in the WotC books. In my mind, it would be easier if WotC just said this, this, and that is open content in their books instead of every book being closed content.