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Message: <blockquote data-quote="El Mahdi" data-source="post: 5778580" data-attributes="member: 59506">I'm not exactly sure what you mean by 3rd party content is not free...? If you mean that it's not free for WotC to use (whether on DDI or in printed products), that's not accurate. First of all, mechanics can't be copyrighted. WotC can use the same or similar mechanics as any other RPG, it doesn't even need to be a 3pp making an OGL product. But it can be tricky. If they can do so without creating a derivative work as that term is used in Title 17 of the US Copyright law, without infringing a trademark they don't own (such as specific terms, campaign specific IP, or verbatim text), and any number of other legal landmines, then they're more than welcome to do so. WotC has lawyers that can walk them through it. Something a small 3pp may not have the money for (for the kind of legal advice that's necessary). They'd only do it if it was worth their while, but they can do it. However, if it is Open Game Content (OGC) under the OGL, WotC (and anybody else) is already covered...  For some evidence of this, take a look at the Pathfinder SRD website <a href="http://www.d20pfsrd.com/" target="_blank">Pathfinder_OGC</a> , which includes (for free) Open Content from a multitude of other 3pp's.    Here, I simply don't agree, though I may be wrong. But... First, 4E is already done as far as DDI is concerned. All they have to do is just continue the support - which they have already said they are going to do. No extra prep, no financial outlay for programming, etc. - it's already in existence. Second, 5E will need to be developed anyways. Third, support for OD&D would be quite easy to develop. Mechanically it's quite simple. Character/Monster/Encounter builders and VTT support would be quite simple and likely wouldn't take very long to develop. Fourth, 1E and 2E are enough alike that one could design an application for one and then just tweak for the other. However, 2E could get quite complicated if the "Complete" books materials were included. Though at intitial release I don't think it would be a necessity. They could roll them out as updates over time, based on WotC available time and finances. They have all the time they want for full release, and then it's just pure profit except for server maintenance (which is shared with the other editions - 4E and 5E already require that maintenance - I think what extra maintenance outlay would be necessary would be negligible). And that profit continues for as long as DDI exists, which if done right could be a very, very, very long time... Fifth, on 3E/3.5E I agree that outlay and time for development would be considerable. But with the number of people still playing it, I think it would be more than worth the investment in the long run. And once 3E/3.5E was complete, Pathfinder would be a piece of cake. Last, WotC can use Pathfinder material. As long as they don't use the Pathfinder name and Paizo's specific IP (specifically, anything related to Golarion for the most part, etc.), they can use damn near anything they want out of the Pathfinder rulebooks. It's almost all Open Game Content. WotC can make money off of Pathfinder, without paying Paizo a single penny. <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/glasses.png"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt="B-)" title="Glasses    B-)" data-shortname="B-)" /></blockquote>

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