Tome of Horrors and Repeat Monsters

[Terraism]

In addition, everyone else can use it as OGC. For instance, if Green Ronin, Bastion, S&S and MEG all put out adventures containing Yeti, it would either be their own Yeti (possible) or NG's Yeti (more possible), but it can't be WotC's Yeti. Same with Wood Giants (Voadkyn), Orcus, and most everything else where overlap occurs.

That is the selling power behind Tome of Horrors, one that overlap with WotC won't change. And at the rate of overlap, it could be years before everything is duplicated, assuming that a full overlap will occur. And I don't think this will happen.

That's definitely the selling power. I hadn't realized that it was all OGC. Oh, my my my. I'm going to buy that book now. Sooner than I'd anticipated.

 

[Mouseferatu]

And mouseferatu, I know they said there'd be a few overlapping creatures- but the back of my ToH says, "You won't find any of the monsters in this book in any official product!"

*blink*

Wow. You know, I'd never actually read the back of my ToH before. It does say that, doesn't it?

Okay, somebody goofed at some stage. I still don't think it's dishonesty on anyone's part, Necromancer or WotC. Everywhere else this was discussed, both companies said there would be a bit of overlap.

But you're right, the back of the book--if that's the only source of info one has--is definitely misleading. Someone needs to spank the copywriter.

 

[Crothian]

Dude, you're still not getting it.

The ToH was not going to overlap any of the EXISTING PRODUCTS that was put out by WotC--most notably MMII. Since then, we have seen many products both released and and previewed (ie, Unapproachable East). WotC is not going to lock in stone 400+ monster for the rest of the company's existence.

So, in essence, Necromancer Games and WotC kept their respective ends of the bargain.

Yeesh!

Actually, when ToH came out it was stated that they worked together on current and future monster books. Fiend Folio was specifically mentioned, and the idea of it just being current books was never there.

 

[Chauzu]

I could care less about minor overlapping.

 

[Crothian]

I could care less about minor overlapping.

Right now that is all it is, but in a year it could very well be huge overlap.

 

[Chauzu]

Right now that is all it is, but in a year it could very well be huge overlap.

I doubt it will ever be such. I'm not worried though. That would mean less spending for me.

 

[zorlag]

...

There is nothing wrong with overlap/repeated printing of monsters in a setting book where these creatures live. You can't assume everyone has ToH (Great book!) and unfortunately it's not "official" product (with better artwork it would easily blow MM and MMII away)... However, if WotC produced lets say, Monster Manual III that had the same monsters as ToH with overlap of +50%, that would be wrong... In that case it would be better for WotC to license ToH and do their own printing of it, not "steal" (hard to steal stuff that's OGL)...

Z.

 

[jasamcarl]

Someone please explain to me how Wotc is hurting the industry by making their own conversions available to their much larger consumer base (relative to d20).

Please, someone produce the exact terms of this 'gentleman's' agreement. I've only heard one side, SSS, claim any sort of exclusivity between theirs and Wotc's products, and that was with a number of caveat's, including 'some overlap'. It is also my experience that such an informal understanding is usually only relevant to the smaller player (SSS), while the other percieves it as little more than a pleasentry.

Assuming there ever was such an understanding in place conscerning the degree of overlap, I find the assumption that it was Wotc who violated it to be laughably populist.

 

[Numion]

Re: ...

In that case it would be better for WotC to license ToH and do their own printing of it, not "steal" (hard to steal stuff that's OGL)...

Since all those monsters are WotC IP to begin with, it would be kinda hard for them to steal..

 

[Vocenoctum]

*blink*

Wow. You know, I'd never actually read the back of my ToH before. It does say that, doesn't it?

Okay, somebody goofed at some stage. I still don't think it's dishonesty on anyone's part, Necromancer or WotC. Everywhere else this was discussed, both companies said there would be a bit of overlap.

But you're right, the back of the book--if that's the only source of info one has--is definitely misleading. Someone needs to spank the copywriter.

I actually looked at it today (didn't buy it) and ToH says something similar inside, but with a slight change. Can't recall exactly, but someone with the book can find it in the foreword.

"And what's best, this book will have no overlap! (well, just a few)" or something like that.