Using, misusing, and releasing OGC

[NemesisPress]

Actually this thread has brought to light a number of issues:

First, we need to get people to understand what the OGL really means - not just what a certain clique would like it to mean.

Second, we need to build a true sense of community among d20 publishers (large and small. published and not-yet-published).

Third, that community should get together to develop ways to encourage positive and productive use of OGC. And one of the tools should be an Open Game Content Exchange.

Fourth, that community should create a trade organization (where size doesn't matter) to help the members with legal, marketing, and production issues, etc.

(Viva la Revolution seems appropriate here for some reason.)

 

[NemesisPress]

It is really sweet seeing an aspiring publisher desiring to slit his own throat by attempting to tackle Morrus and Clark needlessly. I especially enjoyed reading your cold words regarding your planned usage of OGC from other publishers.

Well there are three sales I won't get. I guess I'll just have to settle for the rest of the market.

I chose to be intelligently (and hopefully amusingly) sarcastic instead of merely obnoxiously rude. One day, I suppose I'll have groupies too, but since Orcus said he doesn't care a whit about about the opinions of anyone on this board, I expect your admiration is a bit misplaced.

Meanwhile OGC remains OGC. Anyone can use it according to the terms of the OGL. Even you. (It truly is a brave new world!)

 

[Morrus]

So....when is your first product coming out? What is it? When will you have a company website?

I get the sense you're avoiding this question for some reason.

 

[Morrus]

[B
First, we need to get people to understand what the OGL really means - not just what a certain clique would like it to mean.[/B]

Are you somehow under the impression that there are publishers out there who are keeping in contact re. use of OGC because they mistakenly believe that it is required by the license; that once you have shown them The Light that they will gladly reform their erroneous ways and rejoice that that onerous burden has been lifted from them by the First Coming of Nemesis Press?

 

[NemesisPress]

Having identified the above four areas that need developing, it seems to me that I could be quite successful just by concentrating on them. (Sort of a meta-publisher.)

 

[Morrus]

Having identified the above four areas that need developing, it seems to me that I could be quite successful just by concentrating on them. (Sort of a meta-publisher.)

Ah. Does that mean you have no products, then?

 

[Grazzt]

Well there are three sales I won't get. I guess I'll just have to settle for the rest of the market.

Nah- make it four now.

...but since Orcus said he doesn't care a whit about about the opinions of anyone on this board, I expect your admiration is a bit misplaced.

Perhaps Orcus is smart enough to realize just how small the internet audience is when it comes to actual sales numbers. Meaning, regardless of the number of people that view this site, post on the boards here, use this site, or any D&D-related site (including WotC's), the numbers are small in comparison to the gamers that actually buy product.

 

[NemesisPress]

Ah. Does that mean you have no products, then?

No. It means I have no reason to tell you about them.

And since they aren't germaine to this discussion, I would hazard a guess that they are being used (subconsciously of course) as proof that I lack the requisite "equipment" to gain entry to the clique of "established" publishers that seems to feel threatened by use of the OGL in its true, unadulterated form.

Nah- make it four now.

Don't speak too soon. You haven't seen it. If after you have, you think "borrowing" its OGC will make you some money, I'm sure you will.

(And knowing that you would not, of course, use it without my permision, I hereby officially give you permission to use it in any way you'd like as long as you adhere to the OGL.)

 

[Morrus]

No. It means I have no reason to tell you about them.

Fine by me. We'll keep it that way, eh?

And since they aren't germaine to this discussion, I would hazard a guess that they are being used (subconsciously of course) as proof that I lack the requisite "equipment" to gain entry to the clique of "established" publishers

But... but... I have the legal right to act like that. Surely it is therefore expected, nay required of me? Surely it is our duty to create a clique and bar you access, simply because we can?

I really don't understand your complaint. I fully agree with, support and, as you can see, adhere to your ethical and moral standards.

that seems to feel threatened by use of the OGL in its true, unadulterated form

Err... you've been playing too much D&D. It's not a holy relic, you know.

 

[oathbrothers]

Having already started the journey...

Well, we Oath Brothers are 2 years into our grand project, and are expecting to see print in two (er..maybe three) months... and I've got to say, its been a wonderful (although exhausting) experience.

We expected some sort of nightmare regarding the OGL and d20 license...someone to come along and say "No, you can't do this!" but we've gotten nothing but great responces the whole way. (If you're going with the d20 license, some (free ) legal advice doesn't hurt, either.)

Regarding using other people's OGC... yeah, we dropped them an e-mail. Why use their stuff? Why send a courtesy letter when the use of OGC material requires no notification?
1) Its a chance to say "hi" to them, as well as say "we like your stuff"
2) We want to give them credit. (Unless a person's just a jerk, who would want to pretend they wrote something that they didn't?)
3) Its a chance for them to get credit for it in a manner of their liking (i.e., "please tell us how you would like to be credited").
4) Not crediting someone would piss them off. Not discussing OGC concerns, no legal action, just peeved. (And what non-jerk wants that, either?)
5) Its just the right thing to do. You'd want someone to drop you a line and tell you if they were reprinting YOUR OGC material, wouldn't you?
The responses we got to our friendly letters were encouraging, and its a little mindblowing to correspond with the "game designer iconics" (such as the gracious Monte Cook).

As for crunchy vs creamy, that's where my OGC versus non-OGC alligences lie.
The beloved "crunchy" parts (spells, monsters, prestige classes) make for great OGC, especially when they can be used universally.
The "creamy" parts (campaign setting, NPCs, pantheons) make for good non-OGC Product Identity.

One final note....from your previous post:
Fourth, that community should create a trade organization (where size doesn't matter) to help the members with legal, marketing, and production issues, etc.

Interesting idea. In some ways, Natural 20 Press does some of this already, esp. with marketing and production issues for small publishers. The idea of a size-doesn't-matter trade organization seems flawed, though. Why would a larger publisher put their legal and marketing resources at a group's disposal?
On the other hand, some sort of private board for publishers to chat with one another off-the-record would be wonderful. Almost like a d20 publisher mentoring program. (This would be ideal for the smaller publishers, not the more competative larger publishers.)

The road to publication is great. If you're serious about putting something out, stop worrying about the nitty-gritty of the OGC (you're overcomplicating things) and go for it!

Will "Liu Bei" Russell
Oath Brothers
(Consider this the words of the Oath Brothers! )