VP/WP in OGL vs. 'the new approach'

[Cergorach]

It's been month's, if not since the release of Star Wars RPG, that WotC has 'promised' to add the Vitality Points/ Wound Points system to the SRD. With the release of D20 Modern there where again sounds of an iminent addition to the SRD, but still nothing. Now i'm not ungrateful to WotC for providing the SRD as it is, but it's a bit frustrating that we've been kept happy with a carrot just witin sight, yet out of our reach. I think this has stopped many innovative ideas from being developed, both for settings/games, as well as new rule mechanics. I hope we can get some clearity asap.

If not, or if the answer is 'no we will not add it anytime soon" (soon being before the beginnig of the new year). Then the idea is to develop a set of rules that achives the same purpose as the WP/VP system, but one that is OGL and thus can be used by everyone.

 

[Wulf Ratbane]

I wouldn't wait on Wizards. Derive your own system from the SRD.

I am not a lawyer, but I would think that a pure mechanic such as WP/VP could easily (and safely) be derived from the SRD.

One might note, for example, that d20 Modern uses the Con score as the threshold for death from massive damage, while going out of their way to define hit points in the most general terms of endurance and vitality.

Wulf

 

[jaults]

Then the idea is to develop a set of rules that achives the same purpose as the WP/VP system, but one that is OGL and thus can be used by everyone.

    Forgive me if I err, as I don't own Forbidden Kingdoms. However, in Masters of Arms from Second World Simulations (a FANTASTIC book, BTW), Steven mentions in his OGC statement: "Class defense bonus, VP/WP system... from Forbidden Kingdoms by OtherWorld Creations, Inc." Seems like there already IS an OGL VP/WP system...

Thanks,
    Jason

 

[2WS-Steve]

Thanks jaults!

Just one clarification: Forbidden Kingdoms essentially has a VP/WP system but doesn't call it that. Bradley Thompson developed a VP/WP system (with the VP/WP labelling) and that's what Otherworld adapted for their book. I think Bradley was getting WotC's official okay on the system but I doubt anyone's pressing terribly hard since, from what I understand, Ultramodern firearms will be releasing an Open Content VP/WP system when it comes out.

Sidewinder, old west d20, also has a VP/WP system I hear, again with some of the names and perhaps some specifics changed.

 

[Cergorach]

Otherworld: Is this "VP/WP" system designated as OGL? What makes it different from the SW variant?

Sidewinder: How is this one different? Is it OGL?

Ultramodern Firearms: I didn't get it from the press release or from the thread on this board that it will contain a VP WP sytem. Will it be OGL?

The Class Defense Bonus i can now use from D0 Modern SRD...

 

[Wulf Ratbane]

Bradley Thompson developed a VP/WP system (with the VP/WP labelling) and that's what Otherworld adapted for their book.

Aha! That's the one.

I believe on one of the d20 mailing lists, Bradley mentioned that his system was out BEFORE the WotC version appeared in print. I have both that email and his system sitting around on my hard drive somewhere.

Personally I think that there are better ways to handle lethality, so I hadn't given it much attention. I am quite happy with hit points and the massive damage threshold (though I wouldn't use the flat DC15 Fort save).

It is worth putting some stock in WotC's reasons for going with the HP system. They don't intend to support VP/WP going forward.

Wulf

 

[Geoff]

Sidewinder, old west d20, also has a VP/WP system I hear, again with some of the names and perhaps some specifics changed.

We originally had a house system similar to VP/WP in Sidewinder, but Wizards nixed it at the last moment. We had to come up with something a little different on the fly. I still don't know why Wizards didn't allow it, while similar to VP/WP, it was no different than what OWC did with Forbidden Kingdoms.

So, just be careful what you do.

 

[2WS-Steve]

Otherworld: Is this "VP/WP" system designated as OGL? What makes it different from the SW variant?

Sidewinder: How is this one different? Is it OGL?

Ultramodern Firearms: I didn't get it from the press release or from the thread on this board that it will contain a VP WP sytem. Will it be OGL?

The Class Defense Bonus i can now use from D0 Modern SRD...

For Bradley Thompson's original article go here:

VP/WP for the d20 System

Both that and the rules in Forbidden Kingdoms are open content.

Charles Ryan mentioned in one of the UmF threads that he'd be including VP/WP rules; not sure which one though. Those Green Ronin books generate a lot of threads

Yah, the Class Defense Bonus us the most significant thing when you're writing books so it's nice to see that officially in the open and with standardized progressions.

Geoff: That really sucks because WotC stopped worrying about it pretty quickly. Perhaps they had a strong IP interest in producing VP and WP action figures for Xmas...

 

[Cergorach]

Hmm... Interesting, lots of food for thought.

@Geoff:
Any chance to see those rules in this thread? I assume that they are OGL...


@2WS-Steve:
Ah, that thread. I was under the impression that he was talking about including stats for the weapons that would be compatible with the VP/WP system as represented in SpyCraft. Which is OGL, except for the specific VP/WP rules, thus he can make gun stats that are compatible with that system...

Thanks btw, for the good responces thus far! I don't know what i would do without you people ;-)

On another note, i just rediscovered Kenneth Hood's Grim-N-Gritty Hit Point and Combat Rules, found here:
http://www.d20reviews.com/downloads.htm
and here:
http://www.rpgunited.com/eng/prod/d20sle.html
It also achieves a more 'grim-n-gritty' style of play, but maybe a little to much. Opinions?

[edit]
1. Crud! I just found out that the links i gave link to dead file links. I have the printed versions of these files, but am not to sure about having them still in digital form.
2. Ah, found the Grim-N-Gritty Hit Point and Combat Rules (v3.2) & D20 Skills-N-Feats Martial Arts System (v.2.1). If anyone has any of the other files, or newer versions of the files i found i would appreciate them greatly. If you want a copy of the files i do have, just give me a howler ;-) and i'll email them to you...
3. I'll try to put them on my site when i find the time (and i still have to take a look wheter it's legal or not to do so)...
[/edit]