What do 3rd-party publishers think of the GSL?

[Is_907]

So the only reason I'm seeing in this thread is "I can't print statblocks and rules."
Is that really the only reason you won't adopt GSL? Or is there something more?

 

[Bacris]

Is that really the only reason you won't adopt GSL? Or is there something more?

No, there's a lot more to it.

If I use any of my existing material from an OGL product (or even the title or product line) in a GSL product, that OGL product has to go away. <--- This is the biggest one for me, since we reference a lot of our material in our other products to have a consistent ruleset framework.

If I put out a GSL product and, two years from now, the GSL goes away, I can't use that GSL content in an OGL product.

I cannot redefine any 4E references. So, for example, I can't make my own version of the "fighter" or "human" or "dwarf" or "kobold".

 

[Is_907]

Okay, I get all that. Makes sense.
However, for a new writer getting into just 4E modules, the GSL seems to be okay. (Although I definitely agree with wanting monster statblocks in the licensed module; less page flipping)

 

[Eytan Bernstein]

From a customer point of view, the use of the GSL is also annoying. You can't, for example, print monster stat blocks, you can't include rule text, etc. Everything has to be referenced. So if you just want to run a GSL adventure, the adventure itself is not nearly going to be as useful on its own, because you'll need to keep flipping between the 3 core books as well. That sucks a little for us consumers. It was nice to have everything you need handy within one place. The rules aren't such an issue, but not having stat blocks is a pain.

Pinotage

More likely, you'll write up your own goblin or orc with a few modifications, templates, or other alterations so that it's not the same monster. It certainly means more work for designers and publishers, but it won't stop people from making usable modules.

 

[Is_907]

Can you do that without coming up with a new name for that creature/race? (silly question?)

 

[Pinotage]

More likely, you'll write up your own goblin or orc with a few modifications, templates, or other alterations so that it's not the same monster. It certainly means more work for designers and publishers, but it won't stop people from making usable modules.

True. But that's hardly an ideal situation for most publishers. Now you have to concentrate on both writing a great adventure, and creating your own interesting monsters. The customer wins in a way as he gets both new monsters and an adventure, but it will dilute the monster base.

Pinotage

 

[Pinotage]

Can you do that without coming up with a new name for that creature/race? (silly question?)

As I understand it you can't alter WotC IP in any way. So you can't create something with the same name but different stat block as you're alterning what they've defined in the SRD. So you need both a new name and a new stat block (or at least different - they're hardly going to terminate if something shares the same hp). Of course, if you're creating a goblin, are you allowed to use the goblin racial power for the goblin race in the MM? I don't think you are.

Pinotage

 

[Sigurd]

I have customer loyalty issues to all of the great non WOTC publications. I can't get over the idea that WOTC went from "The company that brings you the most popular RPG ever" to "The company that pulled hundreds of your favourite books and pdfs off other people's shelves". I can't help but wonder why they are not willing to compete on merit and originality? I think they already dominate the distribution channels I can see.

As a gamer I resent that. As a DM it makes me mad.

I'd rather support the aggregate of OGL stuff than the rarefied 4.0.

I've got an extra ear for pdfs and competing game systems.


Sigurd

 

[EP]

Okay, I get all that. Makes sense.
However, for a new writer getting into just 4E modules, the GSL seems to be okay. (Although I definitely agree with wanting monster statblocks in the licensed module; less page flipping)

There's been quite a few adventures where monsters in an encounter were simply listed by name, quantity, and hit point total with a page number reference in the appendix for the full stat block. No difference here because you should be bringing the MM with you anyway.

Fighters can be renamed, everyone has their own campaign-style name for elves, and Wizards will only sue in the event of blatant abuse (personally speaking). Everything we're seeing here is a response to the OGL modifications and core books WotC obvioiusly felt cost them a share of the market. There's very little difference between the old license and the new license that would make a huge outcome from my point of view.

Emerald Press will be producing 4E material, just as planned.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Looking at their boards, it looks like both Goodman and Necromancer are still on board. If that's not the case, someone correct me.