What is an isn't Open Content

[TheAuldGrump]

Didn't I see some stuff in Monster Manual 2 that was OGC? Look in the margins of the pages for the "this page is Open Game Content" phrase.

Yes, there are a couple of monsters in MM2 that WOTC borrowed from other sources. These are the only OGC in the book, which is why I did not buy it. (If it were added to the SRD I would then make the purchase)

Tome pf Horrors on the other hand not only is OGC but has a section on how to use their open game content. (Good book by the way.)

While I do wish WOTC would open up more OGC they do not have to, it's nice enough that they let us play in their sandbox, they don't have to give us a shovel and bucket as well.

Heck, I think that Sword and Sorcery has actually printed more D20 content than WOTC at this point, at least if you add in all the companies under their umbrella.

The Auld Grump, waiting for the new edition...

 

[Ranger REG]

Re: Re: Re: Re: What is an isn't Open Content

What I want to see - is MORE open content in Dragon's pages, because some of Dragon Magazines' articles are too good to pass up as usable by other publishers.

Hmm. I wonder. What if the author who submitted the article does not wish to make his work, in part or whole, OGC?

Is that cause for automatic rejection of submission?

 

[Psyckosama]

Re: Re: Re: Re: What is an isn't Open Content

First thing, I know what the SRD is. I have a copy of the D20 and D20 Modern SRD on my computer.

Yep, that's about it.

Thought as much. Godforbid if they contribute more then the absolute minimum to the greater d20 comunity.

However, as Wizards has made this statement many times - and I believe it's on their d20 Section of their site - Wizards of the Coast, being the Owners of the license, don't have to follow it. Most of their works have "No part of this work is open content" in the inside copyright page.

Guessed as much. Makes much of it useless in a way. I can understand and agree with the need to protect intelectual properity (although to be honest, it just takes Kazaa and one munchkin with a scaner to make that MUCH harder) but by making everythign except the basic books Closed Content really restricts the open content material.

WotC makes a lot of great material but just look at what open content developers CAN'T use. If the PHB, DMG, and MM are it then that leaves a TON of really great meterial totally closed for use and (I'm not 100% about the laws on this) refrence in their products.

Don't get me started on the crap that I feel they pulled making the d20 Modern FX classes closed contact. }P

What I want to see - is MORE open content in Dragon's pages, because some of Dragon Magazines' articles are too good to pass up as usable by other publishers.

Same with Polyhedron, and Dungeon, and the Splash Books, and MM2, ect... Oh well, atleast they're not Games Workshop.

Now let me put on the flame retardent suit I get burnt at the stake for speaking ill of WotC (Wee, I'm a Heretic!).

 

[Staffan]

WOTC have said that they're working on putting more stuff in the SRD, but that it's not exactly a high priority for them. Currently, the only "non-essential" stuff that's in the SRD is the Psionics rules, and even there it's a limited version since the psionic powers don't contain the full power descriptions. I guess that eventually, Oriental Adventures, Manual of the Planes, Deities and Demigods, Epic-Level Handbook, and maybe the splatbooks and possibly even the FR books will be added to the SRD. I recall reading something recently where Anthony Valterra mentioned that OA was eventually going into the SRD, but that it wasn't first in line.

 

[Alzrius]

I asked about when Manual of the Planes, The Epic Level Handbook, and Deities & Demigods would be added to the SRD last GenCon (I asked a lot during that con ). The answers I got were rather evasive, but something along the lines of what Staffan said: namely, that they're going to work on revising it for current things in the works now (the Monster Manual, The Psionics Handbook, etc.) and then they'll look at adding those other books.

Of course, that's not even taking into account things that doubtlessly did (and are) taking up more time in that field, such as d20 Modern and the revised core rulebooks.

Last I heard, they have some intern working on revising and updating the SRD content we see from them. That poor, poor guy.

 

[tensen]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: What is an isn't Open Content

Hmm. I wonder. What if the author who submitted the article does not wish to make his work, in part or whole, OGC?

Is that cause for automatic rejection of submission?

Considering the author loses rights to use their material once it goes in Dragon..... if their work is OGC... they get to use it in other things that develope. So it is almost like in their best interest to get Dragon to make it OGC.

 

[Hollywood]

I know that most of mutants and masterminds is OGC and it isen't even printed by WotC.

Actually its not. M&M is under the OGL which means the mechanics are OGC, but the flavor is not nor are any of the names of skills, feats, powers, etc.

Things like the Quintessial books are pretty much OGC since at the bottom of every page they contain "This page is OGC material" (paraphrased).

 

[Ranger REG]

Last I heard, they have some intern working on revising and updating the SRD content we see from them. That poor, poor guy.

Andy Smith is the intern that replaced Ryan Dancey. Despite his slow start, he managed to get the Modern System Reference Document out on the same official date that d20 Modern Core Rulebook went on sale.

AFAIC, his job is to take the work and strip them down to the rules mechanics, removing any and all PI that Wizards wishes to keep to themselves. He then give his manuscript to the R&D Staff for editing. After that, Wizards Legal must review it and approve it before it can be released.

Personally, it is either Wizards Legal or R&D that is taking a damn long time.

 

[Lizard]

What WotC d20 products are and are not Open Content?

No WOTC products are open content. All WOTC open content is contained the D20 SRD, which is only available on their website and at www.opengamingfoundation.org

EXCEPTION:Two monsters in Monster Manual II are open content, taken from S&S Creature Collection.

Never use a WOTC published book when doing any work you plan on releasing under the OGL. Hide them. Work *only* from the SRD or other publisher's open content. Trust me, it's safer that way.

 

[Blacksad]

Actually its not. M&M is under the OGL which means the mechanics are OGC, but the flavor is not nor are any of the names of skills, feats, powers, etc.

Almost everything in MnM is OGC, except the advancement mechanic, i.e. power points and power cost. Reread the labelling of the OGC in the beggining of the book if you don't believe me.