What is an isn't Open Content

[Gez]

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

It's worth noting also that some things are Product Identity. These are things the company made that they don't want to release as Open Game Content, and thus no one else can use. Things such as the names of gods are a good example. The spell Vangul's Dreadful Wrath (I'm just making that up) is Open Game Content, except for the name "Vangul" which you couldn't use in your own book, because "Vangul" is Product Identity of the company that wrote that spell. Product Identity is usually pretty clearly mentioned at the beginning of most d20 products.

Names are frequently a pain. For example, creature names in Creature Collection are closed content, that's why you have to rename them if you want to publish them yourselves (that's what WotC did in the MM2: its last two pages contains the Razorboar and the Scorpionfolk, who correspond to the Iron Tusker and Sandmasker).

In AEG's Rokugan d20 line, however, you are given an extra right to use the PI names when they are part of game mechanics (in other words, if Vangul's Dreadful Wrath was in such a book, you would be allowed to use the name Vangul only when used to reference Vangul's Dreadful Wrath, or another thing named after that character, but never out of mechanic context).

So, read the fine prints.

 

[DSC-EricPrice]

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.

While Oriental Adventures isnt OGC per se, a quick look in the back of my Rokugan books indicates a large portion of THOSE books are. If you want to do Oriental Adventures material you may be able to come in through the back door of Rokugan.

 

[jaerdaph]

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

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

I'd hardly call the SRD the absolute minimum considering everything that IS in it.

Give 'em an inch, they want a yard, or more accurately, give 'em a yard, they want a mile.

 

[AdamBank]

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.

You must make the distinction between WotC's published materials and the System Reference Documents. Nothing WotC publishes in book form is open gaming content. Zip, zilch, nada.

In fact, when writing a d20 suppliment, it's a darn good idea to avoid looking at the PHB/DMG/M&M altogether.

The release sections of the SRD are open gaming content. These sections mirror select parts of the PHB and the DMG, but there are significant omissions that must be respected.

The monster listings in the SRD have not yet been officially released.

 

[Ranger REG]

But the monster listings in the MSRD are officially released, and so are the psionics.

AFAIK, nothing forbids you from using both SRDs.

 

[Blacksad]

While Oriental Adventures isnt OGC per se, a quick look in the back of my Rokugan books indicates a large portion of THOSE books are. If you want to do Oriental Adventures material you may be able to come in through the back door of Rokugan.

Except that it is clearly mentioned, that any content derived from OA isn't open, so that remove the samurai and the shugenja, the taint mechanic, etc...

 

[AdamBank]

But the monster listings in the MSRD are officially released, and so are the psionics.

AFAIK, nothing forbids you from using both SRDs.

Good point!

It's still important not to treat the Monster Manual or the Psionics Handbook as if it contained open content. Restrict your wandering eyes to the (M)SRD--and make sure you are compliant with both--says I.