What is wrong (and right) in the RPG Industry?

[jdrakeh]

My biggest issue is that there seem to be some very ethically challenged publishers out there (I'll not get into specifics or name names) - and just so I'm clear, this isn't in any way limited to the PDF market. What am I talking about?

The OGL, for example, is really, very, incredibly easy to follow. Ditto the d20 STL. I'm not an attorney, but I manage to understand them both with no trouble - I still check with an attorney before I release a freebie under the OGL, though, because I want to cover my own ass and care enough about abiding by the law that I make an effort to do so.

There are a small number of publishers who apparently don't understand what is and is not permissible under the OGL and d20 STL - or worse, simply don't care. Every last violation of the d20 STL and/or OGL that I've seen could have been easily avoided by consulting an attorney. Every last one. So, why did these violations occur then?

I'm a big believer (because I've seen it exhibted I don't know how many times now) that there is a moral defficiency that pervades the business models of certain publishers where the OGL and d20 STL are concerned. For example:

• There is a general concensus in some circles that because WotC doesn't go after license violations with teeth, that license violations are therefore excusable.
  
  
• Some publishers use the rationale that license violations are excuable if they don't get caught and have no shame about openly violating a license until they do get caught.
  
  
• I have seen publishers argue (no kidding) that since WotC is 'big corporation', violating their licenses is excusable. Damn the man!

Publishers who violate the OGL and/or d20 STL for any reason (be it deliberate, or just not caring enough to consult an attorney before publishing) are a blight on honest publishers everywhere and should be taken to task for their lack of professionalism.

[Note: I have one more specific gripe about misleading advertising, but I'll get back to that in a bit - I have some work to take care of elsewhere.]

 

[Wolv0rine]

A cartoon of Barbie waxing her ass?

Uh...is that, like, in the stores already?

I'm just, y'know...curious...

- / -​

You know, I was hoping that'd get a chuckle even if the rest of the post was completely ignored.

 

[Haldefast]

if you want an introductory game, why Not This?

What´s wrong with the D&D boardgame? Why does nobody talk about it? It´s like Hero Quest, which got me into gaming, but sets you in the right direction for D&D. Easier rules, expansion packs, cool minis and you can write your own scenarios.
You don´t even mention it.
Hasbro made it.
So they do what you want, don´t they?

 

[Mouseferatu]

What´s wrong with the D&D boardgame? Why does nobody talk about it? It´s like Hero Quest, which got me into gaming, but sets you in the right direction for D&D. Easier rules, expansion packs, cool minis and you can write your own scenarios.
You don´t even mention it.
Hasbro made it.
So they do what you want, don´t they?

Not available in the US, to my knowledge.

 

[Haldefast]

Now that´s strange. Why is that?

 

[Mouseferatu]

Now that´s strange. Why is that?

Couldn't tell you the logic behind it. But for whatever reason, Hasbro chose not to release it here.

 

[MerricB]

Couldn't tell you the logic behind it. But for whatever reason, Hasbro chose not to release it here.

I suspect that a big issue is that the mechanics have nothing to do with the D&D RPG.

Cheers!

 

[The Shaman]

You know, I was hoping that'd get a chuckle even if the rest of the post was completely ignored.

You succeeded.

 

[danzig138]

well-educated, middle-class people

Heh. You just described all of one entire gamer I've ever met. I've been playing and running for 18 years now, and I've encountered one well-educated middle class gamer. All the other gamers I've met have been lower/working class, and lucky to have graduated high school (many, including myself, did not). A lot of them have been very bright, but not educated.

 

[tetsujin28]

Well, to be honest, I really don't care about the 'industry'. But man, is gaming these days great! I haven't seen so many outright cool games in a long time.