Will WotC leverage the use of d20 in Xbox/PC games like the upcoming KOTOR?

[Dragonblade]

For those who don't know, there is a Star Wars role-playing game coming out for Xbox and PC entitled "Knights of the Old Republic".

The game is made by Bioware, the same company that made Neverwinter Nights and Baldur's Gate.

The Star Wars RPG is based off the SW d20 rules. I imagine that when Bioware was designing the game, they decided to use the Star Wars d20 rules because of their experience in designing game engines based on the d20 ruleset. And considering Lucas and Bioware both have a close relationship with WotC, it probably wasn't hard to get the rights.

I was curious if anyone had any more insight into how the decision to use d20 as the basis for KOTOR came about?

And if anyone thinks WotC may be able to leverage OGL/d20 rules into having more video game companies use their ruleset?

I'm aware that Infogrames bought the video game rights to "D&D" and am aware of certain restrictions in the OGL about video games. But perhaps WotC can create a separate non-D&D based OGL video game license so that other companies could make d20 based video games.

I think this would be a tremendous marketing opportunity for WotC and Hasbro in general if they could convince more video game companies to design their RPGs around the d20 rules system.

Thousands of computer gamers are already familiar with the d20 rules thanks to Bioware. From there its just a small step to picking up a Player's Handbook since they already know how to play.

What do you think?

 

[Skaros]

Sounds cool! Reminds me of the Buck Rogers game that came out for the PC after the Pool of Radiance series had come out (the original, not the new one).

It was fun...hopefully the star wars one will be too.

Skaros

 

[Tidus4444]

I've heard some good things about KOTOR. And, that is exactly how I came to get into D&D. NWN was off the hizzy.

 

[Daiymo]

I was unaware of the d20 rules for KOTOR. I knew Bioware was deving it, so I guess it makes sense.

As for leveraging, I dont think WOTC would be too "pushy" in regards to d20/OGL. Obviously its a boon to game makers since a ruleset exists for a game. But video games and pen and paer games are two different animals.(Even NWN made some concessions in regards to feats and skills) Obviously a game touting 3e or 3.5 rules will appeal to players of the tabletop RPG, but to the casual video gamer, and is part of the "brand " of DnD. But I dont think it matters too much. I mean Baldurs Gate Dark Alliance was very much a lite version of the rules.

For Wizards obviously they want to make money by having good games that sell. Im not privy to the legal guidlines that WIZ has for developing video games, but Im sure that they would wish to have the games be d20ish in some way. And IIRC, DnD video games have tried to emulate the rules in the past whether they were 1e, ADnD or whatever.

But if someone came up with an idea for a real time startegy game based in the Forgotten Realms I sure WOTC wouldnt hold the devs too close to the OGL.

 

[Dragonblade]

The problem is Hasbro sold all the rights to all "D&D" videogames to Infogrames right from under WotC's nose and it is one of the reasons that Peter Adkison resigned.

D&D themed videogames such as Neverwinter Nights was going to be a major marketing strategy for Wizards and some Hasbro suit blew it big time. Wizards/Hasbro could have made a fortune selling the license on a per game basis. And requiring game companies to use the d20 system and thus try to encourage D&D familiarity and brand awareness with the video game player crowd. Ultimately, video games could serve as an excellent springboard into popular culture.

But Hasbro basically sold the right to make any and all D&D games to Infogrames. They can put together any old game they like and call it D&D regardless of whether it uses the 3rd edition rules or some other game engine. Or they can sit on the license and do nothing with it. If I was Hasbro's CEO and Peter had called me up and told what just happened I would be furious. Some wet behind the ears MBA moron just screwed Hasbro out of some major future profits just to make a quick buck now. Heads would roll!

My point with this thread is that WotC may be able to salvage back some of that original marketing strategy through the use of the OGL. By creating a second, interactive game friendly version of the license, they can open up access of the d20 rules system to other companies. They can't label these games official "D&D" games but WotC can indicate compatibility with these games and their pen and paper rulebooks by slapping the shiny d20 logo on them. I don't know the specifics on the Infogrames deal but I imagine that WotC could do it and Infogrames couldn't say anything about it.

KOTOR would be perfect. Its based off the d20 ruleset enough that I think putting the d20 logo on the back of the Xbox box and maybe a little blurb about the pen and paper SW RPG would be a great idea. I can't imagine there aren't a ton of SW fans who would pick up the core SW d20 rulebook after having a good time playing the game. Bioware is an awesome development studio and they make awesome games.

Anybody with an insider perspective care to comment? AV? Ryan Dancey?