D&D 3E/3.5 WotC Rejecting 3.5 Writers?

[AZRogue]

I think this is directly tied to the fact that Logue is now an actual Paizo employee, not just a freelancer. Other freelancers, who aren't tied directly to other companies, are producing for WotC, so this seems more like a move made in response to Logue's new position. Not really anything to get upset about. It seems more than fair to me.

 

[Kid Charlemagne]

First question: Then what does the GSL have to do with it?

Here's my guess (and its only a guess) - we know that Mouseferatu is a freelancer who has access to the 4E ruleset. If Nick were going to do freelance 4E work for WoTC, they'd have to give him the rules as well, and since he's an employee of Paizo, they didn't feel comfortable with that.

Second question: Then why did they do so frequently during the 3E era?

In the 3E days, Paizo wasn't a competitor. They produced Dragon and Dungeon on behalf of WotC. Their big hardbacks were approved by WotC. Also, freelancers working for other 3E companies were, in theory, pulling on the same oars. They weren't producing work for a entire competing ruleset.

Paizo upped its profile as a direct competitor by announcing Pathfinder, and this is one of the logical outcomes.

 

[Orcus]

I was chatting with Nick Logue last night and he said he received a sad email from WotC saying they could no longer use his work. He said it was related to the GSL and his employment at Paizo.

Has anyone else received anything like this?

I'm wondering if WotC is requiring anyone who publishes with them to sign an agreement that they won't develop for 3.5 OGL, including any freelance work. It would seem to be a good move at helping to kill the OGL; it seems like their biggest competition has always been former employees. If everyone who publishes material through DDI cannot publish material for OGL, how would that impact the hobby?

Guys,

Not to be critical of the OP, but this is some pretty serious hearsay. I am NOT comfortable trusting someone else's summary of things they were told a third party said. And you shouldnt be either. Plus, the OP then piles on with rank speculation based on hearsay.

Please put the breaks on the Wizards hate and lets let the dust settle. Lets see if Nick has anything to say. Or Wizards.

Clark

 

[Orcus]

If the GSL comes down to 'you cannot produce OGL after producing GSL' or 'we will not pay for writers who do not follow the GSL', how will that impact the future profitability of OGL?

It is way out of control to tie this to OGL/GSL. Lets not feed that fire. That has enough fuel without speculation.

Come on, people. Please.

Clark

 

[Orcus]

I will add that right now there is no evidence that anyone other than Nick Logue is affected, unless others want to come forward?

I would presume that this has more to do with him actually being a Paizo employee and not just because he is a 3.5 writer.

Lets not forget that Nick just announced his own design studio.

 

[Cyronax]

Of course... about 75% of Red Hand of Doom was done by a "Paizo Guy"...

And more knives come out! Don't let this go for tat ...... (even though a flame war between Paizo guys and the 4e devs would be pretty interesting to watch.

I really hate how this segmentation of the market is forcing many posters to be inimical towards whichever particular corporation's products they think they'll enjoy the most.

Both sides are acting as profit-maximizers with a different hand to play.

C.I.D.

 

[Wicht]

Here's my guess (and its only a guess) - we know that Mouseferatu is a freelancer who has access to the 4E ruleset. If Nick were going to do freelance 4E work for WoTC, they'd have to give him the rules as well, and since he's an employee of Paizo, they didn't feel comfortable with that.

It might be worth pointing out that Logue has already seen the rules. He was a playtester and has spoken in the past, for what it is worth, very favorably of the new DMG.

 

[Orcus]

The GSL frightens me more and more, when I hear things like this. Is this really the kind of environment I want to help develop 3rd party games or adventures for? I really would like wotc to comment on what happened here, because if they don't, I can only assume the worst.

See, this is what I am talking about. The OP's rank hearsay and speculation has now fed into this having something to do with the GSL. This doesnt seem to have anything to do with the GSL.

This is how crappy information gets out thanks to the net. We should know better.

 

[I'm A Banana]

Sounds like this is less policy and more temporary fix. "You guys can't write for us because we're not letting ANYONE write for us at the moment. Get back to us in a few months."

More than anything, this just reminding me of why I'm tremendously irked that the GSL isn't even finished yet. Maybe by August, yeah?

 

[drjones]

Since Paizo did not sign on to the GSL (because they cant yet to begin with) dosn't that mean that if one of their employees was a freelancer they would get the 4th ed rules without signing up as a company?

If so it seems like there is a definite conflict there beyond just hiring a competitor but also in 'opening their kimono' to paizo without a deal in place.

That said I like his mods and look forward to him making some 4ed stuff so I hope wotc gets its ass in gear on the gsl and works this crap out.