WotC To Give Core D&D Mechanics To Community Via Creative Commons

Wizards of the Coast, in a move which surprised everbody, has announced that it will give away the core D&D mechanics to the community via a Creative Commons license.

This won't include 'quintessentially D&D" stuff like owlbears and magic missile, but it wil include the 'core D&D mechanics'.

So what does it include? It's important to note that it's only a fraction of what's currently available as Open Gaming Content under the existing Open Gaming License, so while it's termed as a 'give-away' it's actually a reduction. It doesn't include classes, spells, or magic items. It does include the combat rules, ability scores, and the core mechanic.

 

[Charlaquin]

Well that came out of left field! I had to double check the date to make sure it wasn’t April 1st.

 

[GrumpyOldGuy52]

The announcement reads like someone on the actual D&D team (as opposed to the WotC/Hasbro “leadership”) finally prevailed in the argument about what “open” means, yanked the keyboard out of a corporate drone’s hands, and is trying to make things right. Curious to see if it’s too late (and what OGL 1.2 truly says), but the Creative Commons move is a massive step in the right direction (even though it’s probably not necessary).

 

[JThursby]

This is a boondoggle to distract from the deauthorization of the OGL 1.0a, which they aren't backing down on despite having no ability to do so legally. They also have a ridiculous "VTT Policy" packaged with this.

 

[rooneg]

FWIW, keep in mind that the stuff they want to share under creative commons doesn't include classes, monsters, or spells. That's a pretty limited set of stuff.

 

[overgeeked]

FWIW, keep in mind that the stuff they want to share under creative commons doesn't include classes, monsters, or spells. That's a pretty limited set of stuff.

Here's your CC content: Roll 1d20 + modifiers vs DC.

Gee. Aren't they generous.

 

[Princessmaker]

The announcement reads like someone on the actual D&D team (as opposed to the WotC/Hasbro “leadership”) finally prevailed in the argument about what “open” means, yanked the keyboard out of a corporate drone’s hands, and is trying to make things right. Curious to see if it’s too late (and what OGL 1.2 truly says), but the Creative Commons move is a massive step in the right direction (even though it’s probably not necessary).

It looks like the lawyers took extra care to separate what parts of the SRD would make them lose a court case against the "you can't copyright game mechanics" and they just closed the rest of the SRD.

 

[whimsychris123]

FWIW, keep in mind that the stuff they want to share under creative commons doesn't include classes, monsters, or spells. That's a pretty limited set of stuff.

My arcanist casts magic arrow at the bearowl.

 

[rooneg]

My arcanist casts magic arrow at the bearowl.

It's not just the names they're leaving out though, it's literally the rules for the classes. Like, no class progression chart, no levels that abilities show up, etc. You don't have enough info to even make a Subclass.

 

[Bagpuss]

Most current VTT look to be in trouble if this draft doesn't change.

Most of them have dynamic lighting, allow for animation, etc. All of which isn't allowed under the Virtual Tabletop Policy.