WotC Unveils Draft of New Open Gaming License

As promised earlier this week, WotC has posted the draft OGL v.1.2 license for the community to see.

A survey will be going live tomorrow for feedback.

Starting the OGL ‘Playtest’

In this article, you can review a draft of OGL 1.2, submit feedback via survey, and learn about a Creative Commons license that puts D&D's core mech...

www.dndbeyond.com

The current iteration contains clauses which prohibit offensive content, applies only to TTRPG books and PDFs, no right of ownership going to WotC, and an optional creator content badge for your products.

One important element, the ability for WotC to change the license at-will has also been addressed, allowing the only two specific changes they can make -- how you cite WotC in your work, and contact details.

This license will be irrevocable.

The OGL v1.0a is still being 'de-authorized'.

 

[mamba]

No. I mean something like, "This license permits you to combine Your Content with licensed content created by others and distribute the resulting works as authorized by this license."

yeah, section 5 is better, missed that

"You can make your Content available under any terms you choose but you may not change the terms under which we make Our Licensed Content available."

 

[darjr]

Revenue from D&D and MtG have become major contributors to Hasbro's revenue. In Q3 2022, Hasbro's net revenue was $1.1 billion from consumer products, $303 million from WOTC/digital gaming, and $211 million from film/TV.

https://investor.hasbro.com/news-releases/news-release-details/hasbro-reports-third-quarter-financial-results

I know.

It’s still surreal to me.

Future shock.

20 years ago this would have been my litmus test that I was a brain in a jar.

 

[GMforPowergamers]

Can you live with them banning stuff that they feel is "anti-capitalist"? Because that's what they did on DM's Guild, under the guise of a morality clause.

its not my first chp\oice but if it puts all of this behind us keeps level up and PF going and dosn't derail playtest...i can live with it

(FYI that one is ANOTHER WotC choice i disagreed with but at the time i found out about it no one was keen on helping me rail against it)

 

[Langy]

yup...and that isnt on any of my wish list...but i can live with it

How? As written, it means the license gives effectively no protection over anything. With this license, WOTC can revoke it at any time for any reason to prevent you from publishing or continuing to sell any product you make.

 

[Scribe]

Yeah, and out of that $300 mil, how much is DnD compared to MtG and digital gaming? Then take that amount and find out how much of the total net revenue that is, ratio wise to everything in total. Then ask how much of that is going to be lost because of an OGL announcement.

Sorry, but it's small potatoes compared to the company as a whole. The massive entertainment losses are much more likely a reason for a stock fall. Investors don't care about Dnd in general, let alone an OGL. They only care about bottom line profits. And if the OGL news doesn't impact profits significantly, they won't care. Looking at the ratio, I don't see how OGL news is impacting profits in any measurable. Most players don't care about forums or OGL. It's the reality.

Yes, D&D's contribution is small.

Thats what makes everything they have done so egregious. Its small.

What isnt small, is the public perception of these mistakes, which dramatically sway the market, because stock prices are not real, its all just perception.

 

[mamba]

there is a difference between defending bigots and defending free speech

@GMforPowergamers why the sad face? Not sure what is controversial about my statement

 

[GMforPowergamers]

How?

how can i live with it? by compromise to get past this...

As written, it means the license gives effectively no protection over anything. With this license, WOTC can revoke it at any time for any reason to prevent you from publishing or continuing to sell any product you make.

 

[rcade]

yup...and that isnt on any of my wish list...but i can live with it

The only way to live with that is if you don't care whether the license is open.

Hasbro is trying legally dubious stunts to turn the OGL into any other closed license. When you see a new RPG has been produced under license for your favorite TV series or movie franchise, you know that the publisher is going to lose that license within 5 or 10 years. That's just how these things work, and it'll be the same with a closed license calling itself the new OGL.

 

[GMforPowergamers]

@GMforPowergamers why the sad face? Not sure what is controversial about my statement

we were told not to talk about this so i don't know how to defend my position without breaking the ruleing.
maybe go back to my postion on this before

 

[Sacrosanct]

Yes, D&D's contribution is small.

Thats what makes everything they have done so egregious. Its small.

Yeah, I'm with you there.

What isnt small, is the public perception of these mistakes, which dramatically sway the market, because stock prices are not real, its all just perception.

Speculation does move markets, but I don't see it driving this one. There just aren't any solid indicators of that happening. There are other much more plausible reasons for that.