XP and open content

[bramadan]

A point of interest for me that I hope someone here would be able to elucidate...

I recall from somewhere that there are some very stringent restrictions as to what I can do with XP within OGL and d20 but I am not sure what those are.

Say, I am writing a d20 based game intended for low fantasy: Some classes from PHB, lots more original classes, grim&gritty combat system, new magic system, etc... so far nothing stops me from publishing under the d20 licence.
Then comes the issue of XP.
- Primarily, can I give a totaly new XP award method replacing the CR based one (while staying within the XP progression rules as outlined in PHB) ?
- Can I give the XP progress chart in my book ?
- Can I get rid of the XP concept entirely and give different way of obtaining levels ?
If not under the d20, can I do any of the above under the OGL ?

At this point all of this is at the total speculation level so do not feel like you are giving me legal advice, rather it is something I am somewhat curious about.
Thanks
Bojan

 

[Ranger REG]

First off, see my sig

Secondly, I think this thread should belong to the d20 Publisher forum.

- Primarily, can I give a totaly new XP award method replacing the CR based one (while staying within the XP progression rules as outlined in PHB) ?

If you want to offer a different award system, yes you can.

- Can I give the XP progress chart in my book ?

You can give a different XP chart than the one in the PH (or any Wizards' core game book). Just don't explain how the chart work with regards to character advancement, per the term of the d20 Trademark License and Trademark Usage Guide.

- Can I get rid of the XP concept entirely and give different way of obtaining levels ?

Under the d20STL, nope. You are not allowed to explain how a character advance in your product, if you wish to carry the "d20 system" logo.

If not under the d20, can I do any of the above under the OGL ?

Yup. See Mutants & Masterminds RPG for an example of an OGL/SRD-based product.

 

[Drawmack]

I recall from somewhere that there are some very stringent restrictions as to what I can do with XP within OGL and d20 but I am not sure what those are.

OGL and d20 are not the same thing. d20 is much more regulated about what you can include. Basically the break down is OGL is what you must include, d20 is what you can/cannot include. You can release and OGL product that is not d20 but you cannot release a d20 product that is not OGL.

Say, I am writing a d20 based game intended for low fantasy: Some classes from PHB, lots more original classes, grim&gritty combat system, new magic system, etc... so far nothing stops me from publishing under the d20 licence.

First do not include anything from any WotC book. Do not even use these books as a reference it is far to easy to slip product identity into your work if you do this. Instead you should work only from the SRD or the d20 Modern SRD depending on the system you are writting for.

Then comes the issue of XP.
- Primarily, can I give a totaly new XP award method replacing the CR based one (while staying within the XP progression rules as outlined in PHB) ?

No you cannot do this. See d20 system guide pay particular attention to Defining the effects of Experience to a Character and the Mandatory Restricitons sections on page 10.

- Can I give the XP progress chart in my book ?

See previous answer.

- Can I get rid of the XP concept entirely and give different way of obtaining levels ?

A varient method of attaining levels - No. However you could construct a levelless system as long as you abide by the rules about applying the effects of experience to a character.

If not under the d20, can I do any of the above under the OGL ?

Absolutly. This is one of the reasons that Green Ronin has released a lot of OGL but nond20 games.

My recommendation is to read, reread and the discuss with a lawyer the following:

d20 system guide
OGL
d20 System Licnese
electronic SKU download conversion agreement

Once you've gotten all that down then give the follow a serious look so you know what is and what is not OGC:
SRD
MSRD

Above everything else remember IANAL, this is not legal advise and I do not offer it as legally correct only as my understanding of a legal issue. Taking this advice as legal advice in no way implies any agreement between us.

 

[bramadan]

Thank you both, It seems that the OGL is much better suited for what I had in mind....

 

[Ranger REG]

RE: XP Award Method

No you cannot do this. See d20 system guide pay particular attention to Defining the effects of Experience to a Character and the Mandatory Restricitons sections on page 10.

I disagree. I believe you can offer alternative award system under the d20STL, from a definitive roleplaying XP award chart to "stump the GM" award, in addition or in place of the CR-based "body count" XP award chart in the Player's Handbook.

What you CANNOT do is tell how to use or apply the XP award to advance your character.

 

[Drawmack]

You might be correct, I may be mistaken - however since neither of us is a lawyer why argue over it?

 

[Ranger REG]

Just so we give correct non-legal advice.

 

[TeeSeeJay]

Definition of Applying the effects of Experience to a Character:

Applying the effects of Experience to a Character means a description of the process for comparing the accumulated experience point total of a character to a chart to determine if the character's level should be incremented. If the experience level of a character exceeds threshold values as defined by the chart, the character is modified in a specified fashion.

Specifically, Applying the effects of Experience to a Character means incrementing the character level of a character by incrementing a class level by one rank, or by adding a new class at first level, and describing how to allocate new skill points, select new feats, select new talents, or gain new class-level linked abilities.

Applying the effects of Experience to a Character does not include creating or modifying an experience point chart, defining a new class (including describing what benefits that class provides at each level).

From the d20 system guide. Bold emphasis is my own. So yeah, you can create a new XP chart or new XP awards. You just can't say what they DO if you want to use the d20 logo.

 

[KDLadage]

Wow. Missed that one. Thanks for the clarification!

 

[shurai]

I don't know anything about XP, since I've been a linux user for about five years now.

: P

-S