The D&D OGL

[Zloth]

Gizmoid posted an article about the open license for Dungeons & Dragons changing. Internet poster and starving influencer theories on the effects of the change range from "this is totally unenforceable so nothing will happen" to "any game using D&D as a base is doomed."

 

[Pifanjr]

It's definitely creating a lot of bad will for Hasbro and Wizards of the Coast right now.

 

[Zloth]

It's causing a lot of angst in Steam forums, that's for sure! An official statement wouldn't go amiss.

I must admit, I'm hoping this will drive even more games to make their own systems instead of trying to adopt the latest D&D system.

 

[Zloth]

Paizo (which makes the Pathfinder system) posted on their blog that they are going to use an open license for their system. (You might have to scroll down a bit to the post - it was made on Jan 12th.)

Hasbro is looking at their license again before releasing it:

An Update on the Open Game License (OGL)

Although we are not yet able to release the OGL at this time, we would like to update you on how things are developing, and the goals we have in mind fo...

www.dndbeyond.com

 

[mainer]

The D&D OGL was what Tactical Adventures used to make Solasta Crown of the Magistar, so I'm concerned how it's going to affect them going forward. They did an excellent job with Solasta, but now with the final DLC released, they're moving forward (or were) to the next Solasta game. I'm hoping this won't have a negative impact on the next game they make.

 

[Zloth]

From the statement:

The next OGL will contain the provisions that allow us to protect and cultivate the inclusive environment we are trying to build and specify that it covers only content for TTRPGs. That means that other expressions, such as educational and charitable campaigns, livestreams, cosplay, VTT-uses, etc., will remain unaffected by any OGL update. Content already released under 1.0a will also remain unaffected.

TTRPG being Table Top RPG. Sounds like computer games have nothing to worry about.

 

[Zloth]

PC Gamer posted a BIG article on all this.

 

[Pifanjr]

I've read some quotes from the CEO's of Wizards of the Coast and Hasbro saying they think D&D is under monetized and they want to create a "recurrent spending environment". They saw how successful the GaaS model is and they're trying to do the same with D&D, which requires more control over the content. So I suspect more shenanigans in the future as they try different ways to get people into this "recurrent spending environment".

 

[Zloth]

Yeah, like I said at the start, Hasbro is doing rather poorly of late. (Or maybe they did great during the pandemic and now are back to normal? Companies sometimes can't tell the difference.) They need to get cash from somewhere.

 

[mainer]

It looks like they've listened to all the outrage and willing to make some changes:
'We're going to do this a better way'— Dungeons & Dragons maker changes plans after outrage over leaked licence draft | PC Gamer

 

[Brian Boru]

leaked licence draft

Aka cheapest form of market research

 

[mainer]

The combined voice of a gaming community can make a difference! It appears that WotC has completely abandoned the open license changes they made:
Wizards of the Coast fully retreats from D&D license changes after community outrage | PC Gamer

 

[ArcadeXavier]

Now that D&D is mainstream again due to ST, Wizards of course will squeeze all the juice out of it.
I miss the times when playing D&D was felt like an initiation ritual. Nevertheless, I understand this is a business, hey if D&D has survived until today is because of that, isn't it. Let's allow Wizards play with their OGL (for now) and observe results.

Some years ago, I'd have gone mad, but, u know, I don't care anymore. I've found a tabletop game a waaay more fun than D&D (my younger me hates me right now).

 

[Zloth]

ST = ??

Some years ago, I'd have gone mad, but, u know, I don't care anymore. I've found a tabletop game a waaay more fun than D&D (my younger me hates me right now).

That's been easy since the 80's. In fact, PC Gamer just posted an article listing a bunch of them. The trick is overcoming the ubiquitousness. When you get a new group together, often times there will be people that know how to play other games, but everybody knows how to play D&D. So you play that.

 

[Brian Boru]

ST = ??

Why, Star Trek, of course—what else could it be?

 

[Kaamos_Llama]

Cough, Stranger Things, cough

 

[ArcadeXavier]

Why, Star Trek, of course—what else could it be?

LOL. I'm sorry, it's Stranger Things, of course. I'm surprised u didn't catch it
ST is a benchmark in worldwide acceptance of D&D.

PD: I'm surprised nobody asks me what is this mysterious board game that I have abandoned D&D for...

 

[Zloth]

Well, you're clearly a person of taste, so I'm sure it's Star Fleet Battles.

 

[Brian Boru]

mysterious board game

What mystery? Only 2 options:

Option 1

Option 2

 

[ArcadeXavier]

What mystery? Only 2 options:

Option 1

Option 2

LOL. I see you like ST.

Game is called UNMATCHED and it's a blast

 

[Pifanjr]

LOL. I see you like ST.

Game is called UNMATCHED and it's a blast

Looks interesting.