Comments on: Today's 4e Announcement and What It Means For You http://critical-hits.com/2008/01/08/todays-4e-announcement-and-what-it-means-for-you/ The Journal of Gamer Culture Thu, 24 May 2012 01:39:46 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: WotC: “That $5k license thing? Just kidding.” : Critical Hits http://critical-hits.com/2008/01/08/todays-4e-announcement-and-what-it-means-for-you/#comment-61401 WotC: “That $5k license thing? Just kidding.” : Critical Hits Thu, 17 Apr 2008 19:12:13 +0000 http://www.critical-hits.com/2008/01/08/todays-4e-announcement-and-what-it-means-for-you/#comment-61401 [...] Sounds like you can be approved to use a “D&D Compatible” logo, and anyone can use a GSL after publication. (And no one is going to have to pay $5k.) [...] [...] Sounds like you can be approved to use a “D&D Compatible” logo, and anyone can use a GSL after publication. (And no one is going to have to pay $5k.) [...]

]]> By: Musings of the Chatty DM » Blog Archive » The 4e OGL: Joining forces with my Nemesis http://critical-hits.com/2008/01/08/todays-4e-announcement-and-what-it-means-for-you/#comment-61400 Musings of the Chatty DM » Blog Archive » The 4e OGL: Joining forces with my Nemesis Thu, 10 Jan 2008 19:49:53 +0000 http://www.critical-hits.com/2008/01/08/todays-4e-announcement-and-what-it-means-for-you/#comment-61400 [...] chimed in on Critical Hits and Omnius’ blog about it. The debate rages on and will for some time and I don’t want [...] [...] chimed in on Critical Hits and Omnius’ blog about it. The debate rages on and will for some time and I don’t want [...]

]]> By: The Game http://critical-hits.com/2008/01/08/todays-4e-announcement-and-what-it-means-for-you/#comment-61399 The Game Thu, 10 Jan 2008 16:49:19 +0000 http://www.critical-hits.com/2008/01/08/todays-4e-announcement-and-what-it-means-for-you/#comment-61399 I think that's very likely. How WotC takes to that, and what they do about it, are another question. Regardless, I think it's a move that will drive more people to piracy, as often happens with non-Open Source models. I think that’s very likely. How WotC takes to that, and what they do about it, are another question.

Regardless, I think it’s a move that will drive more people to piracy, as often happens with non-Open Source models.

]]> By: Phil http://critical-hits.com/2008/01/08/todays-4e-announcement-and-what-it-means-for-you/#comment-61398 Phil Thu, 10 Jan 2008 16:48:27 +0000 http://www.critical-hits.com/2008/01/08/todays-4e-announcement-and-what-it-means-for-you/#comment-61398 That might work.... especially since game rules can't be copyrighted... look at OSRIC. That might work…. especially since game rules can’t be copyrighted… look at OSRIC.

]]> By: Graham http://critical-hits.com/2008/01/08/todays-4e-announcement-and-what-it-means-for-you/#comment-61397 Graham Thu, 10 Jan 2008 16:46:46 +0000 http://www.critical-hits.com/2008/01/08/todays-4e-announcement-and-what-it-means-for-you/#comment-61397 I have thought of something. If the SRD is "this is what you can include in your project" with references and indexes to that material, how long do you think it'll be before someone types out the informtion, compiles it online, and releases it for free under the OGL? We'd have our online rules reference back, we'd just have to do it ourselves. I have thought of something.

If the SRD is “this is what you can include in your project” with references and indexes to that material, how long do you think it’ll be before someone types out the informtion, compiles it online, and releases it for free under the OGL?

We’d have our online rules reference back, we’d just have to do it ourselves.

]]> By: Graham http://critical-hits.com/2008/01/08/todays-4e-announcement-and-what-it-means-for-you/#comment-61396 Graham Wed, 09 Jan 2008 16:51:47 +0000 http://www.critical-hits.com/2008/01/08/todays-4e-announcement-and-what-it-means-for-you/#comment-61396 Dave, you are right, they were mentioned as being problematic, but there are loopholes and ways around everything. Dave, you are right, they were mentioned as being problematic, but there are loopholes and ways around everything.

]]> By: The Game http://critical-hits.com/2008/01/08/todays-4e-announcement-and-what-it-means-for-you/#comment-61395 The Game Wed, 09 Jan 2008 15:45:54 +0000 http://www.critical-hits.com/2008/01/08/todays-4e-announcement-and-what-it-means-for-you/#comment-61395 M&M is so distant from D&D anyway I don't see why they'd need to upgrade (and the 3.5 OGL CANNOT go away.) New products in a similar vein, however... at the very least, they're making damn sure that you need to buy a PHB to use them. WotC has really just made the OGL into the d20 License. M&M is so distant from D&D anyway I don’t see why they’d need to upgrade (and the 3.5 OGL CANNOT go away.)

New products in a similar vein, however… at the very least, they’re making damn sure that you need to buy a PHB to use them. WotC has really just made the OGL into the d20 License.

]]> By: Phil http://critical-hits.com/2008/01/08/todays-4e-announcement-and-what-it-means-for-you/#comment-61394 Phil Wed, 09 Jan 2008 13:01:24 +0000 http://www.critical-hits.com/2008/01/08/todays-4e-announcement-and-what-it-means-for-you/#comment-61394 Thing is.... will the changes to 4e be significant enough to warrant a cascade of new editions from established d20 based games? I mean M&M already has had 2 editions and seems to be well supported and have a loyal following. It can continue to exist (and maybe be updated) as an independent product. I'm really curious to see where this will go (and how the people will react). Thing is…. will the changes to 4e be significant enough to warrant a cascade of new editions from established d20 based games? I mean M&M already has had 2 editions and seems to be well supported and have a loyal following.

It can continue to exist (and maybe be updated) as an independent product.

I’m really curious to see where this will go (and how the people will react).

]]> By: Bartoneus http://critical-hits.com/2008/01/08/todays-4e-announcement-and-what-it-means-for-you/#comment-61393 Bartoneus Wed, 09 Jan 2008 12:02:56 +0000 http://www.critical-hits.com/2008/01/08/todays-4e-announcement-and-what-it-means-for-you/#comment-61393 Are they seriously concerned that people will buy something like Spycraft and use it to ninja-play D&D from? Are they seriously concerned that people will buy something like Spycraft and use it to ninja-play D&D from?

]]> By: The Game http://critical-hits.com/2008/01/08/todays-4e-announcement-and-what-it-means-for-you/#comment-61392 The Game Wed, 09 Jan 2008 04:07:16 +0000 http://www.critical-hits.com/2008/01/08/todays-4e-announcement-and-what-it-means-for-you/#comment-61392 <em>The 4e SRD will be a "reference document" for publishers working under the 4e OGL to know what content can be used in their own products. It will reference sections and passages from 4e D&D books and will also contain table/formating guidelines like the monster stat block to allow for consistency among products. It will not be a stripped down core rulebook (PHB) that largely allows you to play D&D.</em> Sadness... The 4e SRD will be a “reference document” for publishers working under the 4e OGL to know what content can be used in their own products. It will reference sections and passages from 4e D&D books and will also contain table/formating guidelines like the monster stat block to allow for consistency among products.

It will not be a stripped down core rulebook (PHB) that largely allows you to play D&D.

Sadness…

]]> By: Musings of the Chatty DM » Blog Archive » Magic loot by any other name. http://critical-hits.com/2008/01/08/todays-4e-announcement-and-what-it-means-for-you/#comment-61391 Musings of the Chatty DM » Blog Archive » Magic loot by any other name. Wed, 09 Jan 2008 02:55:55 +0000 http://www.critical-hits.com/2008/01/08/todays-4e-announcement-and-what-it-means-for-you/#comment-61391 [...] I’m fresh back from the Gym, proud in my willpower to have resisted the pull of World of Warcraft and the Blog to take care of me first…. I’m also quite aware of the WotC announcement about the way they plan to handle the next version of the OGL and it’s associated brand license (the next d20). As I made a point of this before, I’m taking the ‘discreetly optimistic and moderate’ stance about 4e on this blog (i.e I won’t talk about it if I can). If you wish to discuss this and see my opinion on this, see it over Dave and Danny’s blog here. [...] [...] I’m fresh back from the Gym, proud in my willpower to have resisted the pull of World of Warcraft and the Blog to take care of me first…. I’m also quite aware of the WotC announcement about the way they plan to handle the next version of the OGL and it’s associated brand license (the next d20). As I made a point of this before, I’m taking the ‘discreetly optimistic and moderate’ stance about 4e on this blog (i.e I won’t talk about it if I can). If you wish to discuss this and see my opinion on this, see it over Dave and Danny’s blog here. [...]

]]> By: Bartoneus http://critical-hits.com/2008/01/08/todays-4e-announcement-and-what-it-means-for-you/#comment-61390 Bartoneus Wed, 09 Jan 2008 01:21:39 +0000 http://www.critical-hits.com/2008/01/08/todays-4e-announcement-and-what-it-means-for-you/#comment-61390 ::dusts off his torch:: ::dusts off his torch::

]]> By: The Game http://critical-hits.com/2008/01/08/todays-4e-announcement-and-what-it-means-for-you/#comment-61389 The Game Tue, 08 Jan 2008 22:13:25 +0000 http://www.critical-hits.com/2008/01/08/todays-4e-announcement-and-what-it-means-for-you/#comment-61389 Graham- you could be right, but those two were specifically called out on the conference call as being problematic. And I seem to recall Spycraft, in the first edition, did exactly as you describe. Graham- you could be right, but those two were specifically called out on the conference call as being problematic. And I seem to recall Spycraft, in the first edition, did exactly as you describe.

]]> By: Phil http://critical-hits.com/2008/01/08/todays-4e-announcement-and-what-it-means-for-you/#comment-61388 Phil Tue, 08 Jan 2008 22:10:15 +0000 http://www.critical-hits.com/2008/01/08/todays-4e-announcement-and-what-it-means-for-you/#comment-61388 Unless you want to make your own created mechanics as open content... I guess.... no? Unless you want to make your own created mechanics as open content… I guess….

no?

]]> By: Graham http://critical-hits.com/2008/01/08/todays-4e-announcement-and-what-it-means-for-you/#comment-61387 Graham Tue, 08 Jan 2008 21:27:46 +0000 http://www.critical-hits.com/2008/01/08/todays-4e-announcement-and-what-it-means-for-you/#comment-61387 For point 3, I suspect that what is actually mean is that 3rd-party books won't be able to reprint WotC's mechanics. If I was to publish a book like Spycraft, and I wanted to use 4e's combat rules, I would state "Combat Rules: see the 4e PHB" or something. But if I was to use different classes, I could just say "We use different classes, here they are". But any different mechanics are your intellectual property, and you will always be free to print those, OGL or not. As far as house rules go, those have never fallen under OGL. If you're printing mechanics that you created, you're free to do so. Only reprinting WotC's SRD material has ever needed the OGL. For point 3, I suspect that what is actually mean is that 3rd-party books won’t be able to reprint WotC’s mechanics.

If I was to publish a book like Spycraft, and I wanted to use 4e’s combat rules, I would state “Combat Rules: see the 4e PHB” or something.

But if I was to use different classes, I could just say “We use different classes, here they are”.

But any different mechanics are your intellectual property, and you will always be free to print those, OGL or not.

As far as house rules go, those have never fallen under OGL. If you’re printing mechanics that you created, you’re free to do so. Only reprinting WotC’s SRD material has ever needed the OGL.

]]> By: Phil http://critical-hits.com/2008/01/08/todays-4e-announcement-and-what-it-means-for-you/#comment-61386 Phil Tue, 08 Jan 2008 20:52:44 +0000 http://www.critical-hits.com/2008/01/08/todays-4e-announcement-and-what-it-means-for-you/#comment-61386 I was going to add that I missed that... yes... So about publishing stuff online in the mean time.... Well I've always said getting a Cease and Desist letter from WotC was one of the unoffical goals of my Web career. I think they're trying to prevent the 1st d20 glut where horrible horrible stuff appeared and they want to slow down the PDF market... Interesting... :) I was going to add that I missed that… yes…

So about publishing stuff online in the mean time….

Well I’ve always said getting a Cease and Desist letter from WotC was one of the unoffical goals of my Web career.

I think they’re trying to prevent the 1st d20 glut where horrible horrible stuff appeared and they want to slow down the PDF market…

Interesting…
:)

]]> By: The Game http://critical-hits.com/2008/01/08/todays-4e-announcement-and-what-it-means-for-you/#comment-61385 The Game Tue, 08 Jan 2008 20:49:20 +0000 http://www.critical-hits.com/2008/01/08/todays-4e-announcement-and-what-it-means-for-you/#comment-61385 Yes, it's definitely a "wait and see" about many things. But the depth of changes is far more than I was expecting. And everyone does get the OGL in June, BUT are not allowed to publish anything with it until January 2009. Yes, it’s definitely a “wait and see” about many things. But the depth of changes is far more than I was expecting.

And everyone does get the OGL in June, BUT are not allowed to publish anything with it until January 2009.

]]> By: Phil http://critical-hits.com/2008/01/08/todays-4e-announcement-and-what-it-means-for-you/#comment-61384 Phil Tue, 08 Jan 2008 20:45:39 +0000 http://www.critical-hits.com/2008/01/08/todays-4e-announcement-and-what-it-means-for-you/#comment-61384 Let's wait and see before running in the streets with a torch... Reading the official Release, it seems to me that they charge serious companies to get access to the game pre-release from January to June 2008. In June 2008 everyone gets the OGL. The d20 licence disapears, true, but Paizo,s been doing admirably with the 'compatible with the World's most...' line I'm not worried, either online or for an imprint project I'm thinking about. We just won't be able to use the d20 brand... No biggie I feel.. I don,t currently use it on my blog and I've published OGL compliant material. Let’s wait and see before running in the streets with a torch…

Reading the official Release, it seems to me that they charge serious companies to get access to the game pre-release from January to June 2008.

In June 2008 everyone gets the OGL.

The d20 licence disapears, true, but Paizo,s been doing admirably with the ‘compatible with the World’s most…’ line

I’m not worried, either online or for an imprint project I’m thinking about. We just won’t be able to use the d20 brand…

No biggie I feel.. I don,t currently use it on my blog and I’ve published OGL compliant material.

]]> By: The Game http://critical-hits.com/2008/01/08/todays-4e-announcement-and-what-it-means-for-you/#comment-61383 The Game Tue, 08 Jan 2008 20:33:47 +0000 http://www.critical-hits.com/2008/01/08/todays-4e-announcement-and-what-it-means-for-you/#comment-61383 One lingering question is how this will affect those of us who want to publish our own materials online. I'm not sure how WotC is defining "publishing", but it's very possible that we won't be able to post house rules online for 4e until 2009. One lingering question is how this will affect those of us who want to publish our own materials online. I’m not sure how WotC is defining “publishing”, but it’s very possible that we won’t be able to post house rules online for 4e until 2009.

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