D20 at Troll Lords

[GT]

So, I'm outta the loop apparently... why does TL have to get rid of its D20 product?

[Scott]

I didn't know they "had" to. I was under the impression they decided to because they were comitting to C&C; alea iacta est, and such.

[geneweigel]

I was off the internet for a while but I'm back.

Anyway, if you haven't heard "OGL" is officially dead at the end of this year. They're changing all the legal mumbo jumbo and starting over with 4e's approach. If you buy the "OGL kit" in January you can publish new stuff however if you choose not to then you'll have to wait until June 2009 for "free OGL"....

[Scott]

I was wondering where you've been.

I knew abouty the new 4E approach, but was unaware that they were yanking the older D20 OGL.

[geneweigel]

I ignored the internet for a while and focused on reality. It was like that FABULOUS FURRY FREAK BROTHERS issue when the cartoons turned into photographs.... Seriously, just taking an end of Summer respite was all and well taken. (I was totally wrecked last weekend!)

As far as OGL changes are concerned, I wasn't paying much attention but I saw that Troll blurb about clearance and checked it out on the web. It definitely doesn't have the same illusory "chops" that it once had when Gary was standing beside the inauguration of the last version so it may seem like something "good" has gone away. Honestly? Who cares, right?

[Scott]

Tim Kask has dubbed 4E as TETRNT, or The Edition That Requires No Thinking and stated, "They have mnaged to suck all of the life-juice right out and create a paper version of a hack & slash video game in which it is unbelievably difficult to be killed. Oh, yeah, that's really exciting... not."
Doesn't sound like an OGL I'd care about. It's the name, Dungeons & Dragons, it's the only reason I can think of for why I bother reading up on things. Even though I know it's not really Dungeons & Dragons anymore.

[geneweigel]

Where has there been an analogy to what has happened to D&D? Star Trek? DS9, Voyager weren't really that bad, were they? You can't even use Carter/DeCamp's deHowardization of Conan as an analogy. It just isn't D&D anymore.

Somebody unloaded a huge box of "rubbity" D&D minis from a garbage heap on me the other day and they went right back out into the trash. I couldn't even paint the "goof" off of them with a base coat. I just said its too much work for a lame game focus.

[Scott]

Star Wars is close.
It went from awesome, to no interest whatsoever, and that was all the same guy.

[geneweigel]

I guess that would be closing in on it. With the exception that its just a movie in complexity. That SW D20 still gives me a rash just thinking of it. On the other hand, SW D6 was worse!

[Scott]

I don't mind SW D20 so much, except that it did retain some of the asinine D20 concepts, like leveled commoners.

[geneweigel]

All the continuity being brought into it is what I dislike. Alien cultures, etc., plus the derivatives of the main characters (done in the manner of the endless "cash in" cheapo novels) instead of giving "new coolness" to play really just quenched the game's viability to play it with a straight face for me.

[grodog]

The 3.x OGLs remain in effect, WotC just set up the 4.x GSL such that you can't publish for the OGL in the same game line. And apparently they're in the process of re-tweaking the GSL again, due to lack of enthusiasm among publishers (including some of their champions like Necromancer, Paizo, etc.).

[geneweigel]

I got that information from Game Report they must have been talking a bunch of misinforming double talk over there.

Thats why I love these WOTC/Hasbro guys and their constituents!

[geneweigel]

Heres the official line:

FAQ
Q: Why are you charging for the OGL Designer’s Kit?
A: We want to encourage publishers who are serious about the business of OGL publishing to create compelling, quality products to complement the hard work we’ve put into creating 4th Edition material.

In that spirit, the OGL Designer’s Kit helps to establish a minimum bar for early entry into the OGL publishing world. We feel that publishers and developers with a proven track record of creating quality products will be able to cover the cost of the OGL Designer’s Kit and continue to create new material for 4th Edition.

Q: What about new publishers that can’t afford to pay for the kit? Won’t they be left out?
A: All of the material included in the OGL Designer’s Kit will be available for free starting June 6. Parties who find the cost prohibitive can begin developing their products at that time.

Q: Can anyone purchase an OGL Designer’s Kit?
A: Interested parties are required to possess a business license. Wizards of the Coast reserves the right to limit participation in this program as appropriate to the business.

Q: When can I start publishing OGL products?
A: Purchasers of the OGL Designer’s Kit can begin publishing their OGL products Aug. 1. Other publishers may begin publishing their OGL products on Jan. 1, 2009.

Q: Why do I have to pay to publish an OGL product for 4th Edition?
A: You don’t. Starting in June, the core rulebooks will be available on shelves everywhere, and you can use those books to craft your OGL product for sale starting Jan. 1, 2009.

Q: What about the d20 license? Will that still exist in 4th edition?
A: We are making the OGL stronger by better defining it. We’re rolling certain elements that used to be in the d20 license into the OGL, things like community standards and other tangible elements of the d20 license .

So there is definitely something being put to death in that mumbo jumbo.

[Scott]

That's an old Q&A, Gene, The June that they mention there was June 08, not 09, so whatever was going to pass, has passed, You could buy the thing prior to 4E release, but if you didn't by the 4E kit, you could get it free in June 08.

[geneweigel]

Its not written very well but isn't that their general problem over at "D&D LAND"?