Wizards of the Coast limits the ability of third-party IP addresses to use the D&D framework. Here’s how these changes will impact the TTRPG scene.
Dungeons & Dragonsthe publisher Wizards of the Coast is make significant changes to the open gaming license in 2023, which has the potential to completely change the tabletop RPG landscape. For more than two decades, the OGL has granted third-party developers the right to remove certain game elements from Dungeons & Dragons for use in their own games. This included a number of races, spells, classes, etc., as well as the basic set of rules needed to play the game.
OGL has provided third-party developers with a number of benefits, making it easier both to design a new RPG from scratch and for players already familiar with it. J&D Gameplay to engage with a different IP address without needing to learn a whole new set of rules and mechanics. However, these changes have major implications for third parties that depend on OGL.
The main changes brought by OGL 1.1 to the table
According to a leaked draft, Wizards of the Coast plans to completely invalidate the original license terms. To remain compliant with the updated document, many third-party developers will need to revise a considerable amount of content in what appears to be a very small window of time. Although the dates listed in the draft likely changed, WotC originally planned to give the developers only nine days to comply with the changes. It comes as one of many the company’s recent controversial announcements.
One of the most important changes described in OGL 1.1 limits the use of J&D content to printable game media only. This means that all apps, novels, videos, video games, etc. will no longer be allowed to operate under the OGL. Additionally, all products created under the license will have to report directly to Wizards of the Coast and even pay royalties if they raise $750,000 or more in revenue. This notably includes money earned through crowdfunding sites such as Kickstarter. WotC will also retain a “non-exclusive, perpetual, irrevocable, worldwide, sublicensable, royalty-free license” to use any content developed under OGL 1.1, even if the actual copyright belongs to the creator of the content.
How these changes will impact the TTRPG scene
While the drastic changes to OGL will no doubt give Wizards of the Coast greater control than ever over one of their most prized (and profitable) IP addresses, it also has the potential to compromise seriously several competing titles. Among these is the popular and highly regarded scoutcreated by Paizo as an alternative to J&D and released in 2009 under the original OGL. It remains to be seen how Paizo and other third-party developers plan to adapt their games to the updated license, if implemented as written, but it is clear that significant changes to the existing structures of their IP addresses will have to be brought if they want to survived.
If implemented, OGL 1.1 has the power to fundamentally change the way tabletop RPGs are developed in the future. With the heavy restrictions outlined in the new license, third-party developers and content creators will likely be deterred from publishing under the OGL. It could very likely led to move away from J&D as a “baseline” for TTRPGs in favor of new independently created systems. It could also lead to dramatic changes in the way J&D-based content, such as juggernaut critical role series, is marketed.
For now, strictly fan-made content, described by Wizards of the Coast as including “fan art, videos, podcasts, blogs, websites, streaming content, tattoos, altars to your cleric’s deity, etc. “, will continue to stand in accordance with the Fan Content Policy released in 2017. This means that anything explicitly unofficial and non-commercial created by fans will not be affected by the OGL update.
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