Maybe the OGL debacle is now over

RPGs

There seems to be some hope on the horizon with Dungeons & Dragons and the Open Gaming License. There’s a chance through all of this that Wizards of the Coast may have seen the light.

https://www.dndbeyond.com/posts/1439-ogl-1-0a-creative-commons

https://gizmodo.com/dungeons-dragons-will-no-longer-deauthorize-its-open-1850041837?rev=1674849859537

I still want to see how the Legal YouTubers interpret it all, but I think with 15,000 responses to their survey, the picture is crystal clear. As a long-time player of Dungeons & Dragons, I have witnessed the evolution of the gaming industry and the impact that fan engagement can have on the success of a game. The recent controversy surrounding the Open Gaming License and the actions of Wizards of the Coast serve as a prime examples of this.

The Open Gaming License, or OGL, is a legal framework that allows third-party publishers to create and distribute their own materials compatible with the Dungeons & Dragons game. However, recent changes proposed by Wizards of the Coast threatened to restrict the use of the OGL and limit the creativity of third-party publishers. This sparked a strong backlash from the D&D community, with many players expressing their disappointment and refusing to support the company.

The response from Wizards of the Coast was initially dismissive, but as the backlash grew and the company saw the impact on their sales, they eventually backtracked on their plans and reaffirmed their commitment to the OGL. This serves as a powerful reminder of the influence that fans can have when they come together and make their voices heard.

The success of other systems like Pathfinder, which has reportedly sold out eight months’ worth of core rulebooks, also highlights the importance of listening to and engaging with the community. It shows that when a company fails to meet the expectations and needs of its fans, they will seek out alternatives.

While it’s possible that Wizards of the Coast’s change of heart may be too little too late and that the damage has been done, it is important to remember that the gaming community is a resilient one and that change can happen. This incident serves as a reminder that fans hold a significant amount of power and that their voices can make a difference.

This is still not a “Playtest.”

John Saye

Hats: Writer, Game Master, Blogger

My books are available wherever ebooks are sold.

www.johnsaye.com