[Steven Trustrum] Why? There's absolutely nothing wrong with that level of "winking." WotC itself sees nothing wrong with it.
I've read this converstaion with some interest, and found myself agreeing with both sides of the argument. As someone who enjoys, and publishes material for, the latest edition of D&D TM under the d20 System license, it has also crossed my mind how I can continue to show compatibility with the system should the d20 license be withdrawn - that is, by "winking", as you put it. Since, as has been rightly pointed out, I cannot show any compatability which infringes on trademark, I've come to the conclusion that the use of a logo is not the essential ingredient. I agree that any logo *should* at the very least indicate the market it is aimed at (ie fantasy, modern, etc), but I really don't think it is that important at all. The real boon to using the d20 System license is that it allows me to clearly state compatability on the cover by using one of the allowed statements as set out in the d20 license. The average gamer, IMO, is not particularly clued up about the d20 or OGL and has very little interest in being so. And since distributers are already reluctant to take on board many d20 products, why would they then want to embrace an entirely new, entirely unheard of system? If you really want to make the OGL work (in the context of the present 3.5 Ed, for example) after the demise of d20 (should this occur), then it will probably require a fan site that absorbs the OGL in its entirety and is popular enough to bring on board those fans of the present system who do not wish to upgrade their game. Through such a site, you'd have an audience to aim your products at. It is also entirely possible that in this manner the game would continue to evolve. PDF publishers (such as myself) can rely on crytic "Compatible with the core fantasy OGL rules" or some such to attract customers at RPGNow, or wherever, but this will be an ever declining market IMO, as I'll have no real market to aim the product at and will be relying entirely on people finding my products. Only time will tell whether there is any hankering for the present system(s) should the demise of d20 occur. The OGL might just be the bastard child that WotC will live to regret - but its only the fans who can drive that forward. Without them, there is no market and any logo is entirely moot. Alternatively, of course, you can use the OGL to create your own system, with your own logo. And in this respect at least, d20 will probably never go away. Just my not particularly coherent thoughts on the matter. Keith Robinson _______________________________________________ Ogf-l mailing list [email protected] http://mail.opengamingfoundation.org/mailman/listinfo/ogf-l
