Kyle Rode <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> It seems to me that the only legal rights the D20
> license gives publishers
> (i.e.: anyone who creates content for D20) is the
> right to give up their
> creations to open, royalty-free distribution. I
> don't see any economic
> value in giving up one's rights to be compensated
> for their work. .....
> It doesn't make sense,
> financially, to publish according to this license.
>
Dear Kyle,
Only that content which the publisher so designates as
"Open" is "given up" to the world to do with as it
wishes. So, a publisher can easily retain their IP,
use the OGL and d20 system licenses, and contribute to
the evolvement of the DnD game rules by making well
thought out and play-tested rule suggestions or by
simply offering new monsters, magic items, etc....
The economic value of publishing only under the OGL
may be minimal. I have not fully considered such a
proposition.
But, the economic value of publishing a fantasy
adventure that "Requires the use of the DnD3e Player's
Handbook" and that bears the d20 logo instantly places
such a publication above its generic competition (and
those adventures intended for other game systems),
because when the buyer picks up the module they
immediately know that they can remove the shrinkwrap
and sit down to play DnD without going through the
module and converting stats, etc.... Instant
recognition is hard to come by absent a huge ad
campaign, which is obviously not going to come from
small game publisher. Small game companys and WoTc
will both profit from the d20 system license.
Best regards,
Mac Golden
Troll Lord Games
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