I would like to cut the bull so we can get on with the reality here.......
I think something of vital importance is WHY the OGF exists and more
specifically the d20 SRD (which is what most of the discussion REALLY is
about) exists at all.
After doing extensive market research WOTC determined that the majority of
their profit is made on the sale of Core Rules books. They also determined
that the more RPGs that get purchased in general, the more people end up
purchasing D&D books, specifically Core Rules books. Using that logic
(sound logic if you ask me) they determined that if they could get more
people to publish non-core books associated with their product line, more
people would buy Core Rules from WOTC and WOTC would make more money. They
also figured that if they could get more products published in general they
would make more money as well. Finally WOTC determined that the
proliferation of different game 'systems' confused consumers and hurt sales.
And so the OGF was formed. I am not saying there was NO altruistic intent
at all in the creation of the OGF because I really don't know, BUT I do
know that all the information above is factual.
That said, OGF and d20 exist as a means of making money. We (ie: not WOTC)
can make money by releasing d20 SRD compatible products saving us the time
(ie: cost) of developing and entire system of game mechanics. We also get
the benefit of name recognition (d20) when we don't have a name of our own
(yet.) WOTC on the other hand makes money because anyone who wants to play
a d20 SRD product will almost certainly buy the Core Rules books! Plus any
book with a d20 logo is basically free advertising for WOTC.
But what this all means is that there is NO GOOD FINANCIAL REASON to freely
offer up your creative materials as "open" if you have any hope of making
money. The small producer/designer gets no direct financial benefit by
opening their PI. They don't sell core books like WOTC and they loose the
only 'valued' material they have...their original works.
So basically I don't see this "movement" as a chance to revolutionize
gaming and make a world where everyone shares their work for the greater
creative good. What it REALLY is, is a chance for people to make money
doing what they love. If you just want a club where you can share cool
ideas for anyone to use you don't need ANY of this stuff...no OGL, no
d20SRD, nothing. The only reason legal documents of this kind exist is to
protect the rights of the individual or business to make a profit and claim
ownership of their works.
Frankly the name itself ("Open Gaming") is pretty funny since the only
thing Open about it is that everyone is Open to give the other guy
credit. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE it and plan to make use of the
opportunity but lets not create illusions for ourselves.
- Marc
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