As you may have heard, Wizards of the Coast is poised to release a new version of the Open Game License (v1.1). Parts of the license have been leaked online and it appears that Wizards' intent is to revoke the current version of the OGL, forcing creators to adopt the new version. Whether this is actually legal for them to do, under the terms of the license, is seemingly open to interpretation.
A huge number of games, including our own Old-School Essentials, are founded on the Open Game License. If that license were revoked, such games would be in jeopardy. The leaked version of the new OGL includes some extremely unappealing terms, most notably granting Wizards a "nonexclusive, perpetual, irrevocable, worldwide, sub-licensable, royalty-free license" to use content released under the OGL "for any purpose".
Needless to say, we are making various contingency plans in anticipation of the official release of the new OGL. Once the official release happens and we've had time to fully digest its implications, we will announce any possible alterations to our publication schedule.
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Gavin, I’ve been a fan since Ben at Questing Beast introduced me to you. I believe you have a loyal, fierce and interested following behind you, and I wish you the best in your decisions. Just know that there will be many behind you. I’ve been proudly giving support to you instead of the Big Guy for better than a year and I can report an very interested duo of game groups who’ve caught the OSE bug, keep it going!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I hope there is a viable way forward; you have amazing products and I look forward to spending some money on your upcoming projects!
What about changes to the current product line up, what would you need to remove in order to continue to publish further iterations of OSE content?
Fight the good fight, gather as many allies as you can! It can’t be allowed to pass, the damage is simply too great. People fear a legal battle, but it’s the only way to put an end to it. Cowering from it would only serve to make it “right”.
All my favorite games have 3D6 in the ability scores Muscle, Intellect, Perception, Nimbleness, Fitness, and Charm; and use THAR0 (Armor Rating), damage Health Points, & make Danger Rolls vs poison, paralysis, etc.