When Wizards of the Coast (WotC) unveiled proposed changes to its decades-old Open Gaming License (OGL), most average players and smaller creators leaked versions sent to major content makers. I had to find out about it, via copy. WotC now promises that future changes will be made through a “more open and transparent” process and will start a “robust conversation” about the new proposal.
In a post on the D&D Beyond forums today, WotC Executive Producer Kyle Brink wrote that the “newly proposed OGL document” will be available by Friday, January 20th. At that point, community members will have at least two weeks to provide feedback. Through surveys containing specific questions and open-ended answers.
WotC compared the new process to the process they use for playtesting Unearthed Arcana documents, which is often used to solicit feedback on draft mechanics and gameplay ideas that have not been fully tested. Upon completion of his new OGL research, Brink says his WotC will “summarize, analyze, react and present what we hear from you.”
I’m sorry (noticing)
Brink revealed several types of fan-generated content that the new OGL will not explicitly affect. This includes videos, subscription services (such as paid Dungeon Master services), and virtual tabletop content. Brink also stated that his new OGL will not charge royalties and will not affect existing content licensed under OGL 1.0a, and that creatives will not be required to re-license their content back to WotC. He reiterated WotC’s recent promise not to. A leaked version of OGL 1.1).
Brink’s post also offers WotC’s most direct apology yet for the OGL debacle that has caused many tabletop publishers to abandon WotC in recent weeks.
“Sorry,” Brink wrote. “We misunderstood it. The language and requirements of the OGL draft were disruptive to creators, protecting and nurturing an inclusive play environment, and undermining our primary goal of limiting OGL to TTRPGs. We didn’t support it, and we hurt fans and creators when more frequent and clear communication could have prevented so much.
Brink’s post and other WotC communications mention that the leaked OGL 1.1 is a “draft” shared with major content creators, and “consider their feedback before anything is finalized. We were able to do that.” However, some in the community dispute that characterization, saying it is OGL 1.1. distributed with a contract allegedly Your signature is due When Pre-negotiated preferential terms for some funding sources.
“Wizards is trying to say that the OGL 1.1 we saw was a draft they sent for feedback. That’s a lie.” Major D&D Creator Griffon Saddlebags said on Instagram last week: “WotC never asked for feedback or said it was a draft or any of these things….The problem is, no one has signed it.
Wizards of the Coast has not responded to Ars Technica’s request for comment regarding the ongoing controversy surrounding OGL changes.
