Grand OGL Wiki Seeks to Publish RPG Book Back-Stock 24
Zonk pointed out an interesting story over at The Gamer Dome that details a new wiki project partnering with Mongoose Publishing to share the publishing company's back-stock for free. Titled "The Grand OGL Wiki," the new project seeks to create a repository for many out of print books that would otherwise be lost to the sands of time. "'If a volunteer (or volunteers - you might have to be some sort of maniac to go through all this material solo!) were to come forward and create a suitable web site, we would happily supply electronic versions of our D20 lines for translation of OGC to such a web site. We would be very free with the material permissible, allowing you to effectively cut and paste large chunks of 'fluff' text alongside the OGC. This would include all the Quintessentials, Slayer's Guides, Encyclopedias, Ultimates - potentially, even some Babylon 5 material, if someone is prepared to remove all the licensed text (no Conan though, as that is still current!).'"
Infringment Ahoy! (Score:2)
Countdown to copyright lawsuits..10.9.8.7.6...
Re:Infringment Ahoy! (Score:5, Insightful)
Seems they're way ahead of you.
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The material being released on this wiki is not infringing. It is covered and protected by the Open Gaming License. This License has clearly defined terms concerning how material may be shared and what kind of attribution is required.
I participated in some of the discussions that led to the creation of this wiki in the ENWorld.org forums. IIRC it began with a blog post by developer Mike Mearls claiming that the OGL was a failure.
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for references:
http://mearls.livejournal.com/
http://www.enworld.org/forum/showthread.php?t=231991
Games Workshop (Score:2, Insightful)
If GW did this with their outdated books, that would make alot of us fans of not only the game, but the fluff as well, very happy.
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never gonna happen. GW is run by money whores.
Used to be a huge Fantasy Roleplay fan, as well as some of their other games like the old Blood Bowl and Necromunda.. but anything that doesnt make them a crapload of cash gets axed.
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never gonna happen. GW is run by money whores.
Used to be a huge Fantasy Roleplay fan, as well as some of their other games like the old Blood Bowl and Necromunda.. but anything that doesnt make them a crapload of cash gets axed.
Mostly, yes. The Living Rulebook for Bloodbowl was a small miracle in that light.
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If GW did this with their outdated books, that would make alot of us fans of not only the game, but the fluff as well, very happy.
Oh definitely! The original Realms of Chaos books? I believe they cost a fortune on eBay. A free download would be fantastic!
I don't think it'll ever happen, though.
I am sorry but you failed your wisdom check (Score:4, Funny)
I wonder how much the license will allow (Score:2, Interesting)
Would folks be able to do things like create "non-wiki" versions of the online books for easier reference? Create new games based on but modified from old rules and texts? Write computer adaptations of the material? All these questions, and more, should be answered before this can rise to anything more than just a bit cool.
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of course it does. All material published under the Open Gaming License is freely reproducible under the terms of the OGL. For those not familiar with it, it is similar to some creative commons licenses (but with well defined, non vague terms) in that it has elements of share-alike and requires attribution.
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You don't need to wonder. The license has been out for eight years now. Read it for yourself. [d20srd.org]
OGC? (Score:5, Funny)
I don't know what D20 lines they're using, but I certainly don't remember any OGC [urbandictionary.com] in mine.
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Turn your head 90 degrees left, and you will see that there is a high correlation with role-playing games.
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The Book of Erotic Fantasy?
Great use of a Wiki (Score:2, Interesting)
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Sometimes the newer games cut out the middle man and come out pre-useless-ized for your convenience. Yes, D&D 4e, I'm talking to you.
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I'm about to start my first 4e game (Hopefully). After reading the books, I have to say I was a little disappointed. But, I am hoping that it makes the mechanics of fighting go smoothly. I really miss the bard though; I enjoyed skill monkeys.
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One of my favorite things about 3.5e was building my character. There was so many different ways to craete a unique character. I agree, after reading the books and creating a few different characters for test, they all feel about the same. I loved fighter in 3.5, so many choices on your build. Now they feel so bland.
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There are a lot of people who agree that 4th edition is not for them. That is why Paizo is going to continue supporting 3rd edition D&D under the pathfinder name. Not only is pathfinder a great series of 3.5 D&D adventures. BUt the pathfinder alpha release is an open and free playtest of core rules that extend and correct flaws with D&D 3.5 instead of replacing the system with combat monsters as 4e did. This is all made possible by the OGL.
www.paizo.com
this needs the open source tag... (Score:1)
It does.