The tablet industry appears to be undergoing a seismic shift based on leaked documents suggesting Wizards of the Coast intends to implement a more restrictive Open Game License (OGL) deal.
Based on a recent Gizmodo report, Hasbro’s subsidiary, Wizards of the Coast, is poised to revoke its long-standing OGL, allowing third-party publishers and fans to create D&D content using their own game rules. . For more than 20 years, this license has empowered countless creators to create and distribute their own D&D content using tools like Kickstarter and has enabled major publishers like Paizo, the creators of out Pathfinder, becoming the giants of the tablet space in their own right.
Reportedly, the new license, called OGL 1.1, makes many modifications to the D&D policy, including adding a requirement that all creators register any product they are selling with Wizards of the Coast . The new agreement also introduces a new 20-25% royalty that will be paid to Wizards by license users earning in excess of $750,000 in one year while also giving Wizards a “non-exclusive royalty.” right, perpetual, irrevocable, worldwide, sublicensable-free license” to use content created with OGL for any purpose. The new agreement will force all creators to accept OGL 1.1 despite the clear language of the current version that such a move can never be forced on creators.
Wizards of the Coast responds: ‘OGL won’t go away’
After rumors regarding these changes began circulating online last month, Wizards of the Coast responded to the online backlash from fans by issuing a statement on their D&D forum.
“OGL is not going away,” Wizards of the Coast wrote. “You can still create new D&D content, publish it anywhere, and play games with your friends and followers in any way that makes this game and community great. Thousands of creators publish on Kickstarter, DMsGuild, etc. an important part of the D&D experience, and we will continue to support and encourage them to do so through One D&D and beyond.”
But the leaked draft of OGL 1.1 seems to tell a very different story – one intended to thwart competitors like Green Ronin Games, which sell many products that use OGL.
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In OGL 1.1, Wizards stated “The Open Game License has always been about allowing the community to help develop D&D and expand it creatively. It is not intended to subsidize major competitors, especially now that PDF is the most common form of distribution.” With D&D alternatives like Pathfinder so popular in recent years, Wizards are increasingly interested in dominating OGL.
The changes to WOTC’s OGL come amid growing pressure to increase revenue from parent company Hasbro. Just last month, CEO Cynthia Williams described D&D as “really unmonetized” during a digital event with investors and expressed interest in unlocking “the kind of deterministic spending.” period you see in digital games”. These statements were made shortly after the following price drop in Hasbro stock Analysts criticize their handling of Magic: The Gathering.
Leaked documents add credibility when Kickstarter Game Director Jon Ritter tweeted, “Kickstarter was contacted after WoTC decided to make changes to OGL, so we felt the best move was to support the creators, which we did. Management to get lower % plus more is being discussed. No hidden benefits / no kickbacks for KS. Obviously this is their license, not ours.”
The lower percentage Ritter refers to is the confusing 5% reduction in royalty payments offered to projects funded through the crowdsourcing platform, all of which confirm the rumored OGL 1.1 changes.
Asked for comment by IGN, Wizards of the Coast declined to comment further and pointed to its statement about D&D Beyond.
Kickstarter was contacted after WoTC decided to make changes to OGL, so we felt the best move was to support the creator, which we did. Management to get lower % plus more is being discussed. No hidden benefits / no kickbacks for KS. Apparently this is their license, not ours. https://t.co/jHwX1JQKXM
– Jon Ritter (@jonritter) January 5, 2023
“It’s not true”
Now, with OGL 1.1 draft details public, fans and creators alike are sounding the alarm. Pat Mooney, Lead Designer at Flagbearer Games told IGN, “The hardest part of the new OGL was the provision that gave WotC the right to use any of my content, forever, royalty-free. I am planning to Launch a Source Book on the American Revolution in the Spring.”
He went on to write, “More than half of my book will be “mess,” or world-building, history, and other narrative content that has nothing to do with rolling the dice. However, if I publish under OGL 1.1, by letter of agreement, WotC may republish all of my work at their discretion. It’s not true.”
Nerd Immersion, a YouTuber and D&D content creator through the use of OGL, told IGN, “If this continues, I could see an increase in the popularity of non-D&D and non-D&D RPGs. must be other OGL. I also wouldn’t be surprised if some creators unhappy with these changes design a new, alternative RPG system… similar to how 4e and the Game System License led to creation. out to Pathfinder using native OGL. “
Some publishers, such as MCDM publishers, which make D&D supplements, remain optimistic, tell fans via Twitter, “Regarding OGL 1.1, MCDM consulted with the advisor and we don’t think it affected the development of Flee, Mortals! If/when other products are affected, we will notify the community.”
Tyler A. Thompson, attorney representing game publisher Sad Fishe Games and Prudence Holdings (both OGL-based), wrote in a letter told Wizards that “creatives will not be bullied” and that if Wizards does not clarify the changes planned in OGL 1.1, his clients “will be forced to start preparing for litigation within to the maximum extent permitted by law, including contacting major and minor publishers involved in a potential claim against Wizards for expected violations and other claims.
Time will tell whether the leaked draft of OGL 1.1 will come to light, as Wizards is clearly “easily convinced that we made a wrong decision”. After all, it wouldn’t be D&D without the DM asking “Are you sure?” before making a choice that completely changes the game.
Travis Northup is a writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @TieGuyTravis and read his Game coverage is here.
