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Author Topic: So WOTC reacted to the backlash...  (Read 10086 times)

Kerstmanneke82

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So WOTC reacted to the backlash...
« on: January 13, 2023, 12:22:41 PM »
So, after the foreseeable backlash on the OGL, Wizards released this:

https://www.dndbeyond.com/posts/1423-an-update-on-the-open-game-license-ogl

My head hurts too much for me to read it thoroughly plus English isn't my native language, but this is what I take out of it:

"First, we wanted the ability to prevent the use of D&D content from being included in hateful and discriminatory products." "The next OGL will contain the provisions that allow us to protect and cultivate the inclusive environment we are trying to build..."

-> Does this mean that, if we were to release products under this license, they *theoretically* can forcefeed our product that bio-essentialism nonsense (no fixed ability increases, no "races", ...)?

"And third, we wanted to ensure that the OGL is for the content creator, the homebrewer, the aspiring designer, our players, and the community—not major corporations to use for their own commercial and promotional purpose."

-> Can we interpret this as an attack on Paizo, Kobold Press, Green Ronin, ... ?

MeganovaStella

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Re: So WOTC reacted to the backlash...
« Reply #1 on: January 13, 2023, 12:26:20 PM »
so more censorious bullshit from wotc. not surprising.

Ghostmaker

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Re: So WOTC reacted to the backlash...
« Reply #2 on: January 13, 2023, 12:27:27 PM »
That last bit is some quality gaslighting, gotta say.

To hell with WotC.

Mistwell

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Re: So WOTC reacted to the backlash...
« Reply #3 on: January 13, 2023, 12:33:06 PM »
So, after the foreseeable backlash on the OGL, Wizards released this:

https://www.dndbeyond.com/posts/1423-an-update-on-the-open-game-license-ogl

My head hurts too much for me to read it thoroughly plus English isn't my native language, but this is what I take out of it:

"First, we wanted the ability to prevent the use of D&D content from being included in hateful and discriminatory products." "The next OGL will contain the provisions that allow us to protect and cultivate the inclusive environment we are trying to build..."

-> Does this mean that, if we were to release products under this license, they *theoretically* can forcefeed our product that bio-essentialism nonsense (no fixed ability increases, no "races", ...)?

"And third, we wanted to ensure that the OGL is for the content creator, the homebrewer, the aspiring designer, our players, and the community—not major corporations to use for their own commercial and promotional purpose."

-> Can we interpret this as an attack on Paizo, Kobold Press, Green Ronin, ... ?

I am sure Chris would be flattered and appalled at the same time to hear Green Ronin called a "major corporation."

Horace

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Re: So WOTC reacted to the backlash...
« Reply #4 on: January 13, 2023, 12:44:43 PM »
"First, we wanted the ability to prevent the use of D&D content from being included in hateful and discriminatory products." "The next OGL will contain the provisions that allow us to protect and cultivate the inclusive environment we are trying to build..."
This is like when Harvey Weinstein tried to save himself by saying he was going to use his wealth and influence to go after the NRA. "Look what a good little Leftist I am! I'm on your side!"

I hope it works for WotC as well as it worked for Harvey.

Jaeger

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Re: So WOTC reacted to the backlash...
« Reply #5 on: January 13, 2023, 01:04:28 PM »
For those not wanting to give clicks:

Quote
An Update on the Open Game License (OGL)

When we initially conceived of revising the OGL, it was with three major goals in mind. First, we wanted the ability to prevent the use of D&D content from being included in hateful and discriminatory products. Second, we wanted to address those attempting to use D&D in web3, blockchain games, and NFTs by making clear that OGL content is limited to tabletop roleplaying content like campaigns, modules, and supplements. And third, we wanted to ensure that the OGL is for the content creator, the homebrewer, the aspiring designer, our players, and the community—not major corporations to use for their own commercial and promotional purpose.

Driving these goals were two simple principles: (1) Our job is to be good stewards of the game, and (2) the OGL exists for the benefit of the fans. Nothing about those principles has wavered for a second.

That was why our early drafts of the new OGL included the provisions they did. That draft language was provided to content creators and publishers so their feedback could be considered before anything was finalized. In addition to language allowing us to address discriminatory and hateful conduct and clarifying what types of products the OGL covers, our drafts included royalty language designed to apply to large corporations attempting to use OGL content. It was never our intent to impact the vast majority of the community.

However, it’s clear from the reaction that we rolled a 1. It has become clear that it is no longer possible to fully achieve all three goals while still staying true to our principles. So, here is what we are doing.

The next OGL will contain the provisions that allow us to protect and cultivate the inclusive environment we are trying to build and specify that it covers only content for TTRPGs. That means that other expressions, such as educational and charitable campaigns, livestreams, cosplay, VTT-uses, etc., will remain unaffected by any OGL update. Content already released under 1.0a will also remain unaffected.

What it will not contain is any royalty structure. It also will not include the license back provision that some people were afraid was a means for us to steal work. That thought never crossed our minds. Under any new OGL, you will own the content you create. We won’t. Any language we put down will be crystal clear and unequivocal on that point. The license back language was intended to protect us and our partners from creators who incorrectly allege that we steal their work simply because of coincidental similarities. As we continue to invest in the game that we love and move forward with partnerships in film, television, and digital games, that risk is simply too great to ignore. The new OGL will contain provisions to address that risk, but we will do it without a license back and without suggesting we have rights to the content you create. Your ideas and imagination are what makes this game special, and that belongs to you.

A couple of last thoughts. First, we won’t be able to release the new OGL today, because we need to make sure we get it right, but it is coming. Second, you’re going to hear people say that they won, and we lost because making your voices heard forced us to change our plans. Those people will only be half right. They won—and so did we.

Our plan was always to solicit the input of our community before any update to the OGL; the drafts you’ve seen were attempting to do just that. We want to always delight fans and create experiences together that everyone loves. We realize we did not do that this time and we are sorry for that. Our goal was to get exactly the type of feedback on which provisions worked and which did not–which we ultimately got from you. Any change this major could only have been done well if we were willing to take that feedback, no matter how it was provided–so we are. Thank you for caring enough to let us know what works and what doesn’t, what you need and what scares you. Without knowing that, we can’t do our part to make the new OGL match our principles. Finally, we’d appreciate the chance to make this right. We love D&D’s devoted players and the creators who take them on so many incredible adventures. We won’t let you down.

This is awesome.

WotC has yet to fail to disappoint.

Go WotC Suits, Go!!!
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GeekyBugle

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Re: So WOTC reacted to the backlash...
« Reply #6 on: January 13, 2023, 01:07:36 PM »
The Sparkle Troll Brigade is already saying that they are perfectly fine with "kicking out the bigots" but they want their OGL 1.0a to be modified to include such language.
Quote from: Rhedyn

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FingerRod

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Re: So WOTC reacted to the backlash...
« Reply #7 on: January 13, 2023, 01:18:53 PM »
The Sparkle Troll Brigade is already saying that they are perfectly fine with "kicking out the bigots" but they want their OGL 1.0a to be modified to include such language.

That makes sense. If I wanted to put down a rebellion, I would start with the dum dums who also happen to be the easiest to placate. So good on WotC, I guess. I am no longer shocked by how stupid those people are.

And again, those people were just loud mouths. They already hate D&D, rarely game, are not D&D customers, and only care about their internet virtue points.

As for kicking out the bigots. The OGL has been out 20 years. I am sure they can provide 10 or 15 examples of hateful material created using the OGL. Right?

Kerstmanneke82

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Re: So WOTC reacted to the backlash...
« Reply #8 on: January 13, 2023, 01:23:48 PM »
The Sparkle Troll Brigade is already saying that they are perfectly fine with "kicking out the bigots" but they want their OGL 1.0a to be modified to include such language.
Are they? Source?

GeekyBugle

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Re: So WOTC reacted to the backlash...
« Reply #9 on: January 13, 2023, 01:34:46 PM »
The Sparkle Troll Brigade is already saying that they are perfectly fine with "kicking out the bigots" but they want their OGL 1.0a to be modified to include such language.
Are they? Source?

Just peruse the comments, it won't take you long to find them saying:

"If you want to prevent hateful / discriminatory use of the OGL, update the existing with that language and don't change anything else about it at all. Any thing else is unacceptable."

Or

"Also the text leaves out the following questions:
- Can we still publish new content under 1.0a license?

- Have you abandoned the idea of royalty reports?

Because these two things that will make or break any deal with the creators."

The first one is perfectly fine with the exclusion of whatever WotC deems as "bigots", the second doesn't say so explicitly but it's not against it.

https://twitter.com/Wizards_DnD/status/1613931980717957125

IMHO it's fine, shots were fired and many are already purging EVERYTHING SRD from their stuff, which will create a non WotC SRD under an open license. Fuck WotC and the Sparkle Troll Brigade too.
Quote from: Rhedyn

Here is why this forum tends to be so stupid. Many people here think Joe Biden is "The Left", when he is actually Far Right and every US republican is just an idiot.

“During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act.”

― George Orwell

BoxCrayonTales

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Re: So WOTC reacted to the backlash...
« Reply #10 on: January 13, 2023, 01:36:46 PM »
So basically, they want to be able to censor anyone they don't like and prevent anyone from producing products they consider competition. In other words, they want to kill the OSR and any other independent games using the OGL.

Good luck. I say that with as much sarcasm as I can muster.

GeekyBugle

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Re: So WOTC reacted to the backlash...
« Reply #11 on: January 13, 2023, 01:37:27 PM »
The Sparkle Troll Brigade is already saying that they are perfectly fine with "kicking out the bigots" but they want their OGL 1.0a to be modified to include such language.

That makes sense. If I wanted to put down a rebellion, I would start with the dum dums who also happen to be the easiest to placate. So good on WotC, I guess. I am no longer shocked by how stupid those people are.

And again, those people were just loud mouths. They already hate D&D, rarely game, are not D&D customers, and only care about their internet virtue points.

As for kicking out the bigots. The OGL has been out 20 years. I am sure they can provide 10 or 15 examples of hateful material created using the OGL. Right?

They can, by the Sparkle Troll Brigade definition, let me give a few examples:

Using "Race"

Having totally Evil monsters

Having different modifiers for races

Need any more examples?
Quote from: Rhedyn

Here is why this forum tends to be so stupid. Many people here think Joe Biden is "The Left", when he is actually Far Right and every US republican is just an idiot.

“During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act.”

― George Orwell

Semaj Khan

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Re: So WOTC reacted to the backlash...
« Reply #12 on: January 13, 2023, 01:39:16 PM »
Let's look at their stated goals in the order they listed them.

Quote
When we initially conceived of revising the OGL, it was with three major goals in mind. First, we wanted the ability to prevent the use of D&D content from being included in hateful and discriminatory products.

That's listed first. FIRST. That's the primary thrust of the nu-OGL. I maintained it's about HASBRO's ESG score at the first. Chainsaw disagreed; I'm not going to downgrade his expertise in his field... but I still maintain I'm right in this case.

Quote
Second, we wanted to address those attempting to use D&D in web3, blockchain games, and NFTs by making clear that OGL content is limited to tabletop roleplaying content like campaigns, modules, and supplements.

I think that's actually fair to a large extent. The inclusion of web3 is interesting because it essentially means "we don't want our shit out there in the wild where we can't keep an eye on it."

Quote
And third, we wanted to ensure that the OGL is for the content creator, the homebrewer, the aspiring designer, our players, and the community—not major corporations to use for their own commercial and promotional purpose.

"We're still smarting from having Paizo's cock up our ass after all these years."  And it's about revenue they aren't making because someone else smarter is making it.
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Grognard GM

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Re: So WOTC reacted to the backlash...
« Reply #13 on: January 13, 2023, 01:51:20 PM »
Dear people that said "the enemy of my enemy is my friend, so we're allied with the Woke D&D crowd."

How's that working out for you?
I'm a middle aged guy with a lot of free time, looking for similar, to form a group for regular gaming. You should be chill, non-woke, and have time on your hands.

See below:

https://www.therpgsite.com/news-and-adverts/looking-to-form-a-group-of-people-with-lots-of-spare-time-for-regular-games/

THE_Leopold

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Re: So WOTC reacted to the backlash...
« Reply #14 on: January 13, 2023, 01:57:12 PM »
Dear people that said "the enemy of my enemy is my friend, so we're allied with the Woke D&D crowd."

How's that working out for you?

Just fine honestly. Some are going to be informed and keep on hammering away at WOTC for being disengenous, others will bow out because the outrage is no longer there and the dopamine rush has stopped coming.   They will return when the next THING.TO.BE.OUTRAGED comes around again.
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