The Open Gaming License (OGL) for Dungeons & Dragons has undergone significant changes, causing outrage within the community.
The new OGL heavily restricts what content creators can produce and requires those who profit from their creations to report directly to Wizards of the Coast (WotC). These changes have sparked concern that the new guidelines will stifle creativity and innovation within the community.
Impact on D&D Community
In the past, the OGL provided a platform for talented creators to share their work with the larger community. Many are worried that the new restrictions will put an end to this. It is uncertain how these changes will impact the future of Dungeons & Dragons and its dedicated community of players and creators.
OGL Update Causes Turmoil in D&D Community
The latest version of the Open Gaming License (OGL) for Dungeons & Dragons has caused controversy due to its stringent restrictions on content creators.
OGL Causes Controversy
The OGL, which allows tabletop creators to produce and profit from modified rules and content for the popular role-playing game, has undergone several updates and revisions over the past two decades.
However, the latest version has generated a significant amount of backlash from the D&D community due to its stringent restrictions on content creators.
According to Wizards of the Coast (WotC), the original OGL was
“intended to allow the community to help grow D&D and expand it creatively,”
but it was not meant
“to subsidize major competitors.”
The new OGL cancels out all previous agreements and requires content creators to sign a new agreement if they wish to publish their work
“on or after January 13, 2023.”
It is currently unclear if this date still stands, as the OGL was leaked before it was officially published by WotC on January 4. The impact of these changes on the future of the game and its dedicated community of players and creators remains to be seen.
OGL Limits Content Creators
The latest version of the Open Gaming License (OGL) for Dungeons & Dragons has caused controversy due to its stringent restrictions on content creators.
The OGL 1.1, which was leaked prior to its official release by Wizards of the Coast (WotC), only allows for the creation of role-playing games and supplements in printed media and static electronic file formats.
This means that content creators are prohibited from producing a range of materials, including videos, virtual tabletop campaigns, computer games, and more.
OGL’s Impact on Popular D&D Content
WotC has said that creators can still engage with these activities, but only to the extent that the company’s Fan Content Policy allows or through a separate agreement between the creator and the company.
According to the policy, fan content includes “fan art, videos, podcasts, blogs, websites, streaming content, tattoos, altars to your cleric’s deity, etc.” It is unclear how this will impact popular D&D-related content such as lets plays and streams.
OGL Prohibits Discriminatory Content
In addition to these restrictions, the OGL 1.1 also explicitly prohibits content that contains anything bigoted, racist, homophobic, transphobic, or discriminatory.
Creators must sign a new agreement if they wish to publish their work “on or after January 13, 2023,” but it is currently unclear if this date still stands, as the OGL was leaked before it was officially published by WotC.
OGL Controversy Over Revenue-Based Tier System
The new Open Gaming License (OGL) for Dungeons & Dragons has caused controversy due to its revenue-based tier system for those who profit from their creations.
According to the OGL, creators who earn more than $50,000 from their products fall into one of three tiers: Initiate, Intermediate, and Expert. The Initiate Tier includes anyone who has earned $50,000 or less, while the Intermediate Tier ranges from above that amount to $750,000.
Those who earn more than $750,000 fall into the Expert Tier and must pay royalties of either 20% or 25% to Wizards of the Coast (WotC), depending on their crowdfunding platform.
WotC’s Response to Community Feedback
WotC estimates that only around 20 unofficial content publishers will fall into the Expert Tier, but the changes have sparked concern among the D&D community. In response, WotC has expressed a willingness to listen to the community’s feedback on the new OGL.
