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[VIDEO] Some History and Observations...
BitterClinger
Member UncommonPosts: 439
* Extreme Nerd Alert - Lots of talk about Dungeons and Dragons and tabletop game licensing! *
This has always been a heart-breaker for me. I feature the interview I watched on this site where Ryan Dancey made me laugh, cry, and then angry. I got over it and moved on, but I never really said what I wanted to say about the entire debacle, until now.
This is not a rant. In fact this video has a nerd factor that few are going to be able to tolerate for very long, but if you can make it through the first segment; it's an interesting story.
This has always been a heart-breaker for me. I feature the interview I watched on this site where Ryan Dancey made me laugh, cry, and then angry. I got over it and moved on, but I never really said what I wanted to say about the entire debacle, until now.
This is not a rant. In fact this video has a nerd factor that few are going to be able to tolerate for very long, but if you can make it through the first segment; it's an interesting story.
Comments
Part of this is because DDO - Dungeon and Dragons Online uses the d20 system for their MMO. Turbine would probably have a problem with Pathfinder using it. Also Goblin Works was so concerned about getting sued, that many of the monsters used in the Pathfinder RPG couldn't make its way into PFO. Even creatures that they probably could use because D&D pulled them from mythology, they said they would shy away from.
The video besides that I liked and will definitely look into checking out other things you've done.
Specifically this part as an example:
Q: Why can't I use those things in my program?
A: No d20 System Product can include rules for character creation or applying experience. In exchange for using the d20 logo you are prohibited from making a product that replaces the core rulebooks. Covered Products supplement the core rulebooks; they may not replace them. That is why all Covered Products must state that they require the use of the core rules.
The interactive game restriction exists because Wizards has an exclusive licensee for all interactive games. Authorizing other parties to make electronic games would violate the exclusive terms of that license.
I don't have time to look for it now, but I know Dancey made a comment describing why they couldn't use the D20 system a couple of times. The question came up a lot during early development of the game and a major detractor for it for obvious reasons. Also, the game was 'inspired' by the Kingmaker Campaign the Tabletop RPG put out. The inspiration is debatable about how well they did with bringing that into the game, if at all.
Vic Wertz, the CTO at Paizo offered the following response: "Nope—we didn't use the d20 System license for any of our OGL products."
That's pasted directly as it was sent to me.
So, Pathfinder content is published under the OGL (not d20 system), and the FAQ for the OGL on the WOTC site states it is permitted in "computer software".
It seems a little more investigation into the restrictions of the OGL may be warranted. Might be a subject for a future response video.
In addition, using the OGL means that you are required to place anything related to those mechanics into the public domain under the same license. Any code that builds on anything OGL related, anyone else could take and use without payment, and more importantly, the creator can't restrict other people from making things that work with those systems. That might mean they might not be able to ban or sue people for making add-ons that subvert the game.
All time classic MY NEW FAVORITE POST! (Keep laying those bricks)
"I should point out that no other company has shipped out a beta on a disc before this." - Official Mortal Online Lead Community Moderator
Proudly wearing the Harbinger badge since Dec 23, 2017.
Coined the phrase "Role-Playing a Development Team" January 2018
"Oddly Slap is the main reason I stay in these forums." - Mystichaze April 9th 2018
they built the game up to have PvP at its core, and then set up systems that punished you for PvP. There was no risk vs reward system in place, so even if you were willing to accept consequences, you gained nothing from PvP.
Then there is the God Awful graphics, literally from a 2002 graphic engine pushing at its maximum limits.
But of course, the White Knights countered, "Game Play over Graphics". Yes, that is normally true. But in PFO's case the game mechanics, even with out their bugs, function like they were created by a Jr. High School computer club after school project.
Then we had the marketing of the game. The pure genius of marketing guru Ryan Dancey, to play word games with consumer and the gaming community, led not only to over charging for his piece of crap, but it being reviewed in its current state of suck.
They are supposedly trying to sell this steaming pile to a new group of investors, but that was supposed to happen around March 1. Now it is nearly two months later, and not a word.
Played: E&B, SWG, Eve, WoW, COH, WAR, POTBS, AOC, LOTRO, AUTO.A, AO, FE, TR, WWII, MWO, TSW, SWTOR, GW2, NWO, WoP, RUST, LIF, SOA, MORTAL, DFUW, AA, TF, PFO, ALBO, and many many others....