“Draft” D&D OGL – Our Response
Happy New Year, gang!
Buckle up. This is going to be a long one.
I’m R P Davis, owner and CEO of Kabouter Games. I’m also the lead developer — hell, only developer — layout designer, project manager, you name it. I’m the only employee. And even I’m part-time.
Why do I tell you this? To establish why what I talk about later is so awful. I’m one of dozens, hundreds, of tiny pico-publishers in the tabletop roleplaying games scene. I’m looking at a vital income stream evaporate. Why? Corporate greed. A multi-billion-dollar corporation feels threatened … by me.
It’s surreal.
What’s Going On?
If you follow TTRPG social media you’re probably aware of the controversy surrounding Wizards of the Coast attempting to revoke the Open Gaming License (OGL 1.0a). Third party publishers like me depend on OGL 1.0a for the ability to make 5e-compatible gaming content. There was a bunch of other bullcrap involved, but the most relevant thing for the purpose of this letter is revocation of OGL 1.0a. Since then they’ve walked back literally all of the other bullcrap, but they’re still insisting they’re revoking OGL 1.0a. They have not yet released the text of exactly what they propose to replace it with, either. Which means I can’t make plans.
The OGL — of which 1.0a is the latest version — has been around since 2000. It’s been used by countless creators to create spectacular content, from my pokey little 5e-compatible supplements to Pathfinder.
An entire industry has grown up around the OGL: a vibrant, dynamic, industry that’s not just employed hundreds if not thousands of new voices, but amplified voices from people who aren’t the same demographic as Gary Gygax.
What’s more, the D&D brand wouldn’t be where it is without the work of OGL creators. We’ve promoted it, supported it, built communities around it, helped build the greater D&D community. We have added value to the brand, making it Wizards’ (and thus Hasbro’s) most profitable brand.
I am angry. I have been betrayed. I’m even angrier because after the community-outrage firestorm exploded, Wizards executives lied about it. They’ve shown disdain for the community of creators, DMs, and players who have made D&D the global sensation it is today. Wizards executives have shown they care more about short-term monetization than the long-term health of the brand. They’ve shown they don’t give a tinker’s damn about the community. If you ask me, I think they assume they’ll be able to replace angry customers who abandon them with new customers who don’t know or don’t care.
On the flip side, the response has been uplifting as hell. A broad-based coalition stands together in defiance. Major publishers are either working on their own licenses and/or joining Paizo to help develop their ORC license (more here).
For myself, I’d be satisfied if the new OGL has all the freedoms of OGL 1.0a along with a clause that lets Wizards decide if a work released under the license if offensive because it’s racist, sexist, or damaging to their brand because the creator is a shitweasel; and along with a clause that makes it irrevocable. That’s it. That’s all I’ll tolerate in terms of changes.
I don’t know what the future holds for the OGL. I’d love to remain one of the hundreds of publishers who create content under OGL 1.0a, because I adore Fifth Edition. I enjoy designing for it. I got my start as a semi-pro designer on DMs Guild, which is purely 5e. I just don’t know if I’ll be able to. So stay tuned for that.
Moving Forward
So what IS Kabouter Games going to do? To start, KG isn’t going anywhere. I’m better off than many publishers in that I don’t 100% rely on the OGL. I have two complete games, Toxandria and Spears & Spells, that either use a different license or 100% belong to me. I’m part of an organized movement of hundreds of creators working together to defend the OGL. I’m supporting Kobold Press’s Project Black Flag RPG system. As earlier noted, I’ve joined Paizo’s system-neutral. license effort
Most importantly, I’m putting the hammer down on supporting materials for Toxandria and Spears & Spells, especially the latter. Expect a series of adventures for S&S in Q1 2023 and a setting by Q3. These books are 80% written, and will be 100% written before the crowdfunding campaigns begin.
I’ll also be promoting the very open license I use for Spears & Spells. If you create RPG content, even as a hobby, the S&S license is very forgiving, based as it is on the MÖRK BORG license. The license is in the back of the Spears & Spells book, but here’s a digital copy so you can see for yourself how easy it is.
How You Can Help
There’s a lot you can do to push back against Wizards of the Coast.
First, stop your D&D Beyond subscription. In just the past week tens of thousands of people canceled their D&D Beyond subscriptions in protest. Wizards’ lie-strewn not-apology only appeared after this backlash. Oddly, it seems that losing money is the only type of communication they understand. [/sracasm] If you have a D&D Beyond account, download your personal property — campaign information, homebrew, and character sheets — and cancel the service. The only method that has a chance of making WotC suits pay attention is hit their profit margins. keep the promise of the OGL 1.0a alive. And hey, if you send me a screenshot of your Beyond sub cancellation, I’ll send you a FREE PDF copy of Spears & Spells. Reply to this email!
The second thing you can do is to support your favorite third party publishers. Many publishers — including but not limited to Kabouter Games — stand to lose everything if the OGL is revoked. Your continued support is the only thing preventing me and other third party creators from walking away from the TTRPG space. Remember that most of us have Patreons, where you can get all kinds of cool shit for as little as $/€ 1 per month. Here’s mine!
Third, boycott upcoming D&D releases. Don’t buy books available for pre-order. Don’t go see the D&D movie coming in 2023. Boycott other WotC and Hasbro products such as Magic the Gathering. Avoid D&D-branded video game properties. While you’re at it, contact Wizards and tell them exactly why you’re boycotting them.
Lastly, you can spread the word about what is happening. Tell the other players at your table. Share social media posts and memes. Make sure other gamers know what’s happening.
One Last Thing
To be perfectly clear, my beef is with Wizards and Hasbro management, not the D&D design team. I have cordial, professional relationships with some of them, thanks to freelance work I’ve done for them. That experience has taught me that the D&D design team are dedicated and kind people who are passionate about the D&D game and the community surrounding it. Though the suits won’t allow them to say so, I’m confident they’re as against these moves as we are. The D&D creatives are not the people making the OGL decisions. Hasbro and WotC executives are to blame. Be kind to the poor drudges who have nothing to do with this.
Summing Up
The future is uncertain, and that’s scary. With your help, we shall prevail. Matter of fact, this stuff has awakened the aging punk deep within me and fired me up to make rude gestures, swear a lot, and write stuff just to spite them.
I can’t thank you enough for your continued support. I appreciate you, and look forward to many more years of creating world-class RPG material for your enjoyment and entertainment.
All the best,
R P Davis
Kabouter Games
