Dungeons & Dragons is changing its OGL once again, and the newly minted OGL 1.2 represents some significant alterations. The OGL, or Open Game License, has traditionally allowed third-party creators to make works and products utilizing certain aspects of DnD material without going through approval processes or paying royalties. OGL 1.2 continues this DnD tradition, but not without adjusting several key factors that fans and creators should pay attention to.
DnD publishers Wizards of the Coast was recently met with criticism for OGL changes in the proposed OGL 1.1 revision. Provisions requiring third-party companies to report revenue and pay proceeds if sales exceed certain amounts generated DnD OGL 1.1 backlash, and the appearance of limitations on allowed content that would revoke the of the original agreement fanned the flames of the fire. Recognizing the extent of the backlash, Wizards of the Coast went back to the drawing board. Although the original OGL doesn't seem to be coming back, the much-discussed OGL 1.1 is also getting left by the wayside.
D&D Deploys A Creative Commons License For Core Mechanics
Wizards of the Coast has revealed the new OGL 1.2 in a post on DnD 5e alternatives like Dungeon World and Blades in the Dark. Although the Creative Commons only covers the core mechanics of the game, it makes them fully available for interpretation and implementation without any additional restrictions.
D&D's OGL 1.2 Offers A Perpetual License To Most Material
Outside of core mechanics, DnD elements that have previously been covered by the OGL (owlbears, for example) are now moving to OGL 1.2, which offers a "perpetual, irrevocable" license for use. This terminology was missing in OGL 1.1, a fact that caused concern for many creators. The new system also offers a clarified policy for Virtual Tabletop platforms, which OGL 1.1 had seemingly threatened. Revenue reporting and royalties are likewise gone, meaning that creators large and small can sell content and run businesses without worrying about extra fees or paperwork. Creator Product Badges, demanded under the 1.1 changes in the DnD open-game license, are becoming optional again.
The major provision of OGL 1.1 that remains is the retention of Wizards of the Coast's right to terminate the license for any creators violating certain of the agreement. Outside of basic around copyright infringement and illegal conduct, the violations covered under these have to do with discrimination and harassment. Content or conduct that Wizards of the Coast deems hateful can result in the termination of an OGL 1.2 's license, and decisions made under these cannot be legally contested by the other party. These leave much up to the company's discretion, but the focus on hateful behavior means that most creators should hopefully avoid crossing lines.
Should D&D's OGL 1.2 Be A Big Concern?
Ultimately, creators and players can feel more comfortable with OGL 1.2 than with 1.1, with a number of aggressive changes in the former license being jettisoned. The average DnD player new or old should have essentially the same experience as before under the new license, with the production of plentiful third-party content likely to continue in full force, and creators can still make material without jumping through newly added hoops. It does, however, provide Wizards of the Coast with the power to step in when certain content essential to the DnD brand is being used in ways that associate the company with discrimination.
For fans who are still uncomfortable with any of the new license, Wizards of the Coast is currently offering a playtest period for the OGL 1.2 and accepting for potential revision. With a draft of the license available to the public, specific changes and word choices can be addressed more easily than with DnD OGL 1.1's controversial leaks. OGL 1.0 has a long-standing place in DnD history, and its end will no doubt remain a sore subject for many fans. After the widespread backlash to OGL 1.1, however, Dungeons & Dragons OGL 1.2 seems like a step in the right direction.
Source: Dungeons & Dragons/YouTube
