Slashdot Mirror
PCGen to Charge for Data Files
ChrisDolan writes "The folks who benevolently dictate the creation of PCGen, a D20 character generator tool (e.g. for D&D), are going to start charging for downloads of data files. This comes after a long series of talks with Wizards of the Coast. The PCGen code will continue to be LGPL, but some of the data files (a separate download) will be more encumbered than just OGL (Open Gaming License). The specific data files that will cost are ones that were never released under OGL and have WotC IP in them. Details on the Code Monkeys site." PCGen is a nifty app, but all this stuff annoys me. I bought all the 3rd ed books already after all... it seems stingy to charge users twice.
"I bought all the 3rd ed books already after all... it seems stingy to charge users twice."
And if you want to be "current", you're going to have to buy all the 3E books again. WotC is releasing what they call 3.5E -- updates to the three core rulebooks (PHB, DMG, and MM). Going forward, only the 3.5E system will be supported.
There is no trade-in or rebate offer for owners of the previous edition. So you're going to have to pay for 3E "twice" either way.
Everyone else may have already read this, but this Q&A about Open Games is probably the most clueful thing I've read in weeks - including the open and honest justification for the creation of OG. Ver well written, credit where due, and exhibits an openness that I appreciate.
Look at it here
Anyway, I don't see anyone complaining about the fact that you have to pay for all of the GURPS character creators, as SJ Games certainly won't let you give thier data away for free.
This is demonstrably false:
http://www.sjgames.com/gurps/utilities/
It can't be "free" in the "libre" sense, no. But from the way you state it ("have to pay") it's very clear that you are talking about "free as in beer", and the very links on SJGames' own site prove that you're incorrect about what they'll let you do.
-Rob
And the software is open source why can't you just create the database by yourself?
A useful open source "product" would be a data entry program designed to make the creation and editing of these databases easy.
Sure, it's more work, but you shouldn't have any copyright issues unless you distribute the data you entered.
Go here to create your own Slashdot dis
These closed source data files were already typed up and hosted on sourceforge before WotC stepped in and put a halt to their distribution. This means fans of the d20 system already did the work to write up the data files using the dead tree books they already paid for. They were then hosting it on a system which WotC had nothing to do with, and didn't have to pay for. Fans were already filling this gap for free.
The key here, I think, is control. Wizards is afraid that by allowing the guys at PcGen to distribute their IP for free, people would lose interesting in buying the dead tree versions. To try and counter this threat, much of the write ups in the fan created content contained notes such as "As defined on page 231 of the Players Handbook". This compromise wasn't good enough, it seems.
As another point of interest, Wizards already created and sells their own version of a Character Creator for the d20 system which basically competes directly with the open source PcGen. You can download the demo version for free from their website. As you say, the commercial effort is a lot more professional than PcGen, but PcGen has a lot more features.
A steaming cup of soykaf would be real wiz right now.
According to Wizards of the Coast, all of the modifications made from 3.0 to 3.5 will be released, free of charge, as part of the Standard Reference Document. You can use those as a template for "upgrading" your campaign, if you want.
Me? I'm sticking with my 3.0 books, and I'll borrow from what I like in 3.5, but I'm not shelling out the money. Quit whining! Sheesh, it's like you think you deserve free copies of the new books, or something...
InThane
Ook! (that's monkey for greetings) I see that everyone is having fun bashing away happily at WotC, CMP, and things in general. I just thought I'd stop in and make a target, er, post myself here. ;)
Couple things a lot of you seem to be missing... mostly missing are additional facts. So, let me point you to were you can read what's what... then feel free to flame/complain/moan/groan/congradulate/pat on back/yell/scream/holler away. ;)
1st, the main announcement about things is located on our main page at http://www.codemonkeypublishing.com
That give an overview of things... more specifics are here:
http://www.codemonkeypublishing.com/modules.php?op =modload&name=PNphpBB2&file=viewtopic&t=12 9
okay.. that should give you all the fuel you need to pick your favorite adjective to use! ready, set, flame! ;p
*note - I am _VERY_ tongue in cheek and sarcastic, not with intent to annoy anyone (usully. ;p) but for simple humors sake.
Ask questions, they're more than welcome, please refrain from personal flames though, that's not needed and unwelcome.