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Grand OGL Wiki Seeks to Publish RPG Book Back-Stock

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the C&D-letters-at-the-ready-so-post-carefully dept.

Zonk pointed out an interesting story over at The Gamer Dome that details a new wiki project partnering with Mongoose Publishing to share the publishing company's back-stock for free. Titled "The Grand OGL Wiki," the new project seeks to create a repository for many out of print books that would otherwise be lost to the sands of time. "'If a volunteer (or volunteers - you might have to be some sort of maniac to go through all this material solo!) were to come forward and create a suitable web site, we would happily supply electronic versions of our D20 lines for translation of OGC to such a web site. We would be very free with the material permissible, allowing you to effectively cut and paste large chunks of 'fluff' text alongside the OGC. This would include all the Quintessentials, Slayer's Guides, Encyclopedias, Ultimates - potentially, even some Babylon 5 material, if someone is prepared to remove all the licensed text (no Conan though, as that is still current!).'"

24 comments

  1. Infringment Ahoy! by vandon · · Score: 1

    Countdown to copyright lawsuits..10.9.8.7.6...

    1. Re:Infringment Ahoy! by AKAImBatman · · Score: 4, Insightful

      if someone is prepared to remove all the licensed text


      Seems they're way ahead of you. ;-)

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    2. Re:Infringment Ahoy! by Nadaka · · Score: 3, Interesting

      The material being released on this wiki is not infringing. It is covered and protected by the Open Gaming License. This License has clearly defined terms concerning how material may be shared and what kind of attribution is required.

      I participated in some of the discussions that led to the creation of this wiki in the ENWorld.org forums. IIRC it began with a blog post by developer Mike Mearls claiming that the OGL was a failure.

    3. Re:Infringment Ahoy! by Nadaka · · Score: 2, Informative

      for references:
      http://mearls.livejournal.com/
      http://www.enworld.org/forum/showthread.php?t=231991

  2. Games Workshop by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    If GW did this with their outdated books, that would make alot of us fans of not only the game, but the fluff as well, very happy.

    1. Re:Games Workshop by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Interesting

      never gonna happen. GW is run by money whores.

      Used to be a huge Fantasy Roleplay fan, as well as some of their other games like the old Blood Bowl and Necromunda.. but anything that doesnt make them a crapload of cash gets axed.

    2. Re:Games Workshop by mcvos · · Score: 1

      If GW did this with their outdated books, that would make alot of us fans of not only the game, but the fluff as well, very happy.

      Oh definitely! The original Realms of Chaos books? I believe they cost a fortune on eBay. A free download would be fantastic!

      I don't think it'll ever happen, though.

    3. Re:Games Workshop by mcvos · · Score: 1

      never gonna happen. GW is run by money whores.

      Used to be a huge Fantasy Roleplay fan, as well as some of their other games like the old Blood Bowl and Necromunda.. but anything that doesnt make them a crapload of cash gets axed.

      Mostly, yes. The Living Rulebook for Bloodbowl was a small miracle in that light.

  3. I am sorry but you failed your wisdom check by multi-flavor-geek · · Score: 4, Funny

    You have been rendered a harmless, mouth breathing, citizen of the coastal lands, please do not annoy us with these back stock requests further. Do, however, take advantage of your new idiot status to actually be able to enjoy the X-box.

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  4. I wonder how much the license will allow by Lord+Crowface · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Would folks be able to do things like create "non-wiki" versions of the online books for easier reference? Create new games based on but modified from old rules and texts? Write computer adaptations of the material? All these questions, and more, should be answered before this can rise to anything more than just a bit cool.

    1. Re:I wonder how much the license will allow by Nadaka · · Score: 3, Informative

      of course it does. All material published under the Open Gaming License is freely reproducible under the terms of the OGL. For those not familiar with it, it is similar to some creative commons licenses (but with well defined, non vague terms) in that it has elements of share-alike and requires attribution.

    2. Re:I wonder how much the license will allow by SEE · · Score: 1

      You don't need to wonder. The license has been out for eight years now. Read it for yourself.

  5. OGC? by JakeD409 · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...we would happily supply electronic versions of our D20 lines for translation of OGC to such a web site...

    I don't know what D20 lines they're using, but I certainly don't remember any OGC in mine.

    1. Re:OGC? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

      Turn your head 90 degrees left, and you will see that there is a high correlation with role-playing games.

    2. Re:OGC? by Crazy_CorranH · · Score: 2, Funny

      The Book of Erotic Fantasy?

  6. RPG-IV by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    This would be great for all those people out there struggling to figure out how many spaces to put between bits of code while translating RPGII or System/36 code.

  7. Great use of a Wiki by LandDolphin · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I think this is great. Older systems do nto become useless just becase newer ones come out. Also, a lot of people enjoy playing the older games. This should be a great way to keep them around.

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    1. Re:Great use of a Wiki by ConceptJunkie · · Score: 1

      Sometimes the newer games cut out the middle man and come out pre-useless-ized for your convenience. Yes, D&D 4e, I'm talking to you.

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    2. Re:Great use of a Wiki by LandDolphin · · Score: 1

      Lol...

      I'm about to start my first 4e game (Hopefully). After reading the books, I have to say I was a little disappointed. But, I am hoping that it makes the mechanics of fighting go smoothly. I really miss the bard though; I enjoyed skill monkeys.

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    3. Re:Great use of a Wiki by DMUTPeregrine · · Score: 1

      4E has no replay value. You can play each class on each path once, and there is only 1 choice at each level, most of the time. I'm playing warlock: Fey is good, Infernal is good, star seems to stink. There are 2 warlocks. There's 1 wizard. etc. No variation or real choice for the player. Making the mechanics smooth is one thing, taking out the fun of building a unique character is another. D&D is just an MMO, with everyone identical now. I (and some friends/others) am working on a 3.5streamlined system, which will take elements of 4th and retain the choices. Lots of work though.

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    4. Re:Great use of a Wiki by LandDolphin · · Score: 1

      I think a lot might do that.

      One of my favorite things about 3.5e was building my character. There was so many different ways to craete a unique character. I agree, after reading the books and creating a few different characters for test, they all feel about the same. I loved fighter in 3.5, so many choices on your build. Now they feel so bland. :-(

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    5. Re:Great use of a Wiki by Nadaka · · Score: 1

      There are a lot of people who agree that 4th edition is not for them. That is why Paizo is going to continue supporting 3rd edition D&D under the pathfinder name. Not only is pathfinder a great series of 3.5 D&D adventures. BUt the pathfinder alpha release is an open and free playtest of core rules that extend and correct flaws with D&D 3.5 instead of replacing the system with combat monsters as 4e did. This is all made possible by the OGL.

      www.paizo.com

  8. this needs the open source tag... by Nadaka · · Score: 1

    It does.