This afternoon Kyle Brink, Executive Producer of Dungeons and Dragons posted yet another response to the OGL 1.1 controversy. Posted on D&D Beyond just after lunchtime on the US east coast, the letter is relatively short and concise. In it, Brink outlines a “path forward” for the game and the community. Here are the highlights:
Public Drafts
Wizards of the Coast is going to publish the next draft of the OGL on D&D Beyond for the community to read and consider. According to Brink, this will be on or before January 20, 2023.
Open Review Period
Following publication, a survey will be released to the community asking for feedback on the next iteration of the Open Gaming License. This will look a lot like past community feedback and Unearthed Arcana surveys WotC has put out. Players, content creators, and other members of the community are invited and encouraged to provide their suggestions for improvements to the public draft. The open review period, according to the announcement, will last at least two weeks.
WotC Review and Revision
Once the feedback is collected, it will be reviewed by WotC staff and analyzed. Like with their Unearthed Arcana surveys, not every change suggested will be made. After the revisions are completed, presumably a final draft will be revealed. That is, officially revealed, not leaked like OGL 1.1.
It should be pointed out that there was technically a public announcement about coming changes to the Open Gaming License back on December 23rd. The language was vague, but reassuring, and convincing enough that I packed up my soapbox and exited stage right. Briefly. Despite the assurances in that December 23rd post, once the full text of OGL 1.1 became available the community found plenty of things to be worried about. Brink’s post today reiterates that videos, livestreams, etc. will not be impacted by any changes made to the OGL.
WotC on ownership (again)
In Brink’s list of things that will not be changed with any OGL revisions, he includes ownership of content ,saying: “You will continue to own your content with no license-back requirements.” What Brink does NOT say is that it only applies to content outside of D&D Beyond. Homebrew content on D&D Beyond is covered under yet another set of terms of use, which does contain license-back language.
Only time will tell if this latest gambit will be enough to satisfy the Dungeons and Dragons community. We should have some more information Friday, if the announcement is to be believed. Keep checking back to GTN for more updates and armchair analysis from yours truly and the rest of the GTN staff.
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