The recent "Update on the Open Game License" says that the leaked version of the OGL 1.1 was only an initial draft, and that they intended to receive feedback from content creators before finalizing it. However:
The deadline for content creators and publishers to either sign the OGL 1.1 or cease publication was set to today. That isn't a reasonable amount of time for content creators to review the contract, offer feedback, wait for you to make amendments, and review the new version to decide whether or not they want to move forward.
The plain-English, non-legalese intro they wrote says itself that giving feedback is not an option. Aside from a direct, custom deal, "if you want to publish SRD-based content on or after January 13, 2023 and commercialize it, your only option is to agree to the OGL: Commercial.
The content creators who WotC sent the OGL 1.1 to aren't corroborating that story.
It seems obvious that WotC wanted to strongarm content creators and publishers into signing over their intellectual property in perpetuity under the threat of losing any money they had already invested in upcoming products. Source books, modules, and many other types of content created under the OGL 1.0 are planned and executed months in advance of receiving any income, and by setting such a short time frame, WotC would give publishers to choose between scrapping all of that work or handing over their intellectual property in perpetuity, in addition to agreeing to constantly remain under the 30-day leash.
Exactly. It was a terrible response, that doesnt even acknowledge that they messed up. IF they had properly written a complete apology, even not specifically mentioning the bond villian-esque parts of the 'draft', but asking for another chance, then MAYBE the community would have apprehensivly given them another chance.
As it stands we got a thinly vieled accusatory statment masqurading as an apology, with, to be fair, some backtracking. But its not enough. The damage has been done and the viel lifted on how they actually see us as 'obstacles' in the way of their money.
In the meantime, here's some direct quotes - the first is taken from today's update. The second is taken from the leaked OGL which, at no point, have they denied they wrote. Only that it was a "draft" that was supposed to be enforceable as of today.
WOTC:
"It also will not include the license back provision that some people were afraid was a means for us to steal work. That thought never crossed our minds."
Also WOTC:
"You agree that nothing prohibits Us from developing, distributing, selling, or promoting something that is substantially similar to a Licensed Work.... You own the new and original content You create. You agree to give Us a nonexclusive, perpetual, irrevocable, worldwide, sub-licensable, royalty-free license to use that content for any purpose."
THis entire thing might as well just read "Yeah; we uh... MEANT to do that! Yeah: we meant for all this to happen! ... just a prank bro?"
Really WOTC? It was your PLAN to have this leak? To have a bunch of your closer collaborators tell you to pound sand? To light your consumer base on fire? To have a major competitor deliver the sickest burn since Sony showed Microsoft how to share games? THAT was "things going to plan"? What on Darwin's blue marble does it look like when something goes wrong for you!?
If their story about OGL 1.1 being a draft sent to solicit feedback was actually true, they wouldn't have included contracts for the publishers to sign.
If their story about OGL 1.1 being a draft sent to solicit feedback was actually true, they wouldn't have included contracts for the publishers to sign.
Exactly. I'm not really sure what WotC expected here - did they think that the content creators and publishers they tried to screw over would just play along with this story?
The recent "Update on the Open Game License" says that the leaked version of the OGL 1.1 was only an initial draft, and that they intended to receive feedback from content creators before finalizing it. However:
It seems obvious that WotC wanted to strongarm content creators and publishers into signing over their intellectual property in perpetuity under the threat of losing any money they had already invested in upcoming products. Source books, modules, and many other types of content created under the OGL 1.0 are planned and executed months in advance of receiving any income, and by setting such a short time frame, WotC would give publishers to choose between scrapping all of that work or handing over their intellectual property in perpetuity, in addition to agreeing to constantly remain under the 30-day leash.
Exactly. It was a terrible response, that doesnt even acknowledge that they messed up.
IF they had properly written a complete apology, even not specifically mentioning the bond villian-esque parts of the 'draft', but asking for another chance, then MAYBE the community would have apprehensivly given them another chance.
As it stands we got a thinly vieled accusatory statment masqurading as an apology, with, to be fair, some backtracking. But its not enough. The damage has been done and the viel lifted on how they actually see us as 'obstacles' in the way of their money.
Alexa, define "gaslighting."
In the meantime, here's some direct quotes - the first is taken from today's update. The second is taken from the leaked OGL which, at no point, have they denied they wrote. Only that it was a "draft" that was supposed to be enforceable as of today.
WOTC:
"It also will not include the license back provision that some people were afraid was a means for us to steal work. That thought never crossed our minds."
Also WOTC:
"You agree that nothing prohibits Us from developing, distributing, selling, or promoting something that is substantially similar to a Licensed Work.... You own the new and original content You create. You agree to give Us a nonexclusive, perpetual, irrevocable, worldwide, sub-licensable, royalty-free license to use that content for any purpose."
THis entire thing might as well just read "Yeah; we uh... MEANT to do that! Yeah: we meant for all this to happen! ... just a prank bro?"
Really WOTC? It was your PLAN to have this leak? To have a bunch of your closer collaborators tell you to pound sand? To light your consumer base on fire? To have a major competitor deliver the sickest burn since Sony showed Microsoft how to share games? THAT was "things going to plan"? What on Darwin's blue marble does it look like when something goes wrong for you!?
If their story about OGL 1.1 being a draft sent to solicit feedback was actually true, they wouldn't have included contracts for the publishers to sign.
Exactly. I'm not really sure what WotC expected here - did they think that the content creators and publishers they tried to screw over would just play along with this story?
WOTC:
Also WOTC: Hahah, we want a mulligan. Just a joke guys....guys? Hello?