Dear Mr. Dancey,
As an initial matter, the proposal is very
disheartening news. It is especially disheartening
for us at Troll Lord Games considering the original
announcements made about the d20 SRD/d20 STL and their
availability prior to Gen Con so that publishers could
have product on the table at Gen Con. Indeed, Troll
Lord Games will be at Gen Con – what we will have
there is now up in the air.
As to the proposal, I offer these comments:
1. Under the proposal, the ability to produce
adventure modules is basically non-existent until at
least, the MM SRD is released (I echo Faust in that
respect). In reality, however, you need the entire
d20 SRD to present a consistent adventure module.
2. Thus, the initial, stated goal of the d20 STL is
much delayed. To wit, adventures produced by
publishers which support sales of the 3e PHB. I do,
however, understand the interest in preserving the 3e
release, not as an element of “surprise,” but as
tactic to prevent any publishers from stealing WoTC’s
thunder at Gen Con and during the initial months of
3e.
3. Of course, I would like to have access to the
entire d20 SRD as soon as possible. But, it sounds as
if that possibility no longer exists. As such, the
proposal to release the d20 SRD in sections is better
than waiting for the release of the entire SRD.
4. I must echo the comments that, at least in Troll
Lord Games instance, we are not simply awaiting the
SRD so that we can wholesale publish all the 3e info
in our own format and thus ruin the surprises inherent
in 3e. We want to do exactly as you originally
suggested – publish FRPG Adventures and Campaign
Settings under the d20 system which rely upon WoTC’s
rule publications. I find it highly unlikely that
some publisher could overcome WoTC’s massive marketing
campaign and Hasbro’s distribution network and ruin
the aura associated with the release of 3e. While
someone might “bootleg” the d20 SRD up onto the web,
as seen in many other cases, WoTC could legally shut
it down, and in any event, the web as a whole is
over-rated at this point as a distribution system.
5. I must additionally echo Faust and Clark: Can we
apply for use of the d20 Logo for promotional purposes
now? I see no negative side effect of WoTC
authorizing the use of the d20 System Logo for use
now. In fact, it would have the benefit of promoting
the PHB and other 3e rule books at no expense to WoTC
and with no actual competitive publications being out
in the market until the d20 STL is fully released.
6. I have no comment on the Star Wars license because
as you intimated, I find it highly doubtful that Mr.
Lucas would ever agree/authorize such a release of his
IP.
7. My alternative proposal would be release of a
d20SRD as soon as possible that includes the very
basics needed to produce d20 material: The basic
classes, races, combat system, weapons, common monster
stats (such as orcs, goblins, etc..), lists of
previously published magic items (no explanations
needed), spells that are not new to 3e, the concepts
of skills and feats and a few of the common ones –
and, most importantly, a list of the terms that will
be available for use under d20 and those that will not
be available for use.
Finally, I wish to apologize now if the tone of this
post comes across as sour grapes. But again, I am
much disheartened by your news. The wavering from the
initial plan seems to me to immediately weaken the
stated purpose of the d20 System proposal. In August,
there are going to be thousands of gamers standing
around with a 3e PHB in their hands and no d20
adventures to run their new characters through (WoTC
is not releasing their first adventure until Sept.,
unless I am incorrect).
All in all, I cheer your movement to release the core
of DnD as Open Gaming product and I think it will help
return DnD to its lovable origins. If Troll Lord
Games decides to continue under a plan to publish
under d20, it would certainly owe you and WoTC hearty
thanks for allowing it to play in the DnD sandbox.
Best Regards,
Mac Golden
Troll Lord Games
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
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