Howdy,
I'd like to revisit the discussion of group world creation projects and
how to make them compatible with the spirit of Open Gaming yet maintain the
continuity of the world. (Except this time I'll just leave Dunan out of
things... I'm learning.)
Group world creation cannot be "open" in the same way that a set of rules
can. I think we all understand why. However, if a group does not restrict
membership then there is _nothing_ keeping the work from being "freely
copied, modified and distributed." Additionally, all material "freely"
distributed within the community could be forced to remain that way.
That is in the spirit of Open Gaming. It is different because "Open" is
limited to within a community, but that problem is completely negated by
making said community 100% Open.
I also agree that how that information transfers from the Open World
Community to the Gaming community is very important.
That is why I think rules for the Leadership of such Open World Communities
should be made part of the Open World License.
If the person or group of people acting as a filter between the Open World
Community and the Gaming Community were restricted by a pro-Open set of laws,
then we could significantly minimize their effect on the Content created
within their Open World Community. In addition, these leaders could be bound
to the structure of a nonprofit organization or distribute the Content for
free.
If you don't like working with others or occasionally bowing to the requests
of a justified leadership, then don't join an Open World Community. This
idea is for people who _want_ to see what a group of people can accomplish
for the gaming community without losing continuity.
I've met a lot of amazing people online these past few months and because of
them I truly think it's a mistake to turn away from group world creation.
I also realize that this does not have to be a part of the Open Gaming
Movement, but it should. If it does, it will expand the concept of "Open" to
connote "the sharing of ideas in the Gaming Community" not just "the sharing
of Game Rules" .
Regards,
Maggie
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For more information, please link to www.opengamingfoundation.org
