Hi!
> I agree, it is definately lacking, but I think any lawyer would have a tough
> sell saying "computer gaming software" means all software.
Of course. However - D20 is gaming system. If the goal is to create D20 [compatible]
software - you
will have much harder time arguing the case that your product is D20 software but in
same time is
not gaming software.
But all that is beside the point. You both make good arguments, but problem is - it
don't matter.
For software products Wizards left very neat legal loophole, which can be activated
anytime. I'm
sure this fuzzy definition of "Interactive game" is there on purpose. Even smarter
move on their
part - this loophole combined with OGL clause 7) can mean your software violates OGL.
Then its like
falling card house: D20 logo on your site may be enough to trigger it. Or one
forggoten D20
reference in help file or software itself... One of my players has good line for such
things:
"Central-LA style execution".
> Hopefully Ryan will catch these posts and provide us some feedback.
Ryan already covered all of that, multiple times in fact just on my memory. Search the
list about 4
months back. Ryan have given detailed answers to all my software questions, and i
definitely wasn't
the first to ask them... You guys are doing N-th loop. ;) Of course this is not a bad
thing - always
a chance to discover something new.
> I just want to know what their intentions were since the legalese is open to too much
> interpretation. Obviously they don't want people making d20 labelled games.
Yoooo, not that simple. They want (or wanted) game developers to pay them license fees
for
developing D&D games. Which is of course very reasonable. Bigger problem: even that
option is no
longer available. According to rumors, they sold the rights to do any computer
products based on
WotC property (including D&D and D20) to another company. (anyone: confirmations?
denials?)
Bottom line? Imho options are:
1) learn to live under WotC software limits (tough call and not stellar sales, but
safe)
2) Stock up on L20 lawyers and prepare for potential long and costly opposed skill
checks in
courtroom regarding whose definition of "interactive game" is more defining or more
interactive.
3) Switch development to non-D20 software.
I sure don't like the current state of things with D20 soft, but considering very
little can be done
about it we choose to go with first option. And we significantly changed the directon
of our product
line to comply with D20 reqs. Actually just in few weeks you will hear about our new
D20
initiative - which i think will be very interesting to lots of authors here. And that
will be good
example how you can combine observance of D20 software restrictions with really
innovative software
for DMs and players.
> But what about game aids? Hopefully we'll get an answer *nudge* *nudge*. :)
What is "game aid" then? Strictly defined? ;) Realistic defenition is: anything
insignificant enough
to compete with wotc software (MT) and/or software of their exclusive partners (NWN
and more).
- Max
RO Team
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For more information, please link to www.opengamingfoundation.org
