Wizards of the Coast Introduces Revised D&D OGL 1.2

The latest update to Dungeons & Dragons Open Game License is unveiled, inviting feedback from fans and publishers

Executive Producer Kyle Brink from Dungeons & Dragons recently presented the OGL 1.2 on the D&D Beyond platform, outlining the newest iteration of the license that dictates which rules and content can be utilized by third-party publishers.

Brink announced that players and publishers can share their thoughts through an online survey that will be accessible for a few weeks, reflecting the approach taken in Wizards of the Coast’s continuous One D&D playtest

This development follows a wave of criticism and backlash triggered by a previous version of OGL 1.1, which imposed royalty payments, revenue disclosure, and content ownership transfer to Wizards of the Coast. The negative response resulted in numerous cancellations of D&D Beyond subscriptions and prompted from Wizards of the Coast, along with a commitment to retract most, if not all, of the contentious modifications to the license.

Key Changes in the Updated OGL 1.2 Document

According to Brink’s post on D&D Beyond, the latest version of the Open Game License, OGL 1.2, eliminates the previous obligations related to ownership, royalties, and revenue reporting that were present in the previous version, OGL 1.1. The main revisions in the OGL 1.2 document include the following adjustments.

Wizards of the Coast Embraces Creative Commons Licensing

The core game mechanics of D&D are now available under a Creative Commons license, as disclosed in a D&D Beyond post. This implies that individuals are free to utilize the fundamental rules of the game in various ways, even though there is uncertainty regarding the copyright nature of game rules.

According to Brink, “We’re entrusting the core D&D mechanics to the community through a Creative Commons license, granting full control to users. OGL 1.2 offers an everlasting, irreversible license for incorporating classic D&D elements like owlbears and magic missile from the SRD.”

Irrespective of the legal implications, this gesture serves as an offering to soothe the discontent among fans and publishers following the OGL 1.1 dispute.

The Future of the Open Game License 1.2

Brink announces in his recent D&D beyond post that a survey for feedback on the OGL 1.2 draft will be available soon for fans and players to share their thoughts. The survey will be open until February 3rd, with Wizards of the Coast planning to address the feedback by February 17th.

Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.