A copy of the new OGL for Dungeons and Dragons reportedly leaked online, and the contents have third-party creators concerned. The updated legal document is about 10 times longer than the original and is full of new protections for Wizards of the Coast–and restrictions for Dungeons and Dragons content creators.The Open Game License, or OGL, is the legal document that enables Dungeons and Dragons players and publishers to create and sell their own content compatible with the TTRPG’s rules. However, recent rumors and statements surrounding One D&D’s take on the OGL had players concerned that Wizards of the Coast was cracking down on third-party publications.The updated OGL reportedly received by Gizmodo from a reputable source seems to confirm many of these concerns. The new One D&D OGL adds a lot more red tape for third-party creators to go through. Any commercial publisher who sells homebrew Dungeons and Dragons content with this OGL will be required to register their products and earnings, no matter how much they make, though royalties will only be required for revenue made in excess of $750,000.
According to the new OGL, Wizards of the Coast will no longer allow products to be published under the old OGL. This means existing publishers would have no choice but to abide by these new rules, even if their content didn’t use new Dungeons and Dragons content. What’s worse, according to the leaked draft, the document was supposed to release publicly on January 4 and go into effect on January 13, giving publishers just over a week to comply with the new rules.
The most concerning section of the legal document adds that Wizards of the Coast has full rights to any content created by the OGL. This would allow Dungeons and Dragons to take any homebrew content and publish it in official Dungeons and Dragons material without permission or compensation to the original creator. Likewise, Wizards of the Coast reserves the right to change, terminate, or revoke the agreement with only a 30-day notice.
As one might imagine, third-party publishers are starting to panic about their futures with Dungeons and Dragons. Many companies are already freezing Dungeons and Dragons projects until official word comes out by Wizards of the Coast. Paizo, Pathfinder creator and major competitor for Wizards of the Coast, has not yet commented on the evolving situation.
It is important to note that this leaked document has not been officially released. Though the draft seems legitimate, Wizards of the Coast's hesitance indicates it may still change. A note in the document indicates Wizards of the Coast is aware it will face criticism and is open to feedback. Hopefully, Dungeons and Dragons hears its fans and ensures the Open Game License for One D&D is actually open.
One D&D is in development.