The former Wizards of the Coast vice president forDungeons and Dragonsjust started a new petition to save the Open Game License. This petition is one of many collections of voices standing up toDungeons and Dragons’restrictive new policies surrounding third-party content creators inOne D&D.Ryan Dancey is a veteran TTRPG publisher who is best known for spearheading the creation of the original OGL during his time as Wizards of the Coast’s vice president. By crafting this agreement, Dancey ensured content creators could makeDungeons and Dragons-compatible projects without paying royalties.RELATED:Dungeons and Dragons Publisher Kobold Press Making New Roleplaying SystemNow, Dancey has stepped up as a leader of thevoices in opposition toDungeons and Dragons' new OGL. Dubbed the “OGL 1.1,” this new license is significantly less open than its predecessor, imposing restrictions and creative control over publishers while demanding royalties from those who reach high levels of success. Dancey believes the new OGL goes against the spirit of the document he created, leading him to make a Change.org petition for Wizards of the Coast to preserve his original agreement as it is.
Dancey has made his position onDungeons and Dragons’new policies clear previously. He stated his belief thatHasbro couldn’t legally revoke the oldDungeons and DragonsOGL, despite its clear desire to do so. He has since appeared in an interview with Roll for Combat, a popular third-partyDungeons and Dragonspublisher and live show, where he discussed the history of the original OGL and his goals behind its creation.
At press time, mere hours after it was started, Dancey’s petition has already hit over 1000 signatures, with no signs of slowing down.Dungeons and Dragonsfanseagerly signed the letter, voicing their displeasure in the face of Wizards of the Coast’s recent actions. Dancey savedDungeons and Dragonsby writing the original OGL, and with luck, he will do so again by protecting it 20 years later.
For now,Dungeons and Dragonshas not given an official response to the evolving situation. The official OGL forOne D&Dhas also not been formally released, but Wizards of the Coast insiders have given players several troubling looks behind the development curtain. WithDungeons and Dragonsplayers cancelingD&D Beyondsubscriptionsand signing petitions in force, Wizards of the Coast needs to respond to its community soon, or else risk damaging its reputation beyond repair while pushing its players towards other TTRPGs likePathfinderor Kobold Press’ new Project Black Flag.
Dungeons and Dragonsis available now.One D&Dis in development.
