Does WotC's new OGL shut down Fantasy Grounds for D&D?

[Hjorimir]

My friends and I have invested quite a bit in both money and time in this VTT. We're worried that the new OGL (or what we know of it so far) will block Fantasy Grounds for D&D. Anything Smiteworks can share on this front?

[damned]

The Official D&D products you buy are not OGL products. They are fully licensed products.

[Hjorimir]

Thanks!

[LuckyDragon]

What about PF 1e products?

[damned]

At this stage it looks like existing materials are unlikely to be affected.

[Hyperventilator]

The new OGL does not affect official D&D products. However, it may be indicative of a new strategy attempting to crush all competition. So, when the official D&D VTT launches, we'll see if they stop licensing their products to 3rd party VTTs.

If that happens, and OGL 1.0 survives (i.e. Paizo can still publish new digital Pathfinder products, for example), I can see myself switching to another system just to keep using Fantasy Grounds.

[Pieter]

Yes, I am thinking of switching to the Cypher System now as that is also supported by FG. It would be great if FG would release a couple more systems in the coming year.

[damned]

Yes, I am thinking of switching to the Cypher System now as that is also supported by FG. It would be great if FG would release a couple more systems in the coming year.

Dont forget to look in the Forge. There are over 40 community (and a couple of Official) rulesets in there.

[Pieter]

Thanks for the hint! I found the Mutant Year Zero ruleset there, which is a system I am seriously considering running.

[Bossmitch]

The new OGL does not affect official D&D products. However, it may be indicative of a new strategy attempting to crush all competition. So, when the official D&D VTT launches, we'll see if they stop licensing their products to 3rd party VTTs.

If that happens, and OGL 1.0 survives (i.e. Paizo can still publish new digital Pathfinder products, for example), I can see myself switching to another system just to keep using Fantasy Grounds.

I agree wholeheartedly. I will be looking at new systems too, with much emphasis on those I can play in Fantasy Grounds. I am hoping for support for RMU soon (I know, wrong forum) , but in absence of that, my loyalty is with FG over anything WOTC does with regard to VTT's.

[dark_saiyan]

I hope you are right. I will dump WotC in a minute to keep FGU, but I have purchased quite a bit of 5e material on here.

[Temmpest]

I found this. And it does have me worried. I think my players may want to move to Wotc's VTT if it lives up to its promise.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkIg7MHMRn0

[Muagen]

I understand WotC/Hasbro’s position here, but I am unlikely to migrate to their new VTT. For one thing, I am unwilling to invest in a platform with support for just one ruleset.

I’ve already been burned by the split-up of media across multiple streaming platforms so that everyone can get their slice of the streaming pie. I don’t need a million-and-one fractured subscriptions to different streaming services.

I’m not going to engage with that in the VTT market, either. If I can only DM/play the most recent version of D&D on their platform, I will stick to Fantasy Grounds and its multitude of rulesets, and WotC/Hasbro will lose my drop-in-the-bucket.

I understand that Hasbro has decided they need their cut, but my group and I need the consistent quality, utility, and community we have with Fantasy Grounds.

[Pieter]

I wouldn't worry to much about the WotC VTT:
- It will be 3D, which seriously limits its applicability
- It will be a service which requires regular payments from all players
- It will be full of microtransactions
- It will disassociate the players from each other
- It will ONLY support One D&D
- IT STILL NEEDS TO BE DEVELOPED

[Nylanfs]

Plus, it's being developed BY WotC, and they have a, lets say less than stellar track record in nearly anything digital.

[damned]

Plus, it's being developed BY WotC, and they have a, lets say less than stellar track record in nearly anything digital.

They did hire a bunch of developers from Microsoft from what I recall. I think they will do a good job - at least of of their vtt implementation - not so much the license thing.

[esmdev]

I think the 3d in 2d simulator that SmiteWorks is cooking up will be good enough for me for quite awhile. I am assuming that FGU will run One D&D but even if it does I'm not certain that I am going to switch given my feelings on the test material so far. There are not enough good ideas to offset the bad ideas.

[Griogre]

At the time most of us who did play D&D 4E on Fantasy Grounds did so even though there was not a license so I'm not worried about the worst case.

The track record of WotC developed software *is* dismal - all failures. However, they do have some good developers this time, so I don't think their VTT is going to be vaporware again. My expectation is it's going to be a prettied up version similar to Neverwinter Nights, which was a chore to build weekly adventures on.

I want to run a role playing game not have to build a mini computer RPG every week.

[esmdev]

At the time most of us who did play D&D 4E on Fantasy Grounds did so even though there was not a license so I'm not worried about the worst case.

The track record of WotC developed software *is* dismal - all failures. However, they do have some good developers this time, so I don't think their VTT is going to be vaporware again. My expectation is it's going to be a prettied up version similar to Neverwinter Nights, which was a chore to build weekly adventures on.

I want to run a role playing game not have to build a mini computer RPG every week.

WotC Executive: You said you would have the VTT ready in time for the release?
WotC Programmer: You said you wanted it for the next edition, One D&D isn't a new edition. We figured we had time.

[Nonnag]

In my personal experience,
FGU community and smiteworks as a company, has been a top notch organization of like minded individuals. I cannot say the same for my experience with WotC. I agree that the diversity of the systems offered with FGU is exceptional. To blow more money on a VTT that only offers one system is not ideal for my players' tastes as we like to role play many different game systems (fallout for example or aliens or masterminds). If the new OGL ends up finalizing a termination of third party VTT or even making it harder for those who are already established to continue producing open content like FGU offers, I will likely migrate my personal content to pathfinder through FGU. We all have different opinions and that is respectable. You all have been great to me. The developers of FGU: keep up the good work. You have a solid community backing you. :)

[Gawain the Great]

In my personal experience,
FGU community and smiteworks as a company, has been a top notch organization of like minded individuals. I cannot say the same for my experience with WotC. I agree that the diversity of the systems offered with FGU is exceptional. To blow more money on a VTT that only offers one system is not ideal for my players' tastes as we like to role play many different game systems (fallout for example or aliens or masterminds). If the new OGL ends up finalizing a termination of third party VTT or even making it harder for those who are already established to continue producing open content like FGU offers, I will likely migrate my personal content to pathfinder through FGU. We all have different opinions and that is respectable. You all have been great to me. The developers of FGU: keep up the good work. You have a solid community backing you. :)

I completely agree. I have spent a good deal of time enjoying learning FGU as much as just D&D. I'm an FGU user even more than a D&D player at this point. I respect Smiteworks and the detail, open arch, and variability they put into FGU. Just wanted to express my loyalty and appreciation, too.