Re: [Wargamer] Pathfinder rolls back controversial license changes

On 8/25/2024 12:43 PM, Spalls Hurgenson wrote:

On Sat, 24 Aug 2024 23:13:58 +0200, Kyonshi <gmkeros@gmail.com> wrote:
 

Source: https://www.wargamer.com/pathfinder/license-changes-OGL-controversy
>
DnD’s top rival Pathfinder rolls back controversial license changes
>
Paizo, publisher of Dungeons and Dragons’ alter ego RPG Pathfinder, has
retconned planned changes to its game licenses after fan feedback.

  The first thought that went through my head was that the WOTC lawyers,
having lost their job after the OGL fiasco, got hired at Paizo. I
mean, that's not what happened, but it was my first impression.
 I mean, how else could Paizo make such a bone-headed move after
watching WOTC crash onto those same rocks?

Also my first thoughts.

Still, I get it. Paizo made it big largely as a result of D&D 4E's
unpopularity. Their fortunes have been dwindling since 5E was
overwhelmingly welcomed by the fans. I've no idea how their finances
are, but from everything I can tell, they're nowhere near as popular
as in their heyday. And with decreasing sales and the threat of D&D 6E
on the horizon, I can imagine the C-levels are trying to stem the
bleeding.
 So it doesn't surprise me if they look at their decreased book sales,
then look at the popularity of third-party Pathfinder book sales, and
a thought of 'hey, how about we tap into that market somehow' creeps
into their head. Which leads to ideas on how to force people onto the
Paizo marketplace, which leads to other ideas on how to restrict
developers from NOT using that marketplace, etc. etc.

It may be increasing as the WotC blunders, and the reaction of fans and previously huge supporters have left 5e/2024/25/6e/One (to in the darkness bind them.)

 But at least Paizo backed down before things got too bad. Give them
that much, at least.

So has WotC, though they keep repeating their blunders.
WotC had another blunder recently which deserves it's own post, but not going to bother.  D&D Beyond switching all spells and items to the 2024-25 D&D ones and getting rid of the previous versions completely, then were going to be using the copyright/IP to block putting them back in as custom/homebrew. They backed down on that, said, no really we weren't doing that, and said they'r now going to have the option to choose the edition of spells ect. you want to use.
--
-Justisaur
  ø-ø
(\_/)\
  `-'\ `--.___,
   ¶¬'\( ,_.-'
        \
        ^'