Open Game Systems

From RPGnet
Revision as of 15:24, 19 October 2007 by 80.121.67.72 (talk) (Definition: What is an Open License?)
Jump to: navigation, search

Roughly once a month, there's a thread on RPGnet asking about what systems are available under an open license like the OGL or the Creative Commons licenses. This project aims to collect all those games, ordered by license, on one page, to help aspiring game designers and publishers find an open system for their games.

Definition: What is an Open License?

So far I haven't found a simple and comprehensive definition of what exactly constitutes an "open license" in the general sense. The Open Source Definition, used by the Open Source Initiative, isn't really usefull in the context of RPG game rules, so here is my ad-hoc and a bit vague definition:

"An Open License allows the free and perpetual re-use of original material by anybody willing to follow the restrictions of said license, without an explicit contact or negotiatian between original author and licensee."

In other words, if something is available under an open license, I can use and re-use it for free, as long as I respect the restrictions laid out in the license, without having to ask or contact the author. (If somebody has a better definition, I'm all for it.)

Good examples of Open Licenses used for RPG systems are the Open Gaming License, the original Fudge License and various Creative Commons Licenses.

Many of those licenses are not compatible with each other, so people wishing to use material covered under multiple licenses should keep this in mind. (And probably consult a lawyer. Or at least the licenses FAQ.)

The List:

The following systems are available under an open license and are thus free to use in your own publications. (Though with varying restriction on the use of the material.)

Open Gaming License

d20 System 3.5 SRD
(note that usage of the d20 System name and logo requires observing further restrictions)
  • Fate (derived from the Fudge OGL)
Fate 2.0 SRD
Spirit of the Century SRD

Creative Commons Licenses

Other

  • Circe (Free Documentation License)
  • OSRIC (its own variation on OGL)