I can't help but notice that the FASERIP system is getting a fair amount of 3rd party attention these days, no doubt due to nostalgia as much as anything. No actual Marvel character's, of course, but lots of expies. Hadn't realized WotC had established an OGL for it but since there aren't C&D orders flying around I assume they're cool with it all.
There isn't an OGL (or, more to the point, an SRD) specifically for it, but you can't copyright rules text, so using (largely) different words to express the same rules is completely legal. The OGL is broad enough that if they want other people to be able to use their text the authors can designate it as open content, allowing *other* authors to use it rather than inventing their own unique expression of the rules.
I think you mean you can't copyright rules mechanics (which is true), not rules text. The latter definitely requires some changes in terminology to avoid being actual plagirism. The 3PP stuff I've seen has done exactly that, and seems pretty well done.
Not as nostalgic about the game as I am about V&V or Champions, but it's still nice to see a modern resurgence of interest in it. Only fair - V&V's gotten multiple editions and Mighty Protectors, and Champions makes Rasputin look like a quitter. :)
Campaign log for multiple groups playing in a shared setting V&V game by the same GM, one of them running since 1992. Hasn't been updated in about 5 years, but according to the site owner's comments elsewhere he's still running several of his groups. The session reports are very bare-bones compared to the Tekumel game here, but there sure are an impressive number of them - 420 for the main Guardians group.
I can't help but notice that the FASERIP system is getting a fair amount of 3rd party attention these days, no doubt due to nostalgia as much as anything. No actual Marvel character's, of course, but lots of expies. Hadn't realized WotC had established an OGL for it but since there aren't C&D orders flying around I assume they're cool with it all.
ReplyDeleteThere isn't an OGL (or, more to the point, an SRD) specifically for it, but you can't copyright rules text, so using (largely) different words to express the same rules is completely legal. The OGL is broad enough that if they want other people to be able to use their text the authors can designate it as open content, allowing *other* authors to use it rather than inventing their own unique expression of the rules.
DeleteI think you mean you can't copyright rules mechanics (which is true), not rules text. The latter definitely requires some changes in terminology to avoid being actual plagirism. The 3PP stuff I've seen has done exactly that, and seems pretty well done.
DeleteNot as nostalgic about the game as I am about V&V or Champions, but it's still nice to see a modern resurgence of interest in it. Only fair - V&V's gotten multiple editions and Mighty Protectors, and Champions makes Rasputin look like a quitter. :)
Yes, there was some missing verbiage there :-)
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of superhero games (and recalling James' love of long-running campaigns) check out this site:
ReplyDeletehttps://guardianscampaign.wordpress.com/campaign-summary/
Campaign log for multiple groups playing in a shared setting V&V game by the same GM, one of them running since 1992. Hasn't been updated in about 5 years, but according to the site owner's comments elsewhere he's still running several of his groups. The session reports are very bare-bones compared to the Tekumel game here, but there sure are an impressive number of them - 420 for the main Guardians group.
That's wonderful. Thanks for the link.
Delete