Major third-partyDungeons and Dragonspublisher Kobold Press just announced it is making a new tabletop roleplaying game. The new system is being designed in response to the recentDungeons and Dragonscontroversies surrounding Wizards of the Coast’s changes to its Open Game License forOne D&D.Kobold Press is one of the largest and most popular publishers of third-partyDungeons and Dragonscontent. In 2014, Wizards of the Coast commissioned Kobold Press to writeHoard of the Dragon QueenandRise of Tiamat–the first two official adventure paths released for5th Edition Dungeons and Dragons. Since then, it has gone on to release dozens of critically-acclaimed third-party products, including theTome of Beastsand Midgard campaign setting books.RELATED:Former Wizards of the Coast Vice President Doesn’t Think Dungeons and Dragons can Revoke the Old OGLNow, Kobold Press is starting a brand new TTRPG project from the ground up. Code named “Project Black Flag,” this new Core Fantasy tabletop ruleset promises to be open, available, and subscription-free. Though it will still finish its current5th Editionprojects, it seems like its future endeavors will be for its own system. Kobold Press’ announcement was so popular that players crashed its site from the sudden influx of traffic.
Wizards of the Coast is in hot water with theDungeons and Dragonscommunityafter the new OGL documents leaked ahead of schedule. The OGL 1.1 introduces heavy oversight, royalties, and full creative control of homebrewDungeons and Dragonscontent, while simultaneously revoking the decades-old original OGL. Its unpopular actions have caught fire across social media, with millions of Twitter posts causing subjects like “D&D” and “OGL” to trend for several weeks.
At face value, the newDungeons and DragonsOGL’s restrictions are to avoid making competition for itself.Pathfinder–Dungeons and Dragons’biggest competitor–was created by Paizo using the original OGL. That said,Pathfinderonly exists becauseDungeons and Dragonsrefused to carry the OGL into4th Edition Dungeons and Dragons. By repeating its past mistakes with the OGL 1.1, Wizards of the Coast may be setting up Kobold Press to become the new Paizo.
If the overloaded site is any indication, jadedDungeons and Dragonsfans are excited to see what Kobold Press comes up with. Many players were hoping some of the big homebrewDungeons and Dragonspublishers wouldstand up to Hasbro and Wizards of the Coast, and they are glad to see a beloved company like Kobold Press doing so. If other gaming groups likeCritical Rolerefuse to follow Wizards of the Coast’s new policies as well,Dungeons and Dragonscould have a big problem on its hands.
Dungeons and Dragonsis available now.One D&Dis in development.
