Introduction
Dungeons & Dragons is one of the world’s most beloved tabletop games, and now its creator has made a commitment that will allow fans to be even more involved in the brand. Tucked away at the end of a blog post from the team at Wizards of the Coast (WotC) was an unexpected announcement about their commitment to keeping D&D in the Creative Commons going forward.
Of course, this isn’t something new; WotC has been using Creative Commons in a variety of ways since they first released their Open Gaming License (OGL) back in 2000. This OGL allowed third parties to release creative material based on D&D without needing WotC’s permission. But what this announcement does is cement WotC’s commitment to staying within the Licensing Agreement parameters provided by Creative Commons going forward.
What Is WotC’s Announcement?
We’re excited to share the news that Wizards of the Coast (WotC) has officially committed to keeping Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) in the Creative Commons. This means that you, as a player, will be able to continue to use D&D content for free, in perpetuity.
This commitment from WotC serves as a huge victory for the D&D community. It allows anyone from professional game writers to casual dungeon masters to access and enjoy every element of D&D without asking permission or signing contracts. And with the Creative Commons license, you know exactly what you can and can’t do with it—giving you more freedom and flexibility than ever before.
What Does This Mean for the D&D Community?
As Dungeons & Dragons fans, this commitment to Creative Commons means that we now have almost unrestricted access to official content from Wizards of the Coast. We no longer have to pay for content from the official sourcebooks and any fan-made material created using the same resources can be legally shared without worrying about copyright infringement.
The Creative Commons regulations also have some progressive implications for D&D as a collaborative art form. This means that your friends, or strangers online, can create custom adventures or modify existing content to match their needs all without needing permission or worrying about legal implications. Not only does this promote creativity and collaboration, but it also helps to keep Dungeons & Dragons alive and relevant in today’s digital world.
Finally, the policy change represents a shift towards an open-source model of game publishing and makes it easier for newcomers to get into role-playing games like D&D without feeling overwhelmed by complex copyright regulations. With this new freedom comes a responsibility on us all to be respectful of creative works, established conventions and other people’s contributions – so don’t forget to give credit where it’s due!
What Was the Impetus for the Announcement?
Maybe you’re wondering what pushed WotC to make the announcement to keep D&D in the Creative Commons. The answer is pretty simple—they wanted to make sure that no fan or creator was ever left out of the D&D universe, and this announcement is a way for them to prove it.
Head of D&D Chris Cocks had this to say about it: “We believe in creating an inclusive environment for all fans, no matter where they live, what language they speak, or what background they come from. Our commitment to Creative Commons allows anyone to enjoy and participate in Dungeons & Dragons without effective barriers.”
With their commitment to the Creative Commons, WotC is also looking out for their creators. Artists, writers, and developers can now feel secure knowing that their works will remain available through the license. Additionally, this means that products created under CC-BY-SA 4.0 can be used and incorporated into new products by other publishers without issue—great news if you’re a fan looking for a new home for your favorite content!
What Will Staying in Creative Commons Mean for the Future of D&D?
So what does it mean that Dungeons and Dragons will stay in Creative Commons? Well, for starters, this opens up a world of possibilities for players. Creative Commons lets people share and build on the game they love, without having to worry about copyright issues. So you’ll be able to use and share your character builds and custom content without fear of getting into trouble.
You’ll also have access to more content than ever before. Professional dungeon masters will be able to create custom adventures more easily using existing published material, while digital platforms like Roll20 can integrate published content thanks to the Creative Commons license.
Plus, creators everywhere are free to share content built around D&D’s rulesets, like homebrew classes and races, allowing players to create truly unique characters. This is great news for people who love creating their own worlds—now they can do so with ease and confidence!
How Can Fans and Creators Stay Up to Date on Announcements From WotC?
If you’re interested in staying up to date on announcements from WotC about D&D and Creative Commons, there are a few ways to do this.
First, make sure you’re following @Wizards_DnD on social media. This is the place to stay up to date on the latest news and announcements from WotC regarding all things D&D.
Also, head over to Wizards of the Coast’s website—here you can find the latest updates on new material releases and copyright information. WotC also has a dedicated page for D&D materials available under Creative Commons. Here, fans and creators can check out what materials are covered by the license, how DMs and players can use them in their campaigns, and any other related information related to using these materials in official WotC products like Adventurers League games.
Finally, make sure to sign-up for their newsletter – this is another great way to get notified when new materials become available or when any changes or updates have been made regarding Creative Commons and its usage with D&D.
What Other Games Are in Creative Commons and How Do They Compare to D&D?
You might be wondering what other games use the Creative Commons and how D&D compares to them. Well, Creative Commons is an open source platform for many forms of media production, so it’s not just games. It’s used for things like music, photography, video, and of course, games.
Games already in Creative Commons
The most popular game in the Creative Commons is probably Dungeons & Dragons — after all, that’s what WotC just announced — but there are plenty of others. A few titles include:
- Open Legend – a tabletop roleplaying game with no pre-existing setting or lore
- Apocalypse World – a post-apocalyptic narrative game
- Castles & Crusades – a fantasy RPG system designed to emulate classic medieval tales
Each of these games has something unique to offer and they’re all worth checking out. But what sets D&D apart from them?
How D&D differs from the rest
Dungeons & Dragons has something no other creative commons game can offer: a universe and an insanely detailed setting full of lore! That’s why it’s still the biggest selling tabletop RPG and why it makes sense for WotC to keep it in the Creative Commons going forward. The world of D&D has been around since 1974, and with its open source license, fans can look forward to exploring new stories inside the beloved universe for years to come!
Conclusion
With this announcement from WotC that D&D will be staying in Creative Commons going forward, the potential for the creativity to infinitely expand and adapt is now within reach. Whether it’s an experienced Dungeon Master looking for new monsters and spells to create an even more immersive world for their players, or an aspiring storyteller looking to try their hand at their first campaign, the open nature of Creative Commons lets us all explore the world of D&D in whatever way we see fit.
The future of D&D is now open to those who wish to pursue it, and with its commitment to the Creative Commons, WotC has ensured that the world of D&D will remain a thriving, living universe for many years to come.
