Goodman Games

I was reading the GG Submission agreement, and it's pretty straightforward, but I do have one question on Section 1b

(b) SUBMITTEE declares and warrants that except to the extent, if any, the Idea incorporates Goodman Games’ existing intellectual property, the Idea is original and contains unique, novel and/or public domain material. SUBMITTEE possesses all right, title, and interest necessary to enable Goodman Games to use the Idea without any license or permission from any third party.

Does this mean the submissions cannot use material from non-SRD/OGL books? For example, is the the Caryatid Column a forbidden monster because its featured in Fiend Folio and not the SRD?

Material from non-OGL books can't be used in the first place. You can't use a Fiend Folio monster in any d20 product since the Fiend Folio isn't open content. (Note: Select monsters from the FF are open from another source, Tome of Horrors, but that's a special case.)

That clause in the submission agreement is more about the fact that you actually own the material you're submitting. If (for example) you submitted a monster book that largely reused WotC material from the Fiend Folio, Goodman Games wouldn't be able to publish that submission. Hence that clause, where you warrant that what you submit is yours to submit, without the need for GG to seek a license from a third party to publish it.

Hope that helps.

-- Joseph

This is a funny topic. I've reached the point where I don't even like to build characters as a player, or use material as a DM that is "closed-content" (non-open content). I'm always stealing from my gaming for material to write about. My first few books had some rather painful re-writes required before I could use material I wanted. Sometimes playtesters (my fellow gamers) will create a playtest character using closed content and we have to sit down and re-write the character.

My first experience with the SRD was funny. I didn't realize some of the Monstrous Manual creatures weren't in the SRD. That made for some frustrations.

One major problem is the Wizards is updating core material in Splat books (Complete serries). Astral Construct is updated in the Complete Psion and Polymorph is given a shake down in the Player's Handbook II. This creates an awkward situation where we can't use that material but anything we write should be compatable with it. Lordy I hope they update the SRD with this stuff.

Writing d20 can be like navigating a maze sometimes. When all else fails, just use material in the SRD and pick stuff from your brain, and double check that it isn't copywritten.

Mark Charke

Hmmm... guess I'll have to do a lot more editing before I start knocking on your door then

Lots of good ideas... too many closed-content implementations. Rip, replace, make new crunchies that fit the need instead.