Dungeons and Dragons’OGL controversy may be over for the time being, but Paizo and Kobold Press are carrying forward with their own projects. Though Wizards of the Coast’s recent concessions were a huge win for TTRPG players, these twoDungeons and Dragonscompetitors have no plans to change course now.
Recently,Dungeons and Dragonswas mired in a controversy after it tried to change the Open Game License–the agreement allowing third-party publishers to make content without facing legal action. During this time, severalDungeons and Dragonscompetitors, includingPathfindercreator Paizo and former Wizards of the Coast partner Kobold Press, announced new ventures of their own.Dungeons and Dragonslater backpedaled on its plans, but these companies are still moving forward with their own projects.
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Kobold Press likewise thanked Wizards of the Coast but confirmed development of its new tabletop roleplaying system, Project Black Flag, would continue apace. Its timeline is unchanged, and players can expect the first phase of playtesting to drop in February as well. It did, however, confirmProject Black Flag would be compatible with5th Edition, and that its future products would embraceD&Dand expand upon it, seemingly in a similar fashion to whatPathfinder 1st Editiondid with3rd Edition Dungeons and Dragons.
Many players are glad to see companies like Paizo and Kobold Press are not abandoning their projects just because Wizards of the Coast conceded. It lost a lot of good faith from its recent actions concerningDungeons and Dragons, and Wizards of the Coast will have to work hard to rebuild the trust of its community. At press time, Wizards of the Coast has yet to make a statement on Paizo’s ORC orKobold Press’ Project Black Flag.
The recent OGL controversy unintentionally sparked a TTRPG renaissance.Pathfinderhas seen record sales in the past weeks, andnewDungeons and Dragonsprojects by big names like Matt Colvillehave joined Kobold Press in the development stage. WithOne D&Dslated to release in 2024, tabletop fans will have a lot of games to experiment with over the next year.
Dungeons and Dragonsis available now.One D&Dis in development.
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