The Importance of Keeping the OGL Open

For anyone who’s spent time creating or running games using D&D’s rules, the Open Gaming License (OGL) has been a vital part of the hobby. It’s not just a legal document—it’s been the foundation for a huge wave of creativity in the tabletop RPG world, from independent creators publishing adventures and supplements to entire new games built on top of D&D’s framework.

Originally released by Wizards of the Coast more than 20 years ago, the OGL allowed people to build and share new ideas while staying within a clear framework of what content they could use. This openness helped D&D grow and thrive, leading to its current popularity.

But now, there’s real concern that this openness is in danger. Reports suggest that Wizards of the Coast and Hasbro are preparing a new version of the OGL (OGL 1.1) that would revoke the existing licenses, impose new royalties, and give them claims over independent creators’ work. For many small businesses, this change would be catastrophic—turning what was once a vibrant and open ecosystem into something controlled and restricted.

I’m not going to dive into every legal detail—there are already great videos and articles explaining the proposed changes. But at its heart, this isn’t just about a license. It’s about whether creativity and community-driven projects can continue to flourish.

For me, personally, if Wizards of the Coast doesn’t back down from this plan, it means I can’t keep financially supporting them. I’ll keep playing the game, because it’s been a part of my life for years. But I won’t be buying new books, subscribing to new platforms, or paying for their products.

I’d encourage anyone who cares about supporting independent creators and the spirit of collaboration that’s made this hobby so rewarding to think carefully about their own stance.

If you’re curious to understand this issue in more detail and what it could mean for the future of D&D and the wider RPG community, check out the full video. I’d love to hear your thoughts—especially if you’re a creator, a player, or just someone who loves this hobby as much as I do.

#openDND
Brian