For a few years, I toyed with the idea of doing some freelance or independent content creation for D&D. I was originally quite excited by the launch of the DMs Guild back in the day. Over time, however, I grew disenfranchised with WotC and the ever declining state of 5e. It's sad, really; I dreamed of being the "guy behind the pen" from an early age, and it's to the point now where that dream seems truly hollow and tasteless.

Anyway.

There seem to be some differing opinions on what exactly constitutes an OSR-compliant product. Some believe it must adhere to some common tropes (six core attributes, AC, saves, etc) while some suggest that mechanics aren't nearly as important as the old-school "spirit" the game manages to embody.

I approach life in a very digital fashion. On, off; yes, no; is, isn't. I don't care much for ambiguity. That said, I'm open to the possibility there isn't a linear, absolute answer to this question.

Or maybe there is. I dunno.

Ultimately, I'd like to develop content for the OSR community (especially in light of D&Ds fall from grace) and I just want a good, solid framework to work within. I'll try to push the envelope, naturally, but I need to know what confines I'm working eith first.

Thanks for all of your perspectives in advance.

Quote from: FF_Ninja on October 05, 2021, 07:36:05 PM
For a few years, I toyed with the idea of doing some freelance or independent content creation for D&D. I was originally quite excited by the launch of the DMs Guild back in the day. Over time, however, I grew disenfranchised with WotC and the ever declining state of 5e. It's sad, really; I dreamed of being the "guy behind the pen" from an early age, and it's to the point now where that dream seems truly hollow and tasteless.

Anyway.

There seem to be some differing opinions on what exactly constitutes an OSR-compliant product. Some believe it must adhere to some common tropes (six core attributes, AC, saves, etc) while some suggest that mechanics aren't nearly as important as the old-school "spirit" the game manages to embody.

I approach life in a very digital fashion. On, off; yes, no; is, isn't. I don't care much for ambiguity. That said, I'm open to the possibility there isn't a linear, absolute answer to this question.

Or maybe there is. I dunno.

Ultimately, I'd like to develop content for the OSR community (especially in light of D&Ds fall from grace) and I just want a good, solid framework to work within. I'll try to push the envelope, naturally, but I need to know what confines I'm working eith first.

Thanks for all of your perspectives in advance.

Well, I might get crucified for this but here goes:

OSR started as D&D with the serial numbers filed off and maybe some houserules (strict retroclones), then it expanded to stuff that's not so much a retroclone but it's recognized by most as OSR (DCC {Dungeon Crawl Classics} for example) due to the play style among other things. And then there's also the stuff built on the D&D chassis but not really D&D, like White Star, Lion & Dragon, and Stars Without Number.

Then there's those (infidels, dirty infidels  ) that argue that other rulesets might/should be considered OSR for example Cepheus Engine.

OSR is quite literally in the eyes of the beholder, but there have been several attempts to define it. Here are some of mine.

IMO it is more "style" than rules.

https://methodsetmadness.blogspot.com/2015/11/old-school-ramblings-1-play-now-story.html
https://methodsetmadness.blogspot.com/2015/11/old-school-ramblings-2-your-character.html
https://methodsetmadness.blogspot.com/2016/06/old-school-ramblings-4-stop-looking-at.html
https://methodsetmadness.blogspot.com/2021/03/players-dont-need-rules-old-school.html

So at one end of the spectrum, you have people who think OSR means total or near compatibility with early D&D, and at the other end it's more of a style of play, tone, and art.

You can satisfy the whole spectrum if you go the ruleset route, i.e., the six core attributes, old-school saves, AC (descending or ascending, doesn't matter IMO). If you ignore the ruleset people and focus on tone and playstyle, you will be narrowing your market.

If I were you, I'd pick a popular OSR ruleset and start there.

Quote from: FF_Ninja on October 05, 2021, 07:36:05 PM
... an OSR-compliant product.

That's your problem right there. There's no such thing.

Quote from: Pat on October 06, 2021, 11:36:33 AM

Quote from: FF_Ninja on October 05, 2021, 07:36:05 PM
... an OSR-compliant product.

That's your problem right there. There's no such thing.

To be honest? I think at this point I'd settle for something that at least accomplishes the spirit and feel of the OSR.  I spend much of my creative time making better mousetraps, which might irritate some purists...

Quote from: FF_Ninja on October 06, 2021, 03:37:16 PM

Quote from: Pat on October 06, 2021, 11:36:33 AM

Quote from: FF_Ninja on October 05, 2021, 07:36:05 PM
... an OSR-compliant product.

That's your problem right there. There's no such thing.

To be honest? I think at this point I'd settle for something that at least accomplishes the spirit and feel of the OSR.  I spend much of my creative time making better mousetraps, which might irritate some purists...

Note too that OSR is not the only game in town here.

My own system (Presently half an events table away from completed) is much closer to WotC-era assumptions (PCs begin as heroes, non-random character generation, non-Tolkein races available as PCs, unified mechanics, etc.).

It will have an open system license; just not a copy-paste of the WotC-based OGL because I have slightly different priorities about sharing my IP (the short version is if you keep it family friendly/superversive you get access to non-mechanical portions of the IP, trade dress and use of logos to indicate compatibility; non-family friendly/subversive material gets only mechanics and plaintext notice of compatibility).

I am definitely hoping to find third parties desiring to make their own content for it.

I haven't delved too deep into OSR yet, but if I were you, I would:

(1) Read a few of the more popular OSR rulesets, such as Old School Essentials, Swords & Wizardry, and OSRIC.
(2) Read a few modules and/or supplements designed for those systems.

Then I would pick one system and design something for it, using the official products as a style-guide, and play-test it.

By that point, I might feel confident enough to design my own system.

Quote from: FF_Ninja on October 06, 2021, 03:37:16 PM

Quote from: Pat on October 06, 2021, 11:36:33 AM

Quote from: FF_Ninja on October 05, 2021, 07:36:05 PM
... an OSR-compliant product.

That's your problem right there. There's no such thing.

To be honest? I think at this point I'd settle for something that at least accomplishes the spirit and feel of the OSR.  I spend much of my creative time making better mousetraps, which might irritate some purists...

If your mousetrap is really better those same "purists" will carry water for you. Just look at Dungeon Crawl Classics among others.

Quote from: FF_Ninja on October 05, 2021, 07:36:05 PMI approach life in a very digital fashion.

There's a story here. 

Quote from: FF_Ninja on October 05, 2021, 07:36:05 PMUltimately, I'd like to develop content for the OSR community (especially in light of D&Ds fall from grace) and I just want a good, solid framework to work within. I'll try to push the envelope, naturally, but I need to know what confines I'm working eith first.

The envelope doesn't need pushing. It needs even more cool shit packed inside.

My suggestion is pick a OSR game you enjoy and write something SPECIFIC for that game. There's a plethora of OSR games with little support and would probably benefit from the fandom creating specific content.

Of course, find out first if that OSR game allows for 3PP authors to publish stuff for that game. If not, move on to another OSR game open to your support.

Only you can define "good solid framework" so find the OSR game that fulfills that requirement and get your pen to paper ASAP.

Quote from: Spinachcat on October 07, 2021, 05:05:52 AM
The envelope doesn't need pushing. It needs even more cool shit packed inside.

Indeed. The last thing we need is yet another system that few will play. We need more adventures and supplements for the systems that people already play.

Hello FF_Ninja,

If your goal is to creat adventures, perhaps you would consider making "system agnostic" matereal.  Instead of listing stat blocks for one particular rule set, just give a description of the monster and let the Game Master adapt it.  You could even include tips on how to reskin, or adapt your content to a game system. 

Two examples I can point to are Hârn, and Hot Springs Island.

Hârn is a medieval fantasy setting who's basic booms are purely descriptive of the setting, contents, places, and creatures.  A rule system was designed for it (Hârnmaster) but you can use Hârn with just about any game system, and adapt it to your needs.

Hot Springs Island is a setting in two books.  The first is "A Field Guide To Hot Springs Island", which is written like a handbook, filled with various journal notes, and stuff a player could benefit from.  As though they found or were given a guide ook to exploring and exploiting this island. It includes a map that is mostly blank, which the players would fill in as they adventure.

The second books is the Game Master's guide and it explaines everything in detail, but gives no stats for anything.  The GM has to come up with, or incorporate them.

Finally I will mention the adventure "One Kobold Too Many" bu Matt Finch.  Written for Swords &Wizardry, the module is short and contains no stats so any fantasy game could use it.  In fact, I would go so far as to say, even if your game does not have kobolds, you could use some other similar small humanoid that is in your game setting.

I mention these to point out a particular style that you can use to write gaming suppliments.  Obviously, no book will supply everything, but most experienced GM's would probably adapt whatever published matereals they used, or cannibalize it and use bits and pieces.

Good luck.

Quote from: rytrasmi on October 07, 2021, 10:17:09 AM

Quote from: Spinachcat on October 07, 2021, 05:05:52 AM
The envelope doesn't need pushing. It needs even more cool shit packed inside.

Indeed. The last thing we need is yet another system that few will play. We need more adventures and supplements for the systems that people already play.

But that presumes someone's preferences are available in a system that isn't being produced by people who hate them.

I don't actually enjoy many of what fans of the OSR consider core elements in my games and the companies whose systems are more my cup of tea have openly proclaimed they hate me. Hence, writing my own system that delivers the style and mechanics I prefer without any political message beyond the promotion of classical heroic tropes (heroes are heroic; people are more good than evil; courage, honor and virtue matter; true love, hope and beauty are real; even if the struggle is great, good will triumph over evil in the end).

Quote from: Chris24601 on October 07, 2021, 12:38:02 PM

Quote from: rytrasmi on October 07, 2021, 10:17:09 AM

Quote from: Spinachcat on October 07, 2021, 05:05:52 AM
The envelope doesn't need pushing. It needs even more cool shit packed inside.

Indeed. The last thing we need is yet another system that few will play. We need more adventures and supplements for the systems that people already play.

But that presumes someone's preferences are available in a system that isn't being produced by people who hate them.

I don't actually enjoy many of what fans of the OSR consider core elements in my games and the companies whose systems are more my cup of tea have openly proclaimed they hate me. Hence, writing my own system that delivers the style and mechanics I prefer without any political message beyond the promotion of classical heroic tropes (heroes are heroic; people are more good than evil; courage, honor and virtue matter; true love, hope and beauty are real; even if the struggle is great, good will triumph over evil in the end).

/agreed

Quote from: rytrasmi on October 07, 2021, 10:17:09 AM

Quote from: Spinachcat on October 07, 2021, 05:05:52 AM
The envelope doesn't need pushing. It needs even more cool shit packed inside.

Indeed. The last thing we need is yet another system that few will play. We need more adventures and supplements for the systems that people already play.

Yes and No.

The OP was looking for writing for the OSR, thus it makes sense to simply pick your fav OSR game (that's not run by retards) and develop stuff specific for those games.

However, if the OP was half-happy with the OSR, but really loved XYZ bits, then it would make more sense for them to (a) write their own RPG regardless if it finds an audience or (b) write a rules supplement for one or more OSR games, aka codifying his house rules.

I've been writing a retroclone for years, but finally decided what I wanted was a different base system for my OSR fantasy concepts. AKA, my game is "different system, same spirit" much in the way T&T and RQ and Palladium Fantasy arose in the years post-OD&D (and like DCC a few years ago). And no, I don't expect it to reach a large audience, nor do I care. I believe a certain audience will be thrilled and I am writing for myself and those few.