This might be a crazy-ass idea, but I've been looking at the d6 License, currently up for sale.

I'm a big proponent of Open d6, and was really looking forward to that.  I think d6 is a great system with a lot of flexibility.  In any case, there are so many gamers here that I really esteem--James, Doc, jrients, clash, Bill, and so many others.  

What I am thinking is that we see who'd be interested in being part-owner, determine what shares would be and all that, and make an offer for the d6 License.  In essence, we'd all be stockholders--electing our officers, deciding who's going to run things, and basically run a fan-based company on the principles of openness, open gaming, open ideas, great customer service, and making what gamers want.

I'm not saying we'd make a dime; but we could keep d6 going, ensure the license is open, and maybe make some things that would make folks happy.

Clearly, there's a lot more to think about on this and even more to hash out, but think: we could have a part in saving something for everything I think deserves to be saved.  Open licenses--new games out there--just read this thread!  The ideas are there, the talent is there, and I think the desire is, too.

In the end, we could have a stake in keep a dream alive.  And making whup-ass gaming products by fans, for fans.  Introductory games, classics revisited--open submissions!

So, I know there's a lot of items to hash out and plenty to think on, but who wants to get out there with me and give it a shot?

I'm nowhere near to being one of this site's great luminaries, but I'd contribute.

Aye, I'd contribute. Great idea Zach. Allows each of us to do some part, even if a small part, to foster the dream.

Grubman over at tbp said,

Quote from: grubmanWell, I have to admit I find this thread sort of depressing, and a bit disgusting. Hellsreach was a fairly regular poster on this site, and while we all bump heads sometimes, he was always a pretty stand up guy who put his love of the hobby slightly before his business suit. To see some people brushing off the demise of his company (and to an extent some of his dreams) and circling his properties like vultures really makes everyone look crass and self centered. Lets show some class and respect for a fellow gamer who tried to bring back the properties he loved, and to share them with all of us.

If you are of a serious business mind, get in touch and make a serious offer, and stop with the stupid "I'll throw in a few bucks" comments. This is a real legal business transaction.

QuoteOriginally Posted by Wolfen Pundit  View Post
Let's talk hard numbers. What would be an appropriate amount for just the D6 license?

Is $10,000 anywhere close? $15K?

Because, let's be honest, from a strictly financial viewpoint, you'd be throwing your money into a sinkhole.

But I would consider it if I had a dedicated partner to go in with.

QuoteOriginally Posted by Endless Flight  View Post
$10,000??

I think you need to take at least a zero off of that.

As someone who has tried to acquire a few properties myself, I would suspect that the D6 property is worth anywhere from $3,000-25,000. Hellsreach is just the kind of guy who might sell it for less to someone who has proven to be serious about their love for the system and devotion to the hobby, just because that is the kind of guy he is. But, I've heard that SJG is poking around for the property, so you'll be competing with the big dogs (if that info is correct). $1,000 is pocket change, even for a small-time printer (hell, it cost $150 just to get art for my 32 page lulu book...and that was cheap for the quantity I got, some illustrators charge $60-$150 for a color cover alone), and so I wouldn't insult Hellsreach and waste his time with such silly offers. You'll also most likely want to pay a lawyer to dot your I's and cross your t's, so throw in a couple hundred more for that.

Ah crap. I get his point, but I think over here the OP is a serious one.

Most people who've posted about d6 seem to like the rules, but don't think that it has much 'brand value'.

Given that, is it worth considering a 'clone'?

I've never been a D6 fan. But if a group of people from this site were to purchase the license as a group, I would be willing to create a forum specifically dedicated to the game on this site for the purposes of discussion, promotion, and development of new D6 games/settings.

RPGPundit

I can't see SJG wanting WEG.

d6?  If SJ wanted a simple d6 based game it wouldn't take much to trim down GURPS for the job.

TORG?  If SJ wanted a gonzo multigenre mashup he could easily commission one for GURPS.

Blood Shadows?  If SJ wanted a mystical noir setting he could ask Ken Hite to write one (how cool would that be?)

Master Book?  If SJ wanted a detailed universal system...

Given how little SJ is willing to direct resources in the direction of GURPS I can't imagine he'd want to take on WEG.  Maybe he's a huge closet Blood Shadows fan or something but beyond that I can't see the motivation being there.

I'm afraid $10000 is a pretty hefty sum for a fan buyout process.  I suppose it's pretty unlikely that Hellsreach would cut a deal with his Septimus preorder crowd to give them shares in a d6 open fan buyout even if that would virtually cut the price tag in half.

edit*Junta...Good lord what was I thinking...SJ probably came in his pants when he heard WEG was for sale...on the other hand he might well sell off the other properties cheap.

wither Bug Eyed Monsters?

Does WEG have other board games?

I'd be up for participating in this but I don't know if the geezer would go for it.

Got any business heads in the collective?

Zachary, while I'm not in a financial position to put money in the pot for the IP, consider me in as a writer.

Pax et bonum,

Dale Meier

Count me in as one of those "supportive of your idea, but can't give money," types.

Well, on the subject of the license, after some preliminary talks, I think our initial bid would need to be around $2-3k.  That's something that could conceivably be divvied up into $100 stakes or so.

So, publishers/writers/business men out there?  We'd need a public face, writers, layout folks--I know as I keep saying there's a lot to hammer out, but where's the interest level?

Colour me interested, with quite a few caveats.

Another point that i think would have to be looked at despite the logistics and business side, is thinking about what we'd do with it. I think that it'd be a good idea to include a rough 2 year 'plan' as to what we'd release and include that in any bid that (probably won't ) be made.

If the rpgsite were to gain this property, I'd support it with some volunteer work. However, at this point - and it's early days of course - I struggle to see some sort of collective emerging from here to put up a viable bid.  

In my experience of amateur and collective efforts of this nature, they only succeed when driven by a motivated and talented leader. We need a person with vision and drive to organise the whole thing. We need to see a serious proposal.