Yeah, seeing as how a few established and respectable companies have put out product for OSRIC, it seems a safe bet.  I'd just hate to see litigation kill a good thing.

Quote from: SosthenesApparently you can't copyright rules. Still, lawyers could probably spend ages to discuss what's a rule and what isn't. So if there's actual sue-age, OSRIC might go the way of the dodo.

yeah , just for the fact that those who created OSRIC don't have the time or money to fight it.

That would suck.

Quote from: Mcrowyeah , just for the fact that those who created OSRIC don't have the time or money to fight it.

That would suck.

Stuart Marshal (I think that's his name), the main guy behind OSRIC, is based in Britain and has said publicly that we would fight any legal action taken by Hasbro against OSRIC.

He appears to be quite committed to its viability.

Also, people who write OSRIC products will incur none of the potential legal costs.

It looks like they've been very careful not to say AD&D even though that's the clear intent.  

I can't read minds but I doubt that Hasbro would sue at this point.  For one, it would have made more sense to do so earlier rather than later or at least signal that they don't think it's kosher.  But mainly, I think it would do more harm than good at this point.  When 3e was right out the door, they would have been more worried about making sure that everyone made the version switch to make sure the new edition took off.  But now, I don't see anyone really leaving 3e for this who hasn't already left 3e for something else. And I don't see 3e getting many new converts whether or not AD&D players get new products.

Quote from: NicephorusIt looks like they've been very careful not to say AD&D even though that's the clear intent.  

I can't read minds but I doubt that Hasbro would sue at this point.  For one, it would have made more sense to do so earlier rather than later or at least signal that they don't think it's kosher.  But mainly, I think it would do more harm than good at this point.  When 3e was right out the door, they would have been more worried about making sure that everyone made the version switch to make sure the new edition took off.  But now, I don't see anyone really leaving 3e for this who hasn't already left 3e for something else. And I don't see 3e getting many new converts whether or not AD&D players get new products.

that, and the fact that OSRIC published stuff will likely never make the kind of money that WotC would consider it  competition anyway. Since AD&D stuff is pretty much a nuiche thing these days , it wouldn't be wroth their effort to sue.

Aware of OSRIC, and have downloaded it and the fanzine free issue.

Quote from: KenHRThis is one thing that's puzzled me...is OSRIC even legal?

As I've heard it, OSRIC makes use of the SRD and restates stuff so artistic representation isn't the same as AD&D1E. Since somebody already raised a fuss and sent a copy to Wizards (or at least threatened to do so) not long after it was released but OSRIC's still available I assume it's ok. OSRIC's a rossetta stone of sorts, so AD&D1E type stuff can be sold for beer money. An incentive for people to complete projects too work intensive for a free release. A way to put out printed AD&D1E products, which the potential audience for OSRIC seems to vastly prefer over PDFs.

(shrugs) I wouldn't run AD&D1E anymore, but more power to them. Interesting to watch and I'd love to see someone try and make an OSRIC for OD&D compatibility.

I'm also interested in Basic Fantasy which takes a different approach than OSRIC, since it's not a direct translation and aims for B/X or BECMI D&D. It drops things like racial classes and descending AC. :eek: I tended to play AD&D1E as Expert D&D with more options anyway.

Quote from: Casey777... I'm also interested in Basic Fantasy which takes a different approach than OSRIC, since it's not a direct translation and aims for B/X or BECMI D&D....

That's another cool product (with better art than OSRIC).

Stuff like OSRIC and BFRP make me wonder whether we're entering into a new era of fan-driven products for role-playing games (mainly OOP).  Also, with the OGL, no 'version' of A/D&D will ever go 'out of print' again so long as there are fans willing to do the work to produce OGL-compatible versions.

Recently I have given serious consideration to an OSRIC-style release of a combined, restated '81 Basic/Expert rules.

Recently I have given serious consideration to an OSRIC-style release of a combined, restated '81 Basic/Expert rules.

I'm working on a release that takes the SRD and reimagines the game.  I think the finished book will be much, much closer to B/X than d20... although there's a lot of new material as well.

Since I stopped worrying about trying to learn/discuss RPG theory on interweb forums, I've gotten *a lot* more work done on this project.  It's really coming along nicely!

It's important to note that the SRD and the d20 license are SEPERATE documents...  check the legalize on them individually.

Quote from: jrientsRecently I have given serious consideration to an OSRIC-style release of a combined, restated '81 Basic/Expert rules.

That's essentially what Basic Fantasy Role-Playing does (at least that is what the author intended to do, more or less, as he is a big B/X fan).

It does deviate from the Moldvay/Cook rules in a few respects (namely, it breaks up classes and races, and it ditches alignment).  But despite those changes it is 90 percent Moldvay/Cook rules.

Iirc, anyone can produce materials for BFRP (and use its 'logo'), so long as it is free (and meets certain other very minimal requirements, as specified at the webstie).

That's essentially what Basic Fantasy Role-Playing does (at least that is what the author intended to do, more or less, as he is a big B/X fan).

Yes, I was emailing with the author about how the SRD / d20 licenses work and he's a huge Moldvay fan.  If you want SRD >> Moldvay B/X, then this is the game to get.

(I like the Dwarf, Elf and Halfling classes in B/X though)

I'll take a look at Basic Fantasy Role-Playing.  I had dismissed it because I heard that Elf was not a class.  If that's the only major deviation from Moldvay/Cook/Marsh B/X maybe I ought to hop on board.

Quote from: jrientsI'll take a look at Basic Fantasy Role-Playing.  I had dismissed it because I heard that Elf was not a class.  If that's the only major deviation from Moldvay/Cook/Marsh B/X maybe I ought to hop on board.

Not run it but from a readthrough it looks very close. Since it's available in Open Office format as well as pdf, it'd be easy to make a custom version of your own. :pundit:

Quote from: jrientsThe early eighties was a time of great expansion in the hobby, much of which came from teens and tweens playing D&D.  Twenty years later they want to revisit the glory days of orc-smashing.

That orc-smashing is done much better now? At least, AFAIAC.

Sorry, totally don't get, and am not into, retro-gaming-tech.

That orc-smashing is done much better now?

I like the simple + focused rules of the Moldvay B/X edition of D&D.  There are lots of neat, crunchy additions in 3.x D&D, but for me it's just a little... too much.  Especially when you start bringing in all the additional feats and prestige classes.

That's not to mention other games that radically change the playstyle (eg. GM-Less / Story Games) -- even if they're nominally about orc-smashing.

That's not to say it can't be done much better now -- I just haven't found one that I like as much as Moldvay B/X.