So, here's the thing, I've been working on my own modified version of D&D.
It's based on the 3.5 rules slightly (used that as a basis but has changed alot) and now that 4.0 is out and me and my friends aren't satisfied with 4.0 a friend told me to publish it.
So I'm trying to figure out what I'm allowed to do, and what not to do. What can I use and make money and what can't I use?
I would like to create, perhaps some kind of thing like whatever Greyhawk and Eberron does. But I don't feel like sending all I've done to someone I don't know just to find out I have no rights to it anymore and they will use it themselves :p
Also I'm not quite sure what the deal with those two are? I got the idea they were built by people not working for wizards then bought or hired or something. Ah well.
Here's a list of some of the changes I've done:
-Changed names of some of the classes and removed some.
-Changed all class abilities and how they work.
-Removed some of the classes.
-Removed some of the races, added a few new and changed all.
-Spellcasting and spells are completely different.
-Base attack is similar but still changed in a big way.
-Attacking is changed.
-Added weapon groups, although that exists in one of the extra books i noticed. Feels like it makes more sense though.
-Some skills are removed, some renamed and some other changes with the skill system.
-Feats are completely changed.
-Equipment and how it works are changed.
-Religion/gods are changed.
-hitpoint system, mayor changes.
Well those are some of the things I can think about now. I wanted my version to have more options as in, if you don't WANT to be a killing machine no matter what class you are(well except bards... they really aren't no matter what you do :p ), there's now an option for it mostly. I find the idea of a master smith, having sneak attack, a bit.. Odd. Things like that. It's all made with more roleplaying in mind, you play a class because you want to play that type, not because of what it can do. But also, I know it's fun to have cool and fitting abilities so ofcourse all classes have that too.
I'm not completely finished yet either.. Changing a spell system and making new feats takes time... ;)
So, what I basically want to know I guess is if I could publish this on my own? Truth to be told, I would like this to be part of wizards as they could probably publish it alot better than I could, but would be nice to know what my options are.
Thanks for any answers and if there is anything you need to know please ask me.
Oh, also thought I should note that I've read the open source gaming text and from what I understand from that I have no problem publishing this for free, it's the money part I'm mostly unsure about
Thanks for reading.
You're best bet would be to email Wizards on the subject, to make sure you are allowed to publish it, and to see if they would like to publish it.
Before you send it along, you should look up a creative commons license for your changes, just to make sure they can't steal your intellectual property (your changes to the system, basically).
Also: Not sure about Greyhawk. But I know eberron resulted from a competition, where people had to create adventure settings, and eberron won, which resulted in it being developed into various books
About emailing wizards, done that and seems they want me to send things by regular mail now a days when it comes to these kinda things. Not an american so will take a looooong time ;)
Need to make sure as much as possible is done before I start that