Please release a software-friendly GSL (i.e., give us a D&D app store) - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Please release a software-friendly GSL (i.e., give us a D&D app store)

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
opkobold
Jul 10, 2010 21:01:23 The GSL (last I read it) does not grant use of 4E IP within any 'interactive media'. As we all know, there are quite a few software applications out there that use 4E IP...and the community as a whole embraces this.

Hasbro must know by now that D&D players are picky about how they manage their games. Some will like the D&D insider sponsored tools (e.g., character builder and adventure tools) but many others will simply want to do things differently. It's impossible for WOTC to appease everyone on their software budget.

I propose a new version of the GSL (or a new, software-specific license) that will facilitate the birth of a community-driven D&D Insider 'app store' through which D&D Insider subscribers can download software applications, character sheet templates, map tile packages, and other tools that enhance their 4E gaming experience.

Software developers need guidelines on what 4E IP can and cannot be used within an application (similar to the guidelines found in the GSL for module creation) as well as some approved means of authenticating the D&D Insider account (so only D&D Insider subscribers can use the software...or maybe just prevent downloads and updates, similar to how the WOTC tools work).

Please grant the community a chance to increase the value of a D&D Insider subscription.

Thank you.
#2
bone_naga
Jul 11, 2010 5:55:33 People can already create software for 4e and have been doing it. Much of this software has been released to the community for free. Why would you want to turn that into a subscription that they have to pay for? If WotC wants to increase the value of DDI and get more money, then they can put in the legwork themselves.
#3
devp
Nov 01, 2010 9:22:40 I would also appreciate clear guidelines on how to work with DDI and to programmatically work with the D&D
IP in a safe manner.

(Another model for how things could work, outside of an app store, would be a mix of Compendium and authentication APIs (so that an application can pull data from the Compendium AND verify that a given user is allowed to access it as if it were their own browser). Wizards may not care to curate an app store but they can faciliate a small eco-system. But, the app-store idea is also quite neat.)
#4
ManosFate
Nov 01, 2010 9:51:15 I think DevP has the right idea. It would be challenging to build a d&d app store when the app you would write would eventually need to be distributed through an app store itself (either for iPhone/iPad, android or soon Mac os x). I suspect that wotc are most concerned about licensing revenue - I.e., if a major publisher wanted to create the next baldurs gate or neverwinter it would seem logical to expect that. Licensing a discreet set of facebook/twitter/amazon/google style published Apis with stipulations that they could not be used within an application that simulated combat or something would allow developers to create utilities or game aids but not risk any deal they may get with Atari/EA/blizzard and the like.
#5
lokiare
Nov 01, 2010 16:17:52
I think DevP has the right idea. It would be challenging to build a d&d app store when the app you would write would eventually need to be distributed through an app store itself (either for iPhone/iPad, android or soon Mac os x). I suspect that wotc are most concerned about licensing revenue - I.e., if a major publisher wanted to create the next baldurs gate or neverwinter it would seem logical to expect that. Licensing a discreet set of facebook/twitter/amazon/google style published Apis with stipulations that they could not be used within an application that simulated combat or something would allow developers to create utilities or game aids but not risk any deal they may get with Atari/EA/blizzard and the like.

The only way WotC would be able to consider an app store or something like it would be if they were allowed to keep %25 of the profit off of each sale. Maybe charge a one time fee of $25.00 to license the use of the compendium API. This would increase their revenue and increase the usability of digital D&D, it would also encourage the hobby programmer not to waste their time...

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 opkobold Jul 10, 2010 21:01:23	The GSL (last I read it) does not grant use of 4E IP within any 'interactive media'. As we all know, there are quite a few software applications out there that use 4E IP...and the community as a whole embraces this. Hasbro must know by now that D&D players are picky about how they manage their games. Some will like the D&D insider sponsored tools (e.g., character builder and adventure tools) but many others will simply want to do things differently. It's impossible for WOTC to appease everyone on their software budget. I propose a new version of the GSL (or a new, software-specific license) that will facilitate the birth of a community-driven D&D Insider 'app store' through which D&D Insider subscribers can download software applications, character sheet templates, map tile packages, and other tools that enhance their 4E gaming experience. Software developers need guidelines on what 4E IP can and cannot be used within an application (similar to the guidelines found in the GSL for module creation) as well as some approved means of authenticating the D&D Insider account (so only D&D Insider subscribers can use the software...or maybe just prevent downloads and updates, similar to how the WOTC tools work). Please grant the community a chance to increase the value of a D&D Insider subscription. Thank you.
#2 bone_naga Jul 11, 2010 5:55:33	People can already create software for 4e and have been doing it. Much of this software has been released to the community for free. Why would you want to turn that into a subscription that they have to pay for? If WotC wants to increase the value of DDI and get more money, then they can put in the legwork themselves.
#3 devp Nov 01, 2010 9:22:40	I would also appreciate clear guidelines on how to work with DDI and to programmatically work with the D&D IP in a safe manner. (Another model for how things could work, outside of an app store, would be a mix of Compendium and authentication APIs (so that an application can pull data from the Compendium AND verify that a given user is allowed to access it as if it were their own browser). Wizards may not care to curate an app store but they can faciliate a small eco-system. But, the app-store idea is also quite neat.)
#4 ManosFate Nov 01, 2010 9:51:15	I think DevP has the right idea. It would be challenging to build a d&d app store when the app you would write would eventually need to be distributed through an app store itself (either for iPhone/iPad, android or soon Mac os x). I suspect that wotc are most concerned about licensing revenue - I.e., if a major publisher wanted to create the next baldurs gate or neverwinter it would seem logical to expect that. Licensing a discreet set of facebook/twitter/amazon/google style published Apis with stipulations that they could not be used within an application that simulated combat or something would allow developers to create utilities or game aids but not risk any deal they may get with Atari/EA/blizzard and the like.
#5 lokiare Nov 01, 2010 16:17:52	I think DevP has the right idea. It would be challenging to build a d&d app store when the app you would write would eventually need to be distributed through an app store itself (either for iPhone/iPad, android or soon Mac os x). I suspect that wotc are most concerned about licensing revenue - I.e., if a major publisher wanted to create the next baldurs gate or neverwinter it would seem logical to expect that. Licensing a discreet set of facebook/twitter/amazon/google style published Apis with stipulations that they could not be used within an application that simulated combat or something would allow developers to create utilities or game aids but not risk any deal they may get with Atari/EA/blizzard and the like. The only way WotC would be able to consider an app store or something like it would be if they were allowed to keep %25 of the profit off of each sale. Maybe charge a one time fee of $25.00 to license the use of the compendium API. This would increase their revenue and increase the usability of digital D&D, it would also encourage the hobby programmer not to waste their time...