3/24/2023 0 Comments Pcgen update![]() We’ve been striving to secure an official license for a very long time now, and the process is fraught with hurdles. There is no reason for a community effort to go on hold based on the possibility of an official license. Disclaimer: I’m not privy to Wizards’ thinking on this, but I’m viewing this from the perspective of a business owner.Ĥ. That’s the ideal scenario here, and it’s one that I believe is readily achievable. indirectly boosting sales of books), then we’ve achieved a truly symbiotic relationship. And if the community data files are structured such that Wizards perceives them as making the game more accessible or easier for players/DMs (i.e. As long as that requirement is met, it’s highly unlikely that Wizards would take exception to the community effort. So an important aspect of any community effort would be to ensure the data files don't “compete” against sales of the rulebooks or other products that Wizards is selling. The other real question, and probably the more important one to Wizards, is whether any community-created data files would negatively impact Wizards’ sales of D&D products. Disclaimer: I'm NOT a lawyer, but I’ve talked to one extensively about this, and this is my understanding.ģ. With those criteria met, I believe the community pack would generally be safe. rename Mind Flayer to something similarly suggestive), omits all images, and paraphrases any descriptions. This means that a community-driven effort is viable, provided that it avoids using protected names (e.g. However, reproducing the mechanics of a particular feat or path is not covered by copyright protection. That means Wizards can absolutely require that users don't re-use the names, images, or complete descriptive text of anything they create - and they should. Copyright protects the expression of an idea - not the idea itself - and it is not possible to copyright mechanics (that requires a patent). The first real question is whether the community files violate Wizards' copyright protections. So the assumption that community files for 5E would be summarily shutdown by Wizards is not accurate. They were started back before 4E was even released. The 3.5E community packs have existed for many years (nearly a decade). The same can be readily achieved for 5E.Ģ. And it's all done without direct access to the raw data files. In addition, the mammoth catalog of 3.5E community packs is all user-created. The vast majority of Pathfinder 3PP data files, including the material we official sell, is created by the 3PPs themselves. ![]() For reference, look at the myriad extensions for Pathfinder. It is absolutely possible to extend the 5E data files in substantial ways. Here are some thoughts on this subject that will hopefully address some of the questions/concerns expressed above.ġ. Rob (a Lone Wolf staff member) posted (on the Lone Wolf forum) the following information in response to questions about the viability of creating community files to fill in the missing non-SRD content: This initial release features character creation support for the D&D 5th Edition SRD, and DM-specific tools will be incorporated throughout the month of February." We’ll be rolling out support for D&D 5th Edition SRD in stages, and we’ve spent the past few weeks ensuring that everything works as intended. Fortunately, Hero Lab’s extensibility allows users to fill in the holes and readily go beyond the limits of the SRD.Īs a commercial product, we take pride in everything we deliver to our users. ![]() certain spells, feats, etc.), so those options aren’t included in Hero Lab. Specifically, the SRD omits certain options that appear in the full rulebooks (e.g. It will also include all of the monsters and DM mechanics outlined in the SRD later this month.įor those of you not familiar with the SRD, it differs from the rules presented in the Player’s Handbook, Dungeon’s Master’s Guide, and Monster Manual. "The D&D 5th Edition SRD game system in Hero Lab includes everything in the official SRD, such as races and their traits, character classes and class features, spells, equipment, magic items, and other character creation necessities. I've used it extensively on an iPad at the game table for Pathfinder and found it quickly became indispensable for managing a character, and toggling effects, conditions, abilities, and so on. You can get Hero Lab for PC, Mac, or iPad here. The 5E update costs $20 for existing users, or $29.99 for new Hero Lab customers.
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