Issue #004: A Black Flag over Twin SRDs

THIS WEEK IN TTRPGS:

• Bards and Sages, a smaller publisher in the speculative fiction and TTRPG space, announced that it was closing down due to the rise of AI overwhelming its submissions and marketplace. 404 Media has a fairly lengthy piece on it that I urge you to look at. It’s an issue that remains entirely illustrative of how AI is continuing to become an issue for publishers in the TTRPG space.

• Wizkids, best known for releasing unique miniatures from various TTRPGs, announced this week that it was releasing the “Red Box Warrior,” a figure who appeared in a picture published on the Red Box in 1983, as a miniature alongside other iconic DnD figurines. The Red Box is considered one of the first introductions that players had to Dungeons and Dragons, so the release of this figure to celebrate the 50th Anniversary is a pretty neat reference. What may surprise some folks is the fact that the Warrior is a woman. Take a look below and tell me if that seems clear to you or not! But this reportedly created a bit of a tiff online about people changing the character’s gender.

• I’ve been getting a lot of TikTok ads for the Twenty-Sided Tavern in NYC, an in-person Actual Play on Broadway. Is it good? Apparently not, according to Rascal News’ Linda Codega and Rowan Zeoli.

A Black Flag over Twin SRDs

One of the elements that most players fail to realize undergirds their play of Dungeons and Dragons is something called the Systems Reference Document. It’s a simple document that lists out the available rules and guidelines for what third-party publishers can use. So if Kobold Press publishes a book using Fifth Edition DnD rules, the only reason they can do so without risking significant fees or copyright infringement is because of the SRD and the Open-Gaming License.

Two big stories came out related to SRDs this week worth taking a look at. The first is that Wizards of the Coast confirmed that it would release a newly updated SRD in 2025 that includes any changes to the game’s rules. This won’t be available until the release of the new Monster’s Manual. The rules will also remain under Creative Commons, a form of copyright that allows others to use content as long as they attribute it appropriately and don’t use it in certain ways, depending on what sort of CC license they have.

The new SRD will include the core rules of 5e as well as its main classes and several monsters, the company said.

Kobold Press released its own Black Flag Reference document, which operates similarly to the 5th Edition SRD. The BFR Doc is “an update to the 5th Edition SRD” that brings it in line with Kobold’s Tales of the Valiant RPG, which will release on Friday. The game is very similar to DnD but offers some different options to those who wish to use the Tales of the Valiant rules instead.

What makes Kobold Press’ decision notable is that its legal framework would help ensure that some form of Fifth Edition’s rules will be free and available to the public without the risk of Wizards turning on past decisions and charging additional fees.

But why is this document important? To quote game designer Frank Mitchell:

Having documents like these encourages creators and writers to take and make content for their favorite games, something I think should be encouraged whenever possible.

Game Deals

1. If you’re looking to try some new indie TTRPGs, the TTRPGs for Trans Rights -West Virginia bundle is available. The publishers of Pathfinder and Delta Green have attached some campaigns, so give it a look.

2. 13th Age, a so-called “love letter” to DnD written by some old-school designers, has launched its 2nd Edition on Kickstarter and raised sufficient funds in about 62 minutes. I’ve yet to play it, but I am intrigued by it nonetheless.

Enjoy this short shot of TTRPG news in your inbox? Forward it to a friend or post it on social media.

Also, if you’re looking for a new DnD game, consider joining me at Polyhedra.io. They have professional DMs (including me) available and a plethora of games to try. I just launched a Planescape game that I hope people will consider joining.