Published D&D Adventures?

xmastervellesx

I'm sure this has been asked, but I'm horrible at finding the field to search through topics (if there is one).

Normally, I'd assume it was against the rules to re-create an actual published adventure, but since it's D&D published content, is it ok to re-create in a D&D MMO?

For example, recreating anything out of the Dungeon Delve book. Is it prohibited? Or do I just need a disclaimer that it isn't my own intellectual property?

keylord02

I've seen a couple of D&D adventures adapted for the Foundry and no one took them down. As far as I can tell, Cryptic's content not to pursue it beyond stating that it's not their fault if the creator gets in trouble for using copywritten materials.

Oh, and there's no chance something like that would be featured. If that sorta thing matters to ya!

Honestly, the Dungeon Delve book's stuff is so generic that you could rename a few things, change a few monster selections and suddenly it's a completely original product.

chinspinner

I would imagine they simply don't have the resources to search for (c) infringements. But if they found them I imagine they would be removed. A shame because I wanted to create a better version of SWTOR, should take a couple of hours.

boydzinj

Remember the video game is not the same thing as the paper and pen version...

A trio of goblins could spell the doom of any first or second level character on the paper and pen version. In here, five goblins and an ogre are... a joke.

thehuntress

Really, if this was true than most of the published content for Bioware's Neverwinter Night's game by the use of their tool would get in trouble. I remember seeing all sorts of D&D content like Keep on the Borderlands. It's not like it's being published to make money. You're not selling it for a profit. What about all the guild websites that use logo's and pictures of the particular game or genre? If you notice on the bottom of thos pages, like on guildlaunch.com, that the logos and what else is used is owned by who ever.

If you're worried about it just have something like this in your intro:

Game related materials, logos, and images are copyright their respective owners. This Foundry quest/campaign is in no way associated with or endorsed by the respective copyright and trademark holders.

rathenau15

Far from it, it is actually encouraged to recreate campaigns from the pen and paper version, the dev blog was pretty straightforward about it:

“The Foundry in Neverwinter is more than just a tool to create stuff; it’s a place where your stories come to life. It’s a place where you can recreate the quests and campaigns you fondly remember from pen and paper adventures. It’s a place where you can further those quests, changing their stories and writing their next chapters. It’s also a place where you can create new stories, with new quests, campaigns, and adventures to share with your fellow authors and players. With the Neverwinter Foundry, it’s up to you what path your story takes, and the world gets to play it with you! “

http://nw.perfectworld.com/news/?p=882931

chinspinner

PW have bought (rented) the d&d (c) rights so I think you are fairly safe there. If you wanted to make a Thundercats quest you might hit problems.

thehuntress

chinspinner wrote: »

PW have bought (rented) the d&d (c) rights so I think you are fairly safe there. If you wanted to make a Thundercats quest you might hit problems.

Game related materials, logos, and images are copyright their respective owners. This Foundry quest/campaign is in no way associated with or endorsed by the respective copyright and trademark holders.

Thunder Catfolk, HO!

kamaliicious

Well, the Keep on the Borderlands quest has been available from about day 1 and has plenty of plays.

keylord02

Yeah, I keep thinking about that Keep on the Borderlands quest too. I use it as my litmus test. If it ever gets removed by Cryptic, then we'll know that we better watch out!

coanunn

Look, the copyright issue is simple. If it has copyrighted material in it PWE/Cryptic are not going to take action to stop you until they have to but the disclaimer is there to cover their liability. If you produce a stock adventure and the copyright holder makes waves they can simply put the liability on you, and pull your quest from the published catalog and be legally just fine.

They have all but officially said the only true restriction on those materials is you will never be featured if you use copyrighted material.

With that said, reproduce what you want, you really think they have a department of moderators going through every single entry and double checking it against every published work?

chinspinner

coanunn wrote: »

Look, the copyright issue is simple. If it has copyrighted material in it PWE/Cryptic are not going to take action to stop you until they have to but the disclaimer is there to cover their liability. If you produce a stock adventure and the copyright holder makes waves they can simply put the liability on you, and pull your quest from the published catalog and be legally just fine.

They have all but officially said the only true restriction on those materials is you will never be featured if you use copyrighted material.

With that said, reproduce what you want, you really think they have a department of moderators going through every single entry and double checking it against every published work?

It is said there are only three stories in the world, dam star wars is a rip off of the battle of Britain, Churchill should be angry. Point is, change a few names and details.

fugln

xmastervellesx wrote: »

I'm sure this has been asked, but I'm horrible at finding the field to search through topics (if there is one).

Normally, I'd assume it was against the rules to re-create an actual published adventure, but since it's D&D published content, is it ok to re-create in a D&D MMO?

For example, recreating anything out of the Dungeon Delve book. Is it prohibited? Or do I just need a disclaimer that it isn't my own intellectual property?

I have even seen recreated instances from other games with just a twist in the names. Shouldnt be a problem.

cuddlesmacheese

I have 80+ hours on The Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh. I am just documenting my source and crediting them. I hope it is fine

thehuntress

cuddlesmacheese wrote: »

I have 80+ hours on The Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh. I am just documenting my source and crediting them. I hope it is fine

That should be just fine. Just like writing an essay: cite your sources.

thehuntress

coanunn wrote: »

Look, the copyright issue is simple. If it has copyrighted material in it PWE/Cryptic are not going to take action to stop you until they have to but the disclaimer is there to cover their liability. If you produce a stock adventure and the copyright holder makes waves they can simply put the liability on you, and pull your quest from the published catalog and be legally just fine.

They have all but officially said the only true restriction on those materials is you will never be featured if you use copyrighted material.

With that said, reproduce what you want, you really think they have a department of moderators going through every single entry and double checking it against every published work?

Exactly, besides it's a tool to create. We're a bunch game playing nerds and some have been playing D&D since 1979 (who here wanted to get it on with Morgan Ironwolf?). Of course there's going to be recreation - it's expected.

zogvarnoka

In an interview with the Lead Producer Mr. Vasquez, He stated that WoTC and NWO are working hand in hand and communicate often to ensure everything is fitting in lore wise. Even so far as, if someone is writing say a book set in Neverwinter or the surrounds that it fits in with what NWO has planned or doesn't interfere/contridict what NWO has planned.

Given this and the way the ToS/rules for the foundry are written, nothing will happen to anyone who recreates any of the modules from current or old D&D, AD&D, 2e-4e. The recreation of the old KotB is a testament to this. You can bet that both employees of NWO and WotC have probably played it already.

theslyder

This is something that's been concerning me. I've been working for a week or two on a very intricate quest that is an homage to another game. I'm really excited about it but the further along I get the more I worry that it's going to get taken down, even though I've been very careful to never use any copyrighted names or words.

apocrs1980

It's alright to make published modules, we talked a lot about this in closed beta, I am currently working on a Ravenloft campaign and it has all of the characters form the original module. The only down side to doing this is that it will never be featured.

theslyder

Is it even acceptable to use names and titles from their original sources? Even if they aren't D&D related?

zogvarnoka

Give credit to the source in the quest description and change the names/titles. This came up when someone tried to convert some gladiator show in a quest for the game. The author was forced to change names and titles and iirc change the plot a little.

highjusticar

Not all sources are valid. There is a foundry mission based off of the Spartacus series and the author had to go back and change the title and names within.