"Game Mechanics" and the OGL


Paizo General Discussion


Pathfinder books, including APs, smaller supplements, and core books, since the release of the PFRPG (and maybe a few before that) specify that the "game mechanics" of the book are open game content, except for anything already declared as product identity. Books prior to these used the broader and clearer word "contents", referring to the entire contents of the book, except for things declared as product identity.

I'm wondering what the definition of "game mechanics" is. Are feat, spell, creature, etc. names (barring any proper names included therein) OGC? How about (and this is the big one) descriptive text contained within stat blocks? I just opened the Advanced Player's Guide to page 239 and saw, in the description of a spell: "Retribution blasts those who have the temerity to assault your person". Since this is part of the spell description (and an integral part of it, in my opinion), it seems like it should qualify as part of the "game mechanics"... but at the same time, it is purely descriptive text. Many spells have such examples (even material component descriptions like "a pinch of sand" or "a bit of plaster" aren't really game-mechanics-based).

Many of the PFRPG books also include short descriptions before classes, feats, and archetypes, and this question comes up again. Although the descriptions aren't really "game mechanics", they are integral to understanding the topic. I note that d20pfsrd.com includes this descriptive text, such as on the page describing the Two-Weapon Warrior archetype. Is that within the bounds of the definition "game mechanics"?

I'd just like to have some clarification before I put too much work into some OGL websites/books/etc. (not specifying what it is ATM).

Dark Archive Contributor

Seems fine to me.

If it's in the PRD, it is definitely fine.

Paizo Employee Chief Technical Officer

The easiest way to answer your question may be to point you at the PRD, which (aside from its presentation) is all Open Game Content.


Vic Wertz wrote:
The easiest way to answer your question may be to point you at the PRD, which (aside from its presentation) is all Open Game Content.

Ah, cool. The PRD's designation of open game content also uses the term "game mechanics", so I wasn't sure. So, basically, if it is in the PRD, it is OGC... I take it that the same definition of "game mechanics" extends to other Pathfinder books?

Paizo Employee Chief Technical Officer

Iziak wrote:
Vic Wertz wrote:
The easiest way to answer your question may be to point you at the PRD, which (aside from its presentation) is all Open Game Content.
Ah, cool. The PRD's designation of open game content also uses the term "game mechanics", so I wasn't sure. So, basically, if it is in the PRD, it is OGC... I take it that the same definition of "game mechanics" extends to other Pathfinder books?

Yep.


Vic Wertz wrote:
Yep.

Great! Thank you so much for the speedy responses and helpful info. You guys are the best.

RPG Superstar 2015 Top 8

As an FYI - if you are looking at other sources BESIDES the PRD, I would also advise you to look at the specific OGL at the back of the book for what that books determines as product identity. It can't ever be actual mechanics ("the DC to this is 10 + Your Hair's Length") but sometimes spell names and the like CAN be IP. A well known example: If you call the spell Bigby's Interposing Hand, it's a possible IP violation. If you call it Interposing Hand, it's not.

I note this because I've been working on playing with mechanics from Slayers d20 and have had to change all the spell names because many of them ARE IP (no Giga Slave for you).

If you are just using the PRD ignore this.


DeathQuaker wrote:

As an FYI - if you are looking at other sources BESIDES the PRD, I would also advise you to look at the specific OGL at the back of the book for what that books determines as product identity. It can't ever be actual mechanics ("the DC to this is 10 + Your Hair's Length") but sometimes spell names and the like CAN be IP. A well known example: If you call the spell Bigby's Interposing Hand, it's a possible IP violation. If you call it Interposing Hand, it's not.

I note this because I've been working on playing with mechanics from Slayers d20 and have had to change all the spell names because many of them ARE IP (no Giga Slave for you).

If you are just using the PRD ignore this.

Yep, I'm well aware of this. I just wanted clarification regarding Paizo's definition of "game mechanics" in this regard. Thanks!


I know when I was adding some 3rd party spells and other content to d20pfsrd.com I had to change a few spell names and strip out some IP in a few item descriptions in order to comply with the Product Identity portion of the OGL statements from those sources. So instead of calling a spell Nyanaaeve's Sword, I'd rename it to Sword of the Elf Mother. Or instead of calling something Torag's Hammer. I'd call it Hammer of the Forge God.

The Exchange

Caedwyr wrote:
I know when I was adding some 3rd party spells and other content to d20pfsrd.com I had to change a few spell names and strip out some IP in a few item descriptions in order to comply with the Product Identity portion of the OGL statements from those sources. So instead of calling a spell Nyanaaeve's Sword, I'd rename it to Sword of the Elf Mother. Or instead of calling something Torag's Hammer. I'd call it Hammer of the Forge God.

Note though that "Torag" is Paizo IP and is available via the CUP so in the case of Paizo IP, if its in the CUP, and you are compliant with its terms, you could use such words and phrases.


Bleh, the original wasn't Torag, but I couldn't remember the name. Lets call the original Toerag instead. I did the renaming in order to respect the PI limitations on what we could use.

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