That's what I heard, but on the cover it bills itself as OGL compliant and compatible with the best selling fantasy RPG in the world. Curiously, however, it does not actually SAY D&D.
So, what's the deal? Did it have a license or not? If not, how come it was able to be published?
If it didn't get a license, why? I personally quite like the book, as it handles the subject of sex in a very mature and well thought out manner, and is done very tastefully. It's certainly adult, but I wouldn't call it pornographic or perverse, and I appreciate this. I also like how it has all the information I want on the subject. There are much worse things (Book of Vile Darkness, anyone?) that do have licenses.
There were two licenses. The d20 license which allowed you to say it was compatible with D&D but added in extra restrictions and the Open Game License (OGL) which allows you a lot more freedom but you are not allowed to say what it is compatible with. (if you had the d20 license then you also had the OGL, but not the other way around. Sort of like how a square is rectangle, but not all rectangles are squares.)
I believe that the BoEF originally had a d20 license, but then WotC was bothered with its content, and so revoked the d20 license (which it allowed them to do). I think they released it just under the OGL.
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From what I remember of it, it was basically what Pressman said happened. Or at least something along those lines. I just remember it was going to use the D20 license and then couldn't, plus there was a vocal uproar about it when it did come out. I thought it was a ok book, with a lot of neat idea's but that drifted a bit to much. I would have liked if it was focused on love and sex, which advice on how to run relationships and other stuff more in the game.
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Part of it was content and part of it was how they were wanting to do the cover, making the reference to the 3.5 Dungeon and Dragons Player's Handbook be more like
Requires the use of the 3.5 Player's Handbook, published by Wizards of the Coast.
This was of course against the d20 STL (System Trademark License).
And better/different art. The whole live action photos didn't quite work. There's only so much you can do with makeup and early '00 CGI.
And it's not like bumming around an art school for a few days would have cost much more. The amount of undiscovered, unpaid talent out there is staggering.
And better/different art. The whole live action photos didn't quite work. There's only so much you can do with makeup and early '00 CGI.
And it's not like bumming around an art school for a few days would have cost much more. The amount of undiscovered, unpaid talent out there is staggering.
I just ignored the art. It's the fluff I wanted.
I guess the art could have been better, though.
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Here is what WotC had to say about "The Book of Erotic Fantasy"
Wizards of the Coast is in no way associated with the product, “The Book of Erotic Fantasy,” referenced recently on Gamingreport.com. We find the subject matter distasteful and inappropriate and do not endorse, condone, or approve of its use with the Dungeons & Dragons game. While the OGL license allows anyone, even our employees, to produce products that are compatible with Dungeons & Dragons, Wizards does not approve or control the theme of any third-party D20 product.
For more information about the OGL, see www.wizards.com/d20.
Shaw Coté Public Relations Manager
Wizards of the Coast
Valar Project, in turn had this to say in response:
“Well, everyone has their own philosophy about an optimal game. For some, it’s lots of combat. Others add a bit or a bucket of blood and gore. Some like social intrigues and sessions where combat dice are never rolled. Whatever works for you.
This product is written with those who want to include elements of sexuality in their games. It includes concepts like tantric magic. It explores issues of sex in society. Naturally, it will include rules on STDs and pregnancy.
It’s all about good rules, beautiful or evocative images, and creating an atmosphere of sexuality (though flavor text).
Why would I write it? Hmm. Tough to answer because the question that arises in my mind is why wouldn’t I write it? Is it that much different than a Big Book of Fey, Wizards, or Abominations? Maybe.
Not everyone would have this out on their coffee table. But some people also hide their D&D books when their coworkers come over, too.
It’s really a question of what your interests are and whether you’re comfortable with the topic of sex.
I’ve enjoyed gaming, editing, and writing for years. I’ve also been interested in such works as the Kama Sutra and the Joy of Sex. I feel pretty comfortable with it. And what I don’t know, I research.
Research doesn’t mean boring. It means learning and understanding well enough to give an accurate representation.
I’ve not been pregnant (nor has my coauthor). Does that prevent either of us from finding out about rates of reproduction and rendering it in game terms? No.
I approach it seriously, just as if I were writing a book about the underground and wanted to include information about cave formations. That, too, is all about good mechanics, evocative pictures, and good flavor text.
The topics, vocabulary, and explicitness are different, but my philosophical approach is the same.
The book deals with sex. Sex in a d20 game.
On ENWorld, I read questions about S/M and bondage and speculation about content. Yes, it touches on topics like bondage, but that’s just one of many aspects of sexuality. It’s not the Big Book of Bondage. It’s the Book of Erotic Fantasy.”
Gwendolyn F. M. Kestrel
ValarProject.com
Here is what WotC had to say about "The Book of Erotic Fantasy"
Wizards of the Coast is in no way associated with the product, “The Book of Erotic Fantasy,” referenced recently on Gamingreport.com. We find the subject matter distasteful and inappropriate and do not endorse, condone, or approve of its use with the Dungeons & Dragons game. While the OGL license allows anyone, even our employees, to produce products that are compatible with Dungeons & Dragons, Wizards does not approve or control the theme of any third-party D20 product.
For more information about the OGL, see www.wizards.com/d20.
Shaw Coté Public Relations Manager
Wizards of the CoastSo, in answer to the original question - Yes, the Book of Erotic Fantasy did get refused a D&D compatability license.
Thankls to everyone for their answers. I wanted to know this myself because there was so much urban legend type myth surrounding TBoEF.
I like it, the spells disrobe is actually very useful, the change gender spell makes a wonderful curse. Think about it, why kill the vile evil overload when instead you can do a reverse gender and then sell him into a slave market. It's a variation on what two heroines did in a mercedes lackey novel I read, she didn't do the slavery bit but a he became a she and hated life because of it.
The pictures were ok not very good but not bad either, I agree you can only do so much with live actors and makeup and they really should have CGI'd alot more stuff but hey you got to see male as well as female aspects which was a nice surprise.
All in all I personally would love to see a 3.5 update but oh well.