Compatibility License Question

[kyrt-ryder]

Please forgive me if this question has been posed before [and if it has, any links to threads I've failed to find in my searches would be much appreciated] but I've failed to find my answer through the search function.

If one were to drastically alter aspects of PFRPG [Skills, Feats, Classes etc] in the creation of a divergent game but took great pains to specifically ensure that PCs created under that system were compatible with PF opposition [Bestiaries, Adventure Paths and modules etc] as-written, would that be construed as compatible despite the breadth of changes?

[Vic Wertz]

The question of how much you can change the underlying mechanics and still have a compatible product is not easy to answer. All I can really ask is, if you were to present your product to a bunch of Pathfinder players, would they feel it's compatible with their game? If so, you're probably good; if not, you've probably created a product that's best published without the Pathfinder RPG Compatible logo.

[kyrt-ryder]

Huh, that's an interesting way to put it Vic.

The product as I envision it would definitely feel compatible to a GM, and be useful with all those awesome adventures Paizo puts out. Compatible with the baseline player options though... not so much.

Probably only the spells and races for the most part.

[Andreas Rönnqvist]

Look at Pathfinder Unchained - it presents options that radically change alot of premises in the game, yet it is obviouosly a PFRPG product.

[VRMH]

kyrt-ryder wrote:

Probably only the spells and races for the most part.

Have you considered "skipping" Pathfinder then, and focusing on a D20-compatible product instead - perhaps with guidelines on how to incorporate Pathfinder-based elements?

Pathfinder itself is a D20 derivative, after all.

[kyrt-ryder]

@ Andreas: I was thinking along the same lines, that unchained was proof of the flexibility of PF as a game.

@ VRMH: there are several problems with that approach. First, I love Pathfinder despite all its faults [I'm a bit of a balance nerd] and I want my product to be Pathfinder Compatible with all the awesome GM material [Bestiaries, Adventure Paths etc] that Paizo puts out. Granted AP's aren't my style because of how I GM, but I'm well aware of Paizo's ranking in quality of published adventure stories.

Secondly, right now my inspiration is 90% Pathfinder-based. As I said I love PF, and my objective is creating a supplement which introduces an alternate way to play PF rather than a new game entirely.

Thirdly how would I include those guidelines you suggest? An OGL game can't mention Pathfinder in any way. I suppose with separation of company and person I could possibly publish the game under the company and still use the Community Use Policy to publish said guidelines online as an individual... maybe. Smells fishy.

Lastly, I love this community and would absolutely love to have my product being discussed in the 3PP part of these boards.