Hey everyone! I wanted to write and leave a pinned comment (and a community post, if those are still a thing) to honestly just say thank you. Thank you so much for all the love and support, understanding and kindness you've shown about this situation, my own personal feelings on it, and the state of the industry at the moment. I really, really, do appreciate it. I also wanted to say, PLEASE don't let this whole affair get forgotten about. I know lots of people are getting fatigued by it, and folks don't have to be angry all the time, but just remember that this isn't over and big corporations *want* you to forget about it, they want you to get fatigued, so that when they try to offer a small platitude of compromise but still get the worst of the deal in under us, people are less outraged. Thanks again!
If you are looking for a new system to try, I've been running two games - one in 5E and one in Cortex (Tales of Xadia). Cortex has a lot to recommend it - I especially appreciate that each character's motivation (e.g. are they acting out of devotion, seeking glory or justice, etc) is considered every time they care enough about an action to roll for it.
Oh Mark, I'm so glad you made this video, because you've voiced everything I would've wanted to voice myself in a video like this. I'm so sorry to hear that you're feeling all these miserable, conflicted feelings, but as someone who is also feeling those things... it's nice to at least not be alone.
I got here because of Ginny's referral. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction Ginny! I now have another solid DnD content creator on my watch, and I understand the OGL controversy. You're the best!
@@aaronimp4966 watched his DnD content for some time, while big named shows feel just like that shows, his dnd games feel like how a dnd game should run, normal people not fantastical voice actors and makes you feel much more at home. also, if you want most of the games he GMs for check out High Rollers DnD its where most of the videos will be
I got here from your referral too. It was really well expressed. I'm watching these events closely, but there are so many perspectives out there. Take care of yourselves. (Both of you).
@@user-lk2qf4rt3m To be honest I'm kinda glad they didn't. Imagine if Mark had to bottle these feelings up and couldn't talk about it for legal reasons? I'd be far more concerned about Mark's mental well being if that was the case.
Chatting to you folks at Pax U got me thinking a lot, and seeing all this happen whilst knowing the stuff you were/are/have worked on is just... so sad. I hope you fine folks can do what you gotta do too!
For what it's worth, I didn't fall in love with High Rollers because it was DnD. I fell in love with DnD because of High Rollers. The many hundreds of hours I've spent watching and playing DnD over the last 6-ish years is because of you, Mark.
I was just a nerdy Yogscast fan who didn't really "get" DnD before I saw the thumbnail for a 1-hour cut of the first episodes of High Rollers, got curious, and then had my life changed
100% agree. Wherever High Rollers goes next - we will follow. It’s Mark’s storytelling and the connection between the players that makes High Rollers so great - not the rules system they use.
Now this is a video worthy of an algorithm boost by commenting. This video gives clear and concise factual points as well as feeling. Ill keep supporting the creators wherever they go with or without 5e and Hasbro.
It wasn't so much that wizard couldn't supply the supplemental books, it is they didn't want to. The supplemental books weren't as a profitable so they out sourced them to third parties. Which is one of the key things here. The third party people making supplemental books were doing wizard's a favor and helping them.
It would have made money if the quality was there. The quality simply wasn't there and they tossed out their own lore for modern politics. This is a trend that has been effecting all sorts of markets. Cater to specific politics as entertainment and you'll almost always fail
"The third party people making supplemental books were doing wizard's a favor and helping them." 3PP were making books because they were profitable, not as a "favor" or a labor of love. D&D compatible products have always sold much better than system agnostic stuff or material for other games, the sole exception being a brief period during 4e's run where PF1 was selling comparable numbers. That's been true since TSR was still around, and I suspect it will remain true going forward, for better or worse. WotC and the 3PP have been in a symbiotic relationship for more than 20 years, and until recently it was making everyone involved more money than anyone could have expected to see otherwise. Are WotC idiots for breaking that relationship? Certainly. But pretending that 3PP weren't benefitting enormously from the OGL all these years is specious. Publishing supplements wasn't some insidious trap by an evil corporation, it was an opportunity for others to get a piece of the D&D pie while helping enlarge that pie at the same time. 3PP wouldn't be so angry about what WotC's done if they weren't looking at significant financial loss as a result, and I dare say no open license that comes out through ORC or other sources will come close to replacing that income stream anytime soon. Maybe somewhere in the future a PF2 OGL might make 3PP the kind of money 5e has, but surviving to that point is going to be tricky for some publishers.
@@richmcgee434 I didn't mean to imply that the third party weren't benefiting from the arrangement, because they absolutely were. My point was that wizards was gaining a great deal from it, because they need some level of content published all the time to continue expanding the game. To them, the profit margin for publishing dozens of book wasn't really worth it, which is why they were happy to have third parties do their own thing, create a ton of content and expand the game for them.
@@Lilitha11 Yes, which is obvious to us and raises the question of why Hasbro has suddenly decided that the relationship is a parasitic rather than symbiotic one and wants out of it. There's all manner of speculation about their plans going forward, but they clearly expect to make more - somehow - in the future without 3PP support for 6e or OneD&D or whatever it gets called, even if the lack of those books (and customer outrage) hurts sales both initially and in the long run. They're probably miscalculating somewhere, but some of it may just be increasing annoyance with BS from the worst parts of the OSR community, those assholes at NuTSR, and Paizo's unending attempts to take the top slot in this end of the industry - all of which stem from the OGL, ultimately.
High Rollers is one of my absolute favorite shows, in all forms of media. You, good sir, and the wonderful worlds and tales you have weaved have truly inspired me. I consider you one of the greatest storytellers in our time. Whatever system you end up using, I will happily follow your stories. I will still be a fan of Mark Hulmes and High rollers, no matter what Wizards end up doing. Thank you for all you have contributed to make this hobby into the incredible thing it has become.
*QUIETLY STANDS UP AND APPLAUDS AS WHOLEHEARTEDLY AS HUMANLY POSSIBLE*. Well said, Mark. What a passionate, articulate and balanced oratory. You have my eternal respect, sir.
I didn’t know about this OGL… I found you from Ginny Gi. A great video. I look forward to seeing your channel. I have gamed from the TSR days and felt the same when they bought TSR… the loss of Euro Gen Con and creators.. it took awhile for things to improve. I’m not surprised by this. A great and informative video. Thank you.
Thank you for this. You have the most reasonable take on this yet. Whatever you and high rollers decide to do in the future, as long as you keep doing videos - whatever system it may be - I will keep watching.
@@SherlockHulmesDM Completely second this. High Rollers has my absolute favourite podcast over the last year or so (started a yeart ago and now up to date!) will listen to you guys telling stories using any system(s). Thank you for this video and for your considered articulations.
Emotions are running high and the fact you could make such a complete and well rounded statement under that kind of stress is commendable. All the love and rest assured that your contribution to the TTrpg community is appreciated and celebrated. We will all get through this!
Very glad to hear your thoughts Mark, especially about how the very correct outrage at WOTC is now being turned on creators that still have or use 5E content. I want to get 5E back from the monster and be able to continue using all the things I've invested time and money on. 5E felt so good because I could get MCDM content and have it dovetail in perfectly smoothly. I'm glad creators are going to have more options moving forward, but I'll certainly be sad that we've left a time where everything could work together in a broader 5E context.
@@GreenBlueWalkthrough but this is exactly what Mark is talking about with some in the community now facing hate for using 5E or continuing with their 5E products. I'm fine. I'm not a creator and I can play my own game in whatever way I wish. I just don't want to see smaller creators or streamers harassed because they're using 5E or continuing to publish their 5E content to make ends meet.
A lot of the backlash on creators/streamers seems to be from "so called fans" that don't realise legally binding contracts may be at play here. Some well know groups will still be legally bound and are unable to voice their true feelings on the matter. There are an alarming number of these "fans" which are all too quick to start sharpening their pitchforks and demand action.
@@dredgenvarg7092 Yeah I think the outrage at Critical Role's 'non-statement' that they issued got them a LOT of flak because people don't understand that they're probably under a non-disparagement clause with WotC/DnDBeyond and we don't know how long their sponsorship will last. They could have sponsored the entire campaign 3 for all we know or they could have sponsored like 10 episode in a row. Also it's unlikely that CR would just drop 5e in the middle of a campaign...
My heart hurts for you, Mark, and for all of us. For the players and the creators, for the twitch folks who gave me this love much later in life than for some, and also for the staff at WoTC who got their dream job after years of work on this phenomenon that they love and now find themselves on the wrong side. I'm just a home DM who has too big a library of resource books on the shelf, but I know I'm not alone when I say that what i love most about DND is the passion we all feel, the community passion, that inspires and grows and feeds us all back and forth and round and round. Art and writing and 3d printing and role play and laughter and tears and beings we make who suddenly come to life in our hearts and art and stories we tell each other like they really happened and and and... and all of that we can find in another system, because it's the togetherness, the surprises and the shared story that makes RPG memorable. I hope Hasbro find their sense and dump the whole thing. And, I was looking forward to the dnd movie, but now I guess not. Way to put off a huge load of the people who would have been first in to watch it. Big hugs to you adorable bunch of sweeties at High Rollers. (I can say that because I'm an old lady.) I'll watch you whatever you play.
One of the most well thought out, eloquent, evenhanded, graceful responses I’ve seen regarding this entire debacle. You are a gentleman and a scholar, Mark. My deepest appreciation for taking the time to write, record, and post such a poignant, passionate response.
THIS ^^^ _ I came here to write almost the exact same words. I think so much of Wizards' "apology" response is pure bullshit but I am glad to try and have hope as Mark does. The only thing I would like to add is this: Mark you are a voice of reason & calm in a storm of anger & suspicion. Thank you.
Thank you for clearly explaining what this all mess is about. I'm sorry something like this has been imposed on you and all the creators; one can clearly feel how much the situation and this new uncertainty about the future have heavily impacted you. I personally consider you one of my fave DMs in the TTRPG show scene and the most inspiring of them all. I can only agree that the world does not have to stop with D&D 5e and my voice joins that of many others: whatever direction the High Rollers may choose in the future, i will be there to follow, enjoy, support and recommend you.
I watch Highrollers because of the story you all weave together, the interesting NPCs that have Mark's unique style, and the sheer joy that you all have with each other. Whatever the rule system, I will continue being a Highrollers fan.
200% this. No matter the system, you all have very engaging story and table interaction. You don't appear to fish for the lols beyond the personalities natural humor. You seem to keep a full actual play with minimal or no edits (certainly I don't see any skips). The whole delivery and details are very much appreciated every week.
i saw he had a star wars campaign going on in his twitch with matt colvil, where are the vods if anyone knows? theyre not here, but also not all on twitch
Thank you Mark for making this video. I have been playing D&D since 1976, I even owned a small FLGS in the suburbs of London for many years. I too have been feeling desperately unhappy during this whole debacle taking place. This Hobby has taken up so much of my life, I have also invested, as a homebrewing DM, vast sums of money and love into my worlds and on Kickstarter and in shops and at cons. We the community love our hobby and we want to protect it. Many of our lifelong friendships have been forged around our tables as brave, silly, funny, impressive, villainous characters played by players who embody the spirit of bards and storytellers throughout history from those earliest cave paintings through the heroic tales of mythology from Jules Verne, Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker, HP Lovecraft, Fritz Leiber, JRR Tolkein, George RR Martin et.al, and when Arneson and Gygax pooled their combined loves of tabletop wargaming and fantasy literature to create this funny quirky thing called D&D (and yes I still have my original little white Box set) They were creating a system open to each and every one of us in the ever growing community to share, develop, add to and invent upon. We will continue to play, because we love to do so, but what we play may change. “plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose “
The legal eagle channel just made an argument that from a legal standpoint, most people probably never needed the OGL to begin with, and it’s honestly an interesting argument.
I don't think the OGL was created because WotC thought they had legal standing at the time. This was after the era of TSR trying to sue anyone over D&D so it was more an attempt to make it obvious that WotC would *_not_* repeat that and do so in as legal a way as possible. It was an attempt to make sure any possible muddy legal waters were made crystal clear on what could be expected if parties agreed to the OGL. I would definitely watch recent interviews with Ryan Dancey considering he was kinda the initiator of the OGL.
I mean yeah that is how it always been you only needed it if you wanted to bank off of D&D compatibility and copy and paste some limited things from the OGL or make plug ad pl,ay conetent. Other wise you never needed it for things like making adventures, and other TTRPGs even D&D clones.
The OGL is a gentleman's agreement of sorts. It's a contract that protects you from frivolous lawsuits by Hasbro. They can't win, but they don't have to if you can't afford to fight
@@priestesslucy Hardly a gentleman's agreement as such a person would not run a frivolous lawsuit in the first place, this is more akin of a villain's agreement. Do as we want and we will not abuse the loopholes in the law system to hurt you.
Thank you so much for creating this to educate everybody about the situation and voicing why it matters so, so much to everybody who loves D&D. I'm so sorry you feel as sad and weary of corporate evil, but it's almost comforting to know everybody's misery is shared. We've all lost so much and the worst thing we've lost, arguably, is our faith.
WotC's backpedallng since the mass of D&DB un-subs is transparent and not good enough. I can only hope that this leads to a renaissance of new open source RPG systems. The new ORC license from Paizo is a great starting point.
We've already had more leaks indicating that Hasbro/WotC executives are still trying to push this. They are working on "2.0" now, but it is the same as 1.1 with slightly different wording.
@@Bloodfencer1990 and more wording to hide just how bad it is. Haven't they realised that we smart group of people with lawyers willing to give us youtube videos on what the legal terms mean :)
Especially since that PR statement straight-up lies. 3rd party publishers have told CNBC that Hasbro approached them, asking them to sign 1.1 before it went public (so that they could spring the trap before we knew) for a better deal. And yet they claim it was a draft, and that they were always looking for feedback.
Dnd is basic fantasy anyway, all we lose is the lore and basic game mechanics. Let them die. Every corporation wants a subscription based system something they can take and act like slum lords with. No thanks slum lords.
Unemployed throughout the pandemic, I binge-watched a bunch of D&D streaming and taught myself all about 5e. When the vaccines came out, I finally decided that, if I was _ever_ going to play, I was going to have to make it happen myself -- and since I had no friends to play with, I had to find those people and build a play-group. So I spent the last half of 2021 doing trial runs with any stranger in the community who expressed interest in the type of roleplaying I wanted to do and, by early 2022, I was lucky enough to pull a hand-selected table together and start a "long-form" campaign. When WOTC made noises about modifying 5e, I was worried that we'd all have to learn a new (and possibly worse) system, but they said the changes would be small. And yet, when the playtest material came out, it was clearly NOT a minor-change 5.1e, but a major 6e, so I was worried once more. But, then again, I saw that many of the proposed changes were good ones that fixed issues with 5e, and the designers seemed to be willing to walk back bad or unpopular changes, so I was comforted and became less concerned -- and I was happy that WOTC was investing such time and care into their system because it indicated to me that they truly valued it and wanted it to get better so that it would be around for a long time. But now this fiasco has me worried again... ☹
In the 1975-95 period, without a robust internet community, nobody new how to play. I was a DM for 5 years before, one day, I looked at at a word in the rules and realized it said “Infravision” -as in “being able to see infrared light”. I started playing when I was 8 years old and, at that age, the word roots were meaningless to me. I had been The DM from age 10-15 and every time it came up I said “Infrasion” -I just clipped out the middle syllable. Whenever I wrote that on a character sheet or stat block, I wrote it “Infrasion” and I had three players that I had hypnotized into reading it that way, as well. I remember staring at the word for a long time and feeling incredibly self-conscious, because that was the term used to describe what is now called “darkvision” in the rules. It was an ability that came up a lot. I wondered what these three players must think of me if I couldn’t even get this name right. Being interconnected as we are now is profoundly helpful, but I think it’s also crippling in the sense that everyone feels they need to follow rules, and social expectations, and even customs and elements of style “the right way” -even about a fantasy game that is intended partly as an escape from those things in “the real world”. This whole incident reinforces my impression that there is a generational divide here, as well…not in the sense that I think there is conflict between different generations within the game community…my impression is that gamers are more widely accepting and tolerant of differences between people than any other collective of people I know. Not perfect, clearly, and everyone with their biases to work on. But, if you are an older player (~40+) I think we all experienced a lot of “oh, crap…I never did that right” moments as people started to become more interconnected and things became more standardized. But, I remember playing those games, saying “Infrasion”, misadjudicating rules to the detriment of players, creating “railroad” campaigns because I didn’t know any better…I even remember laughing at Stranger Things because it immediately reminded me of a time the players did something more or less reasonable and the consequence was “Orcus!” …I just sprung a demon prince on them they had no hope of successfully confronting. I wasn’t trying to win, or ruin their fun…I was imitating the published adventures I had where it wasn’t unusual to be confronted with a Demi-lich that was vulnerable to very little, with little logic. Read the original Tomb of Horrors, White Plume Mountain, or Expedition to Barrier Peaks…they’re all, by modern standards, terrible design. But, we played them all, enjoyed them all, and what I created myself was in aspiration to duplicate that. Huge areas of intentionally empty misdirection and nonsense punctuated by illogical and often unavoidable death traps. And, remember, I wasn’t even pronouncing the words correctly or giving players the best interpretation of their capabilities in some cases. It was the most fun I ever had before I left for college. Honestly, it was probably my definition of fun all those years. Those were my friends, and without that game I’m pretty sure we wouldn’t have been tight at all. One player was the kid next door and my lifelong friend. The other two, I knew through that game. I totally get what is happening for younger players. If you’ve grown up interconnected, big brother has always been on your shoulder praising you for getting it right and mocking you for getting it wrong, as almost instantaneous feedback. I think, in a lot of parts of life, that is really useful. We made electronic media to serve a useful purpose and younger people are just so much wiser and more knowledgeable about…well, anything they want to be good at…that I was at the same age. I’ll listen to younger players I’m with discuss something with a level of nuance in thought and articulated language that kind of makes me envious sometimes. Honestly, I think a lot of insanity in politics might come down to the fact that older people simply cannot hope to outargue younger people according to any kind of rules based logical debate. That doesn’t segregate virtue in either group on any issue, but I think mentally it is just really hard to keep up with bright twenty year old on a topic they are motivated about. I’ve always been pretty sharp, myself, so I’m not easily intimidated even when I’m momentarily at a loss for what I’m going to say next to get across a point. I get the sense that a lot of older people have just given up on logic and reason of fields of contest. I suppose that is a temporary problem, ultimately, and hope we all get through the interim together in one piece. The consequence, though, is that younger people are kind of rules lawyers about everything. Making mistakes is like being fat…it is seen as a sign of underlying character flaws, despite what everyone knows about human limitations. I think people ought to be corrected and criticized, but I am concerned about our “cancel culture” where people are confronted, delivered an ultimatum, and an immediate response is expected…often about topics they had never considered open to question before. If you live in a mental world like that, somebody hands you Pathfinder 2E and…hell, you could study that as university course for a year and not feel confident you understand it. That is why my group never chose to switch over. We understood 3E and had become more sophisticated about it as the rules were added in. But Pathfinder 1E, in my impression, took a complicated 3E and reacted against the radical simplification of 4E by going in the opposite direction. That isn’t a criticism so much as saying having very detailed rules that allow for anything and explicitly outline everything comes with the cost that…there end up being a lot of rules. If you like rules, that is fantastic. But, if you’re afraid you might not play the game correctly…if you’re worried that the empathy and communion is going to break down if people hit disagreements…yeah, it’s intimidating. In one sense, people are always saying nobody likes rules arguments and nobody likes rules lawyers because that isn’t the game. But, it is the game. I remember having a pretty impassioned hour long debate over exactly how to adjudicate various applications of the Ring of Telekinesis in 5e. That magic item has, I think, a one sentence description of how it functions. In the end, nobody agreed, the DM made a ruling, and we moved on. But that wasn’t an interruption of the game…that is the only way anyone figures out how to play. The DM has the authority to close a debate and make a ruling, but a good DM encourages players to question and correct rules interpretation. I can’t even be trusted to pronounce the words correctly, you can’t expect me to follow every rule correctly. If you’ve already got a table of “hand picked” players the hard part of the homework is over. The hard part of playing is confronting the fact that nobody does it right, and acknowledging that some haggling over the rules is an essential part of the game, not something to be avoided because it is unseemly antisocial behavior. Like any other part of the game, it needs to be given due time without allowing it to overwhelm everything else. People optimize characters, paint miniatures, make up voices, and argue over rules for the same reason…they take the game seriously. I read a lot of comments that are like “don’t worry about it.” No, worry about it. Take it seriously. Just don’t let that paralyze you. If you’re younger and are pretty much only familiar with D&D…yeah I can understand how a “new system” can be pretty intimidating. That is why it is probably a good idea to spread your money around the industry. I have books from an uncountable number of game systems, most of which I’ve never actually played. After you read five different rules systems, they all start to kind of look the same. They all have a core task-resolution mechanic based on dice and modifiers (usually, I’ve seen one that uses a deck of cards). Most allow characters to develop skills and abilities. All of them have an economic model that usually places basic gear in readily available places and sequesters very powerful things behind a combination of high price and inaccessibility. The heavy lifting in introducing a new system is really on the DM as players can usually state in plain language what they want their characters to do, at least initially. It is easier than it seems to get off the ground and run a new game system, but harder than it appears to be confident you’re doing everything right. If you can pronounce the basic terminology correctly, you’re going to be better off than I was for quite a while.
Oh Mark, I just wanna give you a hug and tell you it'll all be ok. I hope that getting your thoughts and feelings out there was cathartic and helped you to process everything that is going on. I believe that most people who tune in to watch your game are there to see you and everyone at your table create great stories and memories. It doesn't matter what system you are playing, if you are all having fun, then the people watching will too.
Such a well spoken piece. Thank you, Mark. Your commentary on what keep people interested and playing really resonated with me. Was it cool having Joe Manganiello jump in on CR? Abso-freakin-lutely. Was his gameplay phenomenal? Certainly. Was Arkhan what kept me playing? Not by a long shot. Watching Matt at first and then discovering the @DungeonDudes, @GinniDi, yourself, and so many others... yeah, that's what made me dive in headfirst and embrace this game. Again, thank you for this commentary and I wish you the best in the coming times!
I think seeing D&D in a tv-show or a celebrity playing can definitely help reach "new acquisitions" and has a place in a marketing strategy, but when it comes at the expense or in opposition of community support, it's a long-term failure for sure. Appreciate the support and compliments! Thanks!
I just want to say that YOU got me into DnD and YOU gave me the courage to start being a GM. I am so grateful to you for both of those things. Personally I don't know if I will stick with 5e or DnD but the community and TTRPGs are a part of my life now and forever. Thank you Mr. Hulmes
Well said. Same for me too. High Rollers: Lightfall was the first D&D stream I ever watch and without it I probably wouldn't have got into the hobby without it.
Look into early D&D rulebooks and materials from the 1970s. Play the game made by the creators of D&D rather than later editions made by the people who are destroying it.
@@blackpowderriflehunter7573 my players are interested in game accessibility. PFe2 would be my next choice but even that is far more than most of my players are willing/able to put into the game. 5e made it so anyone could play a heroic ttrpg
Same here. I’ve been running a campaign for over a year now and even joining a friend for a campaign soon. I hope that things can start getting better.
Great summation of the issues to date. Also drives home just how big an effect this whole thing is having on the creators (from both Hasbro/WoTC and the community). I hope that people will heed Mark's call to be kind to others who are not responsible for this whole mess. A very moving video to watch. "You won, and so did we. No, Wizards, we all lost." Absolutely this.
Thank you for the view Mark. It has been a mental draining week. I honestly wish you some breathing room and keep yourself with good people. Which I'm trying myself.
Thank you, Mark. That was a very helpful breakdown of the situation at the top, and a lovely, sincere personal opinion piece afterwards. Hope this all works out for the best for all creators, including yourself. All the best to you and yours.
I am someone who has DMed for my group of friends, who has played with friends, and enjoyed those times. I enjoy DnD and the use and encouragement to creativity despite it not requiring it. It, to me, was shallow enough to allow it to be easy to get into, while being deep enough to emerse yourself completely in worlds and situations you could get no where else. Mark, I was there near the beginning. It was the yogscast that got me interested but it was you that inspired me. Your campaigns, your creations, your fun, intense, nailbiting naritives experiance by friends both present and past (we haven't forgotten you Matt Toffolo!). You have made such a wonderful place that I have praised high and low (much to my poor friends ears). A place that enables cheer, tears, and gasps that cant be felt elsewhere. Where you can look to community and feel the emotion that your works and performances produce. I wish for you to continue to enthrall me with your next big ideas, to entice me more with the subtleties that I almost miss. Thank you. Back when Wizards aquired DnD beyond I got worried. I questioned why they may take this action for anything other than a money grab, and prayed it was just to make things more accessable, and attainable. A way to encourage new people to the game as I was and do so in a way that was in keeping with modern times... My prayers were not heard. The scenario with the OGL has infuriated me. It has made me question why they took such steps. It was clear by the actions, and language used that this was once again another way to grab money by removing competition, and gaining access to more material from the hard labour of caring fans. The lack of transparancy throughout this process shows this too! To Wizards of the Coast: If you want to make some sort of media company, sure, go ahead. Do us a favour though, make it so that we, the DnD community, the ones who stood beneith and and helped raise this game to the standing it is at to do as they have been. Making 3rd party content for others to enjoy in whichever form they please. By attacking the community you will wipe out the people holding this game up high and it will come tumbling down. I hold onto my DnDBeyond subscription in hopes you will see the error in your ways, and change. Because I don't want the hundreds of pounds I have invested in your game to go up in smoke by this stunt you are pulling. Please, listen to the creators and artists, listen to the community, listen to the members of your own company that cherish the game you have made and want to polish it to even greater resplendance. Please do what is right for all of us. Please don't ruin a game I dearly love.
I've just discovered all the wonderful D&D gameplay videos. So I'm a late bloomer. Always late to the party. And now I understand why there aren't any recent videos of gameplay to binge. 😢 Big corporations are the devil. Thank you Mark, for explaining this to a newbie. I'm so sorry that you're sad and tired. You are not alone. 💞 I wish I could give you a hug. 🫂
Said you're not a journalist, and while I dont know every detail of this debacle, I respect you so much for speaking out Mark. You got me into 5e years ago with Lightfall, and I have a found family of players now because of you. Many of them used the SRD to begin with because they couldnt afford the core books. We use a lot of 3rd party books in conjunction and it's awful to think these 3rd party books may become a thing of the past with recent developments. So clear you give your heart and soul to the game, and WOTC are deplorable for not caring about you and others one bit. They simply seem to care about money. Best wishes to you Mark, fingers crossed for the coming months ❤
Honestly, it's likely Hasbro, the parent company of WotC. Hasbro is notorious for being a greedy company. They only allowed Transformers movies so they could sell more toys, sacrificing the established lore for the graphics so kids would beg their parents to get them the toys.
i can't believe they could look at a community that have become professional hobbyists at story telling against powerful, lying, deceitful villains and thought it would be a good idea to lie to us. do they literally not understand that opening up falsehoods like this IS WHAT WE DO
As someone who became a now avid fan of D&D through you starting Highrollers, and as someone who actually "DM'ed" a short "homebrew" inspired game for my one friend and I to roleplay in after years of of just being a player or watcher... this was very eyeopening to see the more behind the scenes of the community and greater company/brand as a whole and the state of affairs that could come about from all of this. While I'm not actively participating in campaigns or materials of D&D, I was becoming worried with all this talk coming out and your beautiful and concise clarification of it not only helps me understand but also feel scared going forward for wanting to do more with and in D&D. I loved how back in 2016, as long as everyone knew the rules of the game, or at least one person did, you could have as much fun as you wished and now with so much supplemental material, you can truly experience everything out there. I, like you, hope that we all learn to take this in strides to be kind and faithfully help push and mold D&D into the game and system we all know and love so that the beauty of imagination and creativity can live on forever without ever needing to worry that what we're doing is "wrong." Thank you Mark.
I just want you to know that I will watch and support whatever you decide to go with as I watch for your DM'ing and content and your players. You do you.
One rule to live by is never take out your wrath on staff for what management does!! This is not just in this case but in life in general! One good thing that may come from this is allowing new content and systems to come into the light! from D&D shadow!
I haven't seen much anger directed at the staff. In fact I haven't seen any. The internet is what it is with regard to mistreatment so I'm sure there's been some. But I don't think it's an issue here. If anyone has significant examples I'd like to see some, because I think that the TTRPG community has been very well behaved during all of this.
@@codywilson682 There are always some characters who need to be reminded of not making the staff responsible for silly decisions worked out by managers . But yes, I also think that in comparison to other community backfires (for example in video games) I had feared much worse behaviour than what was seen here in the TTRPG community that in general behaved well. 👍👍
Thank you for putting this out there, Mark. I know this is just one comment in an ocean of them, but I, and I'm willing to bet many others in this community, care more about the characters, worlds, and stories created by you and so many others than the platform/ruleset you use to tell them. We'll be following you and our other favorite content creators wherever you end up going, and whatever you end up doing in the future. I know it's sad because of the history many of us have with D&D, and the memories created while playing. That said, we'll be able to continue telling stories and creating memories whether WoTC are involved or not (likely not if they continue down this road). As you said, the creators are not alone. You're all going through this together. Know also you are going through this with your community and fans supporting you all as well.
My first time playing D&D I had the worst DM. I only knew this because I had watched High Rollers, and knew what a good DM should be. You inspired me to DM myself, to show my friends that there was a better way. That's really when I fell in love with D&D and 5e. And this whole mess just breaks my heart in so many ways, that when I first heard about it I was afraid to look any further. This video and your passion cleared everything up for me. Thank you.
Seeing you go from serious to emotional especially in your eyes was heartbreaking. Please take some time to rest, put this problem to the side and take care of yourself. We have your back, and your front, along with every other content creator out there that this affects l.
Hey Mark. Your original High Roller campaign was what introduced me to DnD in the very first place. It led me to Critical Role and then eventually running my game and even publishing content on The DM's Guild. Thank you for the work you have put into this hobby and thank you for making this video. It pretty much summarizes what I've been feeling and going through for the past week after learning of all this. Have a great day.
Well said sir and here is hoping nothing but the best to you and all the content creators out trying to figure out the best route to take not just for yourselves, but for the hobby we all love.
Your eloquence and level-headedness are two of the most admirable things on the internet today. I hope you are proud to be model leader in this community. Amazing video, will be sharing.
I have been so conflicted with a lot of this myself and to hear someone put things so eloquently and heartbreakingly clear really has helped. My students all week have been so concerned they were going to lose me and the game after their current campaigns end in February, and I had no answer for them- but now I do. I want to keep bringing their stories to life and help hone their creative world building skills further, and while it is D&D 5th Edition, I know that its the skills and stories I care about more than the system being used and the company who is failing us right now. I also run a game for friends and have been trying to immediately force them to change systems- but that isn't gelling well despite them now understanding everything going on. I know its okay for us to keep going the way we are because, again, it is the stories we are telling, the fun we are having, and developing a stronger bond together. Its more than the company and the game. So, long comment short, thank you so much Mark for clarifying much of what I needed clarified this week and while there is still a lot of concern with things going on and my future plans to work on things...I know where the anger needs to go, I know what I am doing isn't wrong like I thought it would be, so I really thank you for helping me see these things now after a very hard week.
Not to be rude, but why do you feel the need to change systems? I personally prefer most things to D&D, but the OGL doesn't affect you, the player. Unless you're a large-scale RPG publisher reliant on the OGL to pay the rent, this doesn't affect you. It affects companies you may have purchased books from, but otherwise everything you've already bought and used has been bought and used. If you feel the OGL is abusive, then don't give WotC any more money. The bottom line is WotC's bottom line is the only thing that matters to this licensing shift. Whether or not you play at home with the books you've already bought does not matter to WotC or the OGL.
Thank you so very much for this! I remember about 5years ago or more - I found the Vin Diesel DND video on UA-cam - nothing about the actor struck a cord with me but Critical Role did, and I was hooked. Not only am I a critter, but it led me into the world of DND (I have yet to play, thanks to regional constraints), but I have emerged myself into the community. I have met (virtually) and supported many smaller creators because I want to build this community/game up and help it expand as well as help the amazing people who love it. It was never the corporation, or the VIP celebrities, and it will never be for me. That’s why this hurts because it hurts people I care about. I will follow them, continue to support them (including Mark), no matter what part of the TTRPG community they are a part of, because of who they are, and what they bring - never the company. Even if I just accumulate numerous DND or TTRPG supplies/supplements and never play. Supporting the community I love is most important to me.
I'm so sorry Mark for how difficult and stressful this whole situation must be. If it makes you feel any better, we the community will watch and support you whatever you decide to do. :)
Hi Mark I’m a lurker and don’t normally comment but I thought I’d do differently today. We will stand behind you, as you move forward as we are here for you as a creator . That is what we love and what we want to get behind. Get some rest soon if you can.
Personally I see creators making videos and continuing series the same as my table continuing our game. We use books and paper. WotC isn't getting money from us just by playing. We aren't buying any current content from them and won't for the forseeable future. We're making the conscious effort to support others in this fight, Paizo mainly. WotC gets nothing from my continued playing, and I hope it can be the same for others.
Thanks for doing this Mark. I think you hit the nail on the head, it's the community that makes D&d what it is and that's what someone in their ivory tower doesn't appreciate. We don't just cheer on a team and wear their colours. Instead we sit around a table with people, break bread with them, spill blood with them and live a magical fantastical life with them. It's engagement beyond a ball simply reaching the back of the net. Its a shared narrative that people are invested in. It's a second life lived safe from the sometimes harsh realities of the this world. It is community. It is family...
Hang in there, mate. You'll have my views. And my sub. And wish I could sit you down with a beer and a chat to relieve tension, even tho I don't drink. What can we do? Hope for the best and prepare for the worst, as always.
Mark, I am sorry to hear the stress you have been feeling, you were the person who introduced me to 5E. No matter what you do in the future I will watch and interact with your content and I know many others will as well. I hope you find some respite soon and I am hoping that you manage to have the year that you want.
Thank you so much for making this video, Mark! Everything in it is so well said. You are absolutely on point saying that it's the community that has made D&D so popular! I will definitely continue to support and watch High Rollers and other content creators who continue using 5e.
Don’t lose heart Mark. You’re a great man and a great GM. Your content has a really positive impact on many of our lives. What a massive own goal by WOTC!
thank you Mark I have been watching you since the start of highrollers all those many years ago and thank you to everyone else Ginny di dungeon dudes et cetera et cetera as someone that has also been burnt. By Wizards of the Coast this video helped me understand what is truly going on to all of the creators, hobbyists friends and newly acquaintances that I have not met yet remember that you are the driving force of this community and I hope that this problem sorts itself out for the sake of everybody involved thank you for your passion and understanding and the amount of time you all put in for yourself, but also for the fans .
Your statement about taking parts of what you liked really resonated with me. Some of the OneD&D stuff didn't gel with what I wanted, which drew my attention to some issues I have with the system (much as I like it). It made me start brainstorming some homebrew, but a lot of the OGL stuff has made me consider trying to make the things I do like into their own system. I'm sure a thousand other people are doing the same thing, and I don't expect to become the next Paizo, since I'm some random dude with no following. But It's worth doing, because the creative impulse is human, and maybe it could be fun for someone other than me. And there's been a lot of overreactions from the community, and I don't like to say that because I largely agree with the sentiment. But anyone that doesn't want to delete their DnDBeyond account and lose their purchases and then switch over to Pathfinder 2e is being treated as part of the problem. And it's really reductive and harmful. And exhausting. A lot of it feels like the "play another system" crowd finally has a legit reason to grind their axe and leapt on it (and I do think that playing multiple systems is a good thing, I just dislike people cropping up in every thread to evangelize about a completely different system. If I'm talking about D&D, I don't need to hear about Call of Cthulhu. It's fun, but completely detached from the conversation). Anyway, I hope Paizo is able to force the issue in court, because a lot of the things I've seen has made it look like an open-and-shut case if you can get to trial (and not bled out by Hasbro's bloated legal team).
Wow what a video. I feel for you, and I don't even know you or watch your channel. It's a brutal situation, but you will get through it because you are clearly passionate and talented. Keep your head up, and thanks for probably the best long form take I've seen on this whole debacle.
Your thoughts echo a lot of my own. Thank you for making this and putting these ideas to words. I hope Hasbro and WotC listen to you and the community as a whole.
I can see your pain and frustration, I feel for you. At the end of the day the corporation that owns the intellectual property can and will do what they want with it.Corporations are not your friends, they are a business that exist to make money. They people you meet or watch playing ARE YOUR FRIENDS. Prepare for the worst as this is so similar to what happened to the video games industry. I wish you all the best fortune going forward.
Mark your storytelling and world building is world class. Throughout Aerois you have come up with new mechanics that are already such a departure from basic 5e rules that I have no doubt you could create your own system. No matter what game system you use for future High Rollers projects - we will follow and support you. Much love
Mark you are a bloody gem as always. You and the High rollers gang are the reason I got into TTRPGs in the first place and I have loved every second of it. So no matter the system I will be following you and them always. :)
This is a wonderfully thought through video Mark, thank you for making it. Said everything that was on my mind and even more I didn't know I was feeling! Lets hope that the response of the community will be the birth a new light. Much love to you and everyone else in this boundless and ever united community.
I just found this following links and I need to say that after several videos, this is absolutely the most well spoken and sincere and THOUGHTFUL one I've watched on the topic so far. When I discuss this topic (and it IS being discussed... everywhere...) I will henceforth be referring people to this video. Thank you so much for this video, you have made a significant contribution to the dialogue surrounding the topic. Get some sleep, have some hot cocoa and read a book or something. Good mental hygiene requires unplugging once in a while, and you deserve some peace of mind, even if a few moments. You have a new subscriber, no matter where your content goes. 🥰
Thank you for sharing your view, Mark. Your words are eloquent and strike a chord with myself and many others. Please keep sharing your passion and creativity with the world. The community is here to support you as much as we can. ❤
Phenomenal, mad respect to you for covering this so thoroughly. So detailed, yet so digestible, and all angles covered. First video I've seen of yours and I can tell the community is blessed to have you. You gain +1 subscriber. Also a shout-out to Ginny Di for suggesting this video.
I 100% watch Highrollers because of you, Trott and the rest. I remember you awhile ago talking about moving away from D&D after Aerois and was so excited to hear that a more well known stream might touch other systems. You'll have our support no matter what, man ❤
Hey ho, I am usually one of the quiet people but in this kind of situation I wanted to also voice my support: I will watch/listen to the stories you tell no matter the system because I really enjoy them and the fun you all have together. I wish you and your friends all the best. I am sure you will find a way through this storm and come out the other side where the sun is shining.
I hope that they just drop it... I hate that higher ups can destroy the community the staff are not part of it. Love all u do and will fallow u wherever you take ur content.
Sheesh. Seeing you in such a state is rough, Mark. I mean, I know how it feels. Between anxiety issues and chronic insomnia, I know what it is to have thoughts boiling in your head and not being able to sleep... But as an early HighRollers fan, it's heart-breaking. Take care of yourself, man. The last thing we want is for you to break down.
Well said Mark. It's the High Rollers I watch not the DnD system, and it would be really interesting to follow your next campaign in something else - Pathfinder maybe? Better still get Rosemeadow to build you a whole new system ... Whatever you do, we'll still be watching. And I would like to thank you, Rhi, Kim, Katie, Chris and Tom for helping me through some "not ok" times :)
Well the entire community is here with you, not just high rollers fans and nights of evening star fans, not just the entirety of dnd fans, but the whole ttrpg community.
I've mostly been following this through DnD Shorts, but I'm always very interested to hear your personal take on these kinds of things. As just a small-time viewer I can only imagine how it's making you and others in your position feel and it's heartening to hear that you've still got hope for this whole debacle. Thank you for the measured response despite how clearly upsetting the situation is for you. (I'd make you a nice cup of tea if I could, that always makes me feel better even if it's just very short-term.) I and other fans of you and other creators will stay on the lookout for the best ways to show our support.
Thank you for adding all of the nuances to this conversation 🙌🙌🙌 I personally still want to support my favorite creators, whichever way they choose to go forward. I still enjoy playing 5e - it’s the first thing I’ve learned - and I’m sad that so many people’s jobs & passion have been hurt by corporate greed
I'm sorry to hear that you and other content creators are in this position and feeling all these stressful and negative emotions. I'm sad to see this change occurring and hope that the OGL is revised for the betterment of the community, but we will see. Mark thank you for making this informative video and providing links to further information. I have been a fan since the Lightfall campaign and look forward to seeing what stories you and everyone else at High rollers continue to tell no matter if you stay with DND or move to a different system.
Im looking into it, and many others, more. There's still parts I don't like, and I would love to see them pay their artists and writers a better rate, but it's great to have a popular alternative already in place.
You're exactly right: I have very little to no interest in D&D movies or television series, but watching High Rollers has caused me to fall in love with the game, learn the rules, understand its spirit and magic when a group of friends get round a table together, and start playing myself. Streams like yours and the others you mention must surely be invaluable to WotC, and they need to realise that they need you on side as an ally, and will greatly regret making an opponent out of the wonderful community that orbits you. I'm sorry that you've had such a hard time with all of this. I think you're a sensational DM and I *LOVE* the content you produce. Keep up the good work and thank you for introducing me to how wonderful TTRPGs can be.
"You can't divide us with NDAs and sweetheart deals." Except Kickstarter. Apparently they'll immediately kiss the ring and hash out a sweetheart deal for themselves.
Mark, I just wanted to say how much I love this and how much it means to me. High Rollers has made such an impact on me. It got me back into roleplaying. But as you said, it isn’t the game that has me coming back for more. It is this community, a community of people who accept me for who I am, as a trans woman. This community was built, especially through 5e, on acceptance and inclusion, and High Rollers has been a huge part of that for me. This response is exactly what it needs to be. A heartfelt message. We CANNOT afford to cannibalize ourselves out of our fear and hurt. We need to stick together as a community who loves TTRPGs as a whole. Keep fostering the love of the game and the welcoming nature of friends and found family. Thank you, Mark, from the deepest parts of my heart. 🏳️⚧️
I completely feel what you said! As a neurodivergent black muslim with really strong hyperfixations, this community has never made me feel out of place at all. It feels like a family that I can trust. Stay safe :]
I don't have much to say (watch her write an essay), but: 1) thank you Mark for making this video for people like me who had their socials full of messages, memes, stories about this and did not actually understand what was happening. 2) having watched the video and your explanation, I completely, fully, totally and a whole lot more of "lly"s agree with everything you said. I'm relatively new to TTRPGs, I'd always wanted to play but never knew anyone to play with or how, until 2020 and everything that happened then. And the more I learnt, the more I realised how huge the community is, and how many people love this game (and others like it). And you're right: it's the "regular" people, everyday people, who keep the game alive. There's only one thing that I want to add (2 actually). I do believe this issue (big companies focussing on brand and money) is a larger problem. It's not just Wizards or DnD, it's the world itself that measures success in "how much money are you making". However this success is transient, it doesn't last. Like you mentioned, after a while people move to the next "big thing" they see, and forget all about it. It's because of the love for the game itself, not the fame, that DnD has existed for decades. The second thing, it's for you: you can keep making 5e content, you can change the game and play another one, you can do whatever. I'm still going to be there each Sunday at 5pm (6 for me, I'm in Italy). Watching you guys play (and catching up with past series and miniseries you did) taught me how to play, how I want to play, and has inspired me and many others. And if you end up changing games to make your stories, we're still going to be watching. And if you keep playing 5e, we're still going to be watching.
I hope the news today is as good as it seems. Maybe there will be a little less uncertainty for creators and a little relief for the community. Thank you for all you've done to help in this. 💕
Mark, I've watched you since you since you started High Rollers, and that very same year, I started DMing. Without you, I wouldn't have found D&D or embrace my love for collaborative storytelling, or even for that matter, pursue a career in voiceover work and streaming my map builds, and even soon, streaming my own game in my homebrew world. Thank you for putting into words the exact devastation, stress and hurt that I myself have been feeling. You're right. We WILL get through this together. Onwards and upwards, my friend.
Thank for such a well put and honest expression of your experience and feelings. I hope everyone involved in this sees this and gives them understanding, inspiration, and pause.
Considering Wizards themselves can't seem to stop publishing hateful and bigoted content, I have no faith in their claim that they want the kill clause to be able to keep hate speech out of D&D. It's a blanket that allows them to kill any project they deam a threat to their bottom line.
Hey everyone! I wanted to write and leave a pinned comment (and a community post, if those are still a thing) to honestly just say thank you. Thank you so much for all the love and support, understanding and kindness you've shown about this situation, my own personal feelings on it, and the state of the industry at the moment. I really, really, do appreciate it.
I also wanted to say, PLEASE don't let this whole affair get forgotten about. I know lots of people are getting fatigued by it, and folks don't have to be angry all the time, but just remember that this isn't over and big corporations *want* you to forget about it, they want you to get fatigued, so that when they try to offer a small platitude of compromise but still get the worst of the deal in under us, people are less outraged.
Thanks again!
You are amazing! I hope you've been able to recover from this
You are not alone, thank you for everything you have done!
If you are looking for a new system to try, I've been running two games - one in 5E and one in Cortex (Tales of Xadia). Cortex has a lot to recommend it - I especially appreciate that each character's motivation (e.g. are they acting out of devotion, seeking glory or justice, etc) is considered every time they care enough about an action to roll for it.
"If i breath, i am unbeaten.
If i fight, i am unbroken."
These aren't my words, i took them from some book i read last year. But boy, are they apt.
I feel honoured. How do I message you, Mark?
Oh Mark, I'm so glad you made this video, because you've voiced everything I would've wanted to voice myself in a video like this. I'm so sorry to hear that you're feeling all these miserable, conflicted feelings, but as someone who is also feeling those things... it's nice to at least not be alone.
Never alone pal. Always on your side and always got your back. We'll figure this out!
I got here because of Ginny's referral. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction Ginny! I now have another solid DnD content creator on my watch, and I understand the OGL controversy. You're the best!
@@aaronimp4966 watched his DnD content for some time, while big named shows feel just like that shows, his dnd games feel like how a dnd game should run, normal people not fantastical voice actors and makes you feel much more at home. also, if you want most of the games he GMs for check out High Rollers DnD its where most of the videos will be
I got here from your referral too. It was really well expressed. I'm watching these events closely, but there are so many perspectives out there. Take care of yourselves. (Both of you).
@@user-lk2qf4rt3m To be honest I'm kinda glad they didn't. Imagine if Mark had to bottle these feelings up and couldn't talk about it for legal reasons? I'd be far more concerned about Mark's mental well being if that was the case.
Well said Mark. We are thinking much the same way, and you articulated these feelings wonderfully.
Chatting to you folks at Pax U got me thinking a lot, and seeing all this happen whilst knowing the stuff you were/are/have worked on is just... so sad. I hope you fine folks can do what you gotta do too!
In summary: Maybe D&D was, truly, the friends we made along the way ❤
For what it's worth, I didn't fall in love with High Rollers because it was DnD. I fell in love with DnD because of High Rollers.
The many hundreds of hours I've spent watching and playing DnD over the last 6-ish years is because of you, Mark.
Think there's a rather large group of us that can say the same.
That’s it! We love the games, the characters and the stories. D&D is just the foundation.
I was just a nerdy Yogscast fan who didn't really "get" DnD before I saw the thumbnail for a 1-hour cut of the first episodes of High Rollers, got curious, and then had my life changed
Same here! Everything I've learned about D&D I learned from watching this group.
100% agree. Wherever High Rollers goes next - we will follow. It’s Mark’s storytelling and the connection between the players that makes High Rollers so great - not the rules system they use.
Now this is a video worthy of an algorithm boost by commenting. This video gives clear and concise factual points as well as feeling. Ill keep supporting the creators wherever they go with or without 5e and Hasbro.
Appreciate the boost!
It wasn't so much that wizard couldn't supply the supplemental books, it is they didn't want to. The supplemental books weren't as a profitable so they out sourced them to third parties. Which is one of the key things here. The third party people making supplemental books were doing wizard's a favor and helping them.
Thanks for the clarification.
It would have made money if the quality was there. The quality simply wasn't there and they tossed out their own lore for modern politics. This is a trend that has been effecting all sorts of markets. Cater to specific politics as entertainment and you'll almost always fail
"The third party people making supplemental books were doing wizard's a favor and helping them."
3PP were making books because they were profitable, not as a "favor" or a labor of love. D&D compatible products have always sold much better than system agnostic stuff or material for other games, the sole exception being a brief period during 4e's run where PF1 was selling comparable numbers. That's been true since TSR was still around, and I suspect it will remain true going forward, for better or worse. WotC and the 3PP have been in a symbiotic relationship for more than 20 years, and until recently it was making everyone involved more money than anyone could have expected to see otherwise.
Are WotC idiots for breaking that relationship? Certainly. But pretending that 3PP weren't benefitting enormously from the OGL all these years is specious. Publishing supplements wasn't some insidious trap by an evil corporation, it was an opportunity for others to get a piece of the D&D pie while helping enlarge that pie at the same time. 3PP wouldn't be so angry about what WotC's done if they weren't looking at significant financial loss as a result, and I dare say no open license that comes out through ORC or other sources will come close to replacing that income stream anytime soon. Maybe somewhere in the future a PF2 OGL might make 3PP the kind of money 5e has, but surviving to that point is going to be tricky for some publishers.
@@richmcgee434 I didn't mean to imply that the third party weren't benefiting from the arrangement, because they absolutely were. My point was that wizards was gaining a great deal from it, because they need some level of content published all the time to continue expanding the game. To them, the profit margin for publishing dozens of book wasn't really worth it, which is why they were happy to have third parties do their own thing, create a ton of content and expand the game for them.
@@Lilitha11 Yes, which is obvious to us and raises the question of why Hasbro has suddenly decided that the relationship is a parasitic rather than symbiotic one and wants out of it. There's all manner of speculation about their plans going forward, but they clearly expect to make more - somehow - in the future without 3PP support for 6e or OneD&D or whatever it gets called, even if the lack of those books (and customer outrage) hurts sales both initially and in the long run. They're probably miscalculating somewhere, but some of it may just be increasing annoyance with BS from the worst parts of the OSR community, those assholes at NuTSR, and Paizo's unending attempts to take the top slot in this end of the industry - all of which stem from the OGL, ultimately.
High Rollers is one of my absolute favorite shows, in all forms of media. You, good sir, and the wonderful worlds and tales you have weaved have truly inspired me. I consider you one of the greatest storytellers in our time.
Whatever system you end up using, I will happily follow your stories. I will still be a fan of Mark Hulmes and High rollers, no matter what Wizards end up doing.
Thank you for all you have contributed to make this hobby into the incredible thing it has become.
This kind of comment means the world and really helped me turn around my mood on all this. Thanks a bunch!
*QUIETLY STANDS UP AND APPLAUDS AS WHOLEHEARTEDLY AS HUMANLY POSSIBLE*. Well said, Mark. What a passionate, articulate and balanced oratory. You have my eternal respect, sir.
I didn’t know about this OGL… I found you from Ginny Gi. A great video. I look forward to seeing your channel. I have gamed from the TSR days and felt the same when they bought TSR… the loss of Euro Gen Con and creators.. it took awhile for things to improve. I’m not surprised by this. A great and informative video. Thank you.
Thank you for this. You have the most reasonable take on this yet. Whatever you and high rollers decide to do in the future, as long as you keep doing videos - whatever system it may be - I will keep watching.
Thanks, very much appreciated!
@@SherlockHulmesDM Completely second this. High Rollers has my absolute favourite podcast over the last year or so (started a yeart ago and now up to date!) will listen to you guys telling stories using any system(s). Thank you for this video and for your considered articulations.
Emotions are running high and the fact you could make such a complete and well rounded statement under that kind of stress is commendable. All the love and rest assured that your contribution to the TTrpg community is appreciated and celebrated. We will all get through this!
Very glad to hear your thoughts Mark, especially about how the very correct outrage at WOTC is now being turned on creators that still have or use 5E content. I want to get 5E back from the monster and be able to continue using all the things I've invested time and money on. 5E felt so good because I could get MCDM content and have it dovetail in perfectly smoothly. I'm glad creators are going to have more options moving forward, but I'll certainly be sad that we've left a time where everything could work together in a broader 5E context.
I mean no one is taking your books and no one should make you feel bad for liking a game.
@@GreenBlueWalkthrough but this is exactly what Mark is talking about with some in the community now facing hate for using 5E or continuing with their 5E products. I'm fine. I'm not a creator and I can play my own game in whatever way I wish. I just don't want to see smaller creators or streamers harassed because they're using 5E or continuing to publish their 5E content to make ends meet.
Starve the monster. Walk away. Raise the Black Flag
A lot of the backlash on creators/streamers seems to be from "so called fans" that don't realise legally binding contracts may be at play here. Some well know groups will still be legally bound and are unable to voice their true feelings on the matter. There are an alarming number of these "fans" which are all too quick to start sharpening their pitchforks and demand action.
@@dredgenvarg7092 Yeah I think the outrage at Critical Role's 'non-statement' that they issued got them a LOT of flak because people don't understand that they're probably under a non-disparagement clause with WotC/DnDBeyond and we don't know how long their sponsorship will last.
They could have sponsored the entire campaign 3 for all we know or they could have sponsored like 10 episode in a row. Also it's unlikely that CR would just drop 5e in the middle of a campaign...
My heart hurts for you, Mark, and for all of us. For the players and the creators, for the twitch folks who gave me this love much later in life than for some, and also for the staff at WoTC who got their dream job after years of work on this phenomenon that they love and now find themselves on the wrong side. I'm just a home DM who has too big a library of resource books on the shelf, but I know I'm not alone when I say that what i love most about DND is the passion we all feel, the community passion, that inspires and grows and feeds us all back and forth and round and round. Art and writing and 3d printing and role play and laughter and tears and beings we make who suddenly come to life in our hearts and art and stories we tell each other like they really happened and and and... and all of that we can find in another system, because it's the togetherness, the surprises and the shared story that makes RPG memorable. I hope Hasbro find their sense and dump the whole thing. And, I was looking forward to the dnd movie, but now I guess not. Way to put off a huge load of the people who would have been first in to watch it. Big hugs to you adorable bunch of sweeties at High Rollers. (I can say that because I'm an old lady.) I'll watch you whatever you play.
One of the most well thought out, eloquent, evenhanded, graceful responses I’ve seen regarding this entire debacle. You are a gentleman and a scholar, Mark. My deepest appreciation for taking the time to write, record, and post such a poignant, passionate response.
THIS ^^^ _ I came here to write almost the exact same words. I think so much of Wizards' "apology" response is pure bullshit but I am glad to try and have hope as Mark does. The only thing I would like to add is this: Mark you are a voice of reason & calm in a storm of anger & suspicion. Thank you.
Thank you for clearly explaining what this all mess is about. I'm sorry something like this has been imposed on you and all the creators; one can clearly feel how much the situation and this new uncertainty about the future have heavily impacted you. I personally consider you one of my fave DMs in the TTRPG show scene and the most inspiring of them all. I can only agree that the world does not have to stop with D&D 5e and my voice joins that of many others: whatever direction the High Rollers may choose in the future, i will be there to follow, enjoy, support and recommend you.
I watch Highrollers because of the story you all weave together, the interesting NPCs that have Mark's unique style, and the sheer joy that you all have with each other. Whatever the rule system, I will continue being a Highrollers fan.
200% this. No matter the system, you all have very engaging story and table interaction. You don't appear to fish for the lols beyond the personalities natural humor. You seem to keep a full actual play with minimal or no edits (certainly I don't see any skips). The whole delivery and details are very much appreciated every week.
201% this!
i saw he had a star wars campaign going on in his twitch with matt colvil, where are the vods if anyone knows? theyre not here, but also not all on twitch
Well said. 200% agreed.
Every one shot they do in a new system is a lot of fun, and I would love to see more stuff like that.
Thank you Mark for making this video. I have been playing D&D since 1976, I even owned a small FLGS in the suburbs of London for many years. I too have been feeling desperately unhappy during this whole debacle taking place. This Hobby has taken up so much of my life, I have also invested, as a homebrewing DM, vast sums of money and love into my worlds and on Kickstarter and in shops and at cons. We the community love our hobby and we want to protect it. Many of our lifelong friendships have been forged around our tables as brave, silly, funny, impressive, villainous characters played by players who embody the spirit of bards and storytellers throughout history from those earliest cave paintings through the heroic tales of mythology from Jules Verne, Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker, HP Lovecraft, Fritz Leiber, JRR Tolkein, George RR Martin et.al, and when Arneson and Gygax pooled their combined loves of tabletop wargaming and fantasy literature to create this funny quirky thing called D&D (and yes I still have my original little white Box set) They were creating a system open to each and every one of us in the ever growing community to share, develop, add to and invent upon. We will continue to play, because we love to do so, but what we play may change. “plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose “
Ah! An original! Much respect! May all your encounters be Nilbog-less! 🙂
The legal eagle channel just made an argument that from a legal standpoint, most people probably never needed the OGL to begin with, and it’s honestly an interesting argument.
I don't think the OGL was created because WotC thought they had legal standing at the time. This was after the era of TSR trying to sue anyone over D&D so it was more an attempt to make it obvious that WotC would *_not_* repeat that and do so in as legal a way as possible. It was an attempt to make sure any possible muddy legal waters were made crystal clear on what could be expected if parties agreed to the OGL.
I would definitely watch recent interviews with Ryan Dancey considering he was kinda the initiator of the OGL.
I mean yeah that is how it always been you only needed it if you wanted to bank off of D&D compatibility and copy and paste some limited things from the OGL or make plug ad pl,ay conetent. Other wise you never needed it for things like making adventures, and other TTRPGs even D&D clones.
The OGL is a gentleman's agreement of sorts.
It's a contract that protects you from frivolous lawsuits by Hasbro.
They can't win, but they don't have to if you can't afford to fight
@@priestesslucy Hardly a gentleman's agreement as such a person would not run a frivolous lawsuit in the first place, this is more akin of a villain's agreement. Do as we want and we will not abuse the loopholes in the law system to hurt you.
@@GreenBlueWalkthrough you don't even need it to pronounce dnd compatibility, it does make it easier though.
Thank you so much for creating this to educate everybody about the situation and voicing why it matters so, so much to everybody who loves D&D. I'm so sorry you feel as sad and weary of corporate evil, but it's almost comforting to know everybody's misery is shared. We've all lost so much and the worst thing we've lost, arguably, is our faith.
WotC's backpedallng since the mass of D&DB un-subs is transparent and not good enough. I can only hope that this leads to a renaissance of new open source RPG systems. The new ORC license from Paizo is a great starting point.
We've already had more leaks indicating that Hasbro/WotC executives are still trying to push this. They are working on "2.0" now, but it is the same as 1.1 with slightly different wording.
@@Bloodfencer1990 and more wording to hide just how bad it is. Haven't they realised that we smart group of people with lawyers willing to give us youtube videos on what the legal terms mean :)
Especially since that PR statement straight-up lies. 3rd party publishers have told CNBC that Hasbro approached them, asking them to sign 1.1 before it went public (so that they could spring the trap before we knew) for a better deal. And yet they claim it was a draft, and that they were always looking for feedback.
Dnd is basic fantasy anyway, all we lose is the lore and basic game mechanics. Let them die. Every corporation wants a subscription based system something they can take and act like slum lords with. No thanks slum lords.
@@Enazel One thing I learned from all this drama: A lot of DnD nerds have pursued a career in legal.
Unemployed throughout the pandemic, I binge-watched a bunch of D&D streaming and taught myself all about 5e. When the vaccines came out, I finally decided that, if I was _ever_ going to play, I was going to have to make it happen myself -- and since I had no friends to play with, I had to find those people and build a play-group. So I spent the last half of 2021 doing trial runs with any stranger in the community who expressed interest in the type of roleplaying I wanted to do and, by early 2022, I was lucky enough to pull a hand-selected table together and start a "long-form" campaign. When WOTC made noises about modifying 5e, I was worried that we'd all have to learn a new (and possibly worse) system, but they said the changes would be small. And yet, when the playtest material came out, it was clearly NOT a minor-change 5.1e, but a major 6e, so I was worried once more. But, then again, I saw that many of the proposed changes were good ones that fixed issues with 5e, and the designers seemed to be willing to walk back bad or unpopular changes, so I was comforted and became less concerned -- and I was happy that WOTC was investing such time and care into their system because it indicated to me that they truly valued it and wanted it to get better so that it would be around for a long time. But now this fiasco has me worried again... ☹
Honestly to me this is just a good reason why you should not jump to conclusions but give things time to be worked out.
In the 1975-95 period, without a robust internet community, nobody new how to play. I was a DM for 5 years before, one day, I looked at at a word in the rules and realized it said “Infravision” -as in “being able to see infrared light”. I started playing when I was 8 years old and, at that age, the word roots were meaningless to me. I had been The DM from age 10-15 and every time it came up I said “Infrasion” -I just clipped out the middle syllable. Whenever I wrote that on a character sheet or stat block, I wrote it “Infrasion” and I had three players that I had hypnotized into reading it that way, as well. I remember staring at the word for a long time and feeling incredibly self-conscious, because that was the term used to describe what is now called “darkvision” in the rules. It was an ability that came up a lot. I wondered what these three players must think of me if I couldn’t even get this name right.
Being interconnected as we are now is profoundly helpful, but I think it’s also crippling in the sense that everyone feels they need to follow rules, and social expectations, and even customs and elements of style “the right way” -even about a fantasy game that is intended partly as an escape from those things in “the real world”. This whole incident reinforces my impression that there is a generational divide here, as well…not in the sense that I think there is conflict between different generations within the game community…my impression is that gamers are more widely accepting and tolerant of differences between people than any other collective of people I know. Not perfect, clearly, and everyone with their biases to work on. But, if you are an older player (~40+) I think we all experienced a lot of “oh, crap…I never did that right” moments as people started to become more interconnected and things became more standardized. But, I remember playing those games, saying “Infrasion”, misadjudicating rules to the detriment of players, creating “railroad” campaigns because I didn’t know any better…I even remember laughing at Stranger Things because it immediately reminded me of a time the players did something more or less reasonable and the consequence was “Orcus!” …I just sprung a demon prince on them they had no hope of successfully confronting. I wasn’t trying to win, or ruin their fun…I was imitating the published adventures I had where it wasn’t unusual to be confronted with a Demi-lich that was vulnerable to very little, with little logic. Read the original Tomb of Horrors, White Plume Mountain, or Expedition to Barrier Peaks…they’re all, by modern standards, terrible design. But, we played them all, enjoyed them all, and what I created myself was in aspiration to duplicate that. Huge areas of intentionally empty misdirection and nonsense punctuated by illogical and often unavoidable death traps.
And, remember, I wasn’t even pronouncing the words correctly or giving players the best interpretation of their capabilities in some cases.
It was the most fun I ever had before I left for college. Honestly, it was probably my definition of fun all those years. Those were my friends, and without that game I’m pretty sure we wouldn’t have been tight at all. One player was the kid next door and my lifelong friend. The other two, I knew through that game.
I totally get what is happening for younger players. If you’ve grown up interconnected, big brother has always been on your shoulder praising you for getting it right and mocking you for getting it wrong, as almost instantaneous feedback. I think, in a lot of parts of life, that is really useful. We made electronic media to serve a useful purpose and younger people are just so much wiser and more knowledgeable about…well, anything they want to be good at…that I was at the same age. I’ll listen to younger players I’m with discuss something with a level of nuance in thought and articulated language that kind of makes me envious sometimes. Honestly, I think a lot of insanity in politics might come down to the fact that older people simply cannot hope to outargue younger people according to any kind of rules based logical debate. That doesn’t segregate virtue in either group on any issue, but I think mentally it is just really hard to keep up with bright twenty year old on a topic they are motivated about. I’ve always been pretty sharp, myself, so I’m not easily intimidated even when I’m momentarily at a loss for what I’m going to say next to get across a point. I get the sense that a lot of older people have just given up on logic and reason of fields of contest. I suppose that is a temporary problem, ultimately, and hope we all get through the interim together in one piece.
The consequence, though, is that younger people are kind of rules lawyers about everything. Making mistakes is like being fat…it is seen as a sign of underlying character flaws, despite what everyone knows about human limitations. I think people ought to be corrected and criticized, but I am concerned about our “cancel culture” where people are confronted, delivered an ultimatum, and an immediate response is expected…often about topics they had never considered open to question before.
If you live in a mental world like that, somebody hands you Pathfinder 2E and…hell, you could study that as university course for a year and not feel confident you understand it. That is why my group never chose to switch over. We understood 3E and had become more sophisticated about it as the rules were added in. But Pathfinder 1E, in my impression, took a complicated 3E and reacted against the radical simplification of 4E by going in the opposite direction. That isn’t a criticism so much as saying having very detailed rules that allow for anything and explicitly outline everything comes with the cost that…there end up being a lot of rules. If you like rules, that is fantastic. But, if you’re afraid you might not play the game correctly…if you’re worried that the empathy and communion is going to break down if people hit disagreements…yeah, it’s intimidating.
In one sense, people are always saying nobody likes rules arguments and nobody likes rules lawyers because that isn’t the game. But, it is the game. I remember having a pretty impassioned hour long debate over exactly how to adjudicate various applications of the Ring of Telekinesis in 5e. That magic item has, I think, a one sentence description of how it functions. In the end, nobody agreed, the DM made a ruling, and we moved on. But that wasn’t an interruption of the game…that is the only way anyone figures out how to play. The DM has the authority to close a debate and make a ruling, but a good DM encourages players to question and correct rules interpretation. I can’t even be trusted to pronounce the words correctly, you can’t expect me to follow every rule correctly.
If you’ve already got a table of “hand picked” players the hard part of the homework is over. The hard part of playing is confronting the fact that nobody does it right, and acknowledging that some haggling over the rules is an essential part of the game, not something to be avoided because it is unseemly antisocial behavior. Like any other part of the game, it needs to be given due time without allowing it to overwhelm everything else. People optimize characters, paint miniatures, make up voices, and argue over rules for the same reason…they take the game seriously.
I read a lot of comments that are like “don’t worry about it.” No, worry about it. Take it seriously. Just don’t let that paralyze you. If you’re younger and are pretty much only familiar with D&D…yeah I can understand how a “new system” can be pretty intimidating. That is why it is probably a good idea to spread your money around the industry. I have books from an uncountable number of game systems, most of which I’ve never actually played. After you read five different rules systems, they all start to kind of look the same. They all have a core task-resolution mechanic based on dice and modifiers (usually, I’ve seen one that uses a deck of cards). Most allow characters to develop skills and abilities. All of them have an economic model that usually places basic gear in readily available places and sequesters very powerful things behind a combination of high price and inaccessibility. The heavy lifting in introducing a new system is really on the DM as players can usually state in plain language what they want their characters to do, at least initially. It is easier than it seems to get off the ground and run a new game system, but harder than it appears to be confident you’re doing everything right. If you can pronounce the basic terminology correctly, you’re going to be better off than I was for quite a while.
Oh Mark, I just wanna give you a hug and tell you it'll all be ok. I hope that getting your thoughts and feelings out there was cathartic and helped you to process everything that is going on. I believe that most people who tune in to watch your game are there to see you and everyone at your table create great stories and memories. It doesn't matter what system you are playing, if you are all having fun, then the people watching will too.
Such a well spoken piece. Thank you, Mark. Your commentary on what keep people interested and playing really resonated with me. Was it cool having Joe Manganiello jump in on CR? Abso-freakin-lutely. Was his gameplay phenomenal? Certainly. Was Arkhan what kept me playing? Not by a long shot. Watching Matt at first and then discovering the @DungeonDudes, @GinniDi, yourself, and so many others... yeah, that's what made me dive in headfirst and embrace this game. Again, thank you for this commentary and I wish you the best in the coming times!
I think seeing D&D in a tv-show or a celebrity playing can definitely help reach "new acquisitions" and has a place in a marketing strategy, but when it comes at the expense or in opposition of community support, it's a long-term failure for sure.
Appreciate the support and compliments! Thanks!
He's back!!!! Really love your stuff Mr Hulmes, keep it up!!!!
This is. The voice I've been looking for. A straight take with emotions but not ruled by them. Thank you for speaking up and speaking out
I just want to say that YOU got me into DnD and YOU gave me the courage to start being a GM. I am so grateful to you for both of those things. Personally I don't know if I will stick with 5e or DnD but the community and TTRPGs are a part of my life now and forever. Thank you Mr. Hulmes
Well said. Same for me too. High Rollers: Lightfall was the first D&D stream I ever watch and without it I probably wouldn't have got into the hobby without it.
Watching this will probably enable you to decide:
ua-cam.com/video/MkIg7MHMRn0/v-deo.html
Look into early D&D rulebooks and materials from the 1970s. Play the game made by the creators of D&D rather than later editions made by the people who are destroying it.
@@blackpowderriflehunter7573 my players are interested in game accessibility. PFe2 would be my next choice but even that is far more than most of my players are willing/able to put into the game. 5e made it so anyone could play a heroic ttrpg
Same here. I’ve been running a campaign for over a year now and even joining a friend for a campaign soon. I hope that things can start getting better.
This is a beautiful video that I wish more folks would see.
Thanks for the kind reply!
Great summation of the issues to date. Also drives home just how big an effect this whole thing is having on the creators (from both Hasbro/WoTC and the community). I hope that people will heed Mark's call to be kind to others who are not responsible for this whole mess. A very moving video to watch.
"You won, and so did we. No, Wizards, we all lost." Absolutely this.
Incredibly well put, Mark. Thank you for your eloquent way of discussing the issue. Bumping this in the algorithm.
Thank you for the view Mark. It has been a mental draining week.
I honestly wish you some breathing room and keep yourself with good people. Which I'm trying myself.
Thank you, Mark. That was a very helpful breakdown of the situation at the top, and a lovely, sincere personal opinion piece afterwards. Hope this all works out for the best for all creators, including yourself. All the best to you and yours.
Thank you Mark for finding the right words to explain to myself how I am feeling about all of this!
Glad this video resonates with folks!
And you answered to my Comment! Best Day ever :D
I am someone who has DMed for my group of friends, who has played with friends, and enjoyed those times. I enjoy DnD and the use and encouragement to creativity despite it not requiring it. It, to me, was shallow enough to allow it to be easy to get into, while being deep enough to emerse yourself completely in worlds and situations you could get no where else.
Mark, I was there near the beginning. It was the yogscast that got me interested but it was you that inspired me. Your campaigns, your creations, your fun, intense, nailbiting naritives experiance by friends both present and past (we haven't forgotten you Matt Toffolo!). You have made such a wonderful place that I have praised high and low (much to my poor friends ears). A place that enables cheer, tears, and gasps that cant be felt elsewhere. Where you can look to community and feel the emotion that your works and performances produce. I wish for you to continue to enthrall me with your next big ideas, to entice me more with the subtleties that I almost miss. Thank you.
Back when Wizards aquired DnD beyond I got worried. I questioned why they may take this action for anything other than a money grab, and prayed it was just to make things more accessable, and attainable. A way to encourage new people to the game as I was and do so in a way that was in keeping with modern times... My prayers were not heard.
The scenario with the OGL has infuriated me. It has made me question why they took such steps. It was clear by the actions, and language used that this was once again another way to grab money by removing competition, and gaining access to more material from the hard labour of caring fans. The lack of transparancy throughout this process shows this too!
To Wizards of the Coast: If you want to make some sort of media company, sure, go ahead. Do us a favour though, make it so that we, the DnD community, the ones who stood beneith and and helped raise this game to the standing it is at to do as they have been. Making 3rd party content for others to enjoy in whichever form they please. By attacking the community you will wipe out the people holding this game up high and it will come tumbling down. I hold onto my DnDBeyond subscription in hopes you will see the error in your ways, and change. Because I don't want the hundreds of pounds I have invested in your game to go up in smoke by this stunt you are pulling. Please, listen to the creators and artists, listen to the community, listen to the members of your own company that cherish the game you have made and want to polish it to even greater resplendance. Please do what is right for all of us. Please don't ruin a game I dearly love.
The workers are good at Wizards of the coast.
It's the bosses at Wizards of the coast & Hasbro that are the evil ones.
I've just discovered all the wonderful D&D gameplay videos. So I'm a late bloomer. Always late to the party. And now I understand why there aren't any recent videos of gameplay to binge. 😢
Big corporations are the devil. Thank you Mark, for explaining this to a newbie. I'm so sorry that you're sad and tired. You are not alone. 💞 I wish I could give you a hug. 🫂
Said you're not a journalist, and while I dont know every detail of this debacle, I respect you so much for speaking out Mark. You got me into 5e years ago with Lightfall, and I have a found family of players now because of you. Many of them used the SRD to begin with because they couldnt afford the core books. We use a lot of 3rd party books in conjunction and it's awful to think these 3rd party books may become a thing of the past with recent developments. So clear you give your heart and soul to the game, and WOTC are deplorable for not caring about you and others one bit. They simply seem to care about money. Best wishes to you Mark, fingers crossed for the coming months ❤
Honestly, it's likely Hasbro, the parent company of WotC. Hasbro is notorious for being a greedy company. They only allowed Transformers movies so they could sell more toys, sacrificing the established lore for the graphics so kids would beg their parents to get them the toys.
i can't believe they could look at a community that have become professional hobbyists at story telling against powerful, lying, deceitful villains and thought it would be a good idea to lie to us. do they literally not understand that opening up falsehoods like this IS WHAT WE DO
If you want to know WotC's plan for the future of D&D, watch this:
ua-cam.com/video/MkIg7MHMRn0/v-deo.html
Wow... one of the best responses to an unfortunate situation I've ever heard.. thoughtful, clear, heartfelt... "a natural 20"...
Glad to have you back, sad that this is what got you back to us
Thanks! and me too! Like I said, not the first video I wanted to make this year, but I promise it wont be my last. :)
As someone who became a now avid fan of D&D through you starting Highrollers, and as someone who actually "DM'ed" a short "homebrew" inspired game for my one friend and I to roleplay in after years of of just being a player or watcher... this was very eyeopening to see the more behind the scenes of the community and greater company/brand as a whole and the state of affairs that could come about from all of this. While I'm not actively participating in campaigns or materials of D&D, I was becoming worried with all this talk coming out and your beautiful and concise clarification of it not only helps me understand but also feel scared going forward for wanting to do more with and in D&D. I loved how back in 2016, as long as everyone knew the rules of the game, or at least one person did, you could have as much fun as you wished and now with so much supplemental material, you can truly experience everything out there. I, like you, hope that we all learn to take this in strides to be kind and faithfully help push and mold D&D into the game and system we all know and love so that the beauty of imagination and creativity can live on forever without ever needing to worry that what we're doing is "wrong." Thank you Mark.
I’ve been eagerly waiting for this. Glad to see your take!
Cheers!
@@SherlockHulmesDM also, before I forget to say, Thank you for putting this video out.
I just want you to know that I will watch and support whatever you decide to go with as I watch for your DM'ing and content and your players. You do you.
One rule to live by is never take out your wrath on staff for what management does!! This is not just in this case but in life in general! One good thing that may come from this is allowing new content and systems to come into the light! from D&D shadow!
I haven't seen much anger directed at the staff. In fact I haven't seen any. The internet is what it is with regard to mistreatment so I'm sure there's been some. But I don't think it's an issue here. If anyone has significant examples I'd like to see some, because I think that the TTRPG community has been very well behaved during all of this.
@@codywilson682 There are always some characters who need to be reminded of not making the staff responsible for silly decisions worked out by managers . But yes, I also think that in comparison to other community backfires (for example in video games) I had feared much worse behaviour than what was seen here in the TTRPG community that in general behaved well. 👍👍
Thank you for putting this out there, Mark. I know this is just one comment in an ocean of them, but I, and I'm willing to bet many others in this community, care more about the characters, worlds, and stories created by you and so many others than the platform/ruleset you use to tell them. We'll be following you and our other favorite content creators wherever you end up going, and whatever you end up doing in the future. I know it's sad because of the history many of us have with D&D, and the memories created while playing. That said, we'll be able to continue telling stories and creating memories whether WoTC are involved or not (likely not if they continue down this road).
As you said, the creators are not alone. You're all going through this together. Know also you are going through this with your community and fans supporting you all as well.
My first time playing D&D I had the worst DM. I only knew this because I had watched High Rollers, and knew what a good DM should be. You inspired me to DM myself, to show my friends that there was a better way. That's really when I fell in love with D&D and 5e. And this whole mess just breaks my heart in so many ways, that when I first heard about it I was afraid to look any further. This video and your passion cleared everything up for me. Thank you.
Seeing you go from serious to emotional especially in your eyes was heartbreaking. Please take some time to rest, put this problem to the side and take care of yourself.
We have your back, and your front, along with every other content creator out there that this affects l.
Hey Mark. Your original High Roller campaign was what introduced me to DnD in the very first place. It led me to Critical Role and then eventually running my game and even publishing content on The DM's Guild. Thank you for the work you have put into this hobby and thank you for making this video. It pretty much summarizes what I've been feeling and going through for the past week after learning of all this. Have a great day.
Well said sir and here is hoping nothing but the best to you and all the content creators out trying to figure out the best route to take not just for yourselves, but for the hobby we all love.
Your eloquence and level-headedness are two of the most admirable things on the internet today. I hope you are proud to be model leader in this community. Amazing video, will be sharing.
Thank you for your thoughtful and honest impressions and opinions about this whole mess. I hope it was a bit cathartic if nothing else.
I have been so conflicted with a lot of this myself and to hear someone put things so eloquently and heartbreakingly clear really has helped. My students all week have been so concerned they were going to lose me and the game after their current campaigns end in February, and I had no answer for them- but now I do. I want to keep bringing their stories to life and help hone their creative world building skills further, and while it is D&D 5th Edition, I know that its the skills and stories I care about more than the system being used and the company who is failing us right now.
I also run a game for friends and have been trying to immediately force them to change systems- but that isn't gelling well despite them now understanding everything going on. I know its okay for us to keep going the way we are because, again, it is the stories we are telling, the fun we are having, and developing a stronger bond together. Its more than the company and the game.
So, long comment short, thank you so much Mark for clarifying much of what I needed clarified this week and while there is still a lot of concern with things going on and my future plans to work on things...I know where the anger needs to go, I know what I am doing isn't wrong like I thought it would be, so I really thank you for helping me see these things now after a very hard week.
Not to be rude, but why do you feel the need to change systems? I personally prefer most things to D&D, but the OGL doesn't affect you, the player. Unless you're a large-scale RPG publisher reliant on the OGL to pay the rent, this doesn't affect you. It affects companies you may have purchased books from, but otherwise everything you've already bought and used has been bought and used. If you feel the OGL is abusive, then don't give WotC any more money. The bottom line is WotC's bottom line is the only thing that matters to this licensing shift. Whether or not you play at home with the books you've already bought does not matter to WotC or the OGL.
Thank you so very much for this! I remember about 5years ago or more - I found the Vin Diesel DND video on UA-cam - nothing about the actor struck a cord with me but Critical Role did, and I was hooked. Not only am I a critter, but it led me into the world of DND (I have yet to play, thanks to regional constraints), but I have emerged myself into the community. I have met (virtually) and supported many smaller creators because I want to build this community/game up and help it expand as well as help the amazing people who love it. It was never the corporation, or the VIP celebrities, and it will never be for me. That’s why this hurts because it hurts people I care about. I will follow them, continue to support them (including Mark), no matter what part of the TTRPG community they are a part of, because of who they are, and what they bring - never the company. Even if I just accumulate numerous DND or TTRPG supplies/supplements and never play. Supporting the community I love is most important to me.
I'm so sorry Mark for how difficult and stressful this whole situation must be. If it makes you feel any better, we the community will watch and support you whatever you decide to do. :)
Hi Mark I’m a lurker and don’t normally comment but I thought I’d do differently today. We will stand behind you, as you move forward as we are here for you as a creator . That is what we love and what we want to get behind. Get some rest soon if you can.
Personally I see creators making videos and continuing series the same as my table continuing our game. We use books and paper. WotC isn't getting money from us just by playing.
We aren't buying any current content from them and won't for the forseeable future. We're making the conscious effort to support others in this fight, Paizo mainly.
WotC gets nothing from my continued playing, and I hope it can be the same for others.
This^
Thanks for doing this Mark. I think you hit the nail on the head, it's the community that makes D&d what it is and that's what someone in their ivory tower doesn't appreciate. We don't just cheer on a team and wear their colours. Instead we sit around a table with people, break bread with them, spill blood with them and live a magical fantastical life with them. It's engagement beyond a ball simply reaching the back of the net. Its a shared narrative that people are invested in. It's a second life lived safe from the sometimes harsh realities of the this world. It is community. It is family...
Hang in there, mate. You'll have my views. And my sub. And wish I could sit you down with a beer and a chat to relieve tension, even tho I don't drink.
What can we do? Hope for the best and prepare for the worst, as always.
Probably the best commentary I've seen on this. Thanks for sharing all of this!
Mark, I am sorry to hear the stress you have been feeling, you were the person who introduced me to 5E. No matter what you do in the future I will watch and interact with your content and I know many others will as well. I hope you find some respite soon and I am hoping that you manage to have the year that you want.
/Hug I love your content i feel your pain in my eyes your tide with critical role in dming and rp / adaptness. I hope all is not lost o.o
I agree totally underrated rip wotc atm.
Thank you so much for making this video, Mark! Everything in it is so well said. You are absolutely on point saying that it's the community that has made D&D so popular!
I will definitely continue to support and watch High Rollers and other content creators who continue using 5e.
Beautifully said. Thank you very much.
Don’t lose heart Mark. You’re a great man and a great GM. Your content has a really positive impact on many of our lives. What a massive own goal by WOTC!
thank you Mark I have been watching you since the start of highrollers all those many years ago and thank you to everyone else Ginny di dungeon dudes et cetera et cetera as someone that has also been burnt. By Wizards of the Coast this video helped me understand what is truly going on to all of the creators, hobbyists friends and newly acquaintances that I have not met yet remember that you are the driving force of this community and I hope that this problem sorts itself out for the sake of everybody involved thank you for your passion and understanding and the amount of time you all put in for yourself, but also for the fans .
Your statement about taking parts of what you liked really resonated with me. Some of the OneD&D stuff didn't gel with what I wanted, which drew my attention to some issues I have with the system (much as I like it). It made me start brainstorming some homebrew, but a lot of the OGL stuff has made me consider trying to make the things I do like into their own system. I'm sure a thousand other people are doing the same thing, and I don't expect to become the next Paizo, since I'm some random dude with no following. But It's worth doing, because the creative impulse is human, and maybe it could be fun for someone other than me.
And there's been a lot of overreactions from the community, and I don't like to say that because I largely agree with the sentiment. But anyone that doesn't want to delete their DnDBeyond account and lose their purchases and then switch over to Pathfinder 2e is being treated as part of the problem. And it's really reductive and harmful. And exhausting. A lot of it feels like the "play another system" crowd finally has a legit reason to grind their axe and leapt on it (and I do think that playing multiple systems is a good thing, I just dislike people cropping up in every thread to evangelize about a completely different system. If I'm talking about D&D, I don't need to hear about Call of Cthulhu. It's fun, but completely detached from the conversation).
Anyway, I hope Paizo is able to force the issue in court, because a lot of the things I've seen has made it look like an open-and-shut case if you can get to trial (and not bled out by Hasbro's bloated legal team).
Wow what a video. I feel for you, and I don't even know you or watch your channel. It's a brutal situation, but you will get through it because you are clearly passionate and talented. Keep your head up, and thanks for probably the best long form take I've seen on this whole debacle.
Your thoughts echo a lot of my own. Thank you for making this and putting these ideas to words. I hope Hasbro and WotC listen to you and the community as a whole.
I can see your pain and frustration, I feel for you. At the end of the day the corporation that owns the intellectual property can and will do what they want with it.Corporations are not your friends, they are a business that exist to make money. They people you meet or watch playing ARE YOUR FRIENDS. Prepare for the worst as this is so similar to what happened to the video games industry. I wish you all the best fortune going forward.
Mark your storytelling and world building is world class.
Throughout Aerois you have come up with new mechanics that are already such a departure from basic 5e rules that I have no doubt you could create your own system.
No matter what game system you use for future High Rollers projects - we will follow and support you. Much love
Great video. I do like watching you use a common system so I learn to play a bit as I watch. Maybe Pathfinder or a diff d20 one?
This has been the best summary of not only the facts but the feelings involved. Amazing video. Liked and subscribed!
Mark you are a bloody gem as always. You and the High rollers gang are the reason I got into TTRPGs in the first place and I have loved every second of it. So no matter the system I will be following you and them always. :)
This is a wonderfully thought through video Mark, thank you for making it. Said everything that was on my mind and even more I didn't know I was feeling! Lets hope that the response of the community will be the birth a new light. Much love to you and everyone else in this boundless and ever united community.
Pure class and eloquence with your world falling around you. We don’t deserve you, Mark.
I just found this following links and I need to say that after several videos, this is absolutely the most well spoken and sincere and THOUGHTFUL one I've watched on the topic so far. When I discuss this topic (and it IS being discussed... everywhere...) I will henceforth be referring people to this video. Thank you so much for this video, you have made a significant contribution to the dialogue surrounding the topic. Get some sleep, have some hot cocoa and read a book or something. Good mental hygiene requires unplugging once in a while, and you deserve some peace of mind, even if a few moments. You have a new subscriber, no matter where your content goes. 🥰
Thank you for sharing your view, Mark. Your words are eloquent and strike a chord with myself and many others. Please keep sharing your passion and creativity with the world. The community is here to support you as much as we can. ❤
Phenomenal, mad respect to you for covering this so thoroughly. So detailed, yet so digestible, and all angles covered. First video I've seen of yours and I can tell the community is blessed to have you. You gain +1 subscriber. Also a shout-out to Ginny Di for suggesting this video.
I 100% watch Highrollers because of you, Trott and the rest. I remember you awhile ago talking about moving away from D&D after Aerois and was so excited to hear that a more well known stream might touch other systems. You'll have our support no matter what, man ❤
Hey ho, I am usually one of the quiet people but in this kind of situation I wanted to also voice my support:
I will watch/listen to the stories you tell no matter the system because I really enjoy them and the fun you all have together.
I wish you and your friends all the best. I am sure you will find a way through this storm and come out the other side where the sun is shining.
I hope that they just drop it... I hate that higher ups can destroy the community the staff are not part of it. Love all u do and will fallow u wherever you take ur content.
Appreciate the support! We just gotta wait and see now.
Great video, so honest. And PLEASE, folks, don’t threaten people. It doesn’t help.
Sheesh. Seeing you in such a state is rough, Mark. I mean, I know how it feels. Between anxiety issues and chronic insomnia, I know what it is to have thoughts boiling in your head and not being able to sleep... But as an early HighRollers fan, it's heart-breaking.
Take care of yourself, man. The last thing we want is for you to break down.
Well said Mark.
It's the High Rollers I watch not the DnD system, and it would be really interesting to follow your next campaign in something else - Pathfinder maybe?
Better still get Rosemeadow to build you a whole new system ...
Whatever you do, we'll still be watching.
And I would like to thank you, Rhi, Kim, Katie, Chris and Tom for helping me through some "not ok" times :)
Well the entire community is here with you, not just high rollers fans and nights of evening star fans, not just the entirety of dnd fans, but the whole ttrpg community.
I've mostly been following this through DnD Shorts, but I'm always very interested to hear your personal take on these kinds of things. As just a small-time viewer I can only imagine how it's making you and others in your position feel and it's heartening to hear that you've still got hope for this whole debacle. Thank you for the measured response despite how clearly upsetting the situation is for you. (I'd make you a nice cup of tea if I could, that always makes me feel better even if it's just very short-term.) I and other fans of you and other creators will stay on the lookout for the best ways to show our support.
Thank you for adding all of the nuances to this conversation 🙌🙌🙌 I personally still want to support my favorite creators, whichever way they choose to go forward. I still enjoy playing 5e - it’s the first thing I’ve learned - and I’m sad that so many people’s jobs & passion have been hurt by corporate greed
I'm sorry to hear that you and other content creators are in this position and feeling all these stressful and negative emotions.
I'm sad to see this change occurring and hope that the OGL is revised for the betterment of the community, but we will see.
Mark thank you for making this informative video and providing links to further information. I have been a fan since the Lightfall campaign and look forward to seeing what stories you and everyone else at High rollers continue to tell no matter if you stay with DND or move to a different system.
Pathfinder 2E is a good system. I would recommend looking into and trying it. It looks fun and interesting.
Im looking into it, and many others, more. There's still parts I don't like, and I would love to see them pay their artists and writers a better rate, but it's great to have a popular alternative already in place.
@@SherlockHulmesDM I mean, Paizo's whole staff do have a union. Which is more than I can say of WoTC, at least.
You're exactly right: I have very little to no interest in D&D movies or television series, but watching High Rollers has caused me to fall in love with the game, learn the rules, understand its spirit and magic when a group of friends get round a table together, and start playing myself. Streams like yours and the others you mention must surely be invaluable to WotC, and they need to realise that they need you on side as an ally, and will greatly regret making an opponent out of the wonderful community that orbits you.
I'm sorry that you've had such a hard time with all of this. I think you're a sensational DM and I *LOVE* the content you produce. Keep up the good work and thank you for introducing me to how wonderful TTRPGs can be.
"You can't divide us with NDAs and sweetheart deals."
Except Kickstarter. Apparently they'll immediately kiss the ring and hash out a sweetheart deal for themselves.
I just adore you. Extremely great breakdown of what’s happening and I love your thoughts on it. Your words are very wise! ❤️
Mark, I just wanted to say how much I love this and how much it means to me. High Rollers has made such an impact on me. It got me back into roleplaying. But as you said, it isn’t the game that has me coming back for more. It is this community, a community of people who accept me for who I am, as a trans woman.
This community was built, especially through 5e, on acceptance and inclusion, and High Rollers has been a huge part of that for me.
This response is exactly what it needs to be. A heartfelt message. We CANNOT afford to cannibalize ourselves out of our fear and hurt. We need to stick together as a community who loves TTRPGs as a whole. Keep fostering the love of the game and the welcoming nature of friends and found family.
Thank you, Mark, from the deepest parts of my heart. 🏳️⚧️
I completely feel what you said! As a neurodivergent black muslim with really strong hyperfixations, this community has never made me feel out of place at all. It feels like a family that I can trust. Stay safe :]
I don't have much to say (watch her write an essay), but:
1) thank you Mark for making this video for people like me who had their socials full of messages, memes, stories about this and did not actually understand what was happening.
2) having watched the video and your explanation, I completely, fully, totally and a whole lot more of "lly"s agree with everything you said.
I'm relatively new to TTRPGs, I'd always wanted to play but never knew anyone to play with or how, until 2020 and everything that happened then.
And the more I learnt, the more I realised how huge the community is, and how many people love this game (and others like it). And you're right: it's the "regular" people, everyday people, who keep the game alive.
There's only one thing that I want to add (2 actually).
I do believe this issue (big companies focussing on brand and money) is a larger problem. It's not just Wizards or DnD, it's the world itself that measures success in "how much money are you making". However this success is transient, it doesn't last. Like you mentioned, after a while people move to the next "big thing" they see, and forget all about it. It's because of the love for the game itself, not the fame, that DnD has existed for decades.
The second thing, it's for you: you can keep making 5e content, you can change the game and play another one, you can do whatever. I'm still going to be there each Sunday at 5pm (6 for me, I'm in Italy).
Watching you guys play (and catching up with past series and miniseries you did) taught me how to play, how I want to play, and has inspired me and many others. And if you end up changing games to make your stories, we're still going to be watching. And if you keep playing 5e, we're still going to be watching.
Sorry to hear WOTC have caused you such stress! I hope MCDM guys invite you to help make their rpg, I love your home mechanics!
I hope the news today is as good as it seems. Maybe there will be a little less uncertainty for creators and a little relief for the community. Thank you for all you've done to help in this. 💕
From what I've seen it's been a huge relief for most of us, and an exciting new avenue of possibility too! Thanks for the support!
Wait, MCDM IS MAKING THEIR OWN SYSTEM???? YESSSSSSS
Matt has been talking about doing it for a year
Yep! Announced on their Patreon, which if you're not on, go and support already. Gonna be posting lots of great stuff over next few months!
@@SherlockHulmesDM I'm not on Patreon but this might be the last nudge I needed to do it ^^
Mark, I've watched you since you since you started High Rollers, and that very same year, I started DMing. Without you, I wouldn't have found D&D or embrace my love for collaborative storytelling, or even for that matter, pursue a career in voiceover work and streaming my map builds, and even soon, streaming my own game in my homebrew world. Thank you for putting into words the exact devastation, stress and hurt that I myself have been feeling. You're right. We WILL get through this together. Onwards and upwards, my friend.
This is the most balanced, compassionate, and mature response I've seen thus far. Thank you for being the adult in the room, Mark. Mad respect.
Thank for such a well put and honest expression of your experience and feelings. I hope everyone involved in this sees this and gives them understanding, inspiration, and pause.
Considering Wizards themselves can't seem to stop publishing hateful and bigoted content, I have no faith in their claim that they want the kill clause to be able to keep hate speech out of D&D. It's a blanket that allows them to kill any project they deam a threat to their bottom line.