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WEG: This is the end

OpenD6 I never thought this would happen, but it seems Eric Gibson, owner of West End Games, will be selling TORG (and probably other properties of West End Games as well). According to an interview he gave to the Wild Die blog, TORG is already in the process of being sold, but he doesn’t know if the new owner plans to rerelease it under the original system or a new one.

The rights to Septimus will be returned to Bill Coffin, while the Open D6 game will be given to the community. As he stated in on forum post at the WEG Fansite, he wants to make changes to the OGL that allows the community to make use of the D6 system text copyrights, as well as the Open D6 trademark.

According to what he said in the interview, WEG will be closed when all the properties have been sold off. This is definitely the end of an era! I have criticized Eric Gibson several time before, but this time, I have to congratulate him for this decision. It takes a lot of strength and courage for a step like that and I wish him all the best for his future.
Stargazer

Michael Wolf is a German games designer and enthusiast best known for his English language role-playing games blog, Stargazer's World, and for creating the free rules-light medieval fantasy adventure game Warrior, Rogue & Mage. He has also worked as an English translator on the German-language Dungeonslayers role-playing game and was part of its editorial team. In addition to his work on Warrior, Rogue & Mage and Dungeonslayers, he has created several self-published games and also performed layout services and published other independent role-playing games such as A Wanderer's Romance, Badass, and the Wyrm System derivative Resolute, Adventurer & Genius, all released through his imprint Stargazer Games. Professionally, he works as a video technician and information technologies specialist. Stargazer's World was started by Michael in August 2008.

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12 comments

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Andrew Modro

It is about time that Mr. Gibson stopped playing around, looked seriously at the situation and made a definite action. I don't care much about TORG, but I am pleased that D6 is being given to the public — I've been interested ever since the Open D6 announcement, but how long has it been with everything tying it up? Now we'll see some real forward motion, I think.

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Voidman

I sense a massive disturbance that could potentially galvanize a sizable chunk of the oldschool fandom.

Ponder on this:

D6 is up for grabs

Starwars license soon to be up for grabs

Can you see the pattern emerging here? All we need now is some savvy guys like Mongoose to pick this up and release one more of their new editions of beloved classics.

Instant hit I say.

(Although perhaps Mad George comes up with the scheme to keep one more propertiy inhouse and release a rpg of his own)

If only…

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Stargazer

And the good thing is that the d6 System will be open for anyone, with almost no restrictions. And if someone gets the Star Wars license, I really hope it's not Mongoose. Their editing is usually very sloppy for what they charge for their products. I would like to see a Star Wars game powered by Savage Worlds though!

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Zachary Houghton

It's for the best at this point.
.-= Zachary Houghton´s last blog ..Calling All Amber Fans! =-.

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Voidman

@Stargazer
You may be right – I admit not paying too much attention to editing but otherwise their production values are pretty high.

Also, their catalog with refreshed stuff like Paranoia, Earthdawn and Traveller is right up my alley. Plus most of these are backwards compatible (too a large degree anyway) so a purely hypotetical treatment of "new" Star Wars D6 edition produced in a similar fashion would bring tears to my eyes and said books to my shelf.

I concur now that I actually tried Savage Worlds I know it's a smashing system but my conscience would never rest if I just stop using d6 for my SW campaign – it was painful enough with Forgotten Realms ;D

Alles bestens

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Stargazer

@Voidman: I didn't know they picked up Earthdawn. I thought RedBrick was still publishing it. Or am I mistaken?

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Dr Rotwang!

Last I heard, Hasbro holds the master STAR WARS game and toy license, even if they're not doing anything with the former. Still, yes — I'd be delighted to see a new D6 STAR WARS game.

Or would I…?
.-= Dr Rotwang!´s last blog ..Doodles, Part 6 — Marginally Better Than A Punch In The Face =-.

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Voidman

I thought that Redbrick was an imprint of Mongoose or a subsidiary. They are afiliated somehow aren't they?

Even if not – Paranoia and Traveller is plenty.

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Arthur

Redbrick are an independent company who have a publishing deal with Mongoose – I don't know the details, but as I understand it Redbrick develop the products, Mongoose gives them access to their printers and distributor contacts in order to get it out there. They've got deals like that with several small companies – I think the idea is that in the small companies get to enjoy the wider exposure they get from Mongoose promoting their games, and Mongoose get to boost their product range (and I suspect take handsome royalties in return for their help).

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Stargazer

Thanks for the clarification, Arthur.

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yongkyosunim

I too would love to see Star Wars get a treatment other than d20 and would like to see it maybe fall into D6 again. I like d20, but somehow I felt that what WotC did with it was more like a Saturday morning cartoon instead of a cool system. I wouldn't mind seeing a Star Wars Traveller or Savage Worlds or D6 again.

I too will wish Mr. Gibson the best.

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Nero Grimes

Life is a series of endings and beginnings.

I love D6 – first crushes are always special.

AntiPaladin Games Bare Bones Mini Six is a new beginning
http://antipaladingames.com/minisix.html

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