The impact of the controversy Ogl could have left permanent sequences in the image of the iconic game game, Dungeons & Dragons

For decades, Dungeons & Dragons (D & d) on the side The indisputable reference of the game games of the role of the table. However, second Mike MearlsFormer leader of the fifth edition (5e), The game could have lost his essence. The main reason, according to him, is The controversy on the open game license (OGL) of 2023who left to the community with a bitter feeling and a lack of enthusiasm for the future of the franchise.

Mearls, who worked Dungeons & Dragons, Magic: The Gathering y Baldur’s Gate 3 During its period Wizards of the Coast (WOTC)era One of the many victims of massive layoffs in Hasbro in 2023. Now, as an executive manufacturer in Chaos (Call of Cthulhu), observe with the distance Changes in industry and increasingly cold reception of deliveries.

What is going on with D&D?

In a recent interview with the historian D&D, Ben RiggsMearls analyzed The current state of the game and its apparent decline in popularity. “Maybe that’s the best Player manual that has been written“Mearls admits,“ But The atmosphere, the public, the people who play these games … do not seem excited“His concern is that There is no enormous support or wave of enthusiasm With the arrival of new editions.

While some may think so The problem lies in a decrease in the quality of the contentMearls suggests it The real problem is the public image of D&D after the Ogl scandal.

The blow Ogl, a wound that does not close

The drama of Ogl started in 2023When Wizards of the Coast tried to impose restrictions on third -party content creatorsWhich has generated a massive refusal reaction from the community. While The company has supported its plansThe damage was done. Mearls describes Like this attempt to control has damaged the perception of the game: “D&D was something Interesting, fun, creative and different. But what the Ogl did was Separate that idea of ​​intrinsic creativity of the D&D brand. Y I don’t know if this can be repaired“.

The impact was deep. While Magicians continue to produce contenthay A feeling of fatigue between players and creators. The enthusiasm for the development of new projects within the D&D framework has vanishedWith a little feeling Your time has passed. “I thought of doing Content compatible with 5E“, Says Marals,“ But now I just don’t want to. It seems boring. It’s like trying to form a hair band in 1992“.

Did D&D lose its kingdom?

The current scenario raises A big question: are we entering a post-D & d era? Even if it is still The best known role -Playingalternatives such as Pathfinder, Call of Cthulhu y Independent systems are gaining popularity. The community is diversifying And the new game projects They try to fill the void left by the decline of the D&D image.

Role of the table -the game games have evolved and The saturation of the D&D products could contribute to one’s usury. Some creators have criticized the address of the gamesupport him Magic has lost its meaning AND? The structure of the rules no longer inspires the same creativity as before.

What do you follow for the most iconic game playing?

Yes ok D&D is still a giantThe enthusiasm around him seems to have weakened. However, Not everything is lost. The brand could find a way to reinvent and recover the trust of the community. With A new development video game y A review of its content strategy, Wizards of the Coast still has the opportunity to demonstrate that D&D remains the contact person’s contact person.

In the meantime, Players explore new alternatives y Hobby’s future becomes more varied. Perhaps the game games of the role of Nirvana are yet to comeBut What is certain is that D&D is no longer the only game in the city.