TheDungeons and Dragonstabletop franchise has driven a renaissance of the TTRPG genre. This is partly due to an incredible variety of third-party content created for D&D, twisting the medieval fantasy themes into anything from deep space to high school hijinks. However, theDungeons and Dragonscommunity has been in turmoil over the game’s new version of the Open Gaming License (OGL), which currently allows this third-party content to be made and sold by community creators. While Wizards of the Coast is still developing the document, the controversy could have negative implications for the upcomingDungeons and Dragonsmovie.
The OGL controversy has led to a community outcry, with fans going so far as to cancel their D&D Beyond subscriptions. Some members of theDungeons and Dragonscommunity allege that the current changes will have dire consequences for the existence of theD&Dfan community. For instance, thecontroversial leaked 1.1 version of the OGLrequires for-profit creators to register their work, allows Wizards of the Coast to impose content restrictions, and allows the company to not only charge a licensing fee on creator work but resell that work without compensating creators. Even with Wizards of the Coast’s recent comments in mind, fans might hesitate to seeDungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves.
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The OGL Controversy Casts Shadows On the Movie
The upcomingDungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thievespremiered its first trailer at the 2022 San Diego Comic-Con. It fits in the recent boom of game adaptations, including the inclusion of a star-studded cast featuring Chris Pine, Hugh Grant, Michelle Rodriguez, Justice Smith, Sophia Lillis, and Rege-Jean Page. The caliber of the cast and production value of the film speaks to a renewed belief that game adaptions are profitable, a far cry from the views of the past.
The film is directed by John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein, the duo behind the critically acclaimed Marvel filmSpider-Man: Homecoming.The trailer itself references elements ofDungeons and Dragonsthat players love - extraordinary magical creatures, epic world-building, and a group of renegade, ragtag adventurers facing off against a supreme evil. The movie is rumored to be packed with Easter eggs, lore drops, and other forms of fan service that would normally make the film a hit among fans. While the 2023 film has yet to be released, some fans see it as a fun homage to the much-loved TTRPG, while others see the film as a disingenuous attempt at making a profit off of well-known games IP.
Either way, the OGL controversy certainly doesn’t help the movie. There remains the distinct possibility thatHonor Among Thieveswas only green-lit based on the immense goodwill that fans harbor for theDungeons and Dragonsfranchise. If that goodwill has been soured permanently by the leaked OGL document and the subsequent responses fromWizards of the Coast, the film might be in trouble both critically and financially.
Can Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves Escape The OGL Controversy?
Wizards of the Coast has released follow-up OGL updatesto explain the controversial aspects of the leaked document. While the explanations for the changes haven’t gone over well withD&Dcontent creators and their supporters either, there is a chance that the company and the community can come to terms before the movie premieres. However, it seems as though this possibility may be slim, especially as fans are urgingDungeons and Dragonscontent creators to not comply with the new 1.1 OGL licensing agreement.
The new licensing agreement potentially spells trouble for majorly popular content creators likeCritical RoleandDimension 20.Some fans may abstain from supporting the film if they believe that the community-made content they love might be in jeopardy. OGL 1.1 also puts content creators in a stressful position, resulting in some popular creators leaving the system entirely. As long as the 1.1 version of theDungeons and DragonsOGL is not in effect, though, there are sure to be more changes and updates as time passes and more parties get involved. For instance, original OGL creator andformer Wizards of the Coast vice president Ryan Dancey has started a petitionto prevent the new version of the document from being put into effect, and believes that the old document can’t be overturned.
While it remains to be seen how the controversy will affect the film, there have been rumors thatHonor Among Thievesmight be the foundation of aD&Dcinematic universe. The potential plans for an extended series of films and otherDungeons and Dragonsmedia – including theupcoming Paramount+ live-actionD&Dadaptation– will definitely be affected if this controversy continues.
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MORE:Dungeons and Dragons Community Signs Letter Protesting Controversial OGL Changes
