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Can Wizards be Trusted (Extended) (Patreon)

Published:
2023-01-22 14:25:33
Imported:
2026-06
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Videos

Content

PDM analyzes Kyle Brink's letter and the new OGL 2.0 draft. 

If you have trouble viewing this content, try using a different OS or device.

PS: I'll drop ANOTHER video on how this shit-show could affect the D&D MOVIE within 48 hours for a Wednesday/Thursday release on YouTube. Burning the midnight oil here! 

--PDM



Files

Previews only

Can WoTC Be Trusted?.mp4

Comments

Bagel-Man

Excited to watch PDM!

Brian Leet

Watching this right after the DnD_Shorts video of insider leaks from WotC finally dropped. In the end I think he did a great job in tough circumstances. (As an architect currently designing a new high school, I completely relate to your rank and file versus principal perspective comment). All the thoughtful takes of you and others as to what is going on internally seem well supported. Your assessment here aligns to how I read these documents. The challenge is that this more sophisticated PR effort is indeed already casting Confusion on the community. The red-line position remains keeping OGL 1.0a and it increasingly seems that will require lawsuit(s). Buckle in for the next year or two, at least. Meanwhile, all my money is going to other 3rd parties - particularly those who may challenge this all in court. Great as always, PDM.

Gregory Helding

Can you recommend a textbook with the rhetorical techniques you discuss?

David Nelson

Hasbro is dead to me. There's a nice Humble Bundle going on right now featuring Kobald Press, Frog God, Troll Lord, OSE books, and others. 52 books in all. Some resource books, some complete campaigns, some adventures, maps, and more. I do believe the proceeds are going toward a defense fund for these companies (but read for yourself in case I'm getting it wrong). 20

Karl

You think Google/YouTube owns Hasbeen stock? I do, and I love conspiracy theories!

David Lake

Great breakdown. Your insight helps us see the verbal shell game they’re playing to circumvent their bungle and still try to end up with what they want.

The Tabletop Engineer

Another excellent video, Dan. You're never going to be invited to the WotC Christmas party, though :)

Ron Griffis

Excellent analysis, Professor! Thank you for sharing this. Also, love the “V” reference in your thumbnail art.

MrGunn

P?M, outstanding analysis and scholarly examination of the language and rhetoric used by WotC. Thank you for exceeding my expectations. I assumed this was going to be another ‘me too’ rant video, full of emotion but little substance, instead you delighted and impressed me,(why did I doubt 🥺you?), with your critical breakdown of WotC’s apologetics. Keep this kind of analysis and opinion coming, it’s why I pay the big bucks for a top tier Patron membership. PS I am not sure what is on DnD Shorts face, but it ain’t egg…🥚🪒🤣🤣🤣 PSS No, Hasbroceana / WorstC cannot be trusted.🤥 PSSS There are multiples of OGL related petitions, search for the one started by Ryan Dancey. I signed! ✍️

MrGunn
>>100154447

I want book recommendations too. Also, I suspect P?M may have gone to Catholic school. A work colleague of mine went to Catholic school, her mastery of rhetorical techniques and apologetics is also very good. Makes sense though, the Catholic Church has had 2000 years of practice arguing for their faith, they ought to be pretty good at it by now.

MrGunn
>>100155407

Is that the XFiles theme music I hear??? PS Check the basement of your local pizza 🍕 parlor, there may be classified documents being held there by exploited immigrant children…🤪🤣🤣🤣🤣

MrGunn
>>100156297

No loss on the party invite, I hear they are pretentious dos with no alcohol, vegan hors d’oeuvres 🥬 and espresso in paper cups, where everyone drones on about monetization and inclusivity😴😴😴😴💤 PS They are called culturally significant calendar events, lest anyone ‘feel’ offended or excluded….🙄😐

baldrage

Excellent, even-handed video. Did not know about the change.org petition, which I just signed. Such a petition won't change WOTC's position, but these things are cited by mainstream media, so it is a useful tactic in the PR space.

MrGunn
>>100158134

I also appreciated the heads up on the chang.org petition.

Graham Kane

Excellent, well thought out and fair analysis. I signed the Change.Org petition myself and encouraged others to do so. I particularly appreciate your call for respect when contacting or calling out WOTC employees. Perception of the Pro OGL side is vitally important as, as you say, any negative interactions will be spun by WOTC/Hasbro to their advantage. There is small but present cohort of commentators on Youtube and elsewhere who are implying that people involved with this movement are bullying and harassing 5E players into giving up the game and cancelling their D&D Beyond subscriptions. Going so far as to say DM's are telling their own players to do the same. While I have'nt seen any of this personally I realize that there is ALWAYS a tiny percentage of people people who go too far but it's grossly unfair to the community to accuse us of this.

Flowers

Excellent recommendations especially Roll of Law and Roll for Combat

Daniel Defazio
>>100159465

Who are these assholes? I've never seen them. I saw one old guy complaining about "duck-faced poser models." I assumed he meant Ginny, but I was like, "Dude--what's wrong with pinup calendars? I'm only pissed this wasn't the scene when I was a teenager.

Daniel Defazio
>>100158760

Working hard here. Read your statement. Rooting for you. Just heard there will be no morally clause in ORC.

Graham Kane
>>100159465

Yeah, I've not encountered directly myself. But I think you've seen Ginny Di taking a bit of a bashing on Twitter. But I've seen a few videos by one particular Youtuber basically accusing the OGL and OSR people of engaging in targeted harassment of 5E players., saying the D&DBegone slogan is basically calling for the complete destruction of anything to do with 5E. I won't name him as he thankfully doesn't get many views and I don't want to give him any exposure. The trouble is he's conflating the OGL and OSR camps. There are a few toxic members of the OSR movement on Youtube but these really are a minority.

MrGunn
>>100159465

Ginny Di and pin up calendars, are you kidding me! P?M are you deliberately trying to trigger a MrGunn rant?! 🤣🤣🤣🤣

Adrian Webster

The governing law provision is interesting, but very standard practice. Contracts often contain these and the party with the most leverage usually gets their way on this. There may not be much that can be done with that. Without it, in litigation each party will try to file in the jurisdiction most favorable to their position ensuring a court battle over venue. It is also not surprising WOTC would want this to avoid the potential of fighting litigation in any of the 50 states.

Michael Butcher

With these proposed changes and developments, have your thoughts changed about whether you'll go forward with The Lost City?

Sean Grimm

I would think that it's important to remember that we can trust wotc to simply be nothing more than what they are- a corporate entity who will always put shareholder profits as their number one priority because that is who they are ultimately accountable to. There comes a point in every successful game companies existence where they shift from being a group of people who makes great games to an entity that has to make payroll. This is exactly why I like smaller, independent game companies who are free from capitalistic necessities. I would rather give my heart earn dollars to a small company who wants to make an awesome game rather than a corporate entity who overhypes their material in order to increase shareholder profits..

Randall Case
>>100159465

LOL! Indeed. D&D was way too geeky for Ginny back in the day. I think all of us would have fainted at one of her pinups (although we saw plenty of them at Spencer's! But she's different! She's a hot elf!!!!) LOL!

MrGunn
>>100168637

Good question, I believe PDM spoke about this during the live chat, but he had to speak with Goodman Games and his attorney, I too would be happy for an update, PDM.

Jay

PDM, I really enjoyed this video as it was well thought out and very insightful. I hope you post it on YouTube as well as other platforms. First, I want to mention the excellent explanation you gave with regard to influence and how it is used in the printed word. I’ve learned a bit more today and will be mindful of such things. My colleagues and I were well versed in the use of Verbal Judo which is not only a good book but a course we were required to take periodically and use in field work. It’s been a long time since I’ve needed or even used it and for me it’s become a bit of a perishable skill. Anyone who is interested can find Verbal Judo by George J Thompson online. It’s a good read and some may find it to be useful if not interesting. Secondly, I want to be clear about something that was discussed in the live stream. I agree with you and do NOT believe personal politics is important in this forum. That is why I specifically didn’t mention the politics of the Comedian (Crowder) or the corporation who offered him to poison pill contract to sign on. My point was simply that there is plenty of evidence that many of the big corporations show signs of widespread greed and corruption. The Crowder situation was meant as an example of just that. In this video you mention how corporations use lobbyists or donations to political campaigns to influence Governors and perhaps Judges when there is litigation against said corporation. In this case Hasbro. It seems that this is just another example of how indicative and pervasive corporate corruption linked to political influence seems to be and it’s quite sad really. Regarding the issue of corporate contracts, I’d say there are many more everyday common examples of corporations stick it to the little guy. Look no further than your cell phone or cable/internet contract and terms of service. Cancelation fees and other hidden fees are common. Maybe I’m alone on this one but hiding fees under red tape and charging someone to cancel service seems a bit sneaky and absurd. Lastly, for the subject of YouTube, I’d say it may be a good time to diversify and show your videos on other platforms. Perhaps using Twitter, Fakebook, or any other social media you use to let followers know where else your videos can be viewed. With the revelations of the Twitter files, we now know many creators / influencers where being suppressed by their algorithm and the techs that managed them. To be clear, I not making any claims against YouTube as great claims require great evidence. I’m just saying that it wouldn’t surprise me if it was happening for a reason rather than a glitch. I wonder if other creators making content on this particular subject has noticed similar issues. Anyway, several other creators I follow mentioned that they suddenly had a significant uptick in followers on Twitter after changes in the administration were implemented. So, at least it couldn’t hurt to find a few more platforms to place your videos. I’m sure some of the subscribers who are more active on social media could provide some suggestions as to which social media platforms might be good for that. In closing, I think everyone is already getting tired of this mess with WoTC and will be so much happier when we can go back to the content you prefer to make which we all enjoy. Thanks again for another great video.

Andrew
>>100158760

Really excellent video. Overall, I don't think this will be resolved until it goes to court. And yes, keep talking about it. Keep the Demand for the ORC license being the industry standard. Don't confine yourself to in house surveys, where they can keep things quiet. And laughing. Just picturing Chip-n-Dales Death Bringer--with his axe and a cheeses grater. Don't want to get this one backwards, ladies.

Andrew
>>100184765

As a pallet cleanser, do a painting video or something. Do something that really brings you joy in the hobby. It may not be your most blockbuster video, but I've noticed how this shit show has stolen people's joy in the game. As for me, I've been taking a break from Saxons, and mixing it up with painting some Reaper Bones harpies. Your work is really good--is it Vince or Trovarion levels? Who cares? And I think people need permission to still enjoy what they are passionate about, even if we have to fight WotC brass, that's not what makes this hobby so special.

knghtbrd

I still want a "Give me that license that I may wipe my ass with it…" clip to share on whatever I still use that passes for social media.

knghtbrd
>>100158760

I've been lobbying hard against any kind of morality clause because it's doubly a trap: Not only does it give a publisher a Sword of Damocles to hold over the heads of anyone using their content, it gives basically the entire Internet a Sword of Damocles to hold over the publisher's head! At the very least, it requires you to be constantly vigilant that an angry twit mob doesn't show up at YOUR door making threats and demanding you ban someone from your content at once or else … Nobody wants to stick their necks out for someone else, especially if what they've done is actually indefensible. Even issuing a statement about things is a minefield. Copyright is not the correct tool for dealing with this kind of problem in society. Paizo understands this. Not everyone has been convinced yet, though.

Bill Jaimez

I love that you used Diana for the thumbnail. Loved V as a kid.

William Smith

As an investigator that does some statement analysis, I get dig what your talking about. Since you brought up the YouTube data, I have a question that I have been thinking about for a while. What constitutes a "view" for the data? Is it the entire video until the end credits stop? Is it at a percentage? The reason I ask is because there are a lot of videos on this topic right now on YT. I watch yours religiously and even if I have seen it here, I will let it run on YT while I do something else. But a lot of the other channels, I would watch a few minutes and realize a.) the video has nothing new for me to see on this OGL issue or b.) I don't really care for the You-tuber (a lot of these are channels I had never heard, but end up on my splash page with really good click bait titles and thumbnails) so I would just click off to another video. I am wondering with "a.)" if because of the amount of videos about the OGL on YT if there is burnout and people are only watching a few minutes of the videos then move on when, like me, they see nothing new. I can't explain video counts decreasing. That's very bizarre.

Staffaramus

Excellent assessment of the argument. Passing that along to my wife as she is a high school English teacher with a focus on argument - which is why "we" don't fight :)

MrGunn
>>100208320

If you roll a 1 while using OGL 1.2 as TP 🧻 you get a vicious paper done there 😱🤣🤣🤣🤣