Dungeons & Dragons (or your RPG of choice)

[frodo potter]

Originally Posted by Pirate Bill

What exactly does that mean? I know what open source means, but does this mean that the copyright of 4E prevents other companies from make games that use 4E mechanics/characters/monsters/etc?

yes that is what it means. Traditionally each game company uses its own system exclusively though there are some similarities across systems. That is, white wolf uses a D10 system, GURPs uses a point buy system and so on. D&D 3.0 allowed any body to use and adapt its system to any setting so, for example, White Wolf stated a division to write D&D worlds and moduals as did many others.

4E does not allow that, all add-ons will come from Wizards of the Coasts and some updates, rules, and advancement for character classes will only ever be available on-line. (for a monthly fee)