Dungeons & Dragons backpedals on proposed NFT ban following community uproar
Wizards of the Coast, the publisher of the hit board game Dungeons & Dragons (D&D), has announced a reversal of its decision to change the game’s license that would appear to ban the creation of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) relating to the game.
The game publisher reached the decision after completing a poll with over 80% of players expressing dissatisfaction with the proposed ban. Over 15,000 individuals took part in the survey, which swayed the opinion of the publishers to leave the licensing “untouched,” leaving “the entire SRD 5.1 available under a Creative Commons license.”
Going forward, individuals can continue to make compatible content with D&D, as it has been for over 20 years. The provision has allowed players to launch podcasts, graphic novels, and other forms of media revolving around the board game.
“This Creative Commons license makes the content freely available for any use,” said the publishers. “We don’t control that license and cannot alter or revoke it. It is open and irrevocable in a way that doesn’t require you to take our word for it.”
The plans to change the gaming licensing were announced on January 13, sparking a flurry of negative reactions from fans. In a blog post, the publishers said the move was necessary to prevent exploitation by those looking to make unfair gains.
“Second, we wanted to address those attempting to use D&D in web, blockchain games, and NFTS by making clear that OGL (open game license) content is limited to tabletop roleplaying content like campaigns, modules, and supplements,” read the blog post.
The suggested prohibition had rocked the boat as several firms abandoned plans to launch their D&D-inspired digital collectibles. Gaming firm Gripnr was forced to abandon plans for its upcoming projects due to the proposed ban, noting that it is “currently looking at various options and consulting with the council to determine the best path forward.”
An impressive start to the year
Following a gloomy 2022, pundits predict a reversal of fortunes for digital collectibles in 2023. The experts are hinging their hypothesis on the blistering start to the year for NFTs, as the asset class recorded a 26% increase in transaction volume from the last week of 2022.
Across the board, there were 1.2 million separate NFT transactions with over 400,000 buyers. Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC) led the charge, recording $19 million in sales, while Mutant Ape Yacht Club (MAYC), Azuki, and CryptoPunks propped up the markets with their impressive transaction volumes.
Watch: Blockchain: Data Power-Ups and NFTs for eSports & Online Games
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