• D&D has recently updated their Open Game License to forbid the integration of D&D material into NFTs.
• This is bad news for Web3 gaming startup Gripnr, which was developing a project that aimed to recreate the appeal of the fantasy-themed tabletop blockbuster for the modern era.
• As a result, Gripnr is reversing course and will no longer be pursuing an NFT based game.
Dungeons & Dragons Open Game License Changes
The parent company of Dungeons & Dragons (D&D), Wizards of the Coast, recently updated their Open Game License (OGL) in order to respond to third-party Web3 projects. The new license forbids the integration of D&D material into non-fungible tokens (NFTs).
Gripnr’s Response
This change in policy has been devastating news for Web3 gaming startup Gripnr, which was developing a project that aimed to recreate the appeal of the fantasy-themed tabletop blockbuster for the modern era using NFTs. As a result, Gripnr is now reversing course and will no longer be pursuing an NFT based game.
What Was The Glimmering?
Gripnr had started developing The Glimmering earlier in 2021 as a way to combine Web3 technology with aspects of Dungeons & Dragons. It was designed as a tabletop game powered by blockchain which would have allowed players to record money, objects and experience points on-chain while also paying inventors and those in charge of The Glimmering sessions. It was planning on utilizing Polygon’s Ethereum sidechain network in order to do this.
Changes To The OGL
In response to significant criticism, Wizards of the Coast decided to reduce some terms from their new license – including mandatory royalties – but they still forbade the integration with NFTs. They wrote in a blog post that one of their main objectives with updating their license was responding to third-party Web3 projects.
Conclusion
It appears as though Wizards of the Coast has no interest in integrating NFTs into Dungeons & Dragons at this time, leaving companies such as Gripnr without any choice but to reverse course on any projects they may have been working on involving them.