Leveraging Open Game Licenses for Your Indie RPG Project

Creating an indie tabletop RPG is an ambitious, rewarding endeavor. You’ve got mechanics to design, settings to flesh out, lore to stitch into every page. But before diving headfirst into your dream project, you might want to ask:

do I need to build everything from scratch?

You don’t. In fact, you probably shouldn’t.

Thanks to Open Game Licenses (OGLs), you can legally build upon existing game systems. These licenses allow indie developers to stand on the shoulders of giants—systems that are tested, widely known, and already have active communities.

But to take full advantage, you need more than enthusiasm. You need a clear understanding of what these licenses are, how they work, and how to leverage them strategically.

What Is an Open Game License?

At its core, an Open Game License is a legal framework. It gives creators the right to use, modify, and distribute certain elements of a game system.

The concept was popularized by Wizards of the Coast with the release of the OGL 1.0a in 2000, alongside the third edition of Dungeons & Dragons. This move effectively cracked open the gates for indie RPG creators.

The OGL allows you to use mechanics—not protected narrative or characters. That distinction is key. While you can borrow the combat system or spell structure of a licensed game, you cannot, for example, set your story in the Forgotten Realms or reference Drizzt Do’Urden.

The license typically distinguishes between Open Game Content (OGC)—which you can use—and Product Identity (PI)—which you can’t.

Why Use an OGL?

If you’re building an RPG, especially your first, the temptation to create a system from scratch is powerful. But it’s also risky. Mechanics need to be tested, balanced, and fun.

Using an existing framework gets you halfway there. You're not just saving time—you’re inheriting decades of iteration and player feedback.

For solo developers or small teams, this can mean the difference between a game that launches and a game that lives only in draft folders.

Additionally, systems backed by OGLs often have existing fanbases. When you tap into something like the D20 System or Powered by the Apocalypse (PbtA), you're speaking a familiar language.

Players understand the mechanics without a steep learning curve. That can translate into better adoption, easier marketing, and a more engaged community.

Understanding the Fine Print

Before incorporating any OGL material, read the license thoroughly. Seriously. This isn't optional.

Each license has specific conditions. The original OGL 1.0a, for instance, allows you to use open content so long as you also designate which parts of your work are open. That means other creators can reuse your mechanics the same way you reused theirs.

More recent versions—such as the proposed OGL 1.1 and its eventual successor ORC (Open RPG Creative License)—came with significant differences.

The OGL 1.1 stirred controversy due to restrictions and royalty clauses, prompting a community-wide pushback. In response, publishers like Paizo and Kobold Press developed the ORC License, which is designed to be irrevocable and system-neutral.

Not all licenses are created equal. While some encourage community remixing, others place tighter boundaries on what you can do. Be sure to understand the terms around:

• Distribution rights
• Commercial vs. non-commercial use
• Share-alike requirements
• Attribution guidelines
• Modifications and derivative works
• Misinterpreting these elements can lead to legal headaches down the road.

Popular Systems and Licenses

Here’s a closer look at some of the most widely used open licenses and the systems they support.

D20 System (via OGL 1.0a)

Originally used by Dungeons & Dragons 3rd Edition, the D20 System became the backbone of many fantasy RPGs. Games like Pathfinder, 13th Age, and Mutants & Masterminds use it or variants of it. It's structured, tactical, and heavily rooted in high fantasy.

If your game features spells, classes, and combat math, this system offers a robust foundation.

Powered by the Apocalypse (PbtA)

Created by Vincent and Meguey Baker for Apocalypse World, PbtA has become a goldmine for narrative-driven RPGs. It’s not an OGL in the strictest legal sense, but many PbtA-based creators release their hacks under Creative Commons or other permissive terms.

The beauty of PbtA lies in its focus on storytelling and player agency. Mechanics are minimal; what matters is how characters evolve and affect the world. If your game leans heavy on narrative and light on crunch, this is a great place to start.

FATE Core (Evil Hat)

FATE is another system offered under the Open Game License. It emphasizes aspects—descriptive phrases that define characters and situations. It’s flexible, genre-neutral, and excellent for collaborative storytelling.

Evil Hat encourages hacking the system, even commercially, provided you follow the rules of the license. They also offer SRDs (System Reference Documents) to make the process easier.

ORC License (Paizo, Kobold Press)

The ORC License emerged in response to uncertainty around Wizards of the Coast’s stewardship of the OGL. It’s designed to be community-governed and system-agnostic. If you want long-term stability and neutrality, ORC is a forward-looking option.

How to Build with an OGL System

So, you've chosen a license. What next?

1. Acquire the SRD

The System Reference Document (SRD) is your toolbox. It lists the parts of the system that are open for use. For example, the 5E SRD includes classes, spells, equipment, and core rules. But it excludes IP-heavy content like specific monsters or setting lore.

Download the SRD, study it, and determine which parts serve your vision.

2. Define What’s Yours

You’re not just copying; you’re creating. Clearly distinguish between borrowed mechanics and your original content. Give credit where required, and specify what content you are releasing under the same license.

This protects your work while contributing to the ecosystem. It also builds trust—something vital in the RPG community.

3. Modify with Purpose

You’re not locked into what’s there. Tweak the rules. Adapt them. Streamline or expand. Just be intentional. Your changes should reflect the theme and tone of your world.

If you’re creating a horror setting, consider how to reframe damage or sanity mechanics. If your game is comedic, maybe failure should be more fun than success. Use the core rules as scaffolding, not a cage.

4. Publish Wisely

When you’re ready to publish, include the full text of the license and your designation of Open Game Content. Follow the formatting guidelines—some licenses require specific language in the legal section of your book or PDF.

If you’re unsure, look at how other creators handle it. Pathfinder products, for instance, offer excellent examples of clean, compliant formatting.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Even well-meaning creators make mistakes. Here are a few to steer clear of:

• Mixing licenses improperly: Don’t combine incompatible licenses without checking compatibility.
• Using Product Identity: Avoid using protected names, characters, or lore.
• Ignoring attribution rules: If the license says to credit the original authors, do it.
• Failing to release your OGC: If you’re modifying a system under share-alike terms, you must also share.
• Assuming legality equals popularity: Just because you can publish something doesn’t mean people will want to play it.

Build Smart, Not Just Bold

Open Game Licenses offer indie RPG creators a powerful opportunity. They lower the barrier to entry, open creative pathways, and connect you to larger ecosystems. But they’re not shortcuts. They’re frameworks—tools to be understood and respected.

Done right, OGLs can fuel projects that are innovative, polished, and legally sound. They allow you to focus less on rules lawyering and more on what really matters: world-building, storytelling, and bringing players into a world only you could imagine.

Whether you’re crafting a grim dark political saga, a steampunk comedy of errors, or a surreal dreamscape of shifting identities, you don’t have to do it alone.

Someone’s already paved the road. All you need is the courage—and the clarity—to walk it.