Cepheus Engine License

[Timerover51]

After going through the legalese at the end of the Cepheus Engine System Reference Document, it appears that I can publish my own version of the rules providing that I mention the source document. I am not worried about compatibility as I suspect that my end product will not be that compatible with the overall Cepheus Rules.

I am looking to simplify the rules to a shorter format, with fewer careers, a trimmed down skills list, no psionics, a percentile-based one-roll-and-done combat system, along with rewriting the ship construction rules and cutting out the section on space combat. I am already working on a new system for animal creation, but think that a separate booklet on animal encounters might be a better option.

Now, am I correct that I can do that within the guidelines of the Open Gaming License?

 

[Independence Games]

After going through the legalese at the end of the Cepheus Engine System Reference Document, it appears that I can publish my own version of the rules providing that I mention the source document. I am not worried about compatibility as I suspect that my end product will not be that compatible with the overall Cepheus Rules.

I am looking to simplify the rules to a shorter format, with fewer careers, a trimmed down skills list, no psionics, a percentile-based one-roll-and-done combat system, along with rewriting the ship construction rules and cutting out the section on space combat. I am already working on a new system for animal creation, but think that a separate booklet on animal encounters might be a better option.

Now, am I correct that I can do that within the guidelines of the Open Gaming License?

I see no reason why you could not do that. There are already two versions of Cepheus Engine which have departed in one way or another from the rules presented in the original CE.

Cepheus Light has been produced by Stellagama which is closer to what you are talking about doing in the way of streamlining the rules.

Clement Sector: The Rules was produced by GKG to go along with our Clement Sector setting. I felt differently than you and expanded the skill list and made the careers more like MgT1e with events, mishaps, and the like.

I see no reason why you couldn't branch off and create something else.

 

[Timerover51]

I see no reason why you could not do that. There are already two versions of Cepheus Engine which have departed in one way or another from the rules presented in the original CE.

Cepheus Light has been produced by Stellagama which is closer to what you are talking about doing in the way of streamlining the rules.

Clement Sector: The Rules was produced by GKG to go along with our Clement Sector setting. I felt differently than you and expanded the skill list and made the careers more like MgT1e with events, mishaps, and the like.

I see no reason why you couldn't branch off and create something else.

Thanks for the reply. I was planning on putting out the rules with my Piper-Norton Out Rim sector book, as with the sparser stellar population, there is a need for longer range ships, plus there are some other goodies to be had.

 

[estar]

After going through the legalese at the end of the Cepheus Engine System Reference Document, it appears that I can publish my own version of the rules providing that I mention the source document. I am not worried about compatibility as I suspect that my end product will not be that compatible with the overall Cepheus Rules.

I am looking to simplify the rules to a shorter format, with fewer careers, a trimmed down skills list, no psionics, a percentile-based one-roll-and-done combat system, along with rewriting the ship construction rules and cutting out the section on space combat. I am already working on a new system for animal creation, but think that a separate booklet on animal encounters might be a better option.

Now, am I correct that I can do that within the guidelines of the Open Gaming License?

This

4. Grant and Consideration: In consideration for agreeing to use this License, the Contributors grant You a perpetual, worldwide, royalty-free, non-exclusive license with the exact terms of this License to Use, the Open Game Content.

Allows you to freely use the Open Game Content of any product licensed under the OGL provided you follow the condition of #6 (include the original copyright notice) #7 (Agree not to use any Product Indentity of the product without another license including citing compatibility with a trademark) #8 (Identify all material that is open content including what you used).

What this amounts to in practice is anything you use that is open content must remain open contenting including based on it. Which generally does not include unique mechanics or settings/plot idea. You can make either open but that up to you.

You copy Section #15 of Cepheus (or any other OGL work you want to use). To your copy of the OGL and then append your copyright notice to the bottom.

Open Game License v 1.0a Copyright 2000, Wizards of the Coast, Inc.
High Guard System Reference Document Copyright © 2008, Mongoose Publishing.
Mercenary System Reference Document Copyright © 2008, Mongoose Publishing.
Modern System Reference Document Copyright 2002-2004, Wizards of the Coast, Inc.; Authors Bill Slavicsek, Jeff Grubb, Rich Redman, Charles Ryan, Eric Cagle, David Noonan, Stan!, Christopher Perkins, Rodney Thompson, and JD Wiker, based on material by Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook, Skip Williams, Richard Baker, Peter Adkison, Bruce R. Cordell, John Tynes, Andy Collins, and JD Wiker.
Swords & Wizardry Core Rules, Copyright 2008, Matthew J. Finch
System Reference Document, Copyright 2000, Wizards of the Coast, Inc.; Authors Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook, Skip Williams, based on original material by E. Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson.
T20 - The Traveller’s Handbook Copyright 2002, Quiklink Interactive, Inc. Traveller is a trademark of Far Future Enterprises and is used under license.
Traveller System Reference Document Copyright © 2008, Mongoose Publishing.
Traveller is © 2008 Mongoose Publishing. Traveller and related logos, character, names, and distinctive likenesses thereof are trademarks of Far Future Enterprises unless otherwise noted. All Rights Reserved. Mongoose Publishing Ltd Authorized User.
Cepheus Engine System Reference Document, Copyright © 2016 Samardan Press; Author Jason "Flynn" Kemp
My Science Fiction Idea Copyright 2018 John Doe

The bold it what you add.

Finally the open content of the Cepheus System Reference Document is stated here

Designation of Open Game Content
All of the text in this document is designated as Open Gaming Content, except for the titles of products published by Samardan Press, and the trademarks “Cepheus Engine” and “Samardan Press”.

And it also includes a separate trademark license for citing compatibility with the Cepheus Engine.

Hope this helps.

 

[Timerover51]

Thank you for the information, Estar.