13^th Age Archmage Engine Licensing Overview

These overviews explain what our licenses and policies allow you do with our property. Are you wondering which license is right for you? Read below.

Open Game License & 13^th Age Open Content

Since the 13^th Age System Reference Document (SRD) is published under the Open Game License (OGL), anyone complying with the OGL may use specific 13^th Age property that we have designated as “Open Content” to create their own derivative works. The content can be used wholly or in part, but must be limited to what is specifically designated as “Open Content” within the SRD. Commercial use is allowed, though using our trademarks and logos with your product is not.

13^th Age Compatibility License

The 13^th Age Compatibility license allows professional publishers to use our Open Content to create commercial products compatible with the 13^th Age Roleplaying Game and to put our “13^th Age Compatible” logo on them. Compatible means that the product relies on, operates with the 13^th Age Roleplaying Game, and is not a standalone product. By complying with the license usage terms, your product can indicate to consumers that it makes use of 13^th Age Open Content, and that they can use your product with the 13^th Age Roleplaying Game.

13^th Age Archmage Engine License

The 13^th Age Archmage Engine license is very similar to the 13^th Age Compatibility license. It allows professional publishers to use our Open Content to create commercial products and to put our “Archmage Engine” logo on them. The difference is that your product does not have to strictly rely on the 13^th Age Roleplaying Game. By complying with the license usage terms, your product can indicate to consumers that it makes use of 13^th Age Open Content.

13^th Age Community Use Policy

The 13^th Age Community Use Policy allows the general public to use otherwise prohibited, non-open, trademarked and copyrighted content of 13^th Age in limited and specific ways, and under certain restrictions. Most notably, you must not gain commercially by the use of our property, you must maintain our property in a positive light, and you must display a specific notice on your work. In return for following the usage requirements of the policy, you can use our artwork and game world elements (e.g. setting, characters) in your own adventure campaigns, wikis, fan fiction, and so on. Professional publishers are not allowed to use this content.

13^th Age Logos

Here are the logos allowed for use according to the licenses above.

• 13^th Age Community Use logo (PNG / RGB TIF / CMYK TIF)
• 13^th Age Independent Broadcaster logo (PNG / RGB TIF / CMYK TIF)
• 13^th Age Compatibility logo (PNG / RGB TIF / CMYK TIF)
• 13^th Age Archmage Engine logo (PNG / RGB TIF / CMYK TIF)

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use 13th Age in the title of my product?

No, 13th Age is a trademarked term. However, Archmage Engine and Compatibility Engine licensee’s may use their respective logos AND use the phrase “compatible with the 13th Age roleplaying game” in descriptive text associated with the title as long as you avoid using the 13th Age logo/trade dress and do not imply sponsorship or endorsement.

When listing my Archmage Engine or Compatibility Engine product on an online retailer such as DriveThruRPG can I add an indicator that this is a 13th Age Compatible product?

Yes. We’d suggest if you need indicate 13th Age Compatibility you list your product as YOUR_PRODUCT_NAME (13th Age Compatible)

Do I need to use the Archmage Engine license? Can’t I make a game using your Open Content without it?

Yes, but you cannot indicate that you use Open Content from 13^th Age, nor can you use our logos. This is why we created the Archmage Engine license.

Why would I use the Archmage Engine license and not the Compatibility license?

If your product can be played without the 13^th Age Roleplaying Game, then the Archmage Engine license may apply, though the Compatibility license cannot.

If my product complies with both the Archmage Engine license and the Compatibility license, which logo(s) can I use on my product?

You may use the Compatibility logo alone, the Archmage Engine logo alone, or both together.

What if I don’t want to use either logo? Can I use another 13^th Age logo?

No, not as part of a commercial product. However, as a non-professional and for non-commercial use, the Community Use policy grants certain allowances.

Do I need to use the Compatibility license? Can’t I make a game that’s compatible with the 13^th Age Roleplaying Game without it?

Yes, but you cannot tell people using our trademarked terms that it’s compatible, nor can you use our logos. This is why we created the Compatibility license.

What if my product uses 13^th Age Open Content but does not require the 13^th Age Roleplaying Game to use?

Then the Compatibility license does not apply. To be compatible, the 13^th Age Roleplaying Game must be required. For example, if your product is a new type of RPG that uses game mechanics from the 13^th Age Open Content but does not require the 13^th Age Roleplaying Game to play, it would not be appropriate for the Compatibility license. Instead, you would use the Archmage Engine license.

Who can use 13^th Age Open Content?

Anybody, as long as the Open Game License terms are fulfilled.

Who can use the 13^th Age Compatibility license and the Archmage Engine license?

Professional publishers that abide by the terms of the license.

Is there extra content that I can use beyond what’s specified as Open Content when I’m using the Compatibility or Archmage Engine license?

No, except for the specific Compatibility or Archmage Engine logos on your product, the same content is available in all three cases.

Is the content available for Community Use different than the Open Game content?

Yes. Community Use policy allows some uses of certain trademarked property like artwork, characters, icons, and places from the 13^th Age Roleplaying Game. In addition, Open Game content remains usable under the OGL, so both can be used together.

What is an example of Community Use content?

Community Use content includes copyrighted and trademarked material that is not found in the 13^th Age SRD, for example, an image of the Diabolist and Lich King from fireopalmedia.com, or character and city names from the Dragon Empire.

What is an example of Archmage Engine / 13^th Age SRD Open Content?

The 13^th Age SRD is all about the generic game mechanics, which includes the basic character descriptions, rules of the game, and spell descriptions, for example.

Who can use the Community Use content?

Only non-professionals, for non-commercial use, and only as long as the Community Use policy is adhered to.

What can I create using the Community Use policy?

As long as you abide by the policy terms, you can create your own adventures in the 13^th Age world, with 13^th Age artwork, using 13^th Age characters. You can distribute them as long as you don’t charge for them.

Do banner ads on my website count as “commercial use?”

No, as long as the content you are providing is freely available without charge.

When using Community Use content, can I change the artwork in any way?

You can resize the artwork, as long as it maintains the same aspect ratio. You may not change the color, typography, design, or proportions.

What does “descriptively reference” mean in the Community Use policy?

It means you can use our trademarked names and terms as outlined, but you cannot copy the text verbatim. You have to create something new.