The OpenD6 Project exists to provide a unified system reference document for the OpenD6 rules and to promote the use of OpenD6 in new products by making the rules accessible and adaptable.
In 1996, West End Games released a core book titled “The D6 System”, the back cover of which touted it as “The Customizable Roleplaying Game”. Its intention was to provide gamers with a framework around which they could select the attributes, skills, and powers that would correctly flavor their game.
After WEG was acquired by Purgatory Publishing, they released in 2003-2004 updated versions of the generic D6 System with minor tweaks, and split them by genre. The results became D6 Adventure, D6 Fantasy, and D6 Space. The terms of the Open Gaming License were attached to these in 2010 under the license “OpenD6”. The intention is to present the material is a way that faithfully preserves the content while streamlining organization and access.
It is also a place to continue development of the game system. The D6 System was ahead of its time in many ways, using such things as a simplified difficulty system (Savage Worlds), an abstracted attribute set (Cortex), and Fate Points (uh… Fate). But gaming has continued to evolve, and game systems should also continue to evolve and innovate.
When Eric Gibson attached the Open Gaming License and the OpenD6 trademark to the material in 2010, he stated that no further “official” development or support would be forthcoming. In April 13, 2016, Nocturnal Media acquired West End Games and the accompanying D6 System. In November 2017, Nocturnal Media made a deal with Gallant Knight Games to publish “D6 System: Second Edition”. Gallant Knight Games published a Zorro D6 System book in 2020, but no more information on “D6 System: Second Edition” has been released.
This System Reference Document intends to enable continued development of OpenD6 as a comprehensive customizable game system that will remain freely accessible and to provide a platform for new creators to enter the hobby and build upon a common and completely interactive set of rules that is better viewed as a “living document” than as a definitive, finalized, and inflexible codex.