this post was submitted on 09 May 2025
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[–] [email protected] 17 points 2 weeks ago (3 children)

Why would a DM be involved in a Pathfinder game though?

[–] [email protected] 93 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Because most people are not so anal retentive as to give a damn about Hasbros trademarks.

[–] [email protected] 16 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Eh, it's part anal retention, part joke, part not wanting to give WotC the brand recognition.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Then you should use it as generically as possible so that the trademark becomes unenforceable. Brand dilution is a thing, it's why Alphabet doesn't want you using "google" as a verb, and why your mom was actually based for calling your Playstation "a nintendo".

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

See my other reply in this comment chain regarding this sentiment.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

okay but know that the effect of that is that is to help protect Hasbro's trademark. it's what they want from you.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 weeks ago

I just don't agree with that reverse psychology logic my friend. It would be equally worthless if no one used it.

[–] [email protected] 41 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (3 children)

The Pathfinder video games are directly from the Pathfinder tabletop game, which is basically a different copyright of D&D. They would need a DM. I'm not sure what else you could be thinking.

Edit: DM = Dungeon Master (D&D), GM = Game Master (Pathfinder), as this user pointed out below.

[–] [email protected] 44 points 2 weeks ago (3 children)

They're called GMs in Pathfinder ;)

Dungeon Master is a DnD term, and trademarked by WotC.

[–] [email protected] 55 points 2 weeks ago

+1 Hate for intellectual property law

[–] [email protected] 35 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Breaking Hasbro IP is chaotic good though

[–] [email protected] 5 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

I'd rather not give them the recognition, and Pathfinder ditched alignment anyway.

[–] [email protected] 34 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

It is actually a good strategy to dilute the term Dungeon Master into a general phrase, because that means Hasbro can't enforce their copyright. For instance, Aspirin is a brand name, but it's such a generic term that anyone in the US can call their product Aspirin without risk.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (2 children)

We'll have to agree to disagree! I prefer using the game's defined term, or Game Master for general usage.

Edited to add, you TTRPG players sure are a contentious people.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Well, when the players enter a dungeon, it becomes the Dungeon Master.
Everywhere else, it can be a Game Master. Inside the game of course. If they go outside the game then... well, then that's just another guy in the outside.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 weeks ago

Funnily, my games feature few actual dungeons.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Don't you mean "us TTRPG people"? You're also a part of this

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 weeks ago

It's a Simpsons reference.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 weeks ago

Oh I completely forgot about that distinction XD

[–] [email protected] 5 points 2 weeks ago

GM is also used in GURPS, but the 5 guys here who have used it already know that.

And if they want someone to join them, they can always DM me.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Pathfinder is very different mechanically to dnd. It's like saying settlers of catan is a different copyright of carcassonne.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Pathfinder is closer to D&D than most other TTRPGs (not counting direct D&D derivatives)

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 weeks ago

True, but anyone who thinks it's a drag and drop replacement is in for a headache

[–] [email protected] 6 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

You might want to explain the joke, I thought you were just an arse before reading the replies :D

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 weeks ago

Nobody liked that