A.I. RPGs Creation

Build Your Own 5e-Compatible RPG with the D&D SRD + Google AI Studio

1) What “SRD under Creative Commons” means (in plain English)

  • SRD = System Reference Document. It’s a curated rules packet Wizards of the Coast releases so creators can reuse D&D mechanics in their own products.

  • As of 2025, two SRDs are available under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC-BY 4.0):

    • SRD 5.1 (originally published in 2016; moved to CC in Jan 2023). (D&D Beyond)

    • SRD 5.2 / 5.2.1 (aligned to the updated 2024 rulebooks; released April 2025). (D&D Beyond)

  • CC-BY 4.0 lets you copy, adapt, and publish—commercially, too—so long as you give proper attribution. It does not grant trademark rights (you can’t use the Dungeons & Dragons name or logos as if endorsed). (Creative Commons)

Bottom line: If your book only uses material actually inside the SRD (5.1 or 5.2/5.2.1) and you include the correct CC attribution, you can publish it—including for sale. (D&D Beyond)

What you still can’t use

  • Trademarks and brand identifiers (e.g., “Dungeons & Dragons,” the ampersand dragon logo, “Dungeon Master”). CC-BY does not license trademarks. (Creative Commons)

  • Content not in the SRD (classic “product identity” like beholders or illithids is excluded; SRD 5.2 expands what’s available but still leaves iconic IP out). (PC Gamer)

2) Which SRD should I use—5.1 or 5.2?

  • SRD 5.1: matches legacy 5e; massive ecosystem support.

  • SRD 5.2 / 5.2.1: aligns to the 2024 rules refresh; adds options and clarifications; ideal if you want to feel “current.” Both are CC-BY and you can use them together. (D&D Beyond)

Where to get them: Download from the D&D Beyond SRD page (look for “SRD v5.2.1” and “SRD 5.1” under CC-BY 4.0). (D&D Beyond)

3) The legally safe way to publish

  1. Use SRD text and data only. If it isn’t in the SRD, don’t copy it. (You can still invent your own monsters, spells, settings, etc.) (D&D Beyond)

  2. Give clear CC-BY attribution in your book and product page. Example you can adapt:

“This work includes material from the System Reference Document version 5.2.1 and/or 5.1 by Wizards of the Coast, available via D&D Beyond. Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International.” (D&D Beyond)

  1. Avoid trademarks: Don’t use the D&D logo; don’t imply endorsement. Use neutral phrasing like “Compatible with the 5th-edition rules” rather than “Compatible with Dungeons & Dragons.” (CC licenses don’t cover trademarks.) (Creative Commons)

This is practical guidance, not legal advice.

4) Your AI-assisted workflow (Google AI Studio as your producer)

Keep Google AI Studio open and share your screen while you work. Treat the Tutor like a rules editor, developer, and copy-chief.

Ask your Tutor to:

  • Map your goal: “I want a rules-light 5e-compatible dungeon crawler for beginners.”

  • Build an outline: “Draft a 10-chapter structure: core mechanic, character creation, combat, exploration, magic, GM tools.”

  • Summarize SRD sections: “Turn these SRD ability and proficiency rules into 1-page reference tables.”

  • Design content safely: “Create 10 original monsters at CR 1–5 that don’t resemble excluded D&D IP.”

  • Balance numbers: “Check action economy and DPR vs. AC 13–18 for levels 1–5 and suggest tweaks.”

  • Generate play aids: premade characters, one-page dungeons, encounter budgets, quickstart handouts.

  • Localize: create Spanish/English versions and a printer-friendly edition.

5) Three build paths (beginner → intermediate → advanced)

A) Starter game (evening to weekend) — rules-light, beginner-friendly

Goal: a 24–48 page PDF that uses SRD ability checks and combat in the simplest form.

  • Core mechanic: Keep d20 + ability + proficiency vs. DC (from SRD). Present DC tiers (Easy 10, Med 15, Hard 20) on one card.

  • Classes/Backgrounds: Offer 4 archetypes (Warrior, Mage, Trickster, Priest). Use SRD-inspired features but rename and streamline (e.g., “Second Wind” → “Catch Your Breath”).

  • Equipment & rests: 1 page each.

  • Monsters: 12 original creatures with short stat blocks; use SRD math for AC/HP/attack bonuses; avoid non-SRD IP.

  • Adventure: 5-room dungeon; single quest; milestone advancement to level 3.

  • What the Tutor does: compress rules into a 2-page quickstart; write boxed text; create pre-gens; make a safety/tools page.

B) Core book (intermediate) — full campaign play

Goal: 100–160 pages, level 1–10.

  • Character options: 6 classes × 2–3 paths; 10 backgrounds; a feats chapter (use your own names/effects).

  • Magic: 60–100 spells—write your own or adapt SRD mechanics with new themes.

  • Exploration: travel clocks, supply, light, and hazards; simple domain/stronghold rules at mid levels.

  • Bestiary: 60 monsters across tiers (0–10 CR). Keep stat blocks compact and consistent with SRD math.

  • GM tools: encounter budgets, treasure tables, reaction rolls, morale, social influence.

  • What the Tutor does: generate a balanced encounter ladder, craft treasure progressions, create examples and sidebars, and format an index.

C) Advanced variant (designer’s edition) — push the system

Goal: 200+ pages with distinctive mechanics, fully 5e-compatible at the table.

  • Variant pillars: fatigue & injuries, weapon masteries, more tactical actions, procedures for heists/naval/warfare.

  • Modular magic: schools with risk/overcast; rituals with time/material costs; bounded power curves to protect low-level play.

  • Downtime & domain game: enterprises, followers, rival factions, seasonal turns.

  • What the Tutor does: model probability curves, stress-test nova vs. attrition pacing, and write conversion notes for SRD stat blocks.

6) Design guardrails (so your math “just works”)

  • Bounded accuracy vibe: Keep to-hit bonuses and AC growth modest so low-level threats remain relevant (a 5e hallmark).

  • Encounter budgets: Start with “4–6 medium-to-hard encounters per adventuring day” as a benchmark, then tune for your game’s pacing.

  • Action economy: Solo bosses need lair/legendary actions or minions; Tutor can propose options in your tone.

  • Advantages over +X: Prefer advantage/disadvantage or situational boons over stacking numeric bonuses—simpler at the table.

7) Using SRD 5.2’s updates (if you target the 2024 rules)

SRD 5.2/5.2.1 adds and revises material to reflect the 2024 core rulebooks (new feats, items, rules clarifications). It’s released under CC-BY 4.0, just like 5.1, to simplify creator licensing and future updates. (PC Gamer)

Practical tips:

  • Pick one baseline (5.1 or 5.2) for your math.

  • If you mix, note it in your foreword: “Core math follows SRD 5.2.1; spells adapted from SRD 5.1.” (D&D Beyond)

8) Content you should author yourself (instead of copying)

  • Setting, gods, planes, famous names (FR, Eberron, etc.)—invent your own.

  • Iconic monsters not in SRD (e.g., beholders, mind flayers, githyanki). Create fresh creatures with different silhouettes, powers, and lore. (PC Gamer)

  • Branding—your own logo, not D&D marks. CC-BY does not license any trademark usage. (Creative Commons)

9) Production pipeline (week-by-week)

Week 1 – Concept & scope

  • Define theme, power fantasy, and target play time.

  • Ask the Tutor for 3 scope options (starter, core, advanced) and pick one.

Week 2 – Rules skeleton

  • Pull the necessary SRD chapters into your outline (abilities, proficiencies, combat loop, rests, conditions).

  • Have the Tutor summarize each into one page and propose any optional variants.

Week 3 – Player options

  • Draft classes/paths, backgrounds, feats. Ask the Tutor to run comparative balance against analogous SRD entries.

Week 4 – Equipment, magic, and monsters

  • Build your items and a 40-creature starter bestiary. Tutor generates names, lairs, and adventure seeds.

Week 5 – GM tools & adventure

  • Write a 3-session starter adventure; add encounter math tables and treasure guidance. Tutor creates quick-reference sheets.

Week 6 – Testing & polish

  • Run two playtests; Tutor synthesizes feedback, flags swingy math, and rewrites unclear rules. Prepare print/PDF exports.

10) Packaging, attribution, and distribution

  • Attribution page (front or back matter):

    • “This work includes material from the System Reference Document v5.2.1 and/or v5.1 by Wizards of the Coast. Licensed under CC-BY 4.0.” (D&D Beyond)

  • Compatibility wording: “Compatible with the 5th-edition fantasy role-playing rules.” (Avoid brand names.) (Creative Commons)

  • Formats: PDF (screen + printer-friendly), softcover POD, and reference cards.

  • Where to publish: your site, DriveThruRPG/Itch, or Kickstarter pre-order.

11) What your Google AI Studio Tutor can generate on command

  • A conversion checklist (what’s safe to copy from SRD, what to rewrite).

  • Stat-block templates (creatures, items, spells) and fill-in examples.

  • Encounter math sheet for your chosen level bands.

  • One-page rules handout for new players.

  • Multilingual quickstarts (e.g., Spanish/English).

  • Marketing copy and a back-cover blurb.

12) Troubleshooting & FAQs

  • “Can I say Dungeons & Dragons on my cover?”
    Don’t use their trademarks or logos. Say “5th-edition compatible” or similar neutral phrasing. CC-BY doesn’t grant trademark rights. (Creative Commons)

  • “Where do I download the newest SRD?”
    From the D&D Beyond SRD v5.2.1 page (also provides 5.1); both are CC-BY 4.0. (D&D Beyond)

  • “Are the 2024 rules covered?”
    Yes—the SRD 5.2 (and 5.2.1 updates) captures the 2024 refresh under CC-BY. (Roll20)

  • “Can I include beholders or mind flayers?”
    No—those iconic elements aren’t in the SRD; create your own equivalents. (PC Gamer)

13) Quick launch checklist

  • Chosen baseline (SRD 5.1 or 5.2/5.2.1) and downloaded sources. (D&D Beyond)

  • Outline mapped and summarized with Tutor.

  • Core rules and player options drafted (SRD-safe).

  • Bestiary and starter adventure done (all original).

  • Attribution and compatibility phrasing added. (Creative Commons)

  • Playtested and balanced; printer-friendly export ready.

Final word

Wizards placing the SRD 5.1 and 5.2 in Creative Commons (CC-BY 4.0) gives you a stable, royalty-free foundation to publish your own compatible games—now and in the future. Use SRD content, credit it properly, avoid trademarks & non-SRD IP, and let your Google AI Studio Tutor handle the heavy lifting—outlines, rules summaries, balance passes, and production assets—while you stay focused on design and worldbuilding. (D&D Beyond)