My overall point is that what is and isn’t game mechanics is not cut and dried, and anyone relying on “you can’t copyright game mechanics” to protect them is likely in for a rude awakening.
It's not based on TTRPGS. It's based on what has happened with game mechanics and computer programming.
This is why it could be dangerous ground, depending on where you come at it from.
You approach it wrong you will have the ENTIRE computer industry against you.
It depends on WHAT they try to take down and how.
Microsoft is their next door neighbor. Some of those in good positions at Hasbro are from Microsoft. They aren't going to go after Game mechanics on their own most likley, they'll go after something FAR easier to prove in court and back up as unique and specific via trademark and other venues.
It will be FAR easier to go after something like Chromatic dragons that are specifically like the D&D dragons (so not just because it is a green or red dragon, that's still too nebulous), or verifiable D&D material than it would be to go after a more nebulous area such as game mechanics.
You think that's not going to happen if they decide to go lawsuit happy? That's a much easier fruit to nab than something at the very top of a tall tree. It's also more likely to be something that will happen and be easy to get to in these instances than something that is harder to define and more likely to get friends and neighbors becoming your enemy.
Well, I can tell you that relying on “you can’t copyright game mechanics” is not a safe strategy.
I agree, it isn't the safest strategy, but you are thinking more in terms of TTRPGs.
I am not. I don't think those who are trying to do this are either. That's where the problem with the wording is coming in. They are approaching it like they would a Computer software item...and there HAVE been cases in regards to this type of thing in that arena regarding programming and usage of programs.
It's why you have licenses and other things for certain items, but you also have certain lines of code that everyone uses even though it originated initially with someone.
It is why I am saying I think this came out wrong. I don't think they are trying to squash those who made 3e or 3.5 rules and items. The idea is to do away with 5e arenas and those who would want to use OGL 1.0a to acquire the SRD for any new items going forward. They do not want to allow this, and possibly not allow further 5e competition (more vague on that one though). 3e and 3.5 aren't big enough at this point anyways (or I think they are not).
The don't want the excuses some have been using on the forum that because of OGL 1.0a they can use anything from the new SRD that will come out. They want to hammer that idea away and kill it. This means that in regards to D&D going forward, OGL1.0a is NOT authorized...at all. It is not able to use their SRD. It is not able to use their stuff.
More likely this is an unfortunate case of wording and misrepresentation (or so I hope).
Of course, I could be absolutely wrong on this. The intent I understood previously was what I just typed though. It may be that I grossly misunderstood the intent.
I imagine their will be clarifications or something to that effect coming out (once again, I imagine there will be, but I could also be proven wrong).