WotC Older D&D Books on DMs Guild Now Have A Disclaimer

If you go to any of the older WotC products on the Dungeon Master's Guild, they now have a new disclaimer very similar to that currently found at the start of Looney Tunes cartoons.

We recognize that some of the legacy content available on this website, does not reflect the values of the Dungeon & Dragons franchise today. Some older content may reflect ethnic, racial and gender prejudice that were commonplace in American society at that time. These depictions were wrong then and are wrong today. This content is presented as it was originally created, because to do otherwise would be the same as claiming these prejudices never existed. Dungeons & Dragons teaches that diversity is a strength, and we strive to make our D&D products as welcoming and inclusive as possible. This part of our work will never end.

The wording is very similar to that found at the start of Looney Tunes cartoons.

Edit: Wizards has put out a statement on Twitter (click through to the full thread)

 

[Theo R Cwithin]

This is a great example of why WOTC won't survive into 2021, at least not as we know it today.

1. One person on Twitter complained that a 40 year old and a 20 year old book is "Problematic"
2. WOTC then posts disclaimers asserting that all material produced prior to 5th edition was "Wrong then, and wrong now"
3. Effectively accusing all of it's creators, the people who built the entire hobby, of being some form of wrong
4. Effectively accusing all of the people who enjoyed the first four editions of D&D of being some form of wrong. The people who now have enough disposable income to collect their old products, and who pay for the products their kids are consuming.

This is just horse-hockey.
In no way, shape or form does WotC's disclaimer say "all" this older material, older creators, and older customers are "wrong".

 

[whimsychris123]

I just must stink to be one of the authors of those works. To have WOTC call you out, but still make money off of it.

They aren't calling anyone out. They just have a disclaimer on their website that says that some older products might have prejudicial material.

 

[Enevhar Aldarion]

Here is the full text about this from their Facebook post, which is probably the same as from their Twitter post, for those who do not want to use either site:

A disclaimer has been added to several legacy titles on our partner distribution sites. We'd like to talk about why we've added that disclaimer, what it means, and other steps that are being taken to address a legacy of ethnic, racial, and gender prejudice in some old products.

This is an early step and not done in a vacuum. It's not enough to evaluate ourselves. As outlined in our original diversity statement (http://spr.ly/6184GTbpj), we're undergoing the process of reviewing our content and practices and hiring external consultants to review with us.

These processes take time to implement, and we'll continue to provide future updates. Unfortunately, our disclaimer was added before we were ready to fully communicate the steps we are taking. We apologize for failing to handle this situation with the care and grace it deserves.

Lastly, we want to make it clear that we condemn the harassment or bullying of those raising their concerns about our content, past or present. D&D wants to be an open, welcoming, and inclusive space. Those who do not reflect those values are not welcome in our community.

Simply put, we messed up and we're sorry. Wizards of the Coast is constantly working to be better, and we have a lot of work to do, especially so in repairing trust with our community. Thank you for continuing to use your voice so that we may continue to make meaningful change.

 

[Greg Benage]

These hearings have been called to determine whether or not the Government should intervene to enforce this practice.

[snip]

Mr. Chairman, what assurance have I that any national panel to review my music would make any better judgment? ... Discipline and self-restraint, when practiced by an individual, a family, or a company is an effective way to deal with this issue.

You're so close to an epiphany...

 

[Espadadelaaurora]

Don't want to add more fuel to the fire, and I know that I'm over reacting, but should I feel bad if I like Ad&d 2nd and D&d 3.5 products? Am I playing the game wrong if I use that material? Will I be shunned by the community if I use that books?

3.5 Book of Exalted Deeds and Book of Vile Darkness supplements had a sticker in their covers warning about its mature content and no body cared, but it was another time.

 

[Zarithar]

Don't want to add more fuel to the fire, and I know that I'm over reacting, but should I feel bad if I like Ad&d 2nd and D&d 3.5 products? Am I playing the game wrong if I use that material? Will I be shunned by the community if I use that books?

3.5 Book of Exalted Deeds and Book of Vile Darkness supplements had a sticker in their covers warning about its mature content and no body cared, but it was another time.

Book of Vile Darkness was hot garbage for teenage boys anyway in my opinion... but to answer the first question. No.

 

[Fenris-77]

But if it's okay to ignore the colonial aspect of the game, then people really should also stop bringing up the imaginary racism as well and just play the game and have fun.

You have to read a lot harder to find your colonialism than you do some of the racism. Satire as a response to hysteria is fine, but in this case it's not just hysteria, is it?

 

[Fenris-77]

Don't want to add more fuel to the fire, and I know that I'm over reacting, but should I feel bad if I like Ad&d 2nd and D&d 3.5 products? Am I playing the game wrong if I use that material? Will I be shunned by the community if I use that books?

3.5 Book of Exalted Deeds and Book of Vile Darkness supplements had a sticker in their covers warning about its mature content and no body cared, but it was another time.

No, you shouldn't feel bad. That's exactly what the overblown hysterics are designed to do. Sadly, the over reaction and hyperbole only serve to occlude the actual issues. Fear and shame should never be the response to an honest dialogue about positive steps forward.

 

[Snarf Zagyg]

You're so close to an epiphany...

And you are so close to being clever!

 

[Eltab]

It just must stink to be one of the authors of those works. To have WOTC call you out, but still make money off of it.

Plus, WotC was happy to get it when you wrote it, and willingly accepted the product. Only later did they change their mind.