D&D 5E WotC: 5 D&D Settings In Development?

WotC's Ray Winninger spoke a little about some upcoming D&D settings -- two classic settings are coming in 2022 in formats we haven't seen before, and two brand new (not Magic: the Gathering) settings are also in development, as well as return to a setting they've already covered in 5E. He does note, however, that of the last three, there's a chance of one or more not making it to release, as they develop more than they use.

Two classic settings? What could they be?​

So that's:

• 2 classic settings in 2022 (in a brand new format)
• 2 brand new settings
• 1 returning setting

So the big questions -- what are the two classic settings, and what do they mean by a format we haven't seen before? Winninger has clarified on Twitter that "Each of these products is pursuing a different format you've never seen before. And neither is "digital only;" these are new print formats."

As I've mentioned on a couple of occasions, there are two more products that revive "classic" settings in production right now.

The manuscript for the first, overseen by [Chris Perkins], is nearly complete. Work on the second, led by [F. Wesley Schneider] with an assist from [Ari Levitch], is just ramping up in earnest. Both are targeting 2022 and formats you've never seen before.

In addition to these two titles, we have two brand new [D&D] settings in early development, as well as a return to a setting we've already covered. (No, these are not M:tG worlds.)

As I mentioned in the dev blog, we develop more material than we publish, so it's possible one or more of these last three won't reach production. But as of right now, they're all looking great.

Of course the phrase "two more products that revive 'classic' settings" could be interpreted in different ways. It might not be two individual setting books.

 

[wellis]

Honestly, I think I would love seeing a 5e Spelljammer book.

For all the issues in rules or supplements or whatever, the setting was pretty neat. IIRC it even had Earth somewhere in it (yes a fantasy one but that was cool).

 

[Umbran]

Honestly, I think I would love seeing a 5e Spelljammer book.

I have a table that usually doesn't want me running D&D, because some of them have other D&D games they play in.

Spelljammer, however, seems right up their alley, and they might want me to run it.

 

[darjr]

Clarification about the format.

Each of these products is pursuing a different format you've never seen before. And neither is "digital only;" these are new print formats.

 

[Enevhar Aldarion]

For those not wanting to look at Twitter:

"Each of these products is pursuing a different format you've never seen before. And neither is "digital only;" these are new print formats."

@darjr I took the actual tweet out of my post. Did not need it twice. lol

 

[Zaukrie]

There goes my hope for the big zoomable map.....no surprise.

 

[Parmandur]

That makes me think by "different format" he may even just mean as different as Ravnica or Eberron are from Theros or Ravenloft. Bespoke to each Setting, not formulaic.

 

[darjr]

For those not wanting to look at Twitter:

"Each of these products is pursuing a different format you've never seen before. And neither is "digital only;" these are new print formats."

Thank you! I try to post the essentials first then go back and out in text.

 

[Steampunkette]

... will they be printed on heavy linen scrolls that we'll unroll?

I said that as a joke, but holy crap that would be an amazing presentation for Dark Sun content...

 

[Urriak Uruk]

I also assume that although the two "entirely new" settings are not currently in Magic the Gathering, I'd be surprised if they weren't released as a card set for MtG at roughly the same time. Much like how Strixhaven is entirely new to 2021 to both games. I've got no speculation here, it could be anything (pre-historic would be cool, or something non-Western inspired).

The two classic settings are in entirely new formats... I really lean towards boxed set, because we've already had digital playtest (Eberron initially did this), and updated adventure (Curse of Strahd did this). It could be an entirely original adventure, but the new Feywild adventure kind of does this too. So I'm leaning towards boxes, but who knows really.

Boxed sets make sense for two settings, Planescape and Dark Sun, because they both can have new races, new classes, new magic, and can have unique adventures too. Plenty of material for a box.

Returning to a setting already covered... Forgotten Realms is the obvious choice, it's bloody huge. Greyhawk makes some sense, with Saltmarsh. I'm doubting Exandria, because Tal'Dorei is already a book, and I don't know if Mercer feels like revisiting that book (and a third continent is probably not well-written until a year or two into Campaign 3). Eberron I'm also doubting, as Keith Baker is chugging along with his own material. All seem possible though.

 

[darjr]

... will they be printed on heavy linen scrolls that we'll unroll?

I said that as a joke, but holy crap that would be an amazing presentation for Dark Sun content...

Yes please!