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.

 

[Steampunkette]

I'm sad 'cause I kind of WANT Dark Sun to release a scroll case of desert maps to go with a set of softcover books that fit in their own scrollcases because that would be amazing.

It would also be unlike any print release they've ever done. And provide players and DMs with a -sick- physical prop for gaming and cosplay.

That's what I meant by "I made myself sad"

 

[Zaukrie]

As for new settings.....I'd love a non-European setting.

My bet is a post apocalypse one. At least, that's what I'd do if I was them. The idea is very popular, and really does offer an easy entry point for many. Something like Gamma World or Rifts or even Arcana of the Ancients.......

 

[Zaukrie]

The deadliest game.

Also "wood burner" "dual aspect" "open plan"....I'm surprised I live thru some episodes, frankly.

 

[Zaukrie]

Clearly there will be a tie in to the D&D movie, but it doesn't necessarily have to be a campaign setting. Could be an adventure. Could be a boxed set for Target. Could be a single-volume Rules Cyclopedia-style product that combines PHB, DMG, and MM. Etc.

It would be shocking not to get a tie in.

 

[Parmandur]

Also "wood burner" "dual aspect" "open plan"....I'm surprised I live thru some episodes, frankly.

I started saying "Open floooor plaaaaan" with a zombie voice every time they would say that. One time, I fell asleep, but even asleep, I said "open floor plan" on queue.

 

[Parmandur]

It would be shocking not to get a tie in.

A box available in Target would be smart.

 

[Steampunkette]

Wow!
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... okay... I know this is gonna sound dumb... But what if we got a boxed set setting that -was- a board game, too?

Like... Dark Sun. As a board game. But the board game is REALLY LOOSELY DEFINED. And what you're actually doing is using the board game as a physical representation of your journey across Athas, with different results of exploration rolls and stuff moving your character's token forward on the board to trigger random encounters, get you nearer your destination, or otherwise provide an external "Gamification" of Travel?

And you wind up amassing "Water Tokens" and pulling "Weapon Breakage" cards and stuff.

... I could see some coolness coming out of that.

Like still written as an adventure path with the DM RPing NPCs and normal Combat and stuff... but -just- travel/exploration as a board-game element.

 

[darjr]

@Steampunkette thats inspired

 

[NerdyBird]

Classic: Dragonlance & Planejammer
New: The setting for the High Rollers podcast (The DM Marc Hulmes took over from Perkins to run the podcast that took over from Dice, Camera Action) & Into the Motherlands (settig from B Dave Walker and Tanya DePass which is having a very successful kickstarted but is currently systemless.
Return: the new Critical Role setting for campaign 3

 

[Parmandur]

... okay... I know this is gonna sound dumb... But what if we got a boxed set setting that -was- a board game, too?

Like... Dark Sun. As a board game. But the board game is REALLY LOOSELY DEFINED. And what you're actually doing is using the board game as a physical representation of your journey across Athas, with different results of exploration rolls and stuff moving your character's token forward on the board to trigger random encounters, get you nearer your destination, or otherwise provide an external "Gamification" of Travel?

And you wind up amassing "Water Tokens" and pulling "Weapon Breakage" cards and stuff.

... I could see some coolness coming out of that.

Gotta be honest, think folks are expecting something waaaaaaay more original than we are likely to see.