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.

 

[Parmandur]

How far much do we know about future MTG sets at this point?

Forgotten Realms next Month, then two Sets of Innistrad latter this year. There will be a licensed Lord of the Rings Set next year, and a couple Warhammer 40k decks, but other than that, nothing. They're probably going to roll out the outline for 2022 in September or November. There are a couple rumors about an old Japanese Setting, Kamigawa, coming back with a makeover ("Neon Dynasty"), and the OG not-Greyhawk-please-don't-sue-us-TSR, Dominaria.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Yes, although we can do this in a couple different ways. One is to look at Earth cultures and time periods and extrapolate from there. There is a ton: pretty much anything non-European and non-Medieval. East Asia, Africa, Indian subcontinent, ancient world, mythological, etc.

Subcontinent-flavored D&D would be amazing.

Another is to look at fantasy literature and other media, and see what 5E hasn't touched on. Again, there's a ton. Science fantasy, post-apocalyptic, sword and sorcery, cosmic fantasy, non-human-centric, etc.

Can you imagine the freakout if one of the classic settings was Gamma World?

Well, I don't where "there" is, as it really depends upon the person. Meaning, there's no perfect place in which every person will be happy. But there's no reason that they couldn't create something right now, with the right group of designers, that would please the majority. There are always going to be folks who say they went too far or not far enough.

Agreed. My hope is one of the more gonzo ones like New Phyrexia, Zendrikar, or Ikoria. I also like what I've heard about Tarkir, which allows them to explore quasi-Asian themes without some of the potential pitfalls.

I think that's probably the smartest and safest way for them to tackle non-European settings -- by making it clear this is a different and new world.

 

[Henadic Theologian]

My gut says the revisit is FR related, but don't forget about Exandria: a new Critical Role product would be reasonable.

Too soon, they aren't even starting season 3, and I don't think they will want to spoil too much before hand.

 

[Mercurius]

I'm pretty confident the new settings will also be released for MtG. Much like Strixhaven, the new settings will be released at similar times for both games. So new card set centered around that new setting, D&D book soon after/before that card set's release.

Yes, although I was referring to Magic planes. We've seen one in 2018, 2020, and soon in 2021. So I'm wondering if they are, as I suspect, going to a one-a-year model.

On the other hand, that would mean that we'll see three settings next year, two classic and one Magic. This would mean that they're probably going to up the total book count from five to six, as I don't see them only producing two non-setting books.

It may also be that the "new format" is a hybrid that more strongly emphasizes adventures. I suspect they might go with a box set, which suits both Dark Sun and Planescape.

Or it could be that we won't see a Magic setting in 2022, that they're thinking more like two every three years. Who knows.
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[Urriak Uruk]

How far much do we know about future MTG sets at this point?

Well, there is the Forgotten Realms set incoming very soon. Then in September, there will be the first Innistrad (Werewolves) set, followed by another Innistrad (vampires) set in November.

Beyond that, nothing is known. This year (2021) had two entirely new planes (Kaldheim and Strixhaven), one D&D one (Forgotten Realms), and one revisited (Innistrad). Probably a similar pattern going forward.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Forgotten Realms next Month, then two Sets of Innistrad latter this year. There will be a licensed Lord of the Rings Set next year, and a couple Warhammer 40k decks, but other than that, nothing. They're probably going to roll out the outline for 2022 in September or November. There are a couple rumors about an old Japanese Setting, Kamigawa, coming back with a makeover ("Neon Dynasty"), and the OG not-Greyhawk-please-don't-sue-us-TSR, Dominaria.

I think we can probably rule out Innistrad as a D&D setting any time soon, this close to Van Richten's.

Kamigawa seems like it might be a contender, though.

 

[Steampunkette]

@Urriak Uruk @Mercurius

Quoted from the OP:

"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."

They've flatly said the new settings aren't going to be Magic the Gathering.

 

[Mercurius]

Subcontinent-flavored D&D would be amazing.

Can you imagine the freakout if one of the classic settings was Gamma World?

I think that's probably the smartest and safest way for them to tackle non-European settings -- by making it clear this is a different and new world.

Yeah, I'd love to see them tackle a sub-continent flavored setting. There is so much rich history, mythology, and philosophy from India. They could also expand it to include Middle-eastern and Tibetan and Mongolian flavors, and hint at an "East Asia" and a "Middle East" for possible future products.

Or, as you say, just approach it via Magic planes.

Gamma World would be fun, but my guess is that's not what they mean.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

It may also be that the "new format" is a hybrid that more strongly emphasizes adventures. I suspect they might go with a box set, which suits both Dark Sun and Planescape.

A setting/adventure book has a lot of arguments in favor of it, IMO.

I know I'm a minority among old farts, but I don't find boxed sets terribly compelling, especially if the booklets are as cheaply put together as the Starter Set (the one boxed set I own).

 

[Urriak Uruk]

I think we can probably rule out Innistrad as a D&D setting any time soon, this close to Van Richten's.

Kamigawa seems like it might be a contender, though.

Kamigawa we can actually rule out, as according to Winninger, he said the new settings are not MtG worlds (at least, not yet). Kamigawa would fall into that category.