D&D 5E WotC: Why Dark Sun Hasn't Been Revived

In an interview with YouTuber 'Bob the Worldbuilder', WotC's Kyle Brink explained why the classic Dark Sun setting has not yet seen light of day in the D&D 5E era.

I’ll be frank here, the Dark Sun setting is problematic in a lot of ways. And that’s the main reason we haven’t come back to it. We know it’s got a huge fan following and we have standards today that make it extraordinarily hard to be true to the source material and also meet our ethical and inclusion standards... We know there’s love out there for it and god we would love to make those people happy, and also we gotta be responsible.

You can listen to the clip here.

 

[Minigiant]

I'd agree, its insane, but we live in an insane age.

Sure.

I'm Black and follow Black Twitter occasionally. And there is a cycle on there of a case of someone criticizing someone else for not being black only for the twitterverse to remind/notify the tweeter that the person accused is black.

You'll never rid the world of idiots. But it you don't do something idiotic or lazy, you don't give the idiots ground to stand on. It's just harder since social media gives idiots a bigger megaphone.

 

[Scribe]

It's just harder since social media gives idiots a bigger megaphone.

Exactly right, and to bring it back to the thread?

"Why Dark Sun hasn't (won't) been (be) revived."

 

[Minigiant]

Exactly right, and to bring it back to the thread?

"Why Dark Sun hasn't (won't) been (be) revived."

Because WOTC aren't willing to put the effort into modernizing and researching Dark Sun for the lower amount of potential profit compared than other easier settings.

 

[Imaro]

Thats not the same thing as was being discussed.

The question has been posed here, I'm not going to bother looking for it so here it is again.

If I'm born in Japan, raised in Japan, immersed in the culture of Japan, but I'm white there are people who will actually tell me that I shouldnt write a Fantasy Japan book, if it could instead be written by people who are of japanese decent, even if they were born and raised in North America, several generations removed from living in Japan.

Even if I as the white guy who lived it, does all the research in the world, that has been the position that has been forwarded. Its not appropriate for a non-japanese to cover a fantasy japan.

It's just how it is now, progress.

Are you kidding right now?

1. You can always find someone who will say anything... that said I think the real sentiment is that if you can find someone of Japanese descent who is competently qualified they should be your first choice.

2. Do you realize in the past 50-60 years ago in America it would have went to the white writer for no other reason than he was white? That even though the white writer didn't do the appropriate research, respect and accuracy he'd still get paid and it would still have been published.

It's like enjoying a feast for years while watching others starve and then crying foul because you have to share the meager scraps after you've finished the feast with those who were starving.

 

[Scribe]

Are you kidding right now?

Not in the least, its been stated here several times.

2. Do you realize in the past 50-60 years ago in America it would have went to the white writer for no other reason than he was white? That even though the white writer didn't do the appropriate research, respect and accuracy weren't

And? Thats not even remotely close to the question or point.

It's like enjoying a feast for years while watching others starve and then crying foul because you have to share the meager scraps after you've finished the feast with those who were starving.

Again, not at all. Radiant Citadel is a thing, and its great. Zero issues with them sourcing the work with people who had cultural ties, and a passion for what they were doing.

Dont try and twist it, because its really simple, and its happened here and the hellscape of social media.

 

[Parmandur]

Vast majority of people tolerate and don't complain about, at least.

Between Magic and D&D, WotC produces the cutting edge of modern fantasy art today. Their product lines sell for art as much as anything else.

 

[Scribe]

Because WOTC aren't willing to put the effort into modernizing and researching Dark Sun for the lower amount of potential profit compared than other easier settings.

I dont think thats it.

I’ll be frank here, the Dark Sun setting is problematic in a lot of ways. And that’s the main reason we haven’t come back to it. We know it’s got a huge fan following and we have standards today that make it extraordinarily hard to be true to the source material and also meet our ethical and inclusion standards... We know there’s love out there for it and god we would love to make those people happy, and also we gotta be responsible.

 

[Imaro]

Not in the least, its been stated here several times.



And? Thats not even remotely close to the question or point.



Again, not at all. Radiant Citadel is a thing, and its great. Zero issues with them sourcing the work with people who had cultural ties, and a passion for what they were doing.

Dont try and twist it, because its really simple, and its happened here and the hellscape of social media.

And like I said claiming because some random internet guy said something... it's accepted or supported by the majority is ridiculous.

 

[Irlo]

Where to begin? You want to start with the media coverage which grant the premise, or just skip to people disingenuously equating content they don't like to "bigoted nonsense" in other threads?

Interesting. You've linked to a thread that both you and I participated in. Do you recall the context? I do. It wasn't about gaming materials.

You indicated that if someone is expressing a bigoted opinion -- the example on the table was that Jews are greedy -- the best response is a well-researched rebuttal. It had nothing to do with equating undesirable gaming content with bigoted nonsense.

Now, this is usually where people start engaging in parsimonious issues of "but they're not calling it 'moral corruption' per se" and such, but that's not really an argument worth engaging in, since the understanding is very clear. So hopefully we can avoid that tired old digression.

No, it's not clear. That's what you've inferred. But one can point out that the foundation of some gaming materials relies on racist tropes and bioessentialism without casting moral judgement on the creative team.

Then you haven't been paying attention, have you?

Nice!

 

[Micah Sweet]

Says those trying to keep Darksun the same as it was 30+ years ago... or loudly proclaiming "WOKENESS"!! because a single book by non-white authors was published... lol!!

I don't think anyone on this site has proclaimed that. At least, not for long.