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.

 

[Micah Sweet]

In terms of the actual visual art? Yes, WotC is producing the top of the line visual media, and have since before they bought TSR.

Art is subjective. Some people like the work WotC does in that area, others don't. Personally I like a lot of the Magic art, but dislike a lot of the D&D art. Of course, art is a low priority for me in games anyway.

 

[Maxperson]

Wait... There are people of Athasian descent being chosen to wirte Dark Sun books before those who are actually living in Athas and knowledgeable of its culture?

Either slavery is an issue due to real life concerns or it isn't. If it is, then people whose ancestors were slaves could be found to write it. If it's not, then there's no good reason for it not to be remade with slavery in it. They don't need to be Athasian any more than anyone making a D&D module has had to be elvish or dwarvish.

 

[Maxperson]

After seeing their releases for 5th edition, do you believe that ALL THE PEOPLE who say they have no problem with new Dark Sun product would not go back on their word and harshly criticize WOTC's 5e Dark Sun book?


Because I think many will.

Not because of slavery, but rather because it is a crappy setting book, assuming they treat it like FR or Spelljammer, rather than Theros or Eberron. If they make junk, it will be criticized for being junk.

 

[Parmandur]

He'd change a lot of it and many old Dark Sun fans will complain.


Exactly. It's a no-win. So they are shelving it.

"Many" might be a strong word.

 

[Maxperson]

Oh recent history is still very much relevant especially when it comes to socio-economic status, opportunities ,etc. Who decides what's "balanced"... let me guess the same people who benefitted from the imbalance that existed before?

It doesn't take a minority to recognize what equal is.

No... scraps is a very relevant analogy when we are talking a single book out of the entire 5e line that has echoes of other cultures and ethnic groups in it. And there's still a problem that it was an all PoC project.

Not by very many. You're rejecting the crazy individuals who are going to be upset that a white japanese person wrote something on japanese culture, but you aren't rejecting the same individuals who have a problem with Radiant Citadel. That's inconsistent.

 

[Minigiant]

Not because of slavery, but rather because it is a crappy setting book, assuming they treat it like FR or Spelljammer, rather than Theros or Eberron. If they make junk, it will be criticized for being junk.

Dark Sun's biggest problem is racism not slavery. But I digress.

Dark Sun is an 90s edgelord setting created at a time when you could paint your setting with anything and not get criticisms.

It's 2023. Edgelord nonsense won't sell like back then AND will get criticism. And WOTC makes light weak setting books and are not willing to do the work to modernize Dark Sun.

That's the problem.

 

[Maxperson]

I didn't say it was your idea... and I didn't claim excessive wokeness in my post only that wokeness was readily trotted out (as opposed to ANY other reason) the Radiant Citadel succeeded and caused no backlash.

No... scraps is a very relevant analogy when we are talking a single book out of the entire 5e line that has echoes of other cultures and ethnic groups in it. And there's still a problem that it was an all PoC project.

I'm confused. Is there a problem or isn't there?

 

[Minigiant]

"Many" might be a strong word.

I was being nice.
Most will complain.

Looks at Ravenloft
Most.

 

[Parmandur]

Art is subjective. Some people like the work WotC does in that area, others don't. Personally I like a lot of the Magic art, but dislike a lot of the D&D art. Of course, art is a low priority for me in games anyway.

There is a subjective element to the appreciation of art, but it cannot be denied that it is an area where WotC invests heavily, and diversely.

 

[Parmandur]

I was being nice.
Most will complain.

Looks at Ravenloft
Most.

Ravenloft was a pretty good example of how "many" is a strong word. They was bellyaching from some corners...but not "many."