D&D 5E If WotC Did A New Setting Search
- Thread starter Reynard
- Start date
Sure, but there is a huge range of possibilities within that not-very-constraining constraint. I mean, it literally describes every official D&D world.
GuardianLurker
Adventurer
Hmm...
I'd try an semi-isekai rpg. The players take the roles of characters in a near-modern world, with climatic battles happening in a fantasy realm. Investigation/plot-thwarting could happen in either mode, and character abilities could very radically between modes. Think a blender full of most popular Shonen/Shoujo fantasy anime, and set to HIGH.
I'd try an semi-isekai rpg. The players take the roles of characters in a near-modern world, with climatic battles happening in a fantasy realm. Investigation/plot-thwarting could happen in either mode, and character abilities could very radically between modes. Think a blender full of most popular Shonen/Shoujo fantasy anime, and set to HIGH.
The top 3 to me would probably be
- A high magic high martial anime/manga/manwah Epic Fantasy setting with a clear good and evil planes above and below the very grey material planes.
- An ancient era goes medieval setting where fantasy versions of pre-medieval empires and nations are accelerated to the post medieval world with their monsters inhabiting the wilds and dungeons. Especially nonEuropean inspired nations and monsters
- D&D Modern. Dragons with turrets on their back.
J-H
Hero
What's the difference? Bigger swords and more jump attacks? Better cleave?
aco175
Legend
I would be cool with a detailed 5e updated part of the Realms like the Dales or Amn, Tethyr and Calimshan.
It might be cool to have a Disney crossover with all the princesses in one world with battles between Elsa-land and Sleeping Beauty- land. They already have spells and magic items kicking around and gods like Moana- Rock guy. Could be fun for a convention game, but not something I would play regularly.
It might be cool to have a Disney crossover with all the princesses in one world with battles between Elsa-land and Sleeping Beauty- land. They already have spells and magic items kicking around and gods like Moana- Rock guy. Could be fun for a convention game, but not something I would play regularly.
LuisCarlos17f
Legend
A setting can't be only a compilation of names for places. We need something to sign this setting is different, special. Let's remember those trailers of a new MMO where we say the PCs killing hordes of monsters, but we feel nothing. Most of those MMO games are closed after some years. And WotC has to compete not only with other TTRPGs but also the great number of settings by 3PPs. How many videogame studios have tried to create a brand as Final Fantasy?
And each new setting has to offer something enough interesting for the publishers in DMGuild.
5e is not yet ready for a WotC version of Paizo's Stanfinder. The modern weapons and advanced technology break the power balance too easily. Let's imagine a group of D&D heroes without firearms facing against the shooters of Fortnite: Battle Royal.
I would bet if WotC team a good idea for a new IP this will arrive before to Magic: the Gathering. Hasbro wants the new settings to work as multimedia franchises.
WotC could to reause the elements from Gamma World to create a child-friendly reimagination of "Visionaries" franchise, and the holographic banners would be to summon monster allies.
A collab with Disney? Possible, but it would be more for fandom collector than true roleplayers.
Other possibility is to create a new-IP videogame, for example about collectable monsters, and this adapted to TTRPG.
And each new setting has to offer something enough interesting for the publishers in DMGuild.
5e is not yet ready for a WotC version of Paizo's Stanfinder. The modern weapons and advanced technology break the power balance too easily. Let's imagine a group of D&D heroes without firearms facing against the shooters of Fortnite: Battle Royal.
I would bet if WotC team a good idea for a new IP this will arrive before to Magic: the Gathering. Hasbro wants the new settings to work as multimedia franchises.
WotC could to reause the elements from Gamma World to create a child-friendly reimagination of "Visionaries" franchise, and the holographic banners would be to summon monster allies.
A collab with Disney? Possible, but it would be more for fandom collector than true roleplayers.
Other possibility is to create a new-IP videogame, for example about collectable monsters, and this adapted to TTRPG.
The Myopic Sniper
Hero
I don't see WOTC doing a setting search in 2023. There is too much opportunity for things to blow up in WOTC's face on social media for all sorts of reasons.
What if someone's superdetailed and lovingly crafted non-Western culture submission wins... but they turn out to be a 60 year old white dude from Ft Wayne, Indiana? Cultural appropriation?
Someone found a totally new wrinkle on hopepunk, but it turns out to be crafted by a gamergater style right wing troll on YouTube who is regularly attacking the company for inclusion and who's parody of that sort of product just happened to wander into some good ideas, but now they can take their win and spend the next decade on YouTube capitalizing on how they "owned woke WOTC."
Similarly what do you do when the winner with their feministy appearing submission turns out to be a vocal TERF on Twitter?
Or a PoC wins and suddenly is a public figure on social media due to the win and is immediately attacked by the anti-Woke crowd on social media, doxed and taunted... but isn't a WOTC employee so is kind of just left out to dry.
Then there is the usual plagiarism allegations that might come about with a contest like this even if someone is just using basic tropes and that would be weaponized if it falls to close to someone's current Kickstarter.
Or similarly what happens if someone's winning submission was written by an AI?
I see more downsides than upsides. Still, I am enjoying people's pitches here.
What if someone's superdetailed and lovingly crafted non-Western culture submission wins... but they turn out to be a 60 year old white dude from Ft Wayne, Indiana? Cultural appropriation?
Someone found a totally new wrinkle on hopepunk, but it turns out to be crafted by a gamergater style right wing troll on YouTube who is regularly attacking the company for inclusion and who's parody of that sort of product just happened to wander into some good ideas, but now they can take their win and spend the next decade on YouTube capitalizing on how they "owned woke WOTC."
Similarly what do you do when the winner with their feministy appearing submission turns out to be a vocal TERF on Twitter?
Or a PoC wins and suddenly is a public figure on social media due to the win and is immediately attacked by the anti-Woke crowd on social media, doxed and taunted... but isn't a WOTC employee so is kind of just left out to dry.
Then there is the usual plagiarism allegations that might come about with a contest like this even if someone is just using basic tropes and that would be weaponized if it falls to close to someone's current Kickstarter.
Or similarly what happens if someone's winning submission was written by an AI?
I see more downsides than upsides. Still, I am enjoying people's pitches here.
