WotC Chris Perkins announces Retirement from Dungeons and Dragons

Over on Twitter and Bluesky, Chris Perkins has announced his retirement from Dungeons and Dragons.

Chris Perkins started officially working for Wizards of the Coast in 1997 as an Editor for Dungeon Magazine. Since then, he has functioned as the Editor in Chief of D&D Periodicals, A Senior Producer, and eventually landing as the Senior Story Editor over D&D 5e and Game Architect on D&D 5e 2024.

He also is known for acting as one of the Dungeons Masters for Acquisitions, Incorporated.

Personally, I'll miss the guy's work.

https://bsky.app/profile/chrisperkinsdnd.bsky.social%2Fpost%2F3llyvdjkphk2p

 

[messy]

What?? This is shocking. Chris has been a name in the industry for what feels like forever.

I guess I should be grateful for his contributions but it also sorta feels like a sad day.

 

[el-remmen]

Looks like it was printed in Dungeon #87

Turns out I do have that issue! (I need to save it along with the issue of Dragon I got a letter printed in). Coincidentally, it is also the issue where Perkins left being editor of Dungeon to take over WotC’s two Star Wars mags they printed at the time

 

[SkidAce]

Man, he looks great for 57. Maybe I need to buzz my hair and start wearing a cap.

Its remarkable how much that helps.

(looks at shaved head in mirror)

Until the mustache goes gray...

 

[EzekielRaiden]

Too bad. I had hoped his influence might lead to an official Iomandra product at some point. Alas, all good things must come to an end.

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

Best of luck Chris! You had a great career.

 

[mamba]

I had hoped his influence might lead to an official Iomandra product at some point. Alas, all good things must come to an end.

he certainly has more spare time for that now, it doesn’t have to come from WotC

 

[EzekielRaiden]

he certainly has more spare time for that now, it doesn’t have to come from WotC

Given it contains things like dragonborn and Io, I strongly suspect they wouldn't let him.

 

[DEFCON 1]

he certainly has more spare time for that now, it doesn’t have to come from WotC

True... but I do wonder if the same policy in at place at WotC where anything made by a person while employed there is technically owned by WotC (so Chris probably couldn't)? That was the thing that caused Monte Cook to quickly WotC again after coming onto 5E's design team for a little bit at the beginning (if I'm remembering correctly.)

 

[Blue]

All of the top D&D talent should leave and start their own company.
Easy for me to say though right?

How about the top D&D talent creating their own RPG?

Because that's already happened. Before 5e ever came out.

13th Age was created by Rob Heinsoo (lead designer for D&D 4e) and Jonathan Tweet (a lead designer for D&D 3ed). A 2nd edition was successfully kickstarted last summer.

Give it a try.

 

[mamba]

True... but I do wonder if the same policy in at place at WotC where anything made by a person while employed there is technically owned by WotC

even things done outside of work hours? If I build a wood shed in my spare time, my employer owns it? I don’t think so…