Jeremy Crawford Also Leaving D&D Team Later This Month

Jeremy Crawford is leaving Wizards of the Coast later this month. Screen Rant (via me!) had the exclusive announcement. Crawford was the Game Director for Dungeons & Dragons and was one of the guiding forces for D&D over the past decade. In the past year, Crawford has focused on the core rulebooks and leading the team of rules designers. He has also been a face of Dungeons & Dragons for much of 5th Edition, appearing in many promotional videos and DMing Acquisitions Incorporated Actual Play series.

He joins Chris Perkins in leaving the D&D team in recent weeks. Perkins, who was the Creative Director for D&D, announced his retirement last week. Both Perkins and Crawford appear to have left Wizards on their terms, with Lanzillo very effusive with her praise of both men and their contribution in our interview.

On a personal note, I've enjoyed interviewing Jeremy over the years. He was always gracious with his time and answers and is one of the most eloquent people I've ever heard talk about D&D. I'll miss both him and Chris Perkins and look forward to their next steps, wherever that might be.

 

[Minigiant]

I think you are not nearly skeptical enough about big business propaganda.

It's good to be skeptical.

But leaving before the last core books even goes cold seems.4000% preplanned if not big leaks of dissatisfaction come out simultaneously.

 

[mamba]

I think you are not nearly skeptical enough about big business propaganda.

and I think that they did not just give their two weeks notice in April, moves were made months ago in anticipation of it

 

[Reynard]

Like I said in the other thread on this, that seems to really only leave James Wyatt as anyone that I'm aware of with a significant history in RPG design.

According to the wiki, Schneider has been in the industry for over 20 years and was editor of Fizban's and Strixhaven.

 

[KYRON45]

anything in particular you expect to happen / want to happen (not the same thing…)?

I’d expect them to dump 5e and return to the “you pay us for licensing” model.

I’d expect a new edition.
I’d expect a hard hard push for moving a few steps closer to becoming a mostly digital product.

I’d like to see a return to maybe a basic edition with advanced optional rules. Perhaps the modularity we never got.

I’d like to see adults running the PR and marketing departments. Do we need to hear from the president of the company every time he has an idea in the shower?

I’d like to see the end of rehashed 50 year old titles.

I’d also like to see a friendlier player base.

 

[Remathilis]

I'm so tired.

Every action is a herald of doom. Every movement proof the end is nigh. The community has already decided the new books are trash and death is imminent. And everyone is just sitting here with baited breath waiting to dance on the grave.

There are no greater enemies of a brand than it's "fans".

 

[Reynard]

There are no greater enemies of a brand than it's "fans".

Star Wars says

 

[The Soloist]

I'm so tired.

Every action is a herald of doom. Every movement proof the end is nigh. The community has already decided the new books are trash and death is imminent. And everyone is just sitting here with baited breath waiting to dance on the grave.

There are no greater enemies of a brand than it's "fans".

You shouldn't. They are the 20% very vocal malcontents. 80% of people, not here, are enjoying D&D 5.5 just fine.

 

[Bravesteel25]

According to the wiki, Schneider has been in the industry for over 20 years and was editor of Fizban's and Strixhaven.

Oh really? My google-fu was only showing him going back to 2012 (as if 13 years isn't a lot anyway! ) but either way you are right, he has a good amount of experience as well just not as much compared to what we are losing.

At the end of the day, I think this will probably be a positive thing for D&D because I believe that bringing in fresh perspectives is a good thing.

 

[cranberry]

My guess is that they are either ramping up to replace creators with AI, or they want new/lower paid creators to reduce costs, or they plan to go strictly in the licensing route, and allow third party creators to produce new content.

 

[Scribe]

or they want new/lower paid creators to reduce costs

The simplest answer is often best.