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 respect what you have encountered.

But its the exact opposite of what I see boots on the ground. (granted there is a vocal older audience (hopefully minor))

WOTC posted the data.

The plurality of 5e players:

1. Are under 45 years old
2. Had 5e as there first edition of DND

It might be majority by now.

 

[Azzy]

Well then. That seems inauspicious. We'll see how things go.

 

[Reynard]

Same boat. Took a look at Shadowdark and didn't see the appeal - in my 50's and preferring 5E. Though I have been looking for opportunities to resurrect using my 2E books or giving OSE a whirl.

You like 5E but also want to try OSE, but can't see the appeal of Shadowdark? That strikes me as odd.

 

[michaeljpastor]

I know we're talking about new directions for the game but let me put in a quick word for keeping things accessible to younger audiences.

I picked up D&D at age 8. And this was the White Box, so there were some parts to it that I'm lucky my parents didn't notice or I would have had to start later. Today, when I go to conventions, I see a disproportionate number of players in my age group, who have been doing this for a long time. And those people have brought their own kids into the game.

I really hope that in our attempt to do something new, we don't make changes that make the game much less appropriate or accessible to younger audiences. And I count BG3 in that, which I've played. It is definitely not something I'd want to unleash on me at age 8.

But of course D&D can contain multitudes, so we can have products aimed at adults, but let's not keep the kids out. A lot of us keep going with the hobby for a lifetime.

Yes, and B/X and BECMI became increasingly more kid friendly as well. The original Munchkin generation (those of us who were kids who played when AD&D was released) are basically the same GenX latch key kids who suddenly had access to R-rated movies for the first time through cable.

We were also arguably the last generation to experience that without filters.

That's the generation that's retiring now. Only James Wyatt, the Grand Munchkin, is left in the D-Suite.

 

[Charlaquin]

I saw the part that said:



But with Chris Cao also stepping away, and Mike Mearls having left not too long ago, it really feels like there's something larger going on. Maybe it's all just a coincidence, or maybe the explanation is entirely benign, but I can't help but be suspicious.

I mean, of course there’s something larger going on. The US is on the precipice of some of the worst economic turmoil it has seen in in decades, and it’s likely to affect the rest of the world in a huge way as well. It’s natural that people are going to be making big decisions about future career prospects now, while it’s still an option.

 

[bedir than]

Person in their late 50s with opportunity to retire while body is able to enjoy life retires shouldn't require a conspiracy.

I dream of that opportunity.

 

[MNblockhead]

Excellent!

Some unsolicited advice from a gamer dad:

For an 8 year old D&D is manageable. But you absolutely cannot go wrong with Monte Cooks No Thank You Evil. Education consultants had to be working on that game. Great for introducing elementary age kids.

For BG3, it's appropriate for your 8 year old but make sure the settings are set to no nudity. Important! The game though is a great way to teach D&D. I currently teach middle schoolers to high schoolers on D&D. They all have different needs.

No Thank You, Evil! is a GREAT game to introduce younger children to TTRPGs. It is also the only non-gamer-parent-friendly TTRPG I've encountered. I can't really think of anything to complain about other than the game's name.

As for 5e, I like the official books to be pushing the envelope of PG-13, done in such a way wehre there are hooks, NPCs, and characters than you can take into a more mature direction, or just downplay for younger audiences (or adults who just aren't into "mature" content). Whatever you think of 5e and its adventures, millions of people from kids to retirees have enjoyed the same adventures. Perkins, Mearles, and Crawford AT LEAST deserve recognition for designing a game that both attracted old gamers from the 80s like me back into the game as well as new generations. It is one of the most age diverse activities I participate in and is certainly the most age-diverse TTRPG I've played.

 

[MNblockhead]

It’s the bright colors and bisexual lighting.

It’s all too She-Ra, not enough Conan!

Lol

Huh? Um, do I even want to know?

 

[Aldarc]

Huh? Um, do I even want to know?

Yes because it's pretty interesting how bisexuals are commonly visually coded in media.

 

[mamba]

While this is true, it’s irrelevant. It was BRANDED as Baldur’s Gate. I bought the game early because it was Baldurs Gate and I had played the previous games and liked the BG IP. The fact it used D&D 5e rules was not relevant to me. I wanted to visit that specific world.

all Baldur’s Gate games were D&D branded