WotC Why WotC SHOULD Make A New Setting

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

I, too, once upon a time took it as any urban setting with fantasy elements. So, if it has to be contemporary, what do you call fantasy settings in urban environments?

A fantasy setting.

 

[Artamo]

I think he's saying he'd like to have a setting that filled the urban fantasy -- as in the fiction genre, not just "here's a city" -- sense.

Urban fantasy is not the same thing as "fantasy set in a city." It's a big and popular genre. There is nothing currently in print from WotC that lets you play a Harry Dresden or Rivers of London style game.

Totally get that. I just feel it’s deviated from the original point of the thread.

 

[mamba]

I'm not saying other companies cannot create something great, obviously they can, on a fraction of the Wizards budget (hi Arcane Library!). Nobody however HAS the potential budget in the traditional TTRPG space, to create something huge and sprawling and epic.

At least I dont think so?

I don’t see much difference between what Paizo puts out for Golarion or Kobold Press for Midgard compared to WotC for FR.

They might not have the same budget, but when it comes to the end result that difference is not that visible

 

[payn]

A fantasy setting.

 

[nyvinter]

I, too, once upon a time took it as any urban setting with fantasy elements. So, if it has to be contemporary, what do you call fantasy settings in urban environments?

I call it fantasy. There's nothing there that makes cities taboo. Just as I don't call a fantasy setting that takes place in a huge forest for National Park Fantasy.

If it's a campaign pitch you want then I might say something like "it's a city campaign in fantasy setting." But it's still just fantasy.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

I don’t see much difference between what Paizo puts out for Golarion or Kobold Press for Midgard compared to WotC for FR.

They might not have the same budget, but when it comes to the end result that difference is not that visible

Honestly, it's a little dispiriting how little difference there are between them. They have the freedom to stretch their wings further than WotC, whether that's with content or format and choose not to.

 

[Marc17]

What do you mean by Urban Fantasy if Ptolus does not fit that definition?

Urban fantasy is a literary genre that is typically modern(ish) setting with magical creatures. eg Buffy, VtM, Anita Blake books, etc etc etc

ETA: I'll toss in Erin Morgenstern's books The Night Circus and The Starless Sea just because I want to give them a shout out, but they probably fit.

 

[mamba]

I find it very strange that folks don't know what urban fantasy is in 2026.

If the contemporary part is important, then D&D is not a good fit imo. Is Eberron contemporary? I doubt it, but it is about the closest D&D could get

 

[Artamo]

Urban fantasy is a literary genre that is typically modern(ish) setting with magical creatures. eg Buffy, VtM, Anita Blake books, etc etc etc

Had no idea.

 

[Artamo]

What can I say? You are being obtuse.

And you’re being rude.