As for "alternatives to WOTC": what are you and your group looking for?
Is it levelling up fantasy?
Shadow of the Demon Lord. Like D&D, but with a consistent implementation of subclasses and race. This allows for a re-thinking of how characters can develop -- there are no dead levels, and all classes advance at the same rate, so instead of subclasses, there are "novice paths" (warrior, priest, rogue, wizard) that give ability bonuses at levels 1, 2, 5, 8; "expert paths" (e.g. druid, berserker, assassin) that give abilities at levels 3, 6, 9; racial benefits that advance at level 4; and "master paths" (e.g. acrobat, apolcalyptist, gladiator, etc.) that kick in at levels 7 and 10 (or you can multiclass and choose a second expert path). It's so tidy, and gives options that you can lean into (priest > cleric > diviner) or that you can play against type (rogue > druid > chronomancer).
Or are you looking for a game that plays differently? (a different engine).
Powered by the Apocalypse. There are a lot of PBTA games out there. They are great for new players and short campaigns of a few sessions, with a rules-lite feel (Others can talk about how they work long-term). Dungeon World is the best known port of D&D ideas.
Reign. A second edition has just come out. Rules-heavy, but with a really fun "one-roll engine" system for character generation that lets you choose how much control you want over your character's origin.
One Ring (as above).
FATE. I've done a lot with FATE, but most has been sf or modern settings. Happy to talk about those if you want.
Is it levelling up fantasy?
Shadow of the Demon Lord. Like D&D, but with a consistent implementation of subclasses and race. This allows for a re-thinking of how characters can develop -- there are no dead levels, and all classes advance at the same rate, so instead of subclasses, there are "novice paths" (warrior, priest, rogue, wizard) that give ability bonuses at levels 1, 2, 5, 8; "expert paths" (e.g. druid, berserker, assassin) that give abilities at levels 3, 6, 9; racial benefits that advance at level 4; and "master paths" (e.g. acrobat, apolcalyptist, gladiator, etc.) that kick in at levels 7 and 10 (or you can multiclass and choose a second expert path). It's so tidy, and gives options that you can lean into (priest > cleric > diviner) or that you can play against type (rogue > druid > chronomancer).
Or are you looking for a game that plays differently? (a different engine).
Powered by the Apocalypse. There are a lot of PBTA games out there. They are great for new players and short campaigns of a few sessions, with a rules-lite feel (Others can talk about how they work long-term). Dungeon World is the best known port of D&D ideas.
Reign. A second edition has just come out. Rules-heavy, but with a really fun "one-roll engine" system for character generation that lets you choose how much control you want over your character's origin.
One Ring (as above).
FATE. I've done a lot with FATE, but most has been sf or modern settings. Happy to talk about those if you want.
If you ever want to show a jaded Player just how amazingly powerful and strong his 2nd level Rogue is...play this game and start it with the Character Funnel.
