Jess Lanzillo Joins White Wolf as Creative Director

Jess Lanzillo, the former VP of Dungeons & Dragons that departed the company last month, is joining White Wolf as the creative director for World of Darkness. In a press release, White Wolf noted that Lanzillo will lead IP development for all World of Darkness story worlds, including Vampire: The Masquerade, Werewolf: The Apocalypse and others. This includes the TTRPGs, video games, and other projects.

Lanzillo has been a lifelong World of Darkness fan since the inaugural release of Vampire: The Masquerade back in 1991.

“World of Darkness has been my creative north star since the '90s, and I've seen firsthand how these games create communities and inspire storytellers,” Lanzillo said in the press release announcing the news. “My focus is on supporting and amplifying what makes these worlds special—the rich lore, the player agency, the mature themes—while ensuring they reach everyone who would love them. World of Darkness is so much more than just games; it's a cultural touchstone with a passionate community and incredible untapped potential.”

"Bringing Jess on board to shape the creative future of World of Darkness is a big win for White Wolf," said Marco Behrmann, White Wolf Executive Vice President in the same press release. "She’s a world-class Creative Director with deep roots in developing transmedia properties and a sharp instinct for audience-first storytelling. Jess’s experience makes her the perfect fit to lead White Wolf in bold, ambitious ways. Jess is a key pillar of our expanding studio, helping drive a strong and clear creative vision from the heart of our team. Her arrival underscores Paradox’s long-term commitment to White Wolf and our goal to make World of Darkness the number one horror entertainment brand in the world."

 

[EthanSental]

I think this position change, along with chris and Jeremy, shows that major revision or edition change with a line culminates in creative people wanting to do something new..not a Wotc clearing of the current house feel.

 

[Reynard]

Cool. I hope she does awesome stuff there.

Total aside: you would think that with all the spell and grammar check elements embedded in various word processing apps, they would be able to detect blatantly missing words. But you see it ALL THE TIME.

 

[LuisCarlos17f]

WoD has been the closest one to become a serious rival for D&D, at least for a time. We shouldn't be too surprised if Hasbro was interested into WW's IPs.

The History could be a good source of inspiration but I don't advice to play in our "real world" because if you dare to talk about certain points of the past, then other could make us to remember the sins by others.

 

[Ghost2020]

Cool. I hope she does awesome stuff there.

Total aside: you would think that with all the spell and grammar check elements embedded in various word processing apps, they would be able to detect blatantly missing words. But you see it ALL THE TIME.

Agreed. It's also unfortunate that Jess is a World of Darkness. Her entire life even.

 

[sevenbastard]

Good for her getting to work on her favorite game.

 

[robowieland]

Cool. I hope she does awesome stuff there.

Total aside: you would think that with all the spell and grammar check elements embedded in various word processing apps, they would be able to detect blatantly missing words. But you see it ALL THE TIME.

I am, admittedly, not without sin here, but I have noticed a slow degradation of those features over the past few years.

 

[Lakesidefantasy]

Of course she's a big fan. She just took a job with them.

I think this position change, along with chris and Jeremy, shows that major revision or edition change with a line culminates in creative people wanting to do something new..not a Wotc clearing of the current house feel.

Yeah, that's why Jeremy Crawford and Chris Perkins "changed positions" to another company after 4th edition Dungeons and Dragons, and then again after 5th edition.

 

[Nikosandros]

Honest question: what is "audience-first storytelling"?

 

[Mark Craddock]

I think this position change, along with chris and Jeremy, shows that major revision or edition change with a line culminates in creative people wanting to do something new..not a Wotc clearing of the current house feel.

Except for all the lay-offs at Christmas and in the Spring. I'd imagine you can only see co-workers getting laid off for so long without wanting to go out on your own terms.