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."