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."

 

[abazaba]

Producing content based on audience demands, not corporate needs.

Hrm. Seems to me that 'corporate needs' means 'more sales', which can be achieved by 'producing content based on audience demands' ? What am I missing here ?

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Hrm. Seems to me that 'corporate needs' means 'more sales', which can be achieved by 'producing content based on audience demands' ? What am I missing here ?

That can be achieved doesn't mean that's the way it necessarily goes.

See the thread on D&D as a franchise for more detail, but basically, you can have companies that produce content with the intent of selling videogames or setting up movies or pushing a metaplot to sell future books. Or you can have companies that say "our customers are saying there's not enough support for fleas and ticks in Werewolf. Maybe we should produce a supplement about everyday nuisances that face the Garou."

 

[Staffan]

We can agree World of Darkness is the opposite of a family-friendly franchise, but is it Ravenloft, Innistrad or Duskmourn?

A lot of players want factions and crunch (superpowers, magic item and like this). And WW has got some franchises like Pugmire.

I'm pretty sure Pugmire is Onyx Path's own, not one they're licensing from Paradox/White Wolf.

 

[ColinChapman]

I'm pretty sure Pugmire is Onyx Path's own, not one they're licensing from Paradox/White Wolf.

This is correct; Pugmire is part of Onyx Path, not White Wolf. And since White Wolf produced the current WoD in house, the only RPG line Onyx Path now produce under license from White Wolf is Exalted.

Personally, I'm really looking forward to Onyx Path's forthcoming Curseborne RPG.

 

[Ulorian - Agent of Chaos]

Occam's beard is growing pretty long these days.

Occam's Razor isn't meant to be applied when something 'doesn't align with my personal world view, and how things should be'. One applies it when something 'doesn't align with the most likely scenarios taking into consideration: how human nature works, precedent, facts, logic... stuff like that. Even when I don't like it.'.

What you're suggesting isn't impossible. Not at all. But don't conflate personal suspicions and conspiracy theories with what's most likely to be happening.

 

[TrippyHippy]

I see Onyx Path as a fairly separate entity to White Wolf these days. Although there is an overlap, sometimes, they are really a 3rd party when it comes to WoD games and seem to be moving away from it towards their own brands more and more.

In terms of the new White Wolf, I’ll be interested in what they do although the main interest is less to do with Vampire (as the game line has plenty of supplements and support) and more to do with the rest of the WoD lines. I’d be interested in new editions of Mage, Wraith and Changeling just to see what they do with each. Mage, in particular, looks like a tricky reboot considering the history and content of it.

 

[Staffan]

I see Onyx Path as a fairly separate entity to White Wolf these days. Although there is an overlap, sometimes, they are really a 3rd party when it comes to WoD games and seem to be moving away from it towards their own brands more and more.

In terms of the new White Wolf, I’ll be interested in what they do although the main interest is less to do with Vampire (as the game line has plenty of supplements and support) and more to do with the rest of the WoD lines. I’d be interested in new editions of Mage, Wraith and Changeling just to see what they do with each. Mage, in particular, looks like a tricky reboot considering the history and content of it.

Onyx Path is not a "fairly separate" entity, they are an entirely separate entity who licenses some things from White Wolf (primarily Exalted; I don't know if the Chronicles of Darkness license has been formally abandoned or just in practice).

 

[Henadic Theologian]

Hopefully Jess can convince them to bring Chroncles of Darkness back.

 

[Dire Bare]

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

It is an odd term I haven't heard before, but . . . with RPGs, the audience (the players) is telling the story. Perhaps the opposite of a metaplot?

 

[LuisCarlos17f]

I have read Chronicles of Darkness was cancelled because somebody said something about other country and.. then other person wasn't happy.

The players bought WoD mainly for factions and crunch. This part shouldn't mean "only for mature audiences". Of course WotC could start from zero creating its own IP style New Capenna, Innistrad or Duskmourn.

I don't advice to use our real life as setting but if it totally ideological neutral because if you dare to talk about sins by others then other could complain you said nothing about sins by others and that would be a double standars, to measure with two different sticks.

Other point is if there are too many supernatural factions and creatures then keeping the maquerade would be difficult. And now there are too grim conspirancy theories and these could be a wrong source of inspiration for the players.