Maps Feature on D&D Beyond Becomes Free to Use

Wizards of the Coast is making its popular 2D VTT service Maps free-to-use over on D&D Beyond. Announced today over on their website (and likely coinciding with a press event over on Gen Con), D&D Head of Franchise Dan Ayoub announced that its Maps VTT service will be free to anyone with a D&D Beyond account starting on September 16th. Anyone with an account will be able to host a game over on Maps, a privilege that was previously reserved for Master-tier subscribers.

Maps became the default VTT service for Wizards of the Coast after it started to wind down the expensive 3D Sigil service just a few days after launch. The service allows players to use official D&D maps pulled from most adventures as well as 2D tokens. Starting with Dragon Delves, the service also includes pre-made maps using encounters from adventures.

 

[Weiley31]

Somehow, this is all Daggerheart's fault.

 

[Juomari Veren]

from the article


We’re laying the groundwork for a new initiative that will bring community voices directly into the room. Our goal is to create a rotating advisory group made up of creators, publishers, educators, and fans who can help us shape future tools, policies, and content in a real, ongoing way.

We’re still finalizing the structure and process, but our intention is clear: this isn’t a one-time survey or a PR move. It’s about building lasting collaboration with the people who make D&D what it is.

More details to come, but we are also developing a creator spotlighting program that will highlight third-party creations across our official channels. If you’re making something incredible, the world should see it.

At D&D, we understand that the community is the beating heart of the game we all love, and we want it to thrive so more people can experience adventures with their friends and family.

We’ve stumbled before. We’ve learned from it. And now, we’re committed to clearer communication, more transparency, and consistent support—for players, creators, and publishers.

I find it interesting that both of WoTC's major products (Magic and D&D) now have their own individual community advisory groups for the game now. I wonder if that was part of the onus that lead to them making this decision?

 

[Morrus]

from the article


We’re laying the groundwork for a new initiative that will bring community voices directly into the room. Our goal is to create a rotating advisory group made up of creators, publishers, educators, and fans who can help us shape future tools, policies, and content in a real, ongoing way.

We’re still finalizing the structure and process, but our intention is clear: this isn’t a one-time survey or a PR move. It’s about building lasting collaboration with the people who make D&D what it is.

More details to come, but we are also developing a creator spotlighting program that will highlight third-party creations across our official channels. If you’re making something incredible, the world should see it.

At D&D, we understand that the community is the beating heart of the game we all love, and we want it to thrive so more people can experience adventures with their friends and family.

We’ve stumbled before. We’ve learned from it. And now, we’re committed to clearer communication, more transparency, and consistent support—for players, creators, and publishers.

I feel like I've heard that a dozen times before over the last decade or two. Plus DMsG Adepts again under a different name (and it was a terrible idea the first time round)? I'll wait and see.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

I find it interesting that both of WoTC's major products (Magic and D&D) now have their own individual community advisory groups for the game now. I wonder if that was part of the onus that lead to them making this decision?

Or someone new came to the company and preached this as a good thing for divisions to do.

 

[bedir than]

Or someone new came to the company and preached this as a good thing for divisions to do.

There was the Creator's Summit. Before that the Adepts program.
It's not a new idea. What would be new is it lasting more than two years.

 

[Staffan]

I find it interesting that both of WoTC's major products (Magic and D&D) now have their own individual community advisory groups for the game now. I wonder if that was part of the onus that lead to them making this decision?

I don't think they have one for "Magic" as such. They do have groups for various Magic formats – Commander and, I believe, Pauper.

 

[Morrus]

What would be new is it lasting more than two years.

And not being gatekeepy.

Picking creators to highlight (and, by definition, creators not to highlight) is never a good idea if you are the de facto controller of the market. It's just another form of control.

 

[Staffan]

And not being gatekeepy.

Picking creators to highlight (and, by definition, creators not to highlight) is never a good idea if you are the de facto controller of the market. It's just another form of control.

I think you're focusing too much on the creator spotlight part. The interesting part is the advisory group. It sounds a lot like the Commander Format Panel, which Wizards formed from the old Commander Rules Council and Commander Advisory Group when they took over managing the format. It's a way of getting community input on where D&D is going, hopefully avoiding dumb stuff like the OGL stuff.

 

[Morrus]

I think you're focusing too much on the creator spotlight part.

I'm focusing exactly the right amount on the creator spotlight part.

The interesting part is the advisory group.

Like I said, I've heard it a dozen times before.

 

[lkj]

Your cynicism is probably warranted. And I appreciate that you can report on the news how you see fit on your site. But it does seem like there is some news value in the new head of the d&d franchise opening his tenure by announcing a community engagement initiative. It might go nowhere. It might just be the same old, same old as you say. But I certainly thought it was noteworthy and probably deserved a mention.

Just my two cents.

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