D&D 5E (2024) Predict WotC's 2026 D&D releases

[Eyes of Nine]

There's the danger of reducing its mindshare, since you wouldn't have the cycle of retailers (brick & mortar and digital) putting the new D&D thing out where the customers could see it and be reminded of it.

In the face of Draw Steel, Shadowdark, and especially DaggerHeart, I think they will start to feel it in their sales.

 

[GarrettKP]

In the face of Draw Steel, Shadowdark, and especially DaggerHeart, I think they will start to feel it in their sales.

It’s highly unlikely any of those games will be able to eat into D&Ds market share in any noticeable way.

Until shows like Stranger Things start referencing Daggerheart instead of D&D, those games just won’t penetrate popular culture to the point where the sales are affected.

The only thing that could kill D&D is D&D at this point, and they haven’t come close to killing the brand yet, despite what people online might have you believe.

 

[Remathilis]

In the face of Draw Steel, Shadowdark, and especially DaggerHeart, I think they will start to feel it in their sales.

The fact my local game store (biggest in the area) doesn't carry any of those except Daggerheart but has a whole wall of D&D stuff anecdotally disputes that. Certainly not enough to disrupt production.

 

[Belen]

I am starting to wonder if they are using 3pp DDB sales to shore up their bottom line and reduce primary output.

 

[Reynard]

If there has been a significant shift in strategy that necessitates rethinking the pipeline, it would make sense for them to try and draw extra revenue from elsewhere.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

If there has been a significant shift in strategy that necessitates rethinking the pipeline, it would make sense for them to try and draw extra revenue from elsewhere.

Such as “DLC”.

 

[Reynard]

Such as “DLC”.

For me personally, a focus on Beyond only content would be the last nail in the coffin with regards to my interest in what WotC is doing with D&D.

 

[SkidAce]

I've got everything I need.

Everything else they put out is gravy. (I do like gravy)

 

[Zaukrie]

I've got everything I need.

Everything else they put out is gravy. (I do like gravy)

I feel the same way this point. It's gotta be great to get my money.

 

[Stormonu]

In the face of Draw Steel, Shadowdark, and especially DaggerHeart, I think they will start to feel it in their sales.

I think the more likely explanation is that with the Tariff hiccups and delays on getting the last few books out, they don't want to announce anything until they're sure they have firm ship dates.

Though it is a bit concerning they have waited quite a long time now to announce any new books. I am certainly crossing my fingers that they aren't shifting focus to branded products and away from the actual game. I'm not fond of the Core 2024 itself, but I'm still watching for non-core adventures and supplements (I did pick up the latest Eberron book, for example).