The 2024 Dungeon Master's Guide is Chris Perkins' Last Book as Product Lead

Chris Perkins has said that the 2024 Dungeon Master's Guide is the last official D&D product he'll be working on as a product lead. Yesterday, a number of sites (including EN World!) posted previews and reviews of the upcoming 2024 Dungeon Master's Guide. Interestingly, Polygon's coverage of the 2024 DMG contained an extra quote from Chris Perkins, stating that the book was his last as a product lead.

“Although I made substantial contributions to the Monster Manual (2025) and the next D&D starter set, the Dungeon Master’s Guide (2024) is the last official D&D book in which I’m credited as a product lead,” Perkins said to Polygon. “Knowing that, I tried to stuff as much of my DM brain into [...] that book as would fit. Whether that’s a gift to the community or not, I’ll let the users decide.”

Perkins is currently a Game Architect for Dungeons & Dragons and helps manage the design team for the game. He's also served as a lead story designer for several campaign-focused adventures. He's also been a long-time face of Dungeons & Dragons, appearing at conventions, Actual Play shows, and marketing videos as an authority on the game and its past, present, and future.

EN World has reached out to Wizards of the Coast for additional context about Perkins' comment and his role with the company. We'll note that Perkins is a part of the marketing cycle for the 2024 Dungeon Master's Guide, so he doesn't appear to have left the company.

 

[EthanSental]

I’ll miss his energy around D&D and the products he was deeply involved I as I know it was his love for the game that drove things. Doesn’t appeal to everyone but did for me!

 

[TiQuinn]

I’d hate to not have Chris on D&D as a creative. I’ve dug his stuff going all the way back to Dungeon Magazine, and if he’s stepping back or taking on a role that takes him away from the game, I think it’s our loss.

 

[Queer Venger]

wishing him all the best, had a great time chatting and meeting him at comic con last year; super friendly and welcoming.

 

[wicked cool]

He’s great at lore!
But adventures other than strahd have been weak

 

[Endymion Hawk]

I was lucky enough to save his DM experience column archive before the great purge, just as I was beginning my own DM career with 5e. His articles served as an early inspiration to me. Since then I've integrated a lot more OSR theory than is his style, but several of his insights, particularly on campaign structure, are still my guiding stars.

 

[Sulicius]

New info from @Alphastream on his discord:

Oh, I did get confirmation that Perkins is not retiring. Moving up to a different type of vision job vs book-level job.

Looks like he's sticking around at WotC! I hope his new role is more enjoyable to him.

 

[Ondath]

I think some of his work was middling, but Perkins is clearly someone with passion for D&D and a deep knowledge of older editions. I heavily dislike the flair D&D has ever since Crawford became more prominent than the rest of the 5e trio (Mearls & Perkins), so I have reason to believe those tendencies will continue. I think it's a net negative for WotC to not have Perkins as a Product Lead.

 

[darjr]

New info from @Alphastream on his discord:

Looks like he's sticking around at WotC! I hope his new role is more enjoyable to him.

@Morrus

 

[aco175]

What I noticed was the part of him having a contribution in the new starter box. Were they talking about Stormwreck Isle, or a new box coming out- and did we know about one coming out?

 

[Bushviper]

Maybe the quality will improve.