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.

 

[Sulicius]

Maybe the quality will improve.

Maybe it won't?

 

[Bushviper]

Maybe it won't?

Also entirely possible.

 

[Parmandur]

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?

There is a need Starter Set coming out late next Summer, "Hereoes of the Borderlands" which uses a revised Keep on the Borderlands.

 

[Burnside]

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?

They did announce a new starter box during their last D&D Direct stream. It's coming in Fall 2025.

 

[GrandMasterofFlowers]

The real question...what is thw difference between Crawford's new title of "Game Director" as opposed to "Game Design Architect"?

Sounds like a fancy name for an Editor.

 

[Christian Hoffer]

FYI - Wizards of the Coast did confirm to EN World that Perkins was not leaving the company, just taking a "new role for D&D." We'll report more details when we have them.

 

[EzekielRaiden]

That would explain the (hopefully dramatic) improvements in quality. I have nothing but respect for Mr. Perkins' DMing skills.

 

[Uta-napishti]

Chris Perkins, if you are reading this, forget the haters, they are the grumpy minority. Thanks for the whimsy, the hard work, and all of the great times! Yes, I'm sure that you are not far away, and are leaving the role in great hands, but still I think it's nice for folks to have a round of applause when the torch is passed.

 

[TheSword]

For the record, I think Golden Vault is one of the best adventure products they’ve released and it knocks the socks off all the other anthologies. Perfect adventure length and detail. Interesting and original.

It reads like a brilliant hardback best of Dungeon Magazine

Big fan of Perkins ever since I watched him DM Curse of Strahd. I thought he did a brilliant job trying to put forward a potential path for DMs in his adventure products without being dictatorial or arrogant about it. He’s always had space for other people to do their own thing while showing what is possible.

 

[Tales and Chronicles]

For the record, I think Golden Vault is one of the best adventure products they’ve released and it knocks the socks off all the other anthologies. Perfect adventure length and detail. Interesting and original.

It reads like a brilliant hardback best of Dungeon Magazine

Big fan of Perkins ever since I watched him DM Curse of Strahd. I thought he did a brilliant job trying to put forward a potential path for DMs in his adventure products without being dictatorial or arrogant about it. He’s always had space for other people to do their own thing while showing what is possible.

Yeah, a real team player and someone who really took to heart the idea on "easy on-boarding" for new players. Far from those arrogant designers (and fan) who think you somehow gotta deserve to play their RPG!