Wizards of the Coast Re-Registers Dark Sun With USPTO

A Dark Sun book is rumored to be released in 2026.
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Wizards of the Coast recently filed an application to register Dark Sun in the US, a sign that D&D could be bringing back the campaign setting in the near future. The trademark claim was filed on October 13th, 2025 and is poised to replace a previous trademark that was cancelled by the USPTO in 2024. The trademark, like most involving D&D properties, covers both "downloadable electronic games," "games and playthings," and "entertainment services." Similar active trademarks exist for other D&D campaign settings such as Spelljammer and Forgotten Realms, although neither of those have lapsed in recent years.

We'll note that, as the previous Dark Sun trademark lapsed a year ago, this could be a case of simple paperwork, or it could be the latest sign that a Dark Sun product is eminent. Earlier this year, Wizards released an Unearthed Arcana for the Psion class and several subclasses that all but spelled out a return to the setting, complete with mentions of sorcerer-kings, gladiatorial fights, and preservers and defilers.
 

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Christian Hoffer

Christian Hoffer


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After the LaNasa debacle, this doesn't mean they are doing anything with Dark Sun any time soon. There is hope (like with the recent UA), but after that mess, I would expect them to keep renewing trademarks like this even if they never use it.
OTOH, one of the UAs indicated really strongly that they are working on Dark Sun.
 

There's still folks on this forum arguing that Dark Sun will Never Happen.

I mean, I understand why they formed that thought - but we've been faced with what I would call "Overwhelming Evidence" that it is happening. And sooner rather than later.

Personally, I don't care what they change, as long as it is a good sword-and-sandals setting with some decent environmental challenges.

I'd also like it if they commission some art that is very different to their usual style, but I could also go for the usual mixed bag.

I want it closer to 2E version. Halfway between that and 4E might be ok.

If they Spelljamner it up its a pass.

Eberron was good, Dragonlance,Spelljammer were not.
 

I just wish they would do something NEW.
How well was Ebberon received? Sure it got a book in 5e, but so did certain podcasts... The next Ebberon book was pushed back to be released sometime after the new FR books...

I own most if not all 3e/4e Ebberon RPG books, and I was never really inspired to run anything in there. The idea is kinda nifty, but just never connected with me.

As for Dark Sun, we'll wait and see. I wasn't impressed with the 5e implementation of Spelljammer and Planescape, I suspect the same to be true for 5e DS, but I'm willing to be pleasantly surprised. Note: I was a fan of original DS, but not the revised stuff during the AD&D2e age... And I didn't like the revised DS logo either.
 

There's still folks on this forum arguing that Dark Sun will Never Happen.

I mean, I understand why they formed that thought - but we've been faced with what I would call "Overwhelming Evidence" that it is happening. And sooner rather than later.

Personally, I don't care what they change, as long as it is a good sword-and-sandals setting with some decent environmental challenges.

I'd also like it if they commission some art that is very different to their usual style, but I could also go for the usual mixed bag.
I would like that the environmental challenges could be stripped out and reused in other settings. At least the core elements of it. Though I have been reading the Mythic GM emulator and am beginning to think that an oracular system or a deck building system may be the best for open ended exploration challenges. I need to cogitate on this some more.
 


How well was Ebberon received? Sure it got a book in 5e, but so did certain podcasts... The next Ebberon book was pushed back to be released sometime after the new FR books...

I own most if not all 3e/4e Ebberon RPG books, and I was never really inspired to run anything in there. The idea is kinda nifty, but just never connected with me.
Is your take that they keep making Eberron because no one actually likes it? I don't know what you are trying to say here beyond that you, personally, don't care for it.
 

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