Wizards of the Coast Re-Registers Dark Sun With USPTO

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.

 

[Stormonu]

It would be nice if they could get Brom back to at least do the cover/alt cover for a Dark Sun book and Tom Braxa to do some of the interiors.

I'm honestly nervous about what WotC might come out with for a 5E Dark Sun, but I'll keep my fingers crossed. I'd certainly like them to hew as close as possible to the original boxed set and incorporating what they can of those initial round of supplements updated to 5E.

I just hope they don't try to pass Goliaths as Half-Giants nor Dragonborn as Dray and go the extra step to give us unique races for these two. Muls would be nice, but I very much doubt they'll even be mentioned. I'd be happy to be wrong, though.

 

[Scribe]

Here's your chance Wizards.

A man, a woman, both in peak form, both wearing as little as possible, while looking like grim conquerors with in front of a fantastical back drop.

You know what must be done.

 

[Reynard]

Compare to all the FR books that have been released

Three.

 

[mamba]

A man, a woman, both in peak form

that are two pictures of Arnold, what happened to the woman…

 

[MonsterEnvy]

Three.

Most of the Adventures are heavily FR themed.

 

[Reynard]

Most of the Adventures are heavily FR themed.

Sure. But they aren't "Forgotten Realms Books."

 

[Scribe]

that are two pictures of Arnold, what happened to the woman…

People can only handle so much.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

It would be nice if they could get Brom back to at least do the cover/alt cover for a Dark Sun book and Tom Braxa to do some of the interiors.

Great call.

 

[Cergorach]

Three.

You're conveniently forgetting the adventures that are very setting specific. And whether or not you count the FR iconic character titled books...

 

[Reynard]

You're conveniently forgetting the adventures that are very setting specific. And whether or not you count the FR iconic character titled books...

I am not forgetting them. I am not counting them. Those books have FR info in them, but they aren't FR books as their primary purpose. Just because FR is the default setting of 5E does not mean everything counts as a setting guide.