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.

 

[FitzTheRuke]

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 think Dragonlance was more "meh" than bad - I still think that they'd be far better off just updating the original, rather than doing sequels or side-stories.

Spelljammer had some small parts that were fine, but overall, it was quite bad.

But I still think that their worst mistake was Phandelver & Below. They took a stellar adventure, and rather than continuing it to a logical progression, they forced an unrelated remnant of an adventure onto its end. Maybe that adventure would have been fine on its own, but it should never have touched LMoP.

 

[Gradine]

People shout at WotC

I mean you could've just stopped there.

 

[Remathilis]

I just hope when it comes out, we can have actual conversations about what it is, not why it isn't exactly like the old version (with endless comments going nowhere).

I'm still waiting for that conversation about Ravenloft, so I wouldn't get my hopes up.

 

[FitzTheRuke]

I just hope when it comes out, we can have actual conversations about what it is, not why it isn't exactly like the old version (with endless comments going nowhere).

Yeah! I'd be happy with a "change notes" - style conversation, even if it includes a bit of "I liked (this) about the old version better". I'd just rather not see people poo-pooing all over it.

 

[Umbran]

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

It might not, at least not in game setting form.

F'rex, this could be about plans for a computer game. Baldur's Gate 4 is followed by Dark Sun 1, or something.

 

[FitzTheRuke]

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.

That sounds interesting. Share when you have a working draft!

 

[FitzTheRuke]

It might not, at least not in game setting form.

F'rex, this could be about plans for a computer game. Baldur's Gate 4 is followed by Dark Sun 1, or something.

Maybe. Seems unlikely to me that they'd skip a D&D book at this point, though. Heck, why not both?

Honestly, I think it's strange that they aren't better at product "synergy". I mean, I get that video games take extremely longer than TTRPG production. But, so? Wait until the game is in its final stretch to make a TTRPG tie-in!

 

[Rhineglade]

Very interesting. I always liked Dark Sun simply because I thought the world was cool and I adore psionics. There were never enough support products/adventures for it though to be worth my while.

 

[Zaukrie]

I think Dragonlance was more "meh" than bad - I still think that they'd be far better off just updating the original, rather than doing sequels or side-stories.

Spelljammer had some small parts that were fine, but overall, it was quite bad.

But I still think that their worst mistake was Phandelver & Below. They took a stellar adventure, and rather than continuing it to a logical progression, they forced an unrelated remnant of an adventure onto its end. Maybe that adventure would have been fine on its own, but it should never have touched LMoP.

that last part is 100% correct. so very correct. Just awful. Truly. (and, there are so many issues with the add on, no, it should not have been on its own either).

 

[Zardnaar]

I think Dragonlance was more "meh" than bad - I still think that they'd be far better off just updating the original, rather than doing sequels or side-stories.

Spelljammer had some small parts that were fine, but overall, it was quite bad.

But I still think that their worst mistake was Phandelver & Below. They took a stellar adventure, and rather than continuing it to a logical progression, they forced an unrelated remnant of an adventure onto its end. Maybe that adventure would have been fine on its own, but it should never have touched LMoP.

Haven't bought Spelljammer, Planescape, Dragonlance, Phandelver and Below or that Vecna one.

Can rot on the shelves as far as im concerned. Quality fell off a cliff after Tashas imho. Golden Vault and Infinite Staircase were the last good products.
Didn't get Strixhaven either. Store had over 20 copies of it on the shelf. No idea why they bought that many.