D&D 5E WotC: 5 D&D Settings In Development?

WotC's Ray Winninger spoke a little about some upcoming D&D settings -- two classic settings are coming in 2022 in formats we haven't seen before, and two brand new (not Magic: the Gathering) settings are also in development, as well as return to a setting they've already covered in 5E. He does note, however, that of the last three, there's a chance of one or more not making it to release, as they develop more than they use.

Two classic settings? What could they be?​

So that's:

• 2 classic settings in 2022 (in a brand new format)
• 2 brand new settings
• 1 returning setting

So the big questions -- what are the two classic settings, and what do they mean by a format we haven't seen before? Winninger has clarified on Twitter that "Each of these products is pursuing a different format you've never seen before. And neither is "digital only;" these are new print formats."

As I've mentioned on a couple of occasions, there are two more products that revive "classic" settings in production right now.

The manuscript for the first, overseen by [Chris Perkins], is nearly complete. Work on the second, led by [F. Wesley Schneider] with an assist from [Ari Levitch], is just ramping up in earnest. Both are targeting 2022 and formats you've never seen before.

In addition to these two titles, we have two brand new [D&D] settings in early development, as well as a return to a setting we've already covered. (No, these are not M:tG worlds.)

As I mentioned in the dev blog, we develop more material than we publish, so it's possible one or more of these last three won't reach production. But as of right now, they're all looking great.

Of course the phrase "two more products that revive 'classic' settings" could be interpreted in different ways. It might not be two individual setting books.

 

[Mind of tempest]

Fiends had cool rules in ravenloft where they were pretty much their own domain. The more powerful the fiend they greater the radius around them that acted as their own personal domain to an extent.

that sounds kinda cool.

 

[Sithlord]

that sounds kinda cool.

There were so many cool mechanics like sink holes of evil, outrage, and little mechanics and rules that really brought out the flavor of ravenloft that I really hope will make it into the rules someday. I will use many of those rules myself and adapt what I like. If I had time i would love to convert the entire grand conjunction modules into an adventure path game. That was so badass at the time. And the problem with playing those modules in 2E was the level differences were so radically different. You would have to add lots of filler and I need to reread them. But I don’t even think the levels of play even fit well in chronological order. Fascinating storyline.

 

[Urriak Uruk]

Has anybody considered that one if the new, original settings could be Barovia's original world, which they seem to have developed extensively for Van Richten's?
They even have a map: "Malitain is to the north of where Barovia usted to be"

Maybe, but I think the world where Barovia is from is also the setting of Jeremy Crawford's home game. So Malitain could just be an easter egg from his world, with no further plans beyond that.

I do agree however this is a distinct possibility.

 

[Parmandur]

Maybe, but I think the world where Barovia is from is also the setting of Jeremy Crawford's home game. So Malitain could just be an easter egg from his world, with no further plans beyond that.

I do agree however this is a distinct possibility.

I mean, if I were Ray Winninger, "pitch me your home campaign settings as a product!" would be a fun icebreaker as the new boss, at the very least.

 

[Plaguescarred]

A deal fell off between Hickman/Weiss and WoTC (they sues them) so i doubt Dragonlance is one of them. Looking at other classic campaign setting IP, Greyhawk has been left untouched since 3E so i doubt. I'd place my bet on Spelljammer, Planescape and revisiting Ravenloft. As for MtG i have no clue....

 

[Parmandur]

A deal fell off between Hickman/Weiss and WoTC (they sues them) so i doubt Dragonlance is one of them. Looking at other classic campaign setting IP, Greyhawk has been left untouched since 3E so i doubt. I'd place my bet on Spelljammer, Planescape and revisiting Ravenloft. As for MtG i have no clue....

As to the revisit, in the D&D Beyomd datamine that found Fizban's Treasury of Dragona, there was also info for a Tal'Dorei Campaign Guide...so it looks like we may return to Exandria after all.

 

[RoughCoronet0]

Planescape, Dark Suns, and Spelljammer are the big three that I'd like to see brought over to 5e, though a silly part of me would be ecstatic at Nentir Vale or Council of Wyrms. Dragonlance is actually the only one of the popular options I have little to no interest in.

As far as returning to an already established 5e setting, there are hints at another Exandria book though I'd also love another Eberron book.

 

[Parmandur]

@darjr There are some alternate possible explanations, but this is what is on D&D Beyond site right now for anyone to read:

{"id":32,"name":"TCS","description":"Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting","sourceCategoryId":1,"isReleased":false,"avatarURL":"https://media-waterdeep.cursecdn.com/avatars/","sourceURL":""},

https://www.dndbeyond.com/api/config/json

 

[Plaguescarred]

Dark Sun may be another classic that would feel more different than DL or GH.

 

[Parmandur]

Dark Sun may be another classic that would feel more different than DL or GH.

I think Planescape and Dark Sun are the currently.on deck classic Settings, personally.