D&D 5E WotC: Why Dark Sun Hasn't Been Revived

In an interview with YouTuber 'Bob the Worldbuilder', WotC's Kyle Brink explained why the classic Dark Sun setting has not yet seen light of day in the D&D 5E era.

I’ll be frank here, the Dark Sun setting is problematic in a lot of ways. And that’s the main reason we haven’t come back to it. We know it’s got a huge fan following and we have standards today that make it extraordinarily hard to be true to the source material and also meet our ethical and inclusion standards... We know there’s love out there for it and god we would love to make those people happy, and also we gotta be responsible.

You can listen to the clip here.

 

[Parmandur]

WotC and cutting edge have nothing to do with its each other, to the point where that idea is hilarious to me.

In terms of the actual visual art? Yes, WotC is producing the top of the line visual media, and have since before they bought TSR.

 

[Minigiant]

lol no the point is that the majority dont have a problem with the content. However Wizards (rightfully) is afraid of what would be vocally broadcast on various social media platforms, and so despite wanting to do Dark Sun, they know that its not culturally a tenable option.

After seeing their releases for 5th edition, do you believe that ALL THE PEOPLE who say they have no problem with new Dark Sun product would not go back on their word and harshly criticize WOTC's 5e Dark Sun book?


Because I think many will.

 

[Imaro]

lol no the point is that the majority dont have a problem with the content. However Wizards (rightfully) is afraid of what would be vocally broadcast on various social media platforms, and so despite wanting to do Dark Sun, they know that its not culturally a tenable option.

No Wizards has a specific vision for their brand and Dark Sun falls too far outside of that vision... for various reasons. If they bring it in line with that vision then all of those fans claiming they want it will suddenly be mad it was changed. Damned if you do, damned if you don't. Best response is a non-response.

 

[Parmandur]

They are not willing.

WOTC has shown time and time again that in 5e they aren't willing to design anything hard that isn't "mandatory".

WOTC is not willing to do the work and neither are most of the people begging for Dark Sun.

Ajit George not only could do it, he might be able to sell WotC on a fresh take.

 

[Scribe]

After seeing their releases for 5th edition, do you believe that ALL THE PEOPLE who say they have no problem with new Dark Sun product would not go back on their word and harshly criticize WOTC's 5e Dark Sun book?


Because I think many will.

Oh for sure. Its a no-win for Wizards. I get it.

No Wizards has a specific vision for their brand and Dark Sun falls too far outside of that vision... for various reasons.

Right...reasons.

 

[Maxperson]

Are you kidding right now?

1. You can always find someone who will say anything... that said I think the real sentiment is that if you can find someone of Japanese descent who is competently qualified they should be your first choice.

2. Do you realize in the past 50-60 years ago in America it would have went to the white writer for no other reason than he was white? That even though the white writer didn't do the appropriate research, respect and accuracy he'd still get paid and it would still have been published.

It's like enjoying a feast for years while watching others starve and then crying foul because you have to share the meager scraps after you've finished the feast with those who were starving.

You're number 2 isn't relevant right now unless it's still happening. You correct the issue and move on in a balanced way. If you do anything else, you're just pushing the pendulum the other way and when it comes back, you're back to the problems you first had. Only by going to the appropriate balanced middle can the cycle be broken.

And nobody here is crying foul over meager scraps. That was a very uncalled for and inappropriate thing to say.

 

[Minigiant]

Ajit George not only could do it, he might be able to sell WotC on a fresh take.

He'd change a lot of it and many old Dark Sun fans will complain.

Oh for sure. Its a no-win for Wizards. I get it.

Exactly. It's a no-win. So they are shelving it.

 

[Imaro]

You're number 2 isn't relevant right now unless it's still happening. You correct the issue and move on in a balanced way. If you do anything else, you're just pushing the pendulum the other way and when it comes back, you're back to the problems you first had. Only by going to the appropriate balanced middle can the cycle be broken.

And nobody here is crying foul over meager scraps. That was a very uncalled for and inappropriate thing to say.

Oh recent history is still very much relevant especially when it comes to socio-economic status, opportunities ,etc. Who decides what's "balanced"... let me guess the same people who benefitted from the imbalance that existed before?

No... scraps is a very relevant analogy when we are talking a single book out of the entire 5e line that has echoes of other cultures and ethnic groups in it. And there's still a problem that it was an all PoC project.

 

[Micah Sweet]

You literally just participated in a conversation that claimed Radiant Citadel didn't receive any backlash because... skin color of authors was used as a selling point. How is that not proclaiming that with an excessive amount of words?

That idea, which I did not directly espouse, is not the same as claiming excessive "wokeness" as you claimed.

 

[Imaro]

That idea, which I did not directly espouse, is not the same as claiming excessive "wokeness" as you claimed.

I didn't say it was your idea... and I didn't claim excessive wokeness in my post only that wokeness was readily trotted out (as opposed to ANY other reason) the Radiant Citadel succeeded and caused no backlash.