Wizards of the Coast’s New Leadership Aims to Develop a New D&D MMORPG

Wizards of the Coast Eyes a New Era for Dungeons & Dragons

In the wake of last year’s milestone celebrating the 50th anniversary of Dungeons & Dragons (D&D), Wizards of the Coast has begun to reveal an ambitious vision for the future of gaming. This initiative aligns with the leadership of John Hight, who recently took on the role of president after a decade at Blizzard Entertainment, most notably as the ‘Chief Caretaker’ for World of Warcraft.

A Vision for a D&D MMORPG

It comes as no surprise when Hight expresses his enthusiasm for developing a new MMORPG centered on D&D. In a recent interview with GamesIndustry.biz, he highlighted his aspiration for such a project, emphasizing the need for innovation beyond the longstanding formula established by titles like World of Warcraft.

“I’d love to have that. I think that we’ll want to rethink what an MMO is in this day and age. I think the traditional model that Blizzard – well, even before that, Ultima Online, Everquest – pursued, that could use updating…”

Hight underscored his commitment to a meticulous approach: “It’s probably a crawl, walk, run situation. We want to make sure that we’ve assembled the talent, we have the backend technology, we have the plans to pursue. But of course, that’s a glimmer in my eye. I want to see that happen.”This indicates a cautious but optimistic roadmap ahead.

Current D&D MMORPGs and Future Prospects

As a fan of both D&D and MMORPGs, I share in the excitement surrounding this potential new direction. Currently, there are two MMORPGs derived from Wizards’ intellectual property: Dungeons & Dragons Online, which originated from Turbine in 2006 and is now managed by Standing Stone Games, and Neverwinter, which was launched by Cryptic Studios in 2013. However, both games have not achieved the extensive recognition and scale that the franchise merits.

The Path Ahead

Despite Hight’s enthusiasm, it is essential to note that this is not an official game announcement. Instead, it signals Wizards of the Coast’s intent to cultivate the necessary technology and talent before embarking on such a monumental venture. Following the green light for development, it may take several years—potentially close to a decade—before the project reaches fruition, so patience will be key for fans.

Exciting Upcoming D&D Projects

While we await more details about a prospective MMORPG, there are several D&D-related projects to anticipate, including:

Demeo x DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: Battlemarked – A tabletop fantasy adventure game set for release later this year.
Project Baxter – An online cooperative game by Starbreeze, set to debut in 2026.
New Game from Invoke – This studio, formerly known as Tuque, is recognized for developing Dark Alliance.
Action/Adventure Game from Giant Skull – Spearheaded by Stig Asmussen, who has prior experience working with Hight at Sony, making collaborations smoother.
Survival/Life Simulation Action RPG – Currently in development at Gameloft.

Moreover, earlier this month, Hight announced the recruitment of a talented team from Monolith and Cliffhanger Games, led by notable designer Michael de Plater. Wizards of the Coast is diversifying its gaming portfolio as well; they’re backing Exodus, a role-playing game reminiscent of Mass Effect, and a GI Joe title in collaboration with Atomic Arcade.

With numerous exciting projects in the pipeline and a forward-thinking attitude, Wizards of the Coast aims to significantly enhance the gaming landscape for Dungeons & Dragons enthusiasts.

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