The D&D Beyond digital toolset, a crucial platform for many Dungeons & Dragons players, is undergoing significant changes that may complicate its use before improvements are realized. Following Hasbro’s acquisition of the toolset in April 2022, it has become a central hub for 5th edition Dungeons & Dragons, especially as more users transitioned to digital platforms during the pandemic. The upcoming transition from the 2014 to the 2024 version of the Player’s Handbook involves complex steps to maintain compatibility between the old and new rules, including the need to manually recreate some spells and magic items from the 2014 ruleset to function with the new digital character sheets. Wizards of the Coast plans to implement a “Legacy” system in D&D Beyond, allowing users to access older 2014 materials alongside the new 2024 rules. While some rules will be automatically updated, others, such as classes, subclasses, and species, will remain accessible in their original form. However, this system may lead to challenges, as older and newer rules may overlap, requiring players to manually adjust their characters or use the homebrew system to maintain the original functionality of certain spells and items.
The planned update has sparked controversy among the D&D community, with many players expressing frustration over the forced integration of the 2024 rules into their current campaigns. The automatic update of spells and items has been particularly contentious, as it disrupts ongoing gameplay. Wizards of the Coast has faced backlash for this approach, leading them to reconsider and allow players the option to continue using older versions of spells and items without forcing updates. In response to the outcry, Wizards of the Coast has announced that they will not automatically update character sheets with the new rules, preserving the existing content while adding the 2024 rules as optional updates. This change has been welcomed by the community, as it restores player choice in how they interact with the toolset and the game’s evolving rules.
In a related development, Wizards of the Coast has also expanded its partnerships with third-party content creators, bringing new content to the D&D Beyond Marketplace. This includes collaborations with companies like Free League Publishing, Kobold Press, and others, offering a broader range of resources for players and Dungeon Masters alike. These partnerships indicate a continued effort to enrich the D&D Beyond platform with diverse content from across the tabletop role-playing game industry.
“Start Here RPG” is designed as an easy-to-learn and streamlined tabletop roleplaying game, created by veteran game designer Tim Beach. The game is intended for both newcomers and experienced players who find traditional RPG rulebooks overwhelming. With rules that can be learned in just a few minutes, “Start Here” allows players to quickly jump into the gameplay without the need for extensive preparation.
The game system is straightforward, with characters defined by six attributes that directly influence dice rolls and outcomes in the game, making it intuitive and minimizing the need for complex rules. The “Start Here” RPG consists of a trio of books that guide players through the basics of roleplaying and gradually introduce more complex concepts. The first book is tailored for beginners, offering simple rules, sample characters, and an introductory fantasy setting called “Serpents & Strongholds.” The second book expands on the rules, providing more character options, leveling-up mechanics, and a science fiction setting called “Star Ex.” The third book, “Campaign Sampler,” delves deeper into different settings, including a zombie-apocalypse scenario “Zombiesaurus Rex” and a Western-themed “Wizards & Wranglers,” offering more adventure ideas and campaign details. Tim Beach, who has over 30 years of experience in the RPG industry, created “Start Here” to fill the need for an accessible yet complete roleplaying game. The project is a passion endeavor, developed over several years, with support from other editors, authors, and artists. The game aims to offer a fun, easy, and immersive roleplaying experience without the complexity of traditional RPGs.
Gav Thorpe, a renowned Warhammer 40,000 author and designer, has joined the design team for Warlord Games’ alternate-history World War 2 wargame, Konflikt ‘47. Thorpe is known for his extensive work on multiple editions of Warhammer 40k and Warhammer Fantasy Battles, as well as for authoring numerous Warhammer novels. His addition to the Konflikt ‘47 team, led by Andy Chambers, marks another ex-Games Workshop great joining the project. Thorpe, who is passionate about World War 2 games and alternate history, expressed excitement about contributing to Konflikt ‘47, a game that blends WW2 with weird-science elements. Recently, Warlord Games has also brought on board other notable figures, including Cam Rogers, a narrative lead with experience in the videogame industry, and William “Bill” King, a prolific Warhammer author and game designer. The collaboration of these veteran designers has generated anticipation for the next edition of Konflikt ‘47, which may or may not incorporate the upcoming Bolt Action third edition rules. The project is seen as a revival of the 1990s Warhammer design studio, given the involvement of several key figures from that era.
Luke Crane, known for designing The Burning Wheel and Mouse Guard RPGs, has acquired the rights to Dungeon World from its original creators, Adam Koebel and Sage LaTorra. Crane announced on the Dungeon World+ Discord that he, along with a business partner, purchased the game and is planning a new edition. The first edition of Dungeon World, released in 2012, was highly acclaimed and won several awards, including the 2012 Golden Geek RPG of the Year. Crane, who previously worked at Kickstarter, indicated that his vision for the new edition of Dungeon World includes a thorough edit of the text, improved organization, and updated mechanics. He emphasized the importance of maintaining the game’s accessibility while refining its content. Although it is unclear if Koebel and LaTorra will be involved in the new edition, Crane’s plans suggest a focus on enhancing the game’s core qualities without drastically altering its essence. The update is expected to bring a much-needed refresh to the beloved game while preserving what made it popular in the first place.
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We discuss the cancellation of the Frame RPG by Spencer Campbell on Kickstarter after the fanbase attacks. The first release by former Blizzard execs, Warchief Gaming, is Auroboros for 5E. Also on Kickstarter to celebrate the 700th anniversary of the death of Dante Alighieri, Acheron Books is releasing Dante’s Inferno for 5E. It will include two books, Dante’s Guide to Hell essentially the Player’s Handbook and Virgilio’s Untold Tales which functions as the GM’s Guide and Monster Manual of the setting.