Dungeons & Dragons
News, coverage and analysis tracking Dungeons & Dragons across the outlets.
Latest coverage
Dungeons & Dragons World of Warcraft Crossover May Have Been Leaked
A leaked Roll20 post suggests Wizards of the Coast is planning a crossover between Dungeons & Dragons and World of Warcraft. This potential supplement or campaign module would be the first major crossover since the World of Warcraft RPG books for D&D 3.5e, and more details may emerge at Gen Con.
Evening Reading - July 22, 2026
This edition of Shacknews Evening Reading covers various gaming and entertainment news. Highlights include reviews for Final Fantasy X/X-2 on Switch and Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game, Victor Wembanyama as the NBA 2K27 cover star, and Xbox backwards compatibility on PC. Business news includes earnings reports from Tesla, Google, and SpaceX, alongside updates on BlizzCon 2026 digital bundles and the reopening of the Cinerama Dome.
Hasbro records $56M write down after scrapping 'several' video games
Hasbro reported a $56 million non-cash write down after cancelling several video games planned for 2028 and beyond. CEO Chris Cocks stated the decision reflects a new digital strategy focusing on key franchises like Dungeons & Dragons and Magic: The Gathering, with an emphasis on cost discipline and owned platforms. The company expects its total digital spend to decrease annually by at least 25 percent by 2028.
Hasbro Writes Down $56 Million After Cancelling Several Games
Hasbro has recorded a $56 million write-down due to the cancellation of several video game projects planned for release in 2028 and beyond. CEO Chris Cocks stated this move is part of a refocused digital strategy prioritizing franchises like Magic: The Gathering and Dungeons & Dragons, and successful mobile titles like Monopoly Go!. While Exodus and Warlock: Dungeons & Dragons remain in development for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S, other projects, including one from Giant Skull, have been cancelled.
Hasbro takes $56 million hit over multiple game cancellations, but it's still talking about how Baldur's Gate…
Hasbro reported a $56 million non-cash impairment due to the cancellation of several video games slated for release in 2028 and beyond. The company is refocusing its digital investment on key franchises like Magic: The Gathering and Dungeons & Dragons, aiming to reduce overall digital spend by 25% annually by 2028.
Hasbro Is Betting On Fewer, Bigger Video Games After $56 Million Write-Down
Hasbro has recorded a $56 million write-down related to its video game portfolio, leading to the cancellation of several titles planned for release in 2028 and beyond. CEO Chris Cocks outlined a new strategy focusing on fewer, bigger games, prioritizing owned intellectual property like Magic and Dungeons & Dragons, and concentrating investment on high-conviction titles and partnerships. While some projects like Exodus and Warlock remain on track for 2027, others, including a Dungeons & Dragons single-player action-adventure game, have been canceled.
Rolling a Natural One-Shot
This article explores a method for creating Dungeons & Dragons one-shot adventures using random tables found in 5th edition sourcebooks like the Dungeon Master's Guide, Xanathar's Guide to Everything, and Tasha's Cauldron of Everything. The author details a process of rolling dice on various tables to generate narrative elements, characters, and plot points, demonstrating how this can lead to unique and quickly developed adventures.
Roll20 Announces New Automatic Map Features in Partnership with Czepeku
Virtual tabletop platform Roll20 has partnered with Czepeku maps to introduce new automatic map features. The update includes support for UVTT file uploads, which automatically implement dynamic lighting, walls, and doors, significantly speeding up map setup for game masters. Additionally, Dungeon Scrawl integration allows for direct syncing and on-the-fly dungeon generation.
Choose Your Magical Faction with New Dungeons & Dragons Arcana Unleashed Backgrounds
Wizards of the Coast has released a preview of the upcoming Dungeons & Dragons supplement, Arcana Unleashed, detailing new backgrounds and Origin Feats. These backgrounds are tied to specific magical factions and offer players enhanced customization and mechanical benefits based on their character's affiliations and growing renown within these groups.
Mike Shea's Rise of the Lazy Gamemaster Kickstarter Campaign Offers Vital Table Advice
TTRPG author Mike Shea has launched a Kickstarter campaign for his new book, 'Rise of the Lazy Gamemaster,' the fourth in his 'Lazy GM' series. The campaign has already surpassed its $35,000 goal, raising over $233,000. The book offers advice on running engaging tabletop RPG sessions with minimal effort and includes various resources like adventure outlines and maps.
Gather Your Party and Venture Forth to D&D Tower at Gen Con 2026
Wizards of the Coast will host a Dungeons & Dragons Tower event at Gen Con 2026 from July 30 to August 2 in Indianapolis. The multi-day celebration will feature live actual plays, panels with prominent TTRPG personalities like Matt Mercer and Jasmine Bhullar, and discussions on game design and worldbuilding.
New Occult Secrets are Revealed in Dungeons & Dragons Arcana Unleashed
Pre-orders are now available for Dungeons & Dragons Arcana Unleashed, a new supplement for the tabletop RPG. The release includes two books: a gameplay expansion with new player options and lore, and an epic-level adventure titled Arcana Unleashed: Deadfall set in Thay. Both books are scheduled for release on September 15.
The Sunday Papers
This article discusses various topics in game design and the industry, including Bruno Dias's thoughts on meaningful choice in narrative, Oma Keeling's analysis of modernism and postmodernism in platformers like Fallstruktur and Automaton Lung, and Justine Barron's critique of media bias regarding Long Covid. It also touches on the politics of Dungeons & Dragons, advice for writing about indie games from Michael Brough, and the Itch.io manifesto jam.
Vampire: The Masquerade's D&D crossover is a condescending cave-in to people who are afraid of trying something…
This opinion piece discusses the recent announcement of a Vampire: The Masquerade rulebook for Dungeons & Dragons, titled Bound by Blood. While acknowledging its potential appeal to D&D players and character-building enthusiasts, the author expresses frustration with the industry's tendency to integrate existing IPs into D&D rather than promoting dedicated systems for specific genres like horror or vampire themes. The article encourages players to explore dedicated Vampire: The Masquerade systems for a more authentic experience.
D&D and Magic owner Hasbro is reportedly trying to get child actors from Peppa Pig to sign away their voices to AI
Hasbro is reportedly attempting to secure AI voice rights from child actors, including those from Peppa Pig, according to an open letter from the Agents of Young Performers Association. The company has faced criticism for its handling of AI and labor practices, with the letter highlighting a 'take it or leave it' contract clause regarding AI usage.
Dungeon Masters Season 2 Will Feature Material from Dungeons & Dragons Arcana Unleashed
Wizards of the Coast announced that Dungeon Masters Season 2 will premiere on July 8th on YouTube, featuring host Jasmine Bhullar and guests Devora Wilde, Neil Newbon, Mayanna Berrin, and Christian Navarro. The season will showcase new player subclasses from the upcoming Dungeons & Dragons supplement, Arcana Unleashed, and is set in the Anarouch Desert. Additional seasons are planned for later in the year.
If you want to get into 3D printing, I recommend these two excellent beginner machines (and now they're cheaper…
Amazon is offering significant discounts on two beginner-friendly 3D printers, the Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2 and the Anycubic Kobra X, as part of its Prime Day event. Both machines are now available for around $300, representing record low prices and substantial savings off their original retail prices.
United Wizards of the Coast Union Has Officially Been Formed
Developers of Magic: The Gathering Arena have officially formed the United Wizards of the Coast union, affiliated with the Communication Workers Association. The union, established with a majority vote from 79 out of 102 employees, aims to negotiate collective bargaining agreements covering layoff protections, remote work, workload sustainability, and AI tool guidelines. Wizards of the Coast has stated they will engage in good faith negotiations.
I've run D&D games for years, here are the Prime Day deals I'd recommend
A Dungeon Master with years of experience recommends Dungeons & Dragons modules and sourcebooks available during Amazon's Prime Day sale. The article highlights various offerings, including horror-themed adventures, classic fantasy quests, and beginner-friendly stories, noting that many are discounted.
Wizards of the Coast Releases Revised Dungeons & Dragons Villainous Unearthed Arcana
Wizards of the Coast has released revised Dungeons & Dragons villainous Unearthed Arcana content, incorporating player feedback on subclasses like the Circle of Titans Druid and Hell Knight Fighter. The company also provided designer insights and clarified the future of various playtest subclasses, confirming that the Circle of Titan Druid, Warrior of Venom Monk, and Path of Lament Barbarian may see future revisions, while the Primordial Patron Warlock will not. Feedback on Villainous Path Feats like Lich and Death Knight was positive, suggesting potential inclusion in future supplements.
