After commemorating five decades of Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) in 2023, parent company Wizards of the Coast has begun revealing strategic moves to expand its gaming footprint. This shift aligns with the arrival of new president John Hight, previously overseeing Blizzard’s World of Warcraft as its franchise steward for a decade.

Hight recently confirmed ambitions for a D&D MMORPG in a GamesIndustry.biz interview. He emphasized reimagining traditional MMO frameworks established by early titles like Ultima Online, stressing the need for modern innovation in the genre.

Creating one is a priority, but we must rethink MMO conventions. Older designs from Blizzard and others need refreshing. For us, it’s about gradual scaling—securing skilled teams, robust infrastructure, and clear strategies first. This vision remains aspirational for now, but I’m eager to see it materialize.

While D&D Online (2006) and Neverwinter (2013) exist, their impact has lagged behind the IP’s potential. A contemporary MMO could fill that gap, though Hight cautions that groundwork must precede development. If approved, such a project might take years to reach players.

For now, fans can anticipate other D&D releases, including:

Wizards recently onboarded developers from Monolith and Cliffhanger Games under Michael de Plater to explore a “fresh game concept,” though its ties to D&D remain unconfirmed. The company is diversifying its portfolio with titles like Exodus, an RPG by Archetype Entertainment, and Atomic Arcade’s GI Joe project, signaling broader ambitions beyond tabletop roots.