The Future of D&D: Will Old Editions Be Erased Forever?
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Chapter 1: The State of D&D and RPGs
At present, it's impossible to purchase standalone physical Dungeons & Dragons books from Wizards of the Coast's online store; only physical and digital bundles are available. While Amazon and other retailers still have stock, speculation abounds that Wizards—owned by Hasbro—has largely ceased the printing of physical copies. This appears to be part of an initiative to drive gamers towards D&D Beyond, as Wizards aims for a digital-centric future for D&D, which feels rather dystopian for those who cherish the traditional game.
Moreover, Wizards of the Coast possesses numerous game intellectual properties that seem undervalued. Most of these were published by TSR prior to its acquisition by WotC, or by WotC before Hasbro took over. Currently, some of these games are offered on DriveThruRPG, but their availability is uncertain.
This year, Wizards and Hasbro attempted to end their long-standing open license, dispatched Pinkerton agents after a Magic: The Gathering YouTuber due to an honest shipping error, and even "accidentally" incorporated AI-generated art in the project Glory of the Giants. They appear unafraid to emulate practices seen with Disney and Warner Bros., including the removal of games from DriveThru for tax benefits.
Previously available official 5E PDFs have vanished from DriveThruRPG, leaving only Roll20 content. It seems inevitable that WotC will eventually remove all their PDFs from the platform, possibly without replacing them with virtual tabletop files, leading to their total disappearance.
This video discusses the impact of Hasbro's decisions on the future of Dungeons & Dragons and the potential end of old editions.
Chapter 2: The Games We Could Lose
What We’ve Already Lost
Alternity
A multi-setting sci-fi RPG that included setting books for various genres such as classic space opera and sci-fi horror. Unfortunately, it is no longer available for purchase. Archives might be your only hope for reading it, as any traces of the original game could be scrubbed from the internet if Hasbro deemed it necessary.
Everway
A fantasy game focused on universe-hopping, featuring a highly interpretive card-based system. The original version is no longer accessible, although the Everway Silver Edition exists as an updated version.
Top Secret
A spy-themed roleplaying game akin to D&D. Sadly, like Alternity, it has been replaced by a new game of the same name, leaving the original unavailable for retail purchase.
What We Could Still Lose
Amazing Engine
This universal system aimed to compete with GURPS but ultimately fell short. Its multi-setting capability makes it a fascinating relic of game design history.
Boot Hill
A western-themed RPG, with its initial combat-only edition currently not available on DriveThru. If WotC shows no interest in reviving it, it may be lost for good.
Dragonlance Fifth Age
A card-driven RPG that is underrated, with the core game still available but missing essential card components. If WotC has those files, their lack of availability may signal a lack of interest.
Older Dungeons & Dragons Editions
Many past editions can still be found on DriveThruRPG, yet WotC could easily decide to remove them to eliminate comparisons with the current 5E edition, particularly in light of some outdated and insensitive content.
Gamma World
A post-apocalyptic RPG that many would miss, particularly since one of its editions has already disappeared. If Hasbro wished, they could erase multiple editions from existence.
Star Frontiers
A sci-fi RPG that has seen little attention from WotC, with no plans for revival. Its disappearance seems more likely than others, especially given the controversial history involving a new company claiming the TSR name.
If Hasbro decides to eliminate these classic games, other publishers might follow suit, leading to a broader erasure of gaming history.
This video delves into Hasbro's financial struggles and the implications of recent layoffs, highlighting the uncertainty surrounding the future of beloved games.
Chapter 3: A New Hope?
In an ideal scenario, Wizards of the Coast could utilize their upcoming actual play show to spotlight older games, potentially reviving interest in them if they resonate with the audience.