Editing Dungeons & Dragons (section)

=== 2024 revision ===
In September 2021, it was announced that a [[Backward compatibility|backwards compatible]] "evolution" of 5th edition would be released in 2024 to mark the 50th anniversary of the game.<ref>{{Cite web|date=September 26, 2021|title=Dungeons & Dragons Announces Next "Evolution" of Game Coming in 2024|url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/dungeons-dragons-2024-sixth-edition-fifth-edition/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-09-27|website=ComicBook.com|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210926232741/https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/dungeons-dragons-2024-sixth-edition-fifth-edition/ |archive-date=September 26, 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-09-27|title=D&D 5th Edition Rules Being Upgraded For 50th Anniversary|url=https://screenrant.com/dungeons-dragons-5e-core-change-update-celebration/|access-date=2021-09-27|website=Screen Rant|language=en-US|archive-date=September 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210927181649/https://screenrant.com/dungeons-dragons-5e-core-change-update-celebration/|url-status=live}}</ref> In August 2022, Wizards announced that the next phase of major changes for ''Dungeons & Dragons'' would occur under the ''[[One D&D]]'' initiative which includes a public playtest of the next version of ''Dungeons & Dragons'' and an upcoming [[virtual tabletop]] (VTT) simulator with 3D environments developed using [[Unreal Engine]].<ref name="Johnson-2022">{{Cite web |last=Johnson |first=Xavier |date=2022-08-18 |title=Dungeons and Dragons brings huge changes to fifth edition rules under One D&D initiative |url=https://dotesports.com/general/news/dungeons-and-dragons-brings-huge-changes-to-fifth-edition-rules |access-date=2022-08-18 |website=Dot Esports |language=en-US |archive-date=November 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221101211839/https://dotesports.com/general/news/dungeons-and-dragons-brings-huge-changes-to-fifth-edition-rules |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Nelson-2022">{{Cite web |last=Nelson |first=Samantha |date=2022-08-18 |title=One D&D includes a new virtual tabletop and digital book bundles |url=https://www.polygon.com/23311619/one-dnd-virtual-tabletop-download-playtest |access-date=2022-08-18 |website=Polygon |language=en-US |archive-date=October 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221004164633/https://www.polygon.com/23311619/one-dnd-virtual-tabletop-download-playtest |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Plante-2022">{{Cite web |last=Plante |first=Corey |date=August 18, 2022 |title=One D&D is so much more than Dungeons & Dragons 6th Edition |url=https://www.inverse.com/gaming/one-dnd-dungeons-dragons-digital-play-experience-rules-updates |access-date=2022-08-18 |website=Inverse |language=en |archive-date=August 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220818170839/https://www.inverse.com/gaming/one-dnd-dungeons-dragons-digital-play-experience-rules-updates |url-status=live }}</ref> Revised editions of the ''Player's Handbook'', ''Monster Manual'', and ''Dungeon Master's Guide'' were scheduled to be released in 2024;<ref name="Plante-2022" /><ref name="IGN-2022">{{Cite web |date=August 18, 2022 |title=Dungeons & Dragons: One D&D Reveal Trailer |url=https://www.ign.com/videos/one-dnd-trailer-video-reveal-dungeons-and-dragons |access-date=August 18, 2022 |website=IGN |archive-date=August 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220818163218/https://www.ign.com/videos/one-dnd-trailer-video-reveal-dungeons-and-dragons |url-status=live }}</ref> the revised ''Player's Handbook'' and ''Dungeon Master's Guide'' were released in 2024, with the ''Monster Manual'' released in February 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Melzer |first=Jenny |date=2025-02-04 |title=The D&D 5e 2025 Monster Manual Is Here – And It's Glorious |url=https://www.cbr.com/dnd-5e-2025-monster-manual-review/ |access-date=2025-03-05 |website=CBR |language=en}}</ref>

In April 2022, Hasbro announced that Wizards would acquire the [[D&D Beyond]] digital toolset and game companion from [[Fandom (website)|Fandom]];<ref name="Vlessing-2022">{{Cite web |last=Vlessing |first=Etan |date=2022-04-13 |title=Hasbro Buys D&D Beyond for $146.3M in Gaming Expansion |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/hasbro-buys-dd-beyond-for-146-3m-in-gaming-expansion-1235129523/ |access-date=2022-04-14 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US |archive-date=April 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220417093724/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/hasbro-buys-dd-beyond-for-146-3m-in-gaming-expansion-1235129523/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Vanjani-2022">{{Cite web |last=Vanjani |first=Karishma |title=Hasbro Pushes for Digital Growth of Dungeons & Dragons With $146M Acquisition |url=https://www.barrons.com/articles/hasbro-stock-dungeons-dragons-beyond-acquisition-51649875679 |access-date=2022-04-14 |website=www.barrons.com |language=en-US |archive-date=April 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220419153244/https://www.barrons.com/articles/hasbro-stock-dungeons-dragons-beyond-acquisition-51649875679 |url-status=live }}</ref> the official transfer to Wizards occurred in May 2022.<ref name="DND-2022a">{{Cite web |date=April 22, 2022 |title=Change of D&D Beyond Ownership |url=http://www.dndbeyond.com/posts/1234-change-of-d-d-beyond-ownership |access-date=2022-05-11 |website=D&D Beyond |language=en-us |type=[[Press release]] |archive-date=May 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220514224222/https://www.dndbeyond.com/posts/1234-change-of-d-d-beyond-ownership |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Zambrano-2022">{{Cite web |last=Zambrano |first=J. R. |date=2022-05-11 |title=D&D Beyond Officially Changes Hands May 18th |url=https://www.belloflostsouls.net/2022/05/dd-beyond-officially-changes-hands-may-18th.html |access-date=2022-05-11 |website=Bell of Lost Souls |language=en |archive-date=October 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005170011/https://www.belloflostsouls.net/2022/05/dd-beyond-officially-changes-hands-may-18th.html |url-status=live }}</ref> At the Hasbro Investor Event in October 2022, it was announced that Dan Rawson, former COO of [[Microsoft Dynamics 365]], was appointed to the newly created position of Senior Vice President for the ''Dungeons & Dragons'' brand; Rawson will act as the new head of the franchise.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 4, 2022 |title=Hasbro Announces New Dungeons & Dragons Head |url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/hasbro-dungeons-dragons-senior-vice-president-dan-rawson/ |access-date=2022-10-05 |website=[[ComicBook.com]] |language=en |archive-date=October 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005165755/https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/hasbro-dungeons-dragons-senior-vice-president-dan-rawson/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=October 5, 2022 |title=Hasbro Adds SVP of 'D&D', Strengthening Online Side of Brand |url=https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/52307/hasbro-adds-svp-d-d-strengthening-online-side-brand |access-date=October 5, 2022 |website=[[ICv2]] |language=en |archive-date=October 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005134135/https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/52307/hasbro-adds-svp-d-d-strengthening-online-side-brand |url-status=live }}</ref> Chase Carter of ''[[Dicebreaker]]'' highlighted that Rawson's role is "part of Wizards' plans to apply more resources to the digital side of D&D" following the purchase of D&D Beyond by Hasbro earlier in the year.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Carter |first=Chase |date=2022-10-05 |title=Wizards of the Coast appoints former Microsoft e-commerce veteran as new senior VP of Dungeons & Dragons |url=https://www.dicebreaker.com/companies/wizards-of-the-coast/news/wizards-of-the-coast-hires-dan-rawson-vice-president-of-dungeons-and-dragons |access-date=2022-10-05 |website=Dicebreaker |language=en |archive-date=October 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005165758/https://www.dicebreaker.com/companies/wizards-of-the-coast/news/wizards-of-the-coast-hires-dan-rawson-vice-president-of-dungeons-and-dragons |url-status=live }}</ref> Wizards of the Coast CEO Cynthia Williams and Hasbro CEO Chris Cocks, at a December 2022 Hasbro investor-focused web seminar, called the ''Dungeons & Dragons'' brand "under monetized".<ref name="Carter-2022a">{{Cite web |last=Carter |first=Chase |date=December 9, 2022 |title=Dungeons & Dragons executives think "the brand is really under monetised" |url=https://www.dicebreaker.com/categories/roleplaying-game/news/dungeons-and-dragons-under-monetised-says-executives |access-date=January 12, 2023 |website=Dicebreaker |language=en |archive-date=January 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111172405/https://www.dicebreaker.com/categories/roleplaying-game/news/dungeons-and-dragons-under-monetised-says-executives |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Kotaku-2022">{{Cite web |date=December 12, 2022 |title=D&D CEO Thinks Hobby Is 'Under Monetized' Compared To Video Games |url=https://kotaku.com/dungeons-and-dragons-dnd-fifth-edition-one-dnd-1849884812 |access-date=January 12, 2023 |website=Kotaku |language=en |archive-date=January 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230112010412/https://kotaku.com/dungeons-and-dragons-dnd-fifth-edition-one-dnd-1849884812 |url-status=live }}</ref> They highlighted the high engagement of fans with the brand, however, the majority of spending is by Dungeon Masters who are only roughly 20% of the player base. Williams commented that the increased investment in digital will "unlock the type of recurrent spending you see in digital games".<ref name="Carter-2022a" /><ref name="Kotaku-2022" /> 

At the July 2024 Hasbro investor meeting, Cocks stated "that digital revenue on D&D Beyond 'accounts for over half' of" the total earnings from ''Dungeons & Dragons''.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Carter |first=Chase |date=2024-07-26 |title=Hasbro will need more than video game execs before "going all in" on digital play |url=https://www.rascal.news/hasbro-will-need-more-than-video-game-execs-before-going-all-in-on-digital-play/ |url-access=subscription |access-date=2024-07-28 |website=Rascal News |language=en |archive-date=July 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240728002147/https://www.rascal.news/hasbro-will-need-more-than-video-game-execs-before-going-all-in-on-digital-play/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Carter, now for ''Rascal'', commented that "we know physical books sell poorly, and even if pre-orders for the 2024 core books are, uh, 'solid', according to the CEO, it's evident that Hasbro holds little faith in analog games clotting the money bleed elsewhere in the company's structure".<ref name=":0" /> The 3D VTT ''[[D&D Beyond#Sigil|Sigil]]'' launched as part of D&D Beyond in March 2025.<ref name=":38">{{Cite web |last=Machkovech |first=Sam |date=2025-03-12 |title=After years in development, D&D’s Unreal-powered virtual tabletop still feels off |url=https://www.polygon.com/dnd-dungeons-dragons/537899/sigil-vtt-review |access-date=2025-03-23 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}}</ref> Later that month, approximately 90% of the development team were laid off; in an internal communication, Hasbro Direct senior vice president Dan Rawson stated "our aspirations for ''Sigil'' as a large, standalone game with a distinct monetization path will not be realized".<ref name=":40">{{Cite web |last=Carter |first=Chase |date=2025-03-19 |title=Wizards of the Coast shutters Sigil virtual tabletop project, lays off 30 staff |url=https://www.rascal.news/wizards-of-the-coast-shutters-sigil-virtual-tabletop-project-lays-off-30-staff/ |url-access=registration |access-date=2025-03-23 |website=Rascal News |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":41">{{Cite web |last=Hall |first=Charlie |date=2025-03-19 |title=D&D suffers more layoffs as Wizards cuts Sigil VTT staff by 90% |url=https://www.polygon.com/dnd-dungeons-dragons/542716/wizards-sigil-vtt-layoffs |access-date=2025-03-23 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}}</ref> Following the release of core rulebooks for the 2024 revision, ''Dungeons & Dragons'' Creative Director Chris Perkins and Game Director [[Jeremy Crawford]] announced their departures from Wizards of the Coast. Christian Hoffer, for ''[[Screen Rant]]'', highlighted that both "have been part of the ''Dungeons & Dragons'' design team for decades and were two of the lead designers of" ''Dungeons & Dragons'' 5th Edition.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Hoffer |first=Christian |date=April 11, 2025 |title=Jeremy Crawford and Chris Perkins to Leave Dungeons & Dragons' Design Team |url=https://screenrant.com/jeremy-crawford-chris-perkins-leaving-dnd-interview/ |access-date=April 11, 2025 |website=[[Screen Rant]] |language=en-US}}</ref> On this change in game's leadership, he noted that VP of Franchise and Product (''Dungeons & Dragons'') Jess Lanzillo "mentioned that [[James Wyatt (game designer)|James Wyatt]] and [[F. Wesley Schneider|Wes Schneider]], principal designers who have been part of the ''D&D'' team for years, will both have a 'bigger place at the table'" and "other designers, including Justice Arman, would also have progressive leadership roles as well".<ref name=":3" />