I was absolutely flabbergasted when I saw exactly how little WotC was doing for the 50th anniversary of the world’s most famous, dare I say “most beloved” tabletop roleplaying game of all time. Did you know D&D turned 50 this year? The company in charge of the game seems like they want to keep it a secret.

This article is going to be a bit different. Sure, I think WotC is doing an absolutely terrible job of being the caretakers of D&D. I’ve made that clear several times over. There’s no fixing the corporate egregore at this point. So let’s pretend that I (or someone better) was in charge of the game for 2024.

Here’s our new release schedule:

New from JSR or Wizards of the Jeff? Jeffs of the Coast? (We’ll work on it.) My version of the D&D Team.

January:

  • 2 Brand New 50th Anniversary T-shirts. One 50th Anniversary logo and the other a reproduction of the OG White Box cover art with the 50th Anniversary logo at the bottom.
  • Adventure for 5E with the new Player’s Handbook rules and new monsters FREE on D&D Beyond. Quest for the Ivory Chalice featuring the kids from the old D&D Cartoon and a visit from our old enemy, Venger. Complete with stats for everyone.
  • Reprint Module Keep on the Borderlands.
  • Printed preview for retailers and customers of what’s in store for 2024.
  • Preview video showcasing the new PHB, DMG, MM on D&D Beyond.

February:

  • 2 New 50th Anniversary T-Shirts. 50th Anniversary Logo Ampersand and Basic Moldvay cover with 50th Logo.
  • Adventure for the new ruleset (Print and PDF) for generic fantasy world to show off the new PHB. Includes new monsters and guidance for new DMs. Levels 1-3.
  • Reprint Module Isle of Dread.
  • NEW Player’s Handbook 2024 aka D&D One, Forever Edition, 6E, (whatever.)
  • FLGS Retailer Exclusive minis blister pack Cleric, Fighter, Rogue, Wizard.
  • Video talking about the new PHB.

March:

  • 2 New 50th Anniversary T-Shirts. 50th Logo with 1st Ed font style and Moldvay Expert cover with 50th logo.
  • D&D Beyond Free Exclusive Adventure Levels 1-3 in a generic fantasy world.
  • Adventure for the new Ruleset generic fantasy world Levels 3-5.
  • Reprint Module Tomb of Horrors.
  • 50th Anniversary Book and Reprint of the Original White Box.
  • FLGS Exclusive adventure Reprint of Dragon Magazine #1.
  • Video talking about the new Monster Manual.

April:

  • 2 New T-shirts. 50th Logo with Chinese Year of the Dragon symbol.  Black/Red Box Basic D&D 2E cover with 50th Logo.
  • D&D Beyond Free Exclusive 20 new monsters.
  • Adventure (Print/PDF) featuring new monsters from MM Levels 5-7
  • Reprint Module Rod of 7 Parts.
  • NEW Monster Manual 2024 Edition.
  • FLGS Exclusive Module Level 1-3 with DDB exclusive monsters.
  • Video talking about Critical Role.

May:

  • New T Shirt with 50th Logo Huge Red Dragon. Red BECMI Cover with 50th Logo.
  • D&D Beyond Free Exclusive 20 new magic items.
  • Adventure (Print/PDF) Exandria Levels 1-3.
  • Reprint Shady Dragon Inn.
  • Hardcover Exandria World Book.
  • Hardcover Exandria Player’s Handbook with new feats, subclasses, etc.
  • FLGS Exclusive Elminster, Drizzt, Mordenkainen, Tasha  Miniatures blister pack.
  • Video talking about How to be a Dungeon Master with special guest Matt Mercer.

June:

  • New T-Shirts with 50th Logo Exandria Cover, Classic Ravenloft Cover with 50th Logo
  • D&D Beyond Free Exclusive Dungeon Master Tutorial and Level 1 adventure.
  • D&D Beyond Free Printable DM Screen Panels.
  • Adventure (Print/PDF) Levels 1-3 New Player and DM Friendly. Generic fantasy setting.
  • Reprint AD&D Dungeon Master’s Design Kit.
  • NEW Dungeon Master’s Guide 2024.
  • NEW Dungeon Master’s Screen.
  • FLGS Exclusive D&D Dice set with Ampersand Logo dice bag.
  • FLGS Exclusive Level 1-3 Adventure for new DMs (different than the one above.)
  • Dungeon Master’s Boxed Set with DMG, Screen, Dice, and Level 1-3 Adventure.
  • Video talking about the secrets of being a good Dungeon Master with Professor DM.

July:

  • New T-Shirt with 50th Logo and starry crystal ball background, Planescape cover green shirt with 50th Logo.
  • D&D Beyond Exclusive Free Planescape Maxi Adventure Levels 1-7
  • Adventure Quests on the Infinite Staircase Maxi Adventure Levels 1-18 vs Vecna
  • Reprint Deities & Demigods. (with Vecna entry.)
  • NEW Manual of the Planes.
  • FLGS Exclusive. Air, Fire, Earth, Water Elementals mins boxed set.
  • FLGS Exclusive: Magic the Gathering/D&D Elemental Cards Collector pack.
  • Video talking about Planescape and Planar travel.

August:

  • New T Shirt with 50th Anniversary Logo Black on Red, Gen Con Indy T-shirt with 50th Logo.
  • D&D Beyond Tutorial Free: How to Run a D&D Adventure.
  • D&D Beyond Exclusive Adventure Levels 1-3.
  • Adventure: Across the Multiverse Level 3-7.
  • Reprint: Ghost Tower of Inverness.
  • Gen Con Exclusive Adventure: To Ravnica And Back. Levels 3-5.
  • Gen Con Exclusive Elminster Commander Card.
  • Gen Con Magic the Gathering D&D Boxed Set.
  • Gen Con Magic the Gathering D&D Booster Draft Tournament
  • NEW Book of Magic Items.
  • FLGS Exclusive Mordenkainen Commander Card
  • D&D Beyond Video: The Convention Experience.

September:

  • New T Shirt Gold/Yellow shirt with Black lettering 50th Anniversary Logo. T-Shirt: Adventurer’s League
  • D&D Beyond Free Exclusive: How to Create a D&D Adventure.
  • D&D Beyond Exclusive: New Edition Adventure Level 3-5
  • Adventure: Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil Levels 1-7
  • Reprint: Temple of Elemental Evil.
  • NEW Book: How to Create D&D Adventures.
  • FLGS Exclusive: Grid paper packet and Adventure Creation Guide.

October:

  • New T-Shirt 50th Anniversary Ravenloft cover, 50th Logo Lich Tee.
  • D&D Beyond FREE Exclusive  Spooky Time Adventure Levels 1-3.
  • Adventure: Return to Ravenloft Levels 2-7
  • Reprint Adventure: Feast of Goblyns.
  • NEW Ravenloft Boxed Set.
  • FLGS Exclusive: Strahd, Azalin, Soth, and Vecna blister pack
  • Video: How to Run a Spooky and Safe Halloween Adventure with special guest Ginny Di.
  • Video: Preview of 2025 Showcase.

November:

  • New 50th Anniversary Logo Holiday T-Shirt. Black & White AD&D Black Razor shirt.
  • D&D Beyond FREE Exclusive Guide: How to Make Magic Items.
  • D&D Beyond Adventure: Quest for the Mighty MacGuffin. Levels 5-7
  • Adventure: Sunken Treasure. Levels 7-9.
  • Reprint AD&D Player’s HB, Unearthed Arcana, DMG, and Monster Manual GIFT Set.
  • Reprint Dragon Magazine Annual Compilation.
  • NEW PHB,DMG, DM Screen, Monster Manual Gift Set Exclusive Cover.
  • NEW D&D Magic Item Treasure Trove: Guide to Magic Items.
  • Magic the Gathering/D&D Boxed Collector Set.
  • FLGS Exclusive: D&D Holiday Gift Giving Guide
  • Video: The D&D Year in Review.

December:

  • T-Shirts 50th Logo Red and Green. 50th Logo Here’s to the next 50.
  • D&D Beyond FREE Exclusive Adventure: Holiday Hijinks Levels 1-3.
  • D&D Beyond FREE Exclusive: How to Build a World.
  • Adventure: Holiday Quest Levels 3-5.
  • Reprint Module: Ravenloft.
  • NEW D&D Guide to Dragons.
  • NEW D&D World Creator’s Guide.
  • FLGS Exclusive: 50th Anniversary Logo Holiday Ornament.
  • Video Thanking everyone for making it an amazing year!

2025:

  • Player’s Companion 1
  • Player’s Companion 2
  • DM’s Companion
  • Monster Manual 2
  • Fiend Folio
  • NEW Campaign Setting
  • One Revised Campaign Setting. (Mystara? Greyhawk? Birthright?)
  • Dragon Mastery Handbook
  • Dungeon Builder’s Guide.
  • Virtual TableTop.
  • Return of Battle System.
  • New Miniatures Game.

As you can see, I would have designers, artists, editors, and printers working around the clock to make the game the absolute best it could ever possibly be in 2024. As a CEO, I would be working Brink, Crawford and Perkins so hard that none of them would have time for interviews. They might get to make a Gen Con appearance if they’re lucky. They would be delegating and editing night and day.

It’s an incredibly aggressive work load that would require help from freelancers and pulling in additional assistance from the Dungeon Master’s Guild. I would also draw a line in the sand on freelancing. WotC OR Paizo. Pick One. Otherwise there is a massive writing pool of DMsGuild people. Oh, and not an AI to be found or else!

As CEO there would be a strict “No Controversies” policy. Nothing goes out on social media or the press until it goes through the CEO’s office and at least one Public Relations specialist. There would be at least one full time Inclusivity reader on staff who may recommend changes. Otherwise, NDAs and buttoned lips all around. Right or wrong, it’s out there now. We’ll fix it later if we have to.

You’ll have undoubtedly noticed I included nothing regarding Converse, snooty artsy clothing companies, video games, or LEGO. Why? That’s strictly Hasbro’s issue. If they want to license the IP out to everyone and their dog, great. Please leave my D&D team to knocking out gaming related products and affordable T-Shirts.

No more design by committee. We’re on tight deadlines and there will not be time for screwing around. Everyone has projects, deadlines, and someone to hold them accountable. If the staff isn’t exhausted by the end of the year, we’ve done something wrong. This is THE year for D&D. If you’re going to make a splash with the game, this is the year to really drive it home. Anything less would be a disservice to the fans/customers.

Pricing would probably have to come down from what it is now, but could be made up in exclusive covers, gift sets, crossovers, and accessories. It’s important to always include D&D Beyond and Friendly Local Game Stores in all of the planning. If Hasbro wants to make money on WotC/D&D, then some sacrifices have to be made in terms of hard work, dedication, and shipping.

Hasbro would have to spend money to make money. but good will with Matt Mercer, YouTube Content Creators, old veteran players, new players, Dungeon Maters of all shapes and sizes, FLGS employees, and Magic: the Gathering fans will go a long way. Meanwhile we’d be opening the game up to new fans, players, and DMs by kinda holding their hands on getting into the game and creating new adventures throughout the year for people to run.

The current permanent campaign world idea, whatever it is, would be toast. Under my guidance, we would provide DMs plenty of options and encouragement to either buy a premade campaign environment or develop their own.

If we think DMs spend the majority of the money on the game, let’s treat them like VIP clientele. Player sales would be driven more by the Hasbro side of merchandising plus the usual D&D minis, dice, etc. A more DM focused sales approach would probably go a long way toward making more profits, but real world WotC doesn’t want to hear that.

I’ve also not touched upon Magic: the Gathering very much. It’s not their year. Other than crossovers, the people in charge of Magic would basically be free to do whatever they deemed necessary as long as they were making money and no more than one new expansion set every three months. Under my rule we would repurpose a bunch of the D&D team to help with M:tG when it was their year.

This is probably a good place to leave it for now. We might talk about it again later this month. I think a lot of us have been having these thoughts lately as the real WotC just doesn’t seem too motivated.