Fan's perspcective: Why Larian Studios should buy Dungeons and Dragons from the WOtC

[Banelord]

As a longtime fan of Dungeons&Dragons, I have witnessed both its peaks and disappointing troughs. Recent years under Wizards of the Coast (WotC) have seen the franchise stray from its roots, much to the dismay of many in the community.

In this context, the idea of Larian Studios acquiring D&D sparks not just interest but hope. And here is why.

I firmly believe Larian Studios, known for its dedication to core roleplaying game elements, could bring D&D back to its foundational principles. Under WotC, the franchise has often felt diluted, catering more to broader market trends than to its core fans. Larians track record with games like "Divinity: Original Sin" shows a commitment to immersive storytelling and deep character development, aspects that D&D desperately needs to reembrace. We need a return to core RPG elements, and Larian can do it.

Moving on, Larian Studios has earned a reputation for respecting and engaging with its fan base, a STARK contrast to WotCs recent approach. Many fans, myself included, have felt increasingly alienated by WotCs decisions, which often seem driven by market analytics rather than genuine engagement with the community. Thats why I believe that Larians acquisition would restore the sense of community and belonging that has been seriously eroding under WotC.

One of Larian strengths is its ability to innovate without losing sight of tradition; a balance that I feel D&D has struggled with lately. It is my strong belief that Larians approach to game design, which blends classic RPG mechanics with modern sensibilities, could breathe new life into D&D while staying true to what made the franchise great in the first place. The innovative approach, while strictly honoring franchize's tradition and the established lore, is exactly what I feel we need, and Larian did this so great in BG3.

Under WotC, and consequently Hasbro, D&D has often seemed to me like a small cog in a large corporate machine, with decisions driven more by profit margins than by creative vision. Larian, being an independent studio with a clear and obvious passion for RPGs, could free D&D from these constraints, allowing for more creative "risks" and a return to a more authentic, fan focused approach. And after teh resounding success with BG3, I believe in Larian's strength to break free from corporate constraints now.

Finally, Larian acquiring D&D could symbolize a fresh start for the franchise. Its an opportunity to reset, to reevaluate what D&D should be about AND to rebuild trust with a fan base that feels increasingly disillusioned. Its not just about new games or merchandise; it's reviving a community and a legacy. An unique opportunity not seen since Black Isle's days.

As a fan, the prospect of Larian Studios acquiring D&D is more than just a company transaction.

It is a beacon of hope for a franchise that has lost its way.

To me, it represents the possibility of a D&D that:

- honors its past,
- listens to its fans, and
- isn't afraid to innovate.

If you share these sentiments, I encourage you to spread this idea across forums and social networks. Lets unite our voices to advocate for a change that could revive the heart and soul of Dungeons & Dragons.

[Vixziค็็็็็n]

Originally posted by kbiz:

Originally posted by guard65:

Since the day Gary lost control it has been one big toilet flush.

Can you or someone else expand on that? I'm not knowledgeable about everything that has happened.

There would be too much to detail all that has changed since TSR ousted Gygax. But needless to say the game today is quite different than his vision.

[RoboSauce]

D&D is great in that it is the entry point for a lot of people into the hobby, name recognition is a huge factor. IMO with Tasha things got weird though, not a fan of big systems that make things more generic or whacky. Pathfinder gets that weirdness creep as well. Larian would make it into a circus. It'd be cool to see D&D pared back and refocused.

[Altimely]

Originally posted by guard65:

Since the day Gary lost control it has been one big toilet flush.

Not really, but the old modules and rules can still be used for anyone who doesn't like where D&D is now.

[DrZann]

Originally posted by RoboSauce:

...It'd be cool to see D&D pared back and refocused.

There are a number of options in that regard. Retro Clones are restatements of previous editions. Old-School Essentials is a restatement of Moldvay D&D and is highly recommended. Castles and Crusades is a stripped down variant of the 3.5 D&D rules that resembles classic AD&D play. There are a host of 5th Edition based games like 5 Torches Deep and Shadowdark that combine OSR principles with more modern game design.

[seeker1]

Pathfinder is 3.5E SRD, except, of course, Paizo have modified it from that starting point. At this point, Pathfinder is itself in 2E. It's the most viable alternative to the 5E being offered by WotC. Paizo even have their own sci-fi overlay over Pathfinder that they call Starfinder. Think of Starfinder as Paizo's answer to Spelljammer.

Some people thought Owlcat's next game after WotR was going to be a Starfinder game, but then they did a surprise turn and used WH 40K - and in turn a WH40 K based TTRPG (Rogue Trader) from 2009 as the framework.

[Vixziค็็็็็n]

Originally posted by seeker1:

Pathfinder is 3.5E SRD, except, of course, Paizo have modified it from that starting point. At this point, Pathfinder is itself in 2E. It's the most viable alternative to the 5E being offered by WotC. Paizo even have their own sci-fi overlay over Pathfinder that they call Starfinder. Think of Starfinder as Paizo's answer to Spelljammer.

Some people thought Owlcat's next game after WotR was going to be a Starfinder game, but then they did a surprise turn and used WH 40K - and in turn a WH40 K based TTRPG (Rogue Trader) from 2009 as the framework.

Pathfinder is about to get even more distant from it's D&D origins considering the WotC licensing fiasco. So now they are making it something very different. They're already having a hard enough time separating alignment from the game.

[Wompoo]

Not happening Wizards of the Coast is to large for Larian to buy... hell Wotc not only has DnD but also Archetype Entertainment (and that studio has seriously talented industry giants in its stable) working with them on a game called Exodus. I would prefer for Larian to stick to what they do best rather than go into debt for god awful Wotc. Also Wotc has Magic the Gathering, it just isn't happening, Hasbro will not carve up a profitable pie for no reason., DnD or anything else.

[northernwater]

Only thing worse than Larain buying the DnD IP would Microsoft doing so.

[The_Dipl0mat]

Originally posted by northernwater:

Only thing worse than Larain buying the DnD IP would Microsoft doing so.

Nah, EA

[Daevinski]

Elon Musk is the only one who should buy D&D.

[Wokelander]

I think Paradox should add D&D to their portfolio of pen & paper rpgs they (mis)manage

[Govi]

Originally posted by The_Dipl0mat:

Originally posted by northernwater:

Only thing worse than Larain buying the DnD IP would Microsoft doing so.

Nah, EA

Can you imagine those pricks hiding classes behind a micro transaction

[The_Dipl0mat]

Originally posted by Govi:

Originally posted by The_Dipl0mat:

Nah, EA

Can you imagine those pricks hiding classes behind a micro transaction

$2.99 to unlock each class and 99¢ for sub classes

Also they somehow introduced a battle royale

[Vixziค็็็็็n]

Originally posted by The_Dipl0mat:

Originally posted by Govi:

Can you imagine those pricks hiding classes behind a micro transaction

$2.99 to unlock each class and 99¢ for sub classes

Also they somehow introduced a battle royale

Facts The crazy thing is they keep getting away with it. Which should tell us all something about the gaming community. Literal games out there shown to be straight scams and still people will throw their money out there.

[The_Dipl0mat]

Originally posted by Vixzian:

Originally posted by The_Dipl0mat:

$2.99 to unlock each class and 99¢ for sub classes

Also they somehow introduced a battle royale

Facts The crazy thing is they keep getting away with it. Which should tell us all something about the gaming community. Literal games out there shown to be straight scams and still people will throw their money out there.

Oh yeah, it's why voting with wallets doesn't actually work. Good luck getting anyone to agree to it
Plus the mindset of either "everyone else does, so why shouldn't I..." or "everyone else is protesting! Surely a few bucks won't mean anything"

I also think insane tipping culture is playing a part, as each microtransaction is sort of like a tip