GenCon 2024: The Future Of D&D In 2024 And Beyond

Welcome to the table,

GenCon 2024 has been a whirlwind of amazing experiences, meaningful moments, and delightful conversations made all the more memorable by the fandom and friends that they have been shared with. That says a lot, as it’s only Thursday as I put fingers to keys to reflect on the first few days of the show.

After a day of travel that started at 3 am and was disrupted by phrases like “Oh, the gate is changing,” and “They couldn’t get the door on the plane to lock so we are figuring it out.” I somehow, through the infinite wonder of the world around us, managed to take two planes, a harrowing shuttle, and a rather amusing Uber to arrive at the Rooftop Ballroom just in time for the Wizards of the Coast Dungeons & Dragons private preview event.

I was greeted warmly as I entered the absolutely stunning venue, and a tempting collection of drinks and bites were provided as guests mingled. My pals at WizKids were on hand showcasing a selection of their new and upcoming miniatures, plushies, and collectibles. Having seen their upcoming online exclusive 7″ Resin Beholder by Kidrobot I’m even more excited to have this up on the shelf above my desk when it releases.

Kobold Press, 10 Speed, and a small collection of others who often collaborate with the D&D brand were in attendance and provided insight on current and upcoming releases as we waited for the talented team from Wizards of the Coast (WotC) to kick the event off and dive head first into what the future holds for this hobby we all love.

Jessica Lanzillo launched the event with a focus on the future of the hobby and ways to expand the realms of play. She spoke openly about her love of the game, he keen understanding of the state of the brand and the negative and positive ways it can be perceived, and the work the WotC team is doing to not only foster the deep roots of legacy players but also to help grow new branches that represent those who are new to the table.

After Jessica wrapped up, Chris Perkins and Jeremy Crawford took the stage and dove into the new upcoming D&D 2024 books. These books are stunning with more inclusive art themes, updated sub-classes, redesigned spells, new feats, and crafting options. A ton of work has been done on quality-of-life improvements to the way one navigates the book. These changes show  the keen attention to detail and care that went into making them.

At every turn of the page and switch of the slide, it really became clear that WotC has endeavored to ensure that the table is a welcoming place for everyone and that the game we love to play is both fun and accessible to new and legacy players.

After we explored facets of the Players Handbook, Monster Manual, and Dungeon Masters Guide we were treated to a preview of the upcoming Project Sigil, a 3D sandbox dungeon builder, that seems to be as revolutionary to the table as the first Virtual Table Tops were when they launched.

I love Dungeons & Dragons and have all my life, but I left that event feeling hopeful for the future of the hobby and the community at large. I found a bar, tucked myself into a corner, ordered a drink and spent the next few hours reading the 2024 Players Handbook.

I can tell you there are a slew of subclasses and they seem to have something for everyone represented. I can tell you that the way the book is laid out makes navigating it way more enjoyable than something I already enjoyed reading, I can even tell you the art is stunning and fun and really feels more inclusive down to an adventure with a wheelchair they are using as a mobility aid in the middle of an adventure setting.

Every facet of this book feels welcoming to someone like myself, who has been at the table all my life, and those who are new to the hobby and exploring the space to find where they sit and how they want to enjoy their play and the storytelling experience.

There is so much to say about these new 2024 books and all the exciting new developments coming from WotC, and trust me when I say I will have a ton of coverage coming soon, however, I want to leave you with something that I believe from the bottom of my heart showcases where Dungeons & Dragons are focused on their journey heading forward.

The day after WotC’s brilliantly orchestrated event, I was riding the elevator in the GenCon convention center with a person I had not met yet and my Editor-in-Chief. Our EiC was asking me about my thoughts on the 2024 Players Handbook and, as the senior gaming journalist here at Comicon, how I wanted to approach our review coverage. As someone who is respectful of other people’s space and the anxiety that can come with traveling in a small space with others, I did my best to speak in low tones but my excitement was very real and I was joyfully spouting a laundry list of things I adored about the new handbook.

The witch hat-wearing woman in the elevator with me turned with a bright smile and asked if we were talking about the new Players Handbook. I said we were, and that if she was a fan of D&D she would not be disappointed with what the team had done in the slightest. As we exited the elevator this delightful human knelt down on the con floor next to me putting herself at my eyeline with little care for her Acererak the Eternal BlackMilk Dungeon Master Palazzo Pants or where she needed to be and we dove into a wonderful conversation about inclusivity and representation within the hobby.

As we began to wrap up she introduced herself as LaTia Jacquise and let me know she was a Community Manager for D&D, a fact that warmed my heart as she had not mentioned this fact beforehand and just wanted to engage and speak candidly about the state of play, my thoughts, and the joy of being two people who love to roll dice at the table with our friends.

This moment holds special significance for me, because what I do allows me the privilege of spending a great deal of time with many brilliant creators in this space. From me, there has never been an expectation for anyone to meet me at my level. I’m keenly aware of my place in the world, and how disabled people are viewed and treated, and am always immensely grateful for the invitations and opportunities to explore these spaces at various activations, press events, and parties whenever they are accessible to someone like me.

What I think is so charming, so life-affirming, and what should be the biggest takeaway from this, my dear reader, is that kindness afforded to me, that push to make me feel more comfortable, to feel more considered and seen. That move to join me where I sit, that action, that six seconds to shift position, that should speak to all of you about where Dungeons & Dragons is headed.

We are all on this adventure together, and with people like LaTia Jacquise helping plot the course, we will continue to reach new heights as both players and people.

Until next time, I love you all. Never forget we are all welcome at the table.