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Articles by Steven Starkey
Dungeons & Dragons partners with Star Wars
Lord Vader arrived at Gen Con with important news! By Chris Wyman and Steven Starkey Published: July 30, 2026, 6:21 pm | {shareOpen = false}, 2000)"> Share to X {shareOpen = false}, 2000)"> Share to Bluesky {shareOpen = false}, 2000)"> Share to Facebook {shareOpen = false}, 2000)"> Share to LinkedIn {shareOpen = false}, 2000)"> Share by email Dungeons & Dragons is now crossing lightsabers with Star Wars with an unexpected collaboration.
D&D Icons brings back legendary storytellers
Greyhawk, Dragonlance, and Drizzt are just the beginning. By Chris Wyman and Steven Starkey Published: July 30, 2026, 4:02 pm | {shareOpen = false}, 2000)"> Share to X {shareOpen = false}, 2000)"> Share to Bluesky {shareOpen = false}, 2000)"> Share to Facebook {shareOpen = false}, 2000)"> Share to LinkedIn {shareOpen = false}, 2000)"> Share by email Wizards of the Coast is returning to its roots by bringing back some of the biggest names in D&D history.
New technology upgrades coming to D&D Beyond
Finding games should be easier than ever! By Chris Wyman and Steven Starkey Published: July 30, 2026, 4:02 pm Last updated: July 30, 2026, 4:01 pm | {shareOpen = false}, 2000)"> Share to X {shareOpen = false}, 2000)"> Share to Bluesky {shareOpen = false}, 2000)"> Share to Facebook {shareOpen = false}, 2000)"> Share to LinkedIn {shareOpen = false}, 2000)"> Share by email Enhancements to the D&D Beyond app are coming with the hope of making it easier to play D&D than ever before.
Dungeons & Dragons returns to the world of Dark Sun
The first mature themed setting comes to D&D. By Chris Wyman and Steven Starkey Published: July 30, 2026, 4:02 pm | {shareOpen = false}, 2000)"> Share to X {shareOpen = false}, 2000)"> Share to Bluesky {shareOpen = false}, 2000)"> Share to Facebook {shareOpen = false}, 2000)"> Share to LinkedIn {shareOpen = false}, 2000)"> Share by email Dungeons & Dragons brings back the world of Dark Sun in 2027. This classic world is known for its brutal combat and difficult survival.
Wizards of the Coast unveils D&D Universes Beyond: World of Warcraft
Bring Azeroth to your own tabletop! By Chris Wyman and Steven Starkey Published: July 30, 2026, 4:01 pm | {shareOpen = false}, 2000)"> Share to X {shareOpen = false}, 2000)"> Share to Bluesky {shareOpen = false}, 2000)"> Share to Facebook {shareOpen = false}, 2000)"> Share to LinkedIn {shareOpen = false}, 2000)"> Share by email Wizards of the Coast revealed a new setting coming to Dungeons & Dragons. D&D Universes Beyond: World of Warcraft.
Dungeons & Dragons partners with multiple companies to expand their worlds
Expanding the worlds of Ravenloft, Eberron, and Forgotten Realms! By Chris Wyman and Steven Starkey Published: July 30, 2026, 4:01 pm | {shareOpen = false}, 2000)"> Share to X {shareOpen = false}, 2000)"> Share to Bluesky {shareOpen = false}, 2000)"> Share to Facebook {shareOpen = false}, 2000)"> Share to LinkedIn {shareOpen = false}, 2000)"> Share by email Wizards of the Coast is partnering with other big names in the TTRPG world to help expand their worlds.
Greyhawk returns to Dungeons & Dragons in 2027
The classic D&D world returns with a modern update! By Chris Wyman and Steven Starkey Published: July 30, 2026, 4:01 pm | {shareOpen = false}, 2000)"> Share to X {shareOpen = false}, 2000)"> Share to Bluesky {shareOpen = false}, 2000)"> Share to Facebook {shareOpen = false}, 2000)"> Share to LinkedIn {shareOpen = false}, 2000)"> Share by email One of Dungeons & Dragons' most influential worlds returns in 2027 as Wizards of the Coast returns to the classic world of Greyhawk.
Melf's Guide to Greyhawk
It's all about keeping your players satisfied / 27 Mar 2026 Announcement made with D&D VP Dan Ayoub at Gary Con / 19 Mar 2026 Get your gaming news from us! Personal information Great! Check your inbox and click the link. Sorry, something went wrong. Please try again.
Luke Gygax collaborating with D&D on new Greyhawk content
Announcement made with D&D VP Dan Ayoub at Gary Con Luke Gygax and Dan Ayoub Published: March 19, 2026, 1:48 pm | {shareOpen = false}, 2000)"> Share to X {shareOpen = false}, 2000)"> Share to Bluesky {shareOpen = false}, 2000)"> Share to Facebook {shareOpen = false}, 2000)"> Share to LinkedIn {shareOpen = false}, 2000)"> Share by email At Gary Con XVIII, Wizards of the Coast's VP of Franchise at Dungeons & Dragons Dan Ayoub, along with Luke Gygax, game creator and son of D&D co-creator Gary...
Dungeons & Dragons Starter Set: Heroes of the Borderlands review - D&D's best start so far
When it comes to role-playing games, getting new players to the table can be challenging, even if there is an experienced player to introduce the game to them. I've certainly been the main instigator in introducing new players to a variety of roleplaying games, chief among them over the years being Dungeons & Dragons, and anything to help ease them into the game is welcome.
Dragon Delves - Ten dragons for ten adventures
Dungeons & Dragons games of the past might have had a whole lot more dungeons and dragons than they do now, although who knows for sure what's actually happening at all the gaming tables around the world. I know that at my gaming table, the games have evolved enough that a dragon is a rare sight. In fact, one of my groups’ encounters with a juvenile red dragon – in a dungeon no less – in an adventure that took place well over a decade ago stands out in my memory.
Monster Manual 2024
The monsters, NPCs, and villains of a Dungeons & Dragons campaign breathe life into the setting and give the players something to struggle against. A D&D game can succeed or fail on the bad guys alone, so having a stable of enemies to draw from is essential for any DM. The Monster Manual is the first and foremost resource for adversaries in D&D. It has long been regarded as the third essential book needed to play the game.
Monster Manual 2024 Preview - An upgrade for the bad guys
Wizards of the Coast’s next book for the Dungeons & Dragons 2024 updated rules is the Monster Manual 2024. GamingTrend had a chance to hear from the co-leads for the 2024 Monster Manual, Jeremy Crawford, the Game Director for D&D and Wes Schneider, Principal Game Designer for D&D, about what we can expect to see in the new book.
Best of Gen Con 2024- Better late than never edition
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Convention season was very intense in 2024, with GamingTrend attending more tabletop cons than any other year prior. In fact, we went to so many conventions this year we still have content to publish on our Youtube channel from Origins and Gen Con (so keep your eyes peeled!). Needless to say, we’ve been very busy! Unfortunately, our Best of Gen Con Awards piece kept of being put on the back-burner, which is why you are reading this in late November instead of early September.
By Mike Dunn Verified, Steven Starkey, Nick Dubs, Mike Case, Mark Julian Verified, Eric Deutsch, Chris Hinkes, Chris Wyman
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Gaming Trend
Verified
Christian Hoffer joins us to talk about corp vs. community in the D&D world-Tabletop Throwdown S1E10
In this episode of Tabletop Throwdown, Mike Dunn and Steven Starkey speak with Christian Hoffer, a prominent voice in the Dungeons & Dragons community. They discuss Hoffer’s journey from writing about comics to becoming a key figure in tabletop RPG journalism, his experiences at Comic Book, and the impact of corporate changes on the industry. The conversation delves into the OGL controversy, the current state of D&D discourse, and the importance of community engagement in the gaming world.
Dungeon Master's Guide 2024 preview — Dungeon Masters gain a level
Wizards of the Coast’s next book for the Dungeons & Dragons 2024 updated rules is the Dungeon Master’s Guide. GamingTrend had a chance to hear from Wizards of the Coast’s lead designers for the new DMG, Chris Perkins and James Wyatt about what we can expect to see in the new book. They walked us through the book, highlighting changes to both structure and rules as well as the new additions to this not-quite-a-new-edition of the book.
Player's Handbook 2024 review --- A new addition to fifth edition
As hard as it may be for some of us to believe, Dungeons & Dragons has been around for fifty years and D&D’s fifth edition has been out for ten. Taking over from fourth edition after an extensive public playtest and development, the new fifth edition was a large departure from fourth and a step back towards third at the same time.
Gen Con 2024 Preview!-Tabletop Throwdown S1E11
We’re back and about to go to Gen Con! Join us as we talk about games we are excited about seeing at Gen Con this year, and tease a bit about what else we are doing! Games we are looking forward to: Gnome Hollow Luthier Undaunted 2200 Calisto Boop the Halls Comic Hunters Seers Catalog Creepshow The Elder Scrolls: Betrayal of the Second Era Button Kingdoms Dead Reckoning: Port of Call Happy Home Terminus Gone to Gaia …and more! Check out the Gaming Trend website for news, reviews, and more:...
Quests from the Infinite Staircase preview - Adventures across the D&D multiverse
Wizards of the Coast’s next adventure book for its Dungeons & Dragons line is Tales from the Infinite Staircase. We had a chance to hear from Justice Ramin Arman, senior game designer at WOTC, about this upcoming anthology. Like Tales from the Yawning Portal, this set of six adventures features updated adventures published under previous editions of the game. The collection of adventures starts at first level and culminates at thirteenth level, so they can be played straight through as a campaign.
The Book of Many Things review --- It's all in the cards
One of the iconic magic items in the D&D multiverse is the Deck of Many Things. As a young DM, it was one of the items that I often considered using in my games. A deck of cards found in the midst of a dragon’s hoard that turns out to have the power to change a life for good or ill with a single draw? Sounds fun! However, it’s one of those items that I would read and consider but never took the risk of including it in my game. It was just too consequential and unpredictable.
Bigby Presents Glory of the Giants review --- A handy guide to bigs
In D&D lore giants share the stage with dragons as the first races to rise to prominence. The giant races are credited with having been around almost as long as the dragons and having fought wars lasting generations against the dragons for dominance over the world. While dragons have seen their own dedicated publications in several editions of D&D, giants haven’t been as fortunate.
When a convention is actually a tribal gathering- Tabletop Throwdown S1E8
Mike finally recounts his magical trip to Lake Geneva, WI, where he attended Gary Con XVI, kicking off the fiftieth year of Dungeons & Dragons with current and past designers, artists, and luminaries of the game. Luke Gygax explains how Gary Con came to be, and Mike (sloppily) recounts a historical D&D tour of the tiny resort town where Gary Gygax started it all.
Luke Gygax & Alphinus Goo are collaborating on an adventure to honor Gary's legacy
We sat down with Luke Gygax and Alphinius Goo on the last day of Genghis Con, and while we were all pretty tired from a very full weekend of amazing gaming, nothing could dampen the enthusiasm over their new collaboration honoring Luke’s father, Gary Gygax. The Tomb of Gyzaengaxx promises to be chock full of special guest NPCs, easter eggs, and all of the amazing tools for DMs that are found in every GooeyCube adventure.
Alphinius Goo: how he got into D&D and his plans for the 50th anniversary-Tabletop Throwdown S1E3
Things get sticky this week as Mike Dunn and Steven Starkey chat with Head Wizard of GooeyCube, Alphinius Goo himself! We talk about how he got into D&D as a young lad, what GooeyCube brings to the table for modern players, and of course, his love-letter to the game featured in the upcoming Kickstarter ‘The Tomb of Gyzaenaxx’! Be sure to like and subscribe so that Mike’s character in his campaign survives the next session! And by all that is gooey, hit the link below and go sign up for the...
Keys from the Golden Vault review --- Potion's Thirteen
Wizards of the Coast (WotC) has populated the shelves of 5th edition Dungeon Masters with a lot of hardback adventures. From WotC’s offerings, groups can adventure in the various official settings. They can face off against dragons, giants, demons, and devils. Players can travel to other planes, or even go to school. For D&D groups, 5E has offered plenty of published adventures throughout its run.
Cyclopedia Zyathica Volume 1 The Wy'rded World review --- A whole new world for your tabletop
For those of you have had enough of the Forgotten Realms, people who have spent maybe a little too much time on Krynn, gamers that have grown a little tired of Eberron, there are other options out there, and not all of them have the Wizards of the Coast (WotC) trademark stamped on them. There is a small game publisher based out of Colorado called Gooey Cube that has built for D&D players a ready-made world to explore.
Luna Capital review --- Making the moon profitable
The year is 1977 and the private sector is betting on the moon as the next big market. In order for that to happen, people need to live there, so some businesses have commenced the colonization of the moon. The game is LUNA Capital, designed by Jose Ramon Palacios and published by Devir games. In LUNA Capital each player takes on the role of a group of colonists sponsored by one of four companies that are endeavoring to colonize the moon.
Campaign Case: Terrain review --- Adventure maps on the go
Wizards of the Coast clearly has an eye set on making Dungeons & Dragons accessible to new players. They have published a starter set of books, an essential kit, a core rules gift set, and a Stranger Things tie in adventure. You can find these things under the “Where to Start” label in the WOTC product catalog on their website. What doesn’t show up under that heading, but should, is the new Campaign Case: Terrain product.
Spelljammer: Adventures in Space review-Promised a feast, got a morsel.
Due to Spelljammer being a three book set rather than a single hardcover volume, we thought it best to share the duty of reviewing such a massive and crucial set. In retrospect, we may have overestimated the workload, but we hope you enjoy the collected opinions of Tabletop Editor-in-Chief Mike Dunn and our resident D&D Historian Steven Starkey anyway.
Wingspan Oceania Expansion review --- A sweet addition
The Oceania Expansion for Wingspan is the second expansion for the game and the first to introduce new mechanisms. As the title indicates, this expansion brings birds from Australia, New Zealand, and that region of the Pacific. These are colorful and interesting birds with vibrant art and fascinating facts. These newest birds include some that rely on the new resource introduced in the expansion – nectar. I rated the Wingspan base game a 90%, (read the review here) with only a few quibbles.
Marvel: Crisis Protocol Core Set review - Comic Book Battles on the Tabletop
The Avengers are duking it out with some notorious supervillains in New York City. The action is down on the street, in between the buildings and cars. The most famous heroes and villains are here in the thick of it: Captain America, Iron Man, Captain Marvel, Spider-Man, Black Widow, Red Skull, Doctor Octopus, Crossbones, Baron Zemo, and Ultron. Doctor Octopus throws a taxicab at Black Widow while Captain America reflects Iron Man’s repulsor blast around a corner at Ultron.
The Hunger review --- Deckbuilding with a Twist
The sun has finally dropped below the horizon and the castle gates open for the local vampires to begin the nightly hunt to satiate their hunger for human blood. Sprinting into the darkness, the vampires run through the mountains, then the plains, then the forest and finally reach the labyrinth to find a single, unique rose. With rose in hand, feeding on the local populace when they can, the vampires race back to the castle to reach the safety of its walls before the sun rises in the morning.
Fizban’s Treasury of Dragons review ⏤ The mother-load of all dragons
Dragons are the most iconic creatures in Dungeons and Dragons – they are in the name of the game, after all. Since the beginning of 5th edition, dragons have been recognized as amongst the toughest brutes the players can go up against. In the Monster Manual, ancient dragons occupy the thin ranks of over-20 challenge ratings.
Wings of Glory: Tripods & Triplanes review - Dogfighting with giant walkers
It’s 1918 and the War to End All Wars has engulfed Europe. Across the frontiers of France and Germany, soldiers on the ground endure unending, brutal stalemates of muddy trench warfare. Overhead, flying in newly invented airplanes, a new type of combatant cartwheels and careens across the embattled skies. Flying over the hellish trenches to obtain intelligence, drop bombs, and engage in dogfights, the opposing airmen are inventing aerial combat as they go.
The Wild Beyond the Witchlight review ⏤ By the pricking of my thumbs…
After giving us a tour of Avernus then the realms of horror in Ravenloft, the designers at Wizards of the Coast have taken us in a new direction with an exploration of a part of the Feywild in the hardback adventure the Wild Beyond the Witchlight.
What are you afraid of?---Van Richten's Guide to Ravenloft review
D&D is at its roots a high fantasy game, reminiscent of the world of Tolkien with dragons and magic and all that comes with to. Cleaving close to that high fantasy base, your run-of-the-mill D&D game is not typically too horrifying. But in recent years, we have seen a bit of a trend in that direction with WotC’s publication of the Curse of Strahd and Rime of the Frostmaiden adventure books.
Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft brings multi-genre horror to D&D 5E this May
Wizards of the Coast’s Dungeons & Dragons team has announced the next book in the line-up of products for 5th edition D&D. Focus on expanding the dreaded, mist-enshrouded realm of Ravenloft, Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft will enable Dungeon Masters and players to bring horror into their games: One of the most popular adventures published by D&D in the last few years was Curse of Strahd which begins when characters are pulled by creeping mists into a land called Barovia.
Puzzled players plotting and planning --- Tiny Towns review
Cute little animals need a place to live! That’s right, tiny animals have decided to build a small town hidden away from predators in the woods and you are the mayor that needs to guide them through it. Resources are not plentiful, so you have to build with what you can get when you get it. This tricky board game will test your planning skills as your brain melts in your skull trying to figure out the optimal placement of resources and buildings.
Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything coming in November, brings new ways to personalize your characters
Wizards of the Coast has announced its next D&D book! Entitled Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything, this rules expansion follows up Xanathar’s Guide to Everything and will be available on November 17th. Providing both players and DMs with the tools to level up their games, the 192 page tome will be composed of four chapters focusing on character options, spells and magic items, group patrons, and tools for Dungeon Masters. The character options chapter will include plenty of new rules options.
Wizards of the Coast kicks off Icewind Dale with D&D Celebration 2020 in September
Wizards of the Coast has announced D&D Celebration 2020 will take place on the 18th, 19th, and 20th of September, 2020. This online event will tie in with the September 15th release of the Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden adventure. D&D Celebration 2020 will be an online event, similar to D&D Live, focused on bringing the community together for three days for panels, viewing live games and of course, to play Dungeons and Dragons.
Swashbuckling adventure is on the way --- Sea of Legends Preview
At PAX Unplugged 2019, Gaming Trend was lucky enough to get a chance to sit down and talk to Ryan Schapals and Zach Weisman, two of the three game designers at Guildhall Studios, about their upcoming Sea of Legends board game. We first talked a little about their new company, Guildhall Studios, which they started with Sea of Legends in mind.
Divinity Original Sin hits the tabletop --- Divinity Original Sin: The Board Game preview
We had a chance to sit down at PAX Unplugged with Larian Studios and their new game, Divinity Original Sin: The Board Game. We spent a few hours discussing the game and even played a few sample rounds. Our run through helped to familiarize us with the basic rules of the game and some of the interactions that can happen between the players and the game’s challenges.
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