In a significant move for the tabletop industry, White Wolf has appointed former Wizards of the Coast vice president Jess Lanzillo as the new Creative Director for the World of Darkness. The appointment comes shortly after Geek Native reported on Lanzillo’s departure from the Dungeons & Dragons team in June.
Lanzillo, who previously served as VP of Franchise and Product for Dungeons & Dragons and also held a creative director role for Magic: The Gathering, will now guide the creative vision for the entire World of Darkness portfolio. This includes iconic tabletop roleplaying games such as Vampire: The Masquerade, Werewolf: The Apocalypse, and Hunter: The Reckoning.
The hire is a cornerstone of a major strategic shift for the gothic-punk IP. White Wolf, an entity within owner Paradox Interactive, is in the process of bringing its publishing and licensing operations back in-house. This change suggests a move towards a more unified and centrally controlled creative vision, a departure from the previous model, which saw core books and supplements handled by various external partners. The creation of a single, overarching Creative Director role is a clear signal of this new direction.
Lanzillo’s move is the latest in a string of high-profile talent departures from Wizards of the Coast, a trend that has seen experienced designers and executives move to competitors.
In a press statement, Jess Lanzillo, the new Creative Director of World of Darkness at White Wolf, expressed a long-held passion for the setting.
World of Darkness has been my creative north star since the ’90s, and I’ve seen firsthand how these games create communities and inspire storytellers. My focus is on supporting and amplifying what makes these worlds special—the rich lore, the player agency, the mature themes—while ensuring they reach everyone who would love them. World of Darkness is so much more than just games; it’s a cultural touchstone with a passionate community and incredible untapped potential.
White Wolf will be looking for Lanzillo’s experience in managing some of the world’s largest gaming franchises to guide the World of Darkness into its next era, which includes not only tabletop RPGs but also video games like the long-awaited Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2, slated for release later this year.
Marco Behrmann, Executive Vice President at White Wolf, noted the strategic importance of the appointment.
Bringing Jess on board to shape the creative future of World of Darkness is a big win for White Wolf. She’s a world-class Creative Director with deep roots in developing transmedia properties and a sharp instinct for audience-first storytelling. Jess’s experience makes her the perfect fit to lead White Wolf in bold, ambitious ways. Jess is a key pillar of our expanding studio, helping drive a strong and clear creative vision from the heart of our team. Her arrival underscores Paradox’s long-term commitment to White Wolf and our goal to make World of Darkness the number one horror entertainment brand in the world.
The move raises further questions about the internal climate at Wizards of the Coast while simultaneously signalling a confident and ambitious new phase for its long-standing rival in the tabletop space, the World of Darkness. Jess clearly wasn’t looking to get out of the tabletop publishing space when she left Wizards of the Coast.
