Gen Con 2026 is officially underway in Indianapolis, running through to 2 August, and the news so far has delivered major announcements across the tabletop roleplaying spectrum. Beyond the early headline reveals regarding D&D’s World of Warcraft expansion and Star Wars crossovers, publishers have rolled out aggressive long-term release roadmaps, open-source rules systems, high-profile creative revivals, and major structural shifts in official setting support.
From Wizards of the Coast deputising third-party studios to Paizo stepping into modern horror, here is a complete breakdown of the biggest TTRPG news from the convention floor so far.
WotC Deputises Third-Party Publishers for Official Campaign Settings
In one of the most significant structural announcements during the D&D keynote presentation, Executive Producer Greg Bilsand admitted that Wizards of the Coast simply cannot keep up with player demand for content across its vast library of legacy campaign settings. Rather than making fans wait decades between books, WotC is officially partnering with prominent third-party tabletop studios to publish official setting sourcebooks and adventure content:
- Ravenloft: Ghostfire Gaming (Grim Hollow) will develop official new content for the gothic horror setting.
- Eberron: Visionary Productions and Design takes the reins for new material in the popular magipunk world.
- Forgotten Realms: Kobold Press (Tales of the Valiant, Tome of Beasts) will produce official supplements expanding Faerûn.
Bilsand confirmed that the overarching goal of these partnerships is to provide annual official support for every major D&D campaign setting moving forward.
D&D Icons Line Revives Classic Storytellers & ‘Death Saves’ Debuts
Alongside third-party partnerships, WotC launched the D&D Icons initiative, overseen by actor, producer, and D&D enthusiast Joe Manganiello as Chief Creative Officer. The program brings legendary writers back into official production:
- Dragonlance: Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman return to author their first official Dragonlance TTRPG volume in over 20 years.
- Greyhawk: Luke Gygax is working on a major Greyhawk project based directly on unreleased notes, draft material, and archive content left behind by his father, D&D co-creator Gary Gygax, planned for 2027.
- Forgotten Realms: R.A. Salvatore returns under the Icons banner to continue the story of drow ranger Drizzt Do’Urden.
WotC also showcased Death Saves: The Blood War, a dark fantasy setting designed by Manganiello and former D&D co-lead designer Mike Mearls. Published under a new mature “Black Label” imprint, the setting explores a bleak world where the cosmic Blood War has ended, evil won, and the gods lie dead. Additionally, WotC confirmed an uncompromising return to the post-apocalyptic Dark Sun setting, promising to preserve its gritty survival tone.
Paizo Unveils ’13 Omens’ and Pathfinder’s 2027 Slate
Paizo opened its Gen Con presence by stepping outside high fantasy to debut 13 Omens, a rules-lite modern supernatural horror roleplaying game designed by Jason Bulmahn and Joe Pasini. Built specifically for high-tension one-shots, a limited Preview Edition rulebook and accompanying story book, Bequeathed, are selling exclusively at Booth 203 ahead of a full Kickstarter campaign in autumn.
Paizo also outlined Pathfinder’s 2027 release slate:
- Lost Omens: Sagalands (March 2027): A setting guide returning to classic 1e regions, including Varisia, New Thassilon, Irrisen, and the Realm of the Mammoth Lords.
- Invaders from the Dark (June 2027): A levels 1–10 adventure set in Numeria centred on an alien invasion, featuring hoverbikes and rules designed to seamlessly blend Pathfinder with Starfinder mechanics.
- Tome of Dungeons (Gen Con 2027): A deep dive into dungeon design, denizens, and delvers, introducing the Daredevil and Slayer classes alongside unusual ancestries such as the Stony Gargoyle and Awakened Ooze.
Brotherwise Games Opens Up the Plotweaver System
Brotherwise Games announced that it is opening the Plotweaver RPG System, the underlying engine powering the Cosmere Roleplaying Game, for third-party game design. Similar to Monte Cook Games’ expansion of the Cypher System, Brotherwise will offer free online rules and templates for external creators.
An open alpha for Plotweaver begins on 5 August featuring the original fantasy setting Erstwild, followed by an open beta next year. Initial third-party projects include Infinite, a genre-hopping RPG designed by Keith Baker’s Twogether Studios, and a TTRPG adaptation of Earthborn Games’ solarpunk card game Earthborne Rangers, scheduled for a Q2 2027 crowdfunding launch.
Darrington Press Accelerates ‘Daggerheart’ Production
Darrington Press used its Daggerheart Next preview event to confirm an aggressive publishing schedule, committing to two major “tentpole” rulebooks every year through 2030.
Upcoming projects include an adventure anthology written by former D&D lead designer Chris Perkins and an unannounced setting book by Rowan Hall. Darrington Press also confirmed smaller releases, including a partnership with Roll & Play Press for Daggerheart one-shot modules and a standalone romantasy frame titled With Love and Magic releasing this autumn.
Event to Watch: Anjali Bhimani Hosts ‘The Puppy Roll 2.0’ Live
For attendees and viewers streaming at home on Saturday, 1 August, The Puppy Roll 2.0 live charity show takes place at 10:30 am EST at the Indiana Repertory Theatre’s D&D Tower.
Created and hosted by actor, producer, author, and dog mom Anjali Bhimani (Overwatch, Apex Legends, Ms. Marvel, Critical Role: Candela Obscura), the live-streamed event features celebrities playing Dungeons & Dragons as their real-life pets. Co-presented by D&D and powered by Petco Love, the initiative raises funds and awareness for national animal welfare organisations, having raised over $63,000 since its inception in 2022.
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