Shifting Tides in Tabletop RPGs: Key Figures from D&D Move Daggerheart Amidst Wizards of the Coast Layoffs

The world of tabletop role-playing games (RPGs) is abuzz with significant news as two pivotal figures in the development of Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition, Jeremy Crawford and Chris Perkins, have announced their move to Darrington Press, the publishing arm behind the popular actual-play series Critical Role. This development coincides with a period of notable staff changes at Wizards of the Coast, the publisher of Dungeons & Dragons.

On Monday, June 16th, Darrington Press publicly shared the news that Jeremy Crawford, former Game Design Director, and Chris Perkins, former Creative Director for Dungeons & Dragons, have joined their team. Both Crawford and Perkins played instrumental roles in shaping D&D 5th Edition, a highly successful iteration of the iconic RPG. Perkins had a long tenure with Wizards of the Coast, beginning in 1997, while Crawford joined in 2007. They both departed their D&D oversight roles in April of this year.

In a press release, Darrington Press stated that Crawford and Perkins will “be focused on developing new game concepts, innovative mechanics, and future iterations, including upcoming expansions involving the entire slate of Darrington Press products.” This move signals a significant boost for Darrington Press, particularly for their recently launched fantasy RPG, Daggerheart.

Chris Perkins expressed his enthusiasm for the new chapter, stating, “Storytelling has always been at the heart of everything I do, and joining Darrington Press feels a bit like coming home.” Jeremy Crawford added, “This team is passionate, wildly creative, and committed to building welcoming, connected, amazing story-driven experiences—I can’t wait to expand on what Critical Role has already created to develop some really fun and unique games.”

Departures and Layoffs at Wizards of the Coast

The announcement of Crawford and Perkins’ move to Darrington Press arrived on the same day that Todd Kenreck, Dungeons & Dragons’ video content producer, shared news of his layoff from Wizards of the Coast. Kenreck, known for his contributions to D&D’s marketing efforts, expressed his gratitude to the D&D team on BlueSky, calling it his “dream job.”

I have been laid off from D&D. Thank you to Chris Perkins, Jeremy Crawford and the entire D&D team for being some of the kindest, most talented and passionate people I've ever known. This was my dream job. The tabletop community has given me everything.

— Todd Kenreck (@toddkenreck.bsky.social) 2025-06-16T21:00:51.455Z

Adding to the recent changes, Jess Lanzillo, former VP for Franchise and Product: D&D at Wizards of the Coast, announced her resignation on Sunday via a LinkedIn post. Lanzillo, who had been with the company for eight years, playfully described her former role as “either the best job title ever invented or proof that late-stage capitalism has finally achieved absolute absurdity,” and expressed excitement about choosing her “own plot twist.”

These recent departures and layoffs are part of a broader trend of veteran staff changes at Wizards of the Coast over the past two years. In December 2023, parent company Hasbro implemented significant cuts across its organization due to unprofitability in its toy business, impacting numerous D&D staff members. Further notable departures include Dixon Dubow, a key figure in community relations after the Open Gaming License (OGL) controversy, in October 2024, and the dismissal of staff assigned to the Project Sigil virtual tabletop project in April 2025.

The Rise of Daggerheart and a Shifting Landscape

Darrington Press’s flagship RPG, Daggerheart, has already been gaining traction as a potential competitor to D&D. Developed with its own unique mechanics and analogues for traditional fantasy races and classes, it offers a distinct experience. Early reviews, such as one from Mollie Russell, describe Daggerheart as “D&D for players who give zero damns about combat,” highlighting its focus on storytelling and less emphasis on detailed combat mechanics.

The success of Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition was significantly influenced by two major factors: the dedicated and diverse creative team, led by individuals like Crawford and Perkins, and the immense visibility provided by actual-play shows such as Critical Role. With Crawford and Perkins now joining forces with Darrington Press and its connection to Critical Role, the convergence of these two powerful forces could reshape the landscape of the tabletop RPG market. This strategic move by Darrington Press positions Daggerheart as a formidable contender, potentially becoming D&D’s leading rival in the years to come.