Wizards of the Coast president John Hight has expressed a strong interest in developing a brand-new Dungeons & Dragons MMORPG, though he emphasized that the traditional structure of the genre would need to be reimagined before such a project could move forward. While the company currently has no active MMORPG in development, Hight’s comments highlight the possibility of a future game that could reshape how fans experience the Dungeons & Dragons universe in an online setting.
Background: From Warcraft to Wizards of the Coast
John Hight, a veteran of the games industry, took over as president of Wizards of the Coast in July 2024. Before that, he built his reputation at Blizzard Entertainment, where he worked for more than a decade as the executive producer and vice president of World of Warcraft. He later became the general manager of the entire Warcraft franchise, overseeing one of the most successful MMO brands in gaming history. Given this background, his perspective on a potential Dungeons & Dragons MMO carries significant weight.
“We Need to Rethink What an MMO Is”
In a recent conversation with GamesIndustry.biz, Hight admitted he would “love” to see Wizards of the Coast develop a large-scale MMORPG based on Dungeons & Dragons. However, he explained that the old MMO model—defined by subscription fees and mechanics rooted in games like Ultima Online, EverQuest, and later World of Warcraft—may no longer suit today’s players. According to Hight, any new D&D MMO would need to rethink what an online role-playing experience should look like in 2025 and beyond.
He pointed out that creating such a game would require assembling the right development talent, building the necessary backend technology, and having a clear long-term vision. While he acknowledged that these are major hurdles, he also stressed that he believes Wizards of the Coast could eventually overcome them: “That’s a glimmer in my eye. I want to see it happen,” Hight said.
No Active Development — Yet
Despite his enthusiasm, Hight confirmed that no new Dungeons & Dragons MMORPG is currently in production. He reminded fans that modern big-budget online games often take five years or more to develop, and a complex MMO could take even longer. For now, Wizards of the Coast is focused on ensuring the right groundwork is in place before any such project begins.
A Legacy of Dungeons & Dragons MMOs
This would not be the first attempt to bring Dungeons & Dragons to the online multiplayer space. Neverwinter, developed by Cryptic Studios and launched in 2013, remains active today with frequent content updates. Meanwhile, Dungeons & Dragons Online—released in 2006—is preparing to celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2026. While both titles have carved out loyal player bases, a modern D&D MMORPG from Wizards of the Coast itself could bring a completely fresh vision to the franchise.
Looking Ahead
Although nothing is confirmed, the idea of a next-generation Dungeons & Dragons MMORPG continues to spark excitement among fans. With Hight’s experience leading World of Warcraft and his current role at Wizards of the Coast, the foundation for such a project seems possible in the years to come. Whether or not the studio decides to pursue it, the conversation about what a modern MMO should be is already underway.
