Dungeons and Dragons Publisher Kobold Press Doesn't Like One D&D, Wants Project Black Flag to be '5.5E'

Apparently, Kobold Press is not a fan of whatDungeons and Dragonshas shown in itsOne D&Dplaytests so far. In a recent design diary, Kobold Press asserted its hope to turn Project Black Flag into a better spiritual successor to5th EditionthanDungeons and Dragonsis making withOne D&D.Dungeons and Dragonsis currently designingOne D&D–its evergreen evolution of5th Edition. However, third-partyDungeons and Dragonspublisher Kobold Press is also working on its own TTRPG systemtentatively titled Project Black Flag. LikeOne D&D, Project Black Flag promises to be backwards-compatible with5th Edition.RELATED:Dungeons and Dragons Executive Producer Explains One D&D Playtest DelaysThat said, Kobold Press isn’t convinced Wizards of the Coast is doing a great job at doing that withOne D&D. In a recent design diary aboutProject Black Flag’s first playtest packet, Kobold Press stated as such, claimingOne D&Ddoesn’t seem to be living up to expectations. Rather than wait and hope Wizards of the Coast can makeOne D&Dinto a satisfactory product, Kobold Press is simply making the changes it wants to see in the system for itself.

Kobold Press’ design diary was not afraid to take some pot shots at Wizards of the Coast. In no unclear terms, Kobold Press declared its desire to break the monopoly onD&D. ThoughDungeons and Dragonsrecently protected much of5th Editionunder Creative Commons, Kobold Press couldn’t help but notice the breadth ofD&Doptions not included in the document. Project Black Flag’s goal is to give players different, better tools forDungeons and Dragonsthan what they can get from Wizards of the Coast andOne D&D.

Fans ofDungeons and Dragonswere surprised to see Kobold Press bare its fangs at Wizards of the Coast so brazenly. This design diary all but confirmed Kobold Press hopes to makeProject Black Flag for5th EditionwhatPathfinderwas for3rd Edition. Literally beating Wizards of the Coast at its own game is no small feat, and players are interested to see if the talented developers at Kobold Press can pull it off.

Dungeons and Dragonsitself is still recovering from the controversy surroundingWizards of the Coast’s attempt to deauthorize the old Open Game Licenseearlier this year. The playtesting forOne D&Dwas delayed by these events, but Wizards of the Coast is still committed to releasing the system in 2024. With both Kobold Press and Wizards of the Coast releasing playtesting material simultaneously, it will be up to players to decide which evolution of5th Editionthey prefer.

Dungeons and Dragonsis available now.One D&Dand Project Black Flag are in development.