Dungeons & Dragons is going full Fortnite with crossovers, and I’m not sure what to think

Hasbro and Wizards of the Coast opened Gen Con 2026 with a spectacular announcement, unveiling their new crossover initiative, “Universes Beyond,” during the convention’s keynote presentation.

The first confirmed crossover is Dungeons & Dragons: World of Warcraft, an expansive sourcebook that will transplant the iconic realm of Azeroth into the D&D setting, featuring an adventure module centered on the legendary Lich King. A second, teased toward the end of the presentation, will bring a Star Wars‑themed expansion into the fold sometime next year.

As an avid D&D enthusiast, I find myself torn by this news. The prospect of running a campaign in Azeroth or a galaxy far, far away is exhilarating, yet I worry about the implications of Hasbro’s continued integration of third‑party IPs into the core game.

The “Universes Beyond” label may feel familiar because D&D is essentially borrowing the concept from Magic: The Gathering.

Magic’s own “Universes Beyond” program, launched in 2021, has already produced full decks themed after franchises such as Avatar: The Last Airbender, Final Fantasy, and even SpongeBob SquarePants.

Financially, Universes Beyond stands out as a landmark success for Magic. Over the past half‑decade, the franchise’s yearly earnings surged, hitting a record $1.72 billion in 2025. This remarkable climb aligns closely with the game’s strategic pivot toward crossover releases, each routinely generating hundreds of millions in revenue.

While investors cheer the crossover strategy, the core Magic community remains ambivalent. Many fans appreciate the novelty of cards themed around beloved franchises, yet a growing consensus is that this emphasis on external IPs has diluted the depth of Magic’s original narrative.

Historically, Magic’s cards have drawn from a unified multiverse conceived by Wizards, enriched by lore, novels, comics, and ancillary media. This tapestry of worlds is woven together by sweeping narratives featuring iconic figures such as Elspeth Tiral, Jace Beleren, and Ajani Goldmane.

With the advent of Universes Beyond, the franchise’s beloved characters and settings have slipped into the periphery, sparking frustration among veteran players who feel the original lore is being sidelined.

The Dungeons & Dragons franchise boasts an expansive tapestry of original worlds and characters that have enchanted players for decades. Fortunately, the most beloved of these realms appear to remain untouched for the time being. At the recent keynote, Wizards of the Coast unveiled D&D Icons, a new initiative that will breathe fresh life into classic campaign settings—such as Ravenloft, Greyhawk, and the notoriously grim Dark Sun—through modern releases.

Even if the tabletop titan chooses to emulate Magic: The Gathering’s approach, cross‑franchise collaborations are not new to D&D. The company has already released licensed expansions tied to popular series such as Rick and Morty and Stranger Things. The hope is that any backlash from Magic enthusiasts will encourage a more respectful stewardship of the shared universe.