Wizards of the Coast’s Dan Rawson on bringing D&D into Virtual Reality

Dan, it’s great to connect. To start us off, what was your route to Wizards of the Coast? And were you a DUNGEONS & DRAGONS fan or player before becoming SVP of the brand?
I started playing DUNGEONS & DRAGONS as an eight-year-old with my brother and friends. Whether as a player or a fan of fantasy across expressions, D&D has been an important part of my life.

That eight-year-old would have been pretty pleased with the job I have today leading D&D at Wizards of the Coast… It feels great to leverage skills I’ve learned in my tech career at companies like Microsoft, Amazon, and start-ups in Asia to help D&D grow.

“It’s a framework for inspiration, storytelling, friendship and so much more.”

What does your role entail? Is there a ‘typical day’?
No day is alike! As SVP of DUNGONS & DRAGONS, I lead overall brand growth and profitability across digital, physical and entertainment properties. That’s a fancy way of saying that I am helping to lead the charge on bringing this amazing game to new audiences that will hopefully be impacted by it the way I am.

Why do you feel the brand has endured and thrived over the past five decades?
In a world with so many distractions, D&D invites people to come together and have a great time. It’s a framework for inspiration, storytelling, friendship and so much more. These are enduring human needs.

One recent announcement for the brand is a VR game with Resolution Games. Why do you feel the brand is a good fit for VR? And what should fans expect from the game?
I can’t think of another brand that’s as good a fit for VR than DUNGEONS & DRAGONS. We are really excited to work with Resolution to create the world’s first virtual reality video game set in the D&D universe. They understand two critically important things: how to capture the essence of tabletop gaming on digital platforms and the importance of bringing people together. There are obviously so many incredible settings in D&D to choose from, but I can’t give away any more info just yet!

What other future brand extensions in the work are you excited about?
So many of them! D&D turns 50 this year, and we are celebrating with not only our own great line-up of products, but also through extensions with key partners like Converse, Reyn Spooner, LEGO, WizKids, FanRoll and many more. And, of course, all the digital extensions we have in the works as well!

Why do you feel the brand has been able to extend into so many different sectors?
At its core, D&D is a platform for the best creators to build fantastic worlds and invite others in… Whether it’s through our own published products, or a creative director’s inspired digital game representation, a live motion-picture, or a Dungeon Master at their home table, D&D puts you at the centre of the story. In that way, D&D is always fresh and relevant.

On that, what’s the key to ensuring D&D brand extensions feel authentic?
Creative collaboration. Our team partners with creatives in other fields closely to ensure authenticity every step of the way. With a passionate fanbase like ours, it’s a must!

“We are just scratching the surface with some of our digital extensions and entertainment experiences.”

Are there any areas the brand is yet to touch that you feel has potential for the brand?
For sure. I think we are just scratching the surface with some of our digital extensions and entertainment experiences. We’ve got a lot in the works that you’ll hear more about over the course of the year!

We’ll keep our eyes peeled. Last question Dan! What fuels your creativity?
As I mentioned earlier, I am a lifelong player and fan. D&D has fuelled my imagination since childhood. I’m thrilled and honoured to be part of the team that will ensure D&D is around for another 50 years.