David Bridges
Chris Perkins Announces Retirement After 28 Influential Years with Dungeons & Dragons
After an impressive 28 years of dedicated service in the gaming industry, Chris Perkins, a prominent designer for Dungeons & Dragons, has officially announced his retirement from Wizards of the Coast. In a heartfelt statement shared on Friday, Perkins expressed his satisfaction with leaving the company at a high point, calling it a “perfect fairytale ending.” He remarked that he is excited to experience D&D from the perspective of a fan once more, confident that the beloved game is in capable hands. His retirement coincides with the 50th anniversary of the tabletop role-playing game (TTRPG) and the successful launch of its revised rulebooks, which he noted are performing exceptionally well.
Prior to his retirement, Perkins had stepped down from his role as the product lead for D&D following the release of the Dungeon Master’s Guide in October 2024. At that time, a representative from Wizards assured fans that Perkins was not leaving the company entirely and that he would be transitioning into a new role, although details of that role were not disclosed.
Today I retire from Wizards after 28 years. With D&D’s 50th anniversary wrapping up and the revised rulebooks doing gangbusters, this is the perfect fairytale ending for me. I can’t wait to enjoy D&D purely as a fan again, knowing the game’s in good hands. See you in the Feywild! pic.twitter.com/YWV4hlEPg6
— Christopher Perkins (@ChrisPerkinsDnD) April 4, 2025
Chris Perkins: A Significant Figure in the Evolution of Tabletop Gaming
Chris Perkins first entered the tabletop gaming industry in 1988, using the pen name “Christopher Zarathurstra” to contribute to Dungeon Magazine#11, where he wrote the adventure titled “Wards of Witching Ways.” His official journey with Wizards of the Coast began in 1997 when he joined as an editor for Dungeon. He eventually rose to the position of editor-in-chief for Wizards’ periodicals, cementing his influence in the gaming community. Over the years, Perkins has become a highly regarded figure in the Dungeons & Dragons landscape, contributing significantly to both the fourth and fifth editions of the game, as well as the iconic Curse of Strahd module.
Beyond his editorial work, Perkins played a key role in popularizing the Actual Play genre, showcasing D&D gameplay at various enthusiast events such as PAX. He further expanded his reach through the Twitch show Dice, Camera, Action and made guest appearances on the renowned series Critical Role, which has captivated audiences and inspired many new players to engage with the game.
Community Tributes and Future of Dungeons & Dragons
Upon announcing his retirement, the Dungeons & Dragons team publicly expressed their gratitude for Perkins’ immense contributions, stating that Wizards of the Coast would not be the same without his dedication and creativity over the decades. They acknowledged that while the team is deeply saddened to see him go, they welcome him to join their games anytime in the future. Throughout his career, Perkins has also been a mentor to many emerging leaders within the company, ensuring that the next generation is well-prepared to carry on the legacy of D&D as he embarks on this new chapter of his life.
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Brandon Fletcher
