Wizards of the Coast may have created a wide variety of sourcebooks and printed adventures for fans of Dungeons & Dragons to choose from, but that's really only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the TTRPG's content. That's because fans of all kinds are always creating their own D&D worlds and mechanics, sometimes even sharing them with the world. Voice actor and Critical Role DM Matt Mercer has contributed a lot to the franchise, such as the Blood Hunter class, but adaptations of established IPs deserve credit for expanding D&D options too. For instance, Lord of the Rings is making a foray into D&D soon.

Free League Publishing recently revealed that it's working on Lord of the Rings 5e, a D&D adaptation of its previous TTRPG product The One Ring. Few details have been shared thus far, but fans can reportedly new travel rules, classes, and cultures to appear in the sourcebook when it releases next year. Lord of the Rings 5e is exciting in its own right, but it's particularly notable when one considers the other recent D&D adaptations of big IPs. Free League's project may indicate a rising interest in adapting franchises of all kinds for tabletop game nights.

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An Uptick in TTRPG Adaptations

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A couple game franchises are trying their hands at D&D-inspired TTRPG adaptations lately, especially RPGs produced by FromSoftware. Dark Souls recently took a stab at tabletop gaming, although it released with some issues that disappointed fans. Luckily, an Elden Ring TTRPG is also in the works, possible giving FromSoftware a second chance to root itself in this gaming space. This notably comes after Elden Ring fans already enjoyed a sponsored Critical Role one-shot that gave fans a look at what a TTRPG taking place in the Lands Between could look and feel like.

FromSoftware's Soulsborne games aren't the only ones getting in on the current interest in D&D and other TTRPGs. Wizards of the Coast has frequently adapted its own Magic: The Gathering planes in official D&D expansions, equipping fans to explore some of their favorite worlds from the trading card game. Avatar: The Last Airbender also recently entered the space with Avatar Legends, a Powered by the Apocalypse-style system that draws heavily from the themes and friendships found in the series. All in all, it's clear that lots of different IPs are interested in TTRPGs, possibly due to D&D 5th edition's unprecedented popularity, and that's a good thing.

The Future of Pop Culture TTRPGs

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Lord of the Rings 5e isn't the first D&D expansion or TTRPG system based on a famous IP, and all signs indicate that it won't be the last. On the contrary, these adaptations keep cropping up. At this rate, it seems like just about any action-packed IP could find itself entering the RPG space, whether Nintendo's The Legend of Zelda gets a D&D book or the Marvel Cinematic Universe decides to invest in its own superhero TTRPG. If these adaptations do keep happening, then TTRPGs might only get more popular over the next few years. People who haven't given the genre a chance might be more interested if they can learn the ropes by playing in one of their favorite fictional universes.

Adaptations are still coming fairly slowly for now, but it's likely that the pace will pick up in coming years. Dungeons & Dragons greatly expanded the market by releasing the highly accessible 5th edition, and other companies have undoubtedly seen that TTRPGs are profitable by now. This would be a victory for TTRPG veterans and newcomers alike, since it could provide resources for ongoing campaigns while inspiring new ones in previously-unconsidered settings. The ongoing impact of D&D 5e remains to be seen, but for the time being, Lord of the Rings 5e certainly sounds like a worthy addition to this TTRPG trend.

Dungeons & Dragons 5e is available now.

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