Dungeon World 2: An Optimistic Roadmap

Ever since the announcement of Dungeon World 2’s development, people have been eager for more information. When we can we see it or play it for ourselves? Which parts of DW1 were kept, updated, changed, or abandoned? How far along is the game, and when will it be finished?

To help get everyone on the same page, here is a rundown of what the team has done so far, and what we plan to do this year to finish Dungeon World 2 and get it into your hands.

Starting Our Engines

At the end of November 2024, Helena and Spencer agreed to co-design the game. They began creating the first draft, discussing and refining vision, ideas and mechanics. At this point, Dungeon World 2 is a partly unfinished Google Document that just lists the rules and how to play.

Testing Our Theories

At the start of March 2025, Dungeon World 2 began pre-alpha testing within the designers’ own TTRPG groups. At this point, playtesting is revealing design flaws which we are addressing with weekly updates.

We are also clarifying text, moves, and mechanics, creating the GM chapter, and improving the document’s presentation. Overall we want people to start playing Dungeon World 2 quickly and easily once they have access.

Spencer and Helena have started posting here to talk about Dungeon World 2, and will continue for the foreseeable future. Twice per week we will express our thoughts on DW, present our detailed vision for DW2, and reveal the mechanics, moves, and playbooks we want to use to reach it. Keep an eye on this blog to see parts of the game before anyone else.

Inviting Contributors

Somewhere between mid-April and mid- May, depending on how pre-alpha testing goes, we will invite specific people to play the game early and test it with their own groups. There is a sign-up list for people who want to contribute to the game through art, writing, design, playtesting, etc., and if you sign up you might get invited to that pre-alpha. We haven’t yet finalized the selection process, so it might be everyone on the list, or it might be only those who will test the game at their own table, rather than just reading it.

At the start of this stage, DW2 will still be in a Google Doc, but with the presentation refined enough to easily read, navigate, and run without a designer at the table. There will also be a simple online Google Sheets character keeper to aid in online play.

As testing continues, we will gather feedback from the community and update the game every 2-3 weeks.

Opening the Doors

Somewhere between mid-June and late July, again depending on playtesting, we will publish Dungeon World 2’s beta version to the public, inviting anyone to see it and give feedback.

At this point the game will still be a fancy Google Doc (more on that below) but it should be approachable to anyone willing to give it a try and see what they think. During this stage we’ll still be gathering feedback and making updates, though the frequency may slow down.

Adding Form to Function

Once the text of the game is 100% solid and finalized, we will create a PDF with a clean, polished layout and gorgeous, evocative art. This probably won’t happen until late August or mid-September – playtesting is the main variable as always.

Many RPGs nowadays release beta versions with amazing layout and art. This is a great way to draw people to your game and talk about it, but it can also multiply the time needed to make version updates and eventually release the final book. By focusing first on the game text, then doing layout all at the end, we are aiming to have this game finished and ready much sooner than would otherwise be possible.

Preparing for Print

At the same time as art and layout are being prepared, we’ll be building up a crowdfunding campaign for the finished game. There will be a lot more info about this coming in the future but, if everything goes well, we hope to launch it in September or October. You’ll hear a lot more about the campaign in the future, so keep an eye out!

Delivering Promises

Our ambitious goal is to get a copy of Dungeon World 2 in backers’ hands before the end of this year. Timelines have all been met so far, but December is a long way away and anything can happen.

Our highest priorities are to make an amazing game that lives up to Dungeon World’s legacy, and to deliver a high quality book into your hands. We may be aiming to finish it before 2026, but we will push things back if it will result in a better game.

Between designing the game, writing blog posts, processing feedback, communicating with fans, attending events, and continuing with our own internal playtesting, it's going to be a packed year, and we're optimistically nervous about meeting our timeline goals. If you want to help smooth things out and speed them along, the absolute best way is to start playtesting as soon as you can. Sign up for the alpha playtest invite or try out the public beta playtest when they are available, then start playing and see how things feel. Tell people about the game so they can do the same. The more people playing the game, the faster we can improve it and ultimately make something amazing.