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+ | [[Image:WorldofDarkness5e.png|300px|center]] |
| ⚫ | The '''World of Darkness''' |
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| + | The world is a reflection of our own: it's still Earth, with the same countries, the same people in power, a Starbucks on every corner. However, it's nonetheless a worse place: people care a little less, the boot on your neck grinds a little deeper. Gargoyles peer down uncaringly from nearly every edifice, even as the skeletal fingers of those skyscrapers stretch further into the heavens. This is the "Gothic." |
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| ⚫ | Since Vampire's first edition stood alone, there was no need to have a separate identity for the larger World of Darkness. Indeed, it wasn't until around the release of Mage in [[1993]] (when Vampire was in its 2nd Edition and Werewolf was a year into its 1st Edition) that a World of Darkness logo was finally created, based on the logo of [[1992]]'s {{b|VTM|A World of Darkness |
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| + | Despite this, or perhaps because of it, you fight back. The systems of power are unfair. Hell, the world ''itself'' is unfair. So you fight back. Because you can. Because you have no other choice, if you want to survive. |
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| − | This particular logo didn't last long, being replaced with a text-based logo in [[1994]]. |
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| − | + | While published material covers centuries of history, the game material itself was originally published for a 13-year period between 1991 and 2004, and then resurrected in 2011 for its 20th Anniversary and continues to be published once again. |
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| − | ==Ending and Rebirth== |
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| − | In 2004, the setting closed with the long-promised end of the world, and in 2004 White Wolf launched a [[Chronicles of Darkness|"New" World of Darkness]]. To differentiate between the two settings, most fans took to dubbing the original the "old World of Darkness" compared to the "new World of Darkness". |
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| − | Beginning in [[2011]] with the release of {{b|VTM|Vampire: The Masquerade 20th Anniversary Edition|pdf=94815|nip=1}}, White Wolf began releasing new products for the original World of Darkness products concurrently with the "new" World of Darkness. Some of these products pick up series where they left off 10 years ago or more. To distinguish the two Worlds of Darkness, White Wolf officially branded the original as the "Classic World of Darkness", while the "New" World of Darkness continued to simply use the World of Darkness name. |
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| − | In 2015, [[Paradox Interactive]] purchased White Wolf and the World of Darkness, and announced their plans to unify all fans and game lines under "One World of Darkness". In December of that year, the "New World of Darkness" setting was renamed to [[Chronicles of Darkness]], leaving the World of Darkness name to the "Classic" World of Darkness. |
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=== The Original Settings === |
=== The Original Settings === |
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==== Big Three ==== |
==== Big Three ==== |
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| − | *'''[[ |
+ | * '''[[Mage: The Ascension]]''': A game of [[reality on the brink]], wherein players take on the role of modern [[Mage (WOD)|mages]]. (See also [[Dark Ages: Mage]] and [[Mage: The Sorcerer's Crusade]]) |
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==== Underdogs ==== |
==== Underdogs ==== |
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| + | * '''[[Wraith: The Oblivion]]''': A game of [[passion and horror]], wherein players play [[wraiths]], those who have died but remain due to unfinished business. (See also [[Wraith: The Great War]] and [[Orpheus]]) |
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| − | *'''[[ |
+ | * '''[[Changeling: The Dreaming]]''': A game of [[modern fantasy]], wherein players play [[changeling (WOD)|changelings]], the last remnants of the legendary [[Fae (WOD)|fae]]. (See also [[Dark Ages: Fae]]) |
| − | *'''[[Changeling: The Dreaming]]''': A game of [[modern fantasy]], wherein players play [[changeling (cWOD)|changelings]], the last remnants of the legendary [[Fae (cWOD)|fae]]. (See also '''[[Dark Ages: Fae]]'''.) |
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=== Apocalyptica === |
=== Apocalyptica === |
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These three games heralded the end of things, from three different perspectives: the dead, the fallen, and the humans who fight back against the darkness. |
These three games heralded the end of things, from three different perspectives: the dead, the fallen, and the humans who fight back against the darkness. |
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| − | *'''[[Hunter: The Reckoning]]''': A game of [[righteous fury]], wherein players play hunters who have been [[ |
+ | * '''[[Hunter: The Reckoning]]''': A game of [[righteous fury]], wherein players play hunters who have been [[Imbued (WOD)|imbued]] with the ability to see and fight the monsters in their midst (See also [[Dark Ages: Inquisitor]]). Part of the [[Year of the Reckoning]]. |
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Games which, while they presented separate fully-playable concepts, often required one of the main games in order to have the complete rules. The first [[splat|fatsplats]]. |
Games which, while they presented separate fully-playable concepts, often required one of the main games in order to have the complete rules. The first [[splat|fatsplats]]. |
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*'''[[Kindred of the East]]''': Featuring the [[Kuei-jin]], the vampires of the [[Middle Kingdom]]. Part of the [[Year of the Lotus]]. |
*'''[[Kindred of the East]]''': Featuring the [[Kuei-jin]], the vampires of the [[Middle Kingdom]]. Part of the [[Year of the Lotus]]. |
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*'''[[Mummy: The Resurrection]]''': Featuring the [[Amenti (Mummies)|Amenti]], ancient "mummies" reborn in the modern world. Part of the [[Year of the Scarab]]. |
*'''[[Mummy: The Resurrection]]''': Featuring the [[Amenti (Mummies)|Amenti]], ancient "mummies" reborn in the modern world. Part of the [[Year of the Scarab]]. |
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=== Historical Settings === |
=== Historical Settings === |
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Games based off one of the above concepts, but set in a separate historical era. |
Games based off one of the above concepts, but set in a separate historical era. |
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| − | *'''Dark Ages''': [[Vampire: The Dark Ages]] (revised as [[Dark Ages: Vampire]]), [[Werewolf: The Dark Ages]] (revised as [[Dark Ages: Werewolf]]), [[World of Darkness: Blood & Silk]], [[Dark Ages: Mage]], [[Dark Ages: Inquisitor]], [[Dark Ages: Fae]], [[Dark Ages: Devil's Due]] |
+ | * '''Dark Ages''': [[Vampire: The Dark Ages]] (revised as [[Dark Ages: Vampire]]), [[Werewolf: The Dark Ages]] (revised as [[Dark Ages: Werewolf]]), [[World of Darkness: Blood & Silk]], [[Dark Ages: Mage]], [[Dark Ages: Inquisitor]], [[Dark Ages: Fae]], [[Dark Ages: Devil's Due]] |
| − | *'''Renaissance''': [[Mage: The Sorcerer's Crusade]] |
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| − | *''' |
+ | * '''Renaissance''': [[Mage: The Sorcerer's Crusade]] |
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| + | * '''World War I and Great Depression''': [[Wraith: The Great War]] |
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=== Theme Years === |
=== Theme Years === |
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[[White Wolf]] provided a series of themes, one a year, which informed many of the major releases to follow that year. |
[[White Wolf]] provided a series of themes, one a year, which informed many of the major releases to follow that year. |
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* [[1995]]-[[1996]]: The [[Year of the Hunter]] |
* [[1995]]-[[1996]]: The [[Year of the Hunter]] |
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* [[1997]]: The [[Year of the Ally]] |
* [[1997]]: The [[Year of the Ally]] |
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* [[2002]]: The [[Year of the Damned]] |
* [[2002]]: The [[Year of the Damned]] |
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* [[2003]]-[[2004]]: The [[Time of Judgment]] |
* [[2003]]-[[2004]]: The [[Time of Judgment]] |
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| + | == Brand Identity == |
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| + | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| + | |||
| ⚫ | Since Vampire's first edition stood alone, there was no need to have a separate identity for the larger World of Darkness. Indeed, it wasn't until around the release of Mage in [[1993]] (when Vampire was in its 2nd Edition and Werewolf was a year into its 1st Edition) that a World of Darkness logo was finally created, based on the logo of [[1992]]'s {{b|VTM|A World of Darkness}}. The focus is clearly on the "world" of the title. |
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| + | |||
| + | [[Image:WoD1994.png|thumb|World of Darkness logo, c. 1994]] |
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| + | The globe logo didn't last long, being replaced with a text-based logo in [[1994]], around the time of the release of the {{b|WTO|Wraith: The Oblivion Rulebook}}. This version (and variants with different color schemes) was featured on a lot of the early fiction, particularly those published by [[HarperCollins]]. On those novels, the WoD logo dominated the cover, and specific game line logos (Vampire, Werewolf, etc.) were absent. |
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| + | [[Image:ClassicWOD.png|thumb|"Classic" WOD Logo, c. 2012]] |
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| + | Not long after the text logo, the final logo featuring the skeletal "shrimp" figure was introduced, which lasted until the World of Darkness ended in 2004, nearly a full decade. When the line was resurrected in [[2011]] with the 20th Anniversary Editions, it often appeared with the additional text "Classic" above it, to differentiate it from the other extant World of Darkness setting: the [[Chronicles of Darkness|"New" World of Darkness]]. |
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| + | |||
| + | [[File:SymbolWoD5e.png|thumb|WOD symbol c. 2018]] |
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| + | As part of the marketing of CCP's World of Darkness MMO, a new text-based logo was devised (as seen at the top of this page), but, at the time, was only used in regards to the MMO. The "shrimp" continued to be used on all other material. |
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| + | |||
| + | Following the 2015 sale of the IP to [[Paradox Interactive]] and the advent of {{b|VTM|Vampire: The Masquerade 5th Edition}} and other associated properties, the shrimp was relegated to "classic" 20th Anniversary Edition material, while the new logo was to be used on any new material. Additionally, a new symbol was devised. This version maintains the color scheme of the previous shrimp, featuring a red circular border, with a black filling, and a capital W, lowercase o, and a capital D, not dissimilar to the logo used for the [[Chronicles of Darkness]]. It is currently featured on the [http://worldofdarkness.com World of Darkness website]. |
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== See also == |
== See also == |
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| − | *[[ |
+ | * [[Timeline (WOD)|World of Darkness timeline]] |
| − | *[[ |
+ | * [[World of Darkness books]] |
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| + | [[de:CWod]] |
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| + | [[es:Mundo_de_Tinieblas_Clásico]] |
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| + | [[pt-br:Mundo das Trevas (MdT)]] |
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Revision as of 20:57, 23 April 2020
The World of Darkness is a Gothic-Punk setting for roleplaying games using the Storyteller System, published by White Wolf and its licensing partners. While typically not a full-fledged game in its own right, it is the shared setting for a myriad of other games.
The world is a reflection of our own: it's still Earth, with the same countries, the same people in power, a Starbucks on every corner. However, it's nonetheless a worse place: people care a little less, the boot on your neck grinds a little deeper. Gargoyles peer down uncaringly from nearly every edifice, even as the skeletal fingers of those skyscrapers stretch further into the heavens. This is the "Gothic."
Despite this, or perhaps because of it, you fight back. The systems of power are unfair. Hell, the world itself is unfair. So you fight back. Because you can. Because you have no other choice, if you want to survive.
While published material covers centuries of history, the game material itself was originally published for a 13-year period between 1991 and 2004, and then resurrected in 2011 for its 20th Anniversary and continues to be published once again.
The Original Settings
Big Three
These were the three heavy-hitters of Classic World of Darkness, and served as the backbone for the game line. While it's usually left up to the storyteller whether or not the other games can cross over with each other, these three are always treated as part of the same canon.
- Vampire: The Masquerade: A game of personal horror, wherein players play vampires. (See also Dark Ages: Vampire and Victorian Age: Vampire)
- Werewolf: The Apocalypse: A game of savage horror, wherein players take on the role of werewolves. (See also Dark Ages: Werewolf and Werewolf: The Wild West)
- Mage: The Ascension: A game of reality on the brink, wherein players take on the role of modern mages. (See also Dark Ages: Mage and Mage: The Sorcerer's Crusade)
Underdogs
Along with the above three games, the following two games were part of the originally-conceived lineup of five games set in the World of Darkness. Their popularity floundered, and so they're often treated as "rarer" installments where crossovers are concerned.
- Wraith: The Oblivion: A game of passion and horror, wherein players play wraiths, those who have died but remain due to unfinished business. (See also Wraith: The Great War and Orpheus)
- Changeling: The Dreaming: A game of modern fantasy, wherein players play changelings, the last remnants of the legendary fae. (See also Dark Ages: Fae)
Apocalyptica
These three games heralded the end of things, from three different perspectives: the dead, the fallen, and the humans who fight back against the darkness.
- Hunter: The Reckoning: A game of righteous fury, wherein players play hunters who have been imbued with the ability to see and fight the monsters in their midst (See also Dark Ages: Inquisitor). Part of the Year of the Reckoning.
- Demon: The Fallen: A game of infernal glory, wherein players assume the role of the Fallen, angels who had been consigned to the Abyss for loving humanity too much. Part of the Year of the Damned.
- Orpheus: Following in Wraith's footsteps, Orpheus is a game of ghost stories for ghosts. The theme is "don't look back"
Additional Games
Games which, while they presented separate fully-playable concepts, often required one of the main games in order to have the complete rules. The first fatsplats.
- Kindred of the East: Featuring the Kuei-jin, the vampires of the Middle Kingdom. Part of the Year of the Lotus.
- Mummy: The Resurrection: Featuring the Amenti, ancient "mummies" reborn in the modern world. Part of the Year of the Scarab.
Historical Settings
Games based off one of the above concepts, but set in a separate historical era.
- Dark Ages: Vampire: The Dark Ages (revised as Dark Ages: Vampire), Werewolf: The Dark Ages (revised as Dark Ages: Werewolf), World of Darkness: Blood & Silk, Dark Ages: Mage, Dark Ages: Inquisitor, Dark Ages: Fae, Dark Ages: Devil's Due
- Renaissance: Mage: The Sorcerer's Crusade
- Wild West and Victorian Era: Werewolf: The Wild West, Victorian Age: Vampire, Sunset Empires
- World War I and Great Depression: Wraith: The Great War
Theme Years
White Wolf provided a series of themes, one a year, which informed many of the major releases to follow that year.
- 1995-1996: The Year of the Hunter
- 1997: The Year of the Ally
- 1998: The Year of the Lotus
- 1999: The Year of the Reckoning
- 2000: The Year of Revelations
- 2001: The Year of the Scarab
- 2002: The Year of the Damned
- 2003-2004: The Time of Judgment
Brand Identity
World of Darkness logo, c. 1993
Since Vampire's first edition stood alone, there was no need to have a separate identity for the larger World of Darkness. Indeed, it wasn't until around the release of Mage in 1993 (when Vampire was in its 2nd Edition and Werewolf was a year into its 1st Edition) that a World of Darkness logo was finally created, based on the logo of 1992's VTM: A World of Darkness . The focus is clearly on the "world" of the title.
World of Darkness logo, c. 1994
The globe logo didn't last long, being replaced with a text-based logo in 1994, around the time of the release of the WTO: Wraith: The Oblivion Rulebook . This version (and variants with different color schemes) was featured on a lot of the early fiction, particularly those published by HarperCollins. On those novels, the WoD logo dominated the cover, and specific game line logos (Vampire, Werewolf, etc.) were absent.
"Classic" WOD Logo, c. 2012
Not long after the text logo, the final logo featuring the skeletal "shrimp" figure was introduced, which lasted until the World of Darkness ended in 2004, nearly a full decade. When the line was resurrected in 2011 with the 20th Anniversary Editions, it often appeared with the additional text "Classic" above it, to differentiate it from the other extant World of Darkness setting: the "New" World of Darkness.
WOD symbol c. 2018
As part of the marketing of CCP's World of Darkness MMO, a new text-based logo was devised (as seen at the top of this page), but, at the time, was only used in regards to the MMO. The "shrimp" continued to be used on all other material.
Following the 2015 sale of the IP to Paradox Interactive and the advent of VTM: Vampire: The Masquerade 5th Edition and other associated properties, the shrimp was relegated to "classic" 20th Anniversary Edition material, while the new logo was to be used on any new material. Additionally, a new symbol was devised. This version maintains the color scheme of the previous shrimp, featuring a red circular border, with a black filling, and a capital W, lowercase o, and a capital D, not dissimilar to the logo used for the Chronicles of Darkness. It is currently featured on the World of Darkness website.