In March 2021, Bellevue-based game development studio Hidden Path Entertainment (known mainly for Defense Grid and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive) announced it was working on a third-person open world AAA RPG based on the D&D license. At the time, the developer was still recruiting for key roles, such as Graphics Programmer, Lead Graphics Programmer, Senior Technical Artist, and Writer.
It was an exciting project, as we had never had a true open world D&D RPG. Unfortunately, the game never materialized. In January 2023, Dungeons and Dragons license holder Wizards of the Coast canceled several games, including a game in development at Otherside and Hidden Path's open world title. Intriguingly, at that time, Hidden Path denied that the project was already dead as they tried to find other funding sources. However, it ultimately had to resign itself in February 2024, when the studio also laid off 44 employees.
Although we may never play the game ourselves, we can now at least take a look at it. MP1st discovered the portfolio of a former employee, which included several details and even some gameplay footage of a mission, which you can find embedded below.
The D&D open world RPG was codenamed Project Dante. The gameplay seemed very similar to a regular third-person action RPG, with stealth mechanics on display as well. The player character was accompanied by two companions, as befitting a Dungeons & Dragons title.
There's also an IMGUR gallery featuring concept art for the canceled game. You can browse it below.
Despite this cancellation, D&D gaming fans have plenty of other projects to look forward to:
- Demeo x DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: Battlemarked (out this year)
- Cooperative multiplayer game made by Starbreeze and scheduled for 2026
- The new game from Invoke (the studio behind Dark Alliance)
- The freshly announced D&D action/adventure game in development at Giant Skull.
About the author: With over two decades of experience in gaming journalism, Alessio Palumbo has led the gaming vertical at Wccftech since August 2015. He started working at a young age for Italian websites like Everyeye.it, Gamestar.it, Nextgame.it, and Multiplayer.it before kickstarting the indie English-language publication Worlds Factory as its founder and Editor in Chief. In the last decade, he has coordinated the overall output of Wccftech's gaming section, managed PR relations, assigned reviews, produced daily news coverage, edited gaming content as needed, and delivered game reviews. Arguably, his trademark content is the long series of exclusive developer interviews that have been cited by Wikipedia and by the biggest news media and gaming publications. His passion for technology also makes him knowledgeable when it comes to gaming hardware and tech. His favorite genres include RPGs, MMORPGs, and action/adventure games.
Follow Wccftech on Google to get more of our news coverage in your feeds.
