Jeremy Crawford
{{Short description|American game designer}}
{{BLP sources|date=May 2018}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Jeremy Crawford
| image = Jeremy Crawford - Lucca Comics & Games 2014.JPG
| caption = Jeremy Crawford, one of the Lead Designers of Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition, at Lucca Comics & Games 2014.
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| spouse = {{marriage|Phillip Lienau|2014}}{{Cite tweet |last=Crawford |first=Jeremy |author-link= |user=jeremyecrawford |number=614459418894151680 |date=June 26, 2015 |title=My husband and I are celebrating 18 years together and our 1st wedding anniversary. So happy about today's ruling! #SCOTUSMarriage #LoveWins |access-date=November 21, 2022 |link= }}{{Cite web |last=Gordon |first=Miryam |date=June 2, 2015 |title=SOAPfest 2015: Set designer gets to play-write in the Sandbox |url=https://seattlegayscene.com/2015/06/soapfest-2015-set-designer-gets-to-play-write-in-the-sandbox/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150609030511/https://seattlegayscene.com/2015/06/soapfest-2015-set-designer-gets-to-play-write-in-the-sandbox/ |archive-date=June 9, 2015 |access-date=November 21, 2022 |website=Seattle Gay Scene |language=en-US |quote=Phillip Lienau, known primarily around Seattle as a set designer and teacher. [...] Phillip and his husband, Jeremy Crawford, came here about seven years ago from the Bay Area. [...] Jeremy works as a lead designer on Dungeons and Dragons products for Wizards of the Coast, the reason they made the move up here.}}
| nationality = American
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| occupation = Game designer
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Jeremy Crawford is a game designer who has worked primarily on role-playing games. He worked for Wizards of the Coast from 2007 to 2025 on the tabletop role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons. He was the Lead Rules Designer for the game's 4th edition, and one of the Lead Designers of the game's 5th Edition. In 2025, he became the Game Director of Darrington Press.
Career
= Green Ronin Publishing (2005–2007) =
Jeremy Crawford co-designed and edited the Blue Rose (2005) role-playing game along with Steve Kenson for Green Ronin Publishing.{{Cite magazine |date=April 14, 2006 |title=Pyramid Review - Blue Rose: The Roleplaying Game of Romantic Fantasy |url=https://www.sjgames.com/pyramid/sample.html?id=5882 |access-date=June 22, 2024 |magazine=Pyramid |volume=2}} Blue Rose won the 2005 ENnie Awards for "Best Rules" and "Best d20 Game".{{cite web |title=2005 ENnie Awards Archives |url=http://www.ennieawards.com/2005.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080120190138/http://www.ennieawards.com/2005.html |archive-date=2008-01-20 |access-date=2008-04-11 |publisher=ENWorld}} Crawford is credited on the updated edition of Blue Rose (2017){{Cite web |last=Farrell |first=John |date=2017-05-15 |title=A Lot to Love: Blue Rose, the AGE RPG of Romantic Fantasy Review |url=https://gamingtrend.com/feature/reviews/a-lot-to-love-blue-rose-the-age-rpg-of-romantic-fantasy-review/ |access-date=2024-06-22 |website=Gaming Trend |language=en-US}} as it carried forward parts of the setting design from the original edition.{{Cite web |last=Long |first=Michael |date=2015-08-09 |title=Jeremy Crawford Interview - Gen Con 2015 |url=https://www.tribality.com/2015/08/08/jeremy-crawford-interview-gen-con-2015/ |access-date=2024-06-22 |website=Tribality |language=en-US}} He also worked on the second edition of Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay and Mutants & Masterminds.{{Cite web |date=August 16, 2007 |title=Paragons For Mutants & Masterminds |url=https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/50109/Paragons |access-date=2024-06-22 |website=DriveThruRPG |type=Product page}}
= Wizards of the Coast (2007–2025) =
He was hired by Wizards of the Coast in 2007 as a game designer for their flagship Dungeons & Dragons product, and has worked there since then. His Dungeons & Dragons design credits include Player's Handbook 2 (2009),"Best sellers", Times News. April 5, 2009. p. 26. Dungeon Master's Kit (2010), and Heroes of the Fallen Lands (2010).
He was the rules manager for the 4th Edition of Dungeons & Dragons. Development on a new edition started in 2011 and Crawford became the Co-Lead Designer, along with Mike Mearls, of the 5th Edition of Dungeons & Dragons. Crawford also became the lead rules developer and managing editor of the edition.{{Cite web|url=https://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/tabletop/13729-An-Interview-With-Jeremy-Crawford-Co-Designer-and-Editor-of-Dung|title=An Interview With Jeremy Crawford, Co-Designer and Editor of Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition {{!}} Tabletop {{!}} The Escapist|last=Bolding|first=Jonathan|date=April 2, 2015|website=www.escapistmagazine.com|language=en|access-date=2019-06-21|archive-date=2019-06-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190621015213/https://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/tabletop/13729-An-Interview-With-Jeremy-Crawford-Co-Designer-and-Editor-of-Dung|url-status=dead}} Under Crawford and Mearls, there became a concerted effort to boost inclusiveness both in the game and in the development of the game.{{Cite web|url=https://www.themarysue.com/sexuality-and-gender-diversity-dungeons-and-dragons-next/|title=The Mary Sue Exclusive Interview: Mike Mearls and Jeremy Crawford on Acknowledging Sexuality and Gender Diversity in D&D|last=Trice|first=Michael|date=July 24, 2014|website=The Mary Sue|access-date=2019-06-21}} The 5th Edition version of the game credits women as contributors to its design more than any previous one: about 26 percent are female, as opposed to 20 percent in 4th Edition and 12 percent in 3rd Edition.{{Cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/dungeons-and-dragons-has-caught-up-with-third-wave-feminism-827/|title=Dungeons & Dragons Has Caught Up with Third-Wave Feminism|last=D'Anastasio|first=Cecilia|date=2014-08-27|website=Vice|language=en-US|access-date=2019-06-21}} The Mary Sue reported that under this new direction, 40% of Dungeons & Dragons players in 2018 are women which is an increase "from 2012, when women made up 20–25% of players".{{cite web |last1=Kane |first1=Vivian |date=10 May 2018 |title=How Women Are Driving the Dungeons & Dragons Renaissance |url=https://www.themarysue.com/women-in-dungeons-and-dragons/ |access-date=22 June 2024 |website=The Mary Sue}} He is credited as one of the authors of the Player's Handbook for the 5th edition of Dungeons & Dragons, along with several other books in the edition."Book Notes". Grand Forks Herald. March 29, 2015. He also wrote the monthly "Sage Advice" newsletter.{{Cite web|url=https://dnd.wizards.com/articles-authors/jeremy-crawford|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161208084207/http://dnd.wizards.com/articles-authors/jeremy-crawford|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 8, 2016|title=Jeremy Crawford|website=Wizards of the Coast|access-date=2019-06-21}}
In 2024, he became the Game Director of Dungeons & Dragons.{{Cite web |last=Eileen |first=Dayna |date=November 9, 2024 |title=Game Director Jeremy Crawford: Nurturing the D&D Legacy at Lucca Comics & Games |url=https://www.cgmagonline.com/interviews/jeremy-crawford-d-and-d-legacy/ |access-date=April 11, 2025 |website=CGMagazine |language=en-CA}} He was the lead designer on the Player's Handbook (2024) which was part of the 2024 revision to the 5th Edition ruleset.{{Cite web |last=Hall |first=Charlie |date=September 17, 2024 |title=The new D&D Player’s Handbook is a treasure, and we may never see its equal again |url=https://www.polygon.com/dnd-dungeons-dragons/451969/new-players-handbook-review-2024 |access-date=September 28, 2024 |website=Polygon |language=en-US |quote=... These and other foundational changes came after lead designer Jeremy Crawford and the team at Wizards sought direct engagement with its massive community, ...}}{{Cite press release |author= |date=May 29, 2024 |title=Jeremy Crawford named Gayming Icon at Gayming Awards 2024 |url=https://gaymingmag.com/2024/05/jeremy-crawford-named-gayming-icon-at-gayming-awards-2024/ |access-date=May 29, 2024 |website=Gayming Magazine |language=en-GB}} Crawford won the Gayming Icon Award for his Dungeons & Dragons game design in 2024.{{Cite web |last=Kaser |first=Rachel |date=May 29, 2024 |title=The Gayming Awards 2024 airs on June 25, honors icons and rising stars |url=https://venturebeat.com/games/the-gayming-awards-2024-airs-on-june-25-honors-icons-and-rising-stars/ |access-date=May 29, 2024 |website=VentureBeat |language=en-US}} In April 2025, following the release of the 2024 revised core rulebooks for Dungeons & Dragons, Crawford announced that he was leaving Wizards of the Coast.{{Cite web |last=Hoffer |first=Christian |date=April 11, 2025 |title=Jeremy Crawford and Chris Perkins to Leave Dungeons & Dragons' Design Team |url=https://screenrant.com/jeremy-crawford-chris-perkins-leaving-dnd-interview/ |access-date=April 11, 2025 |website=Screen Rant |language=en-US}}
= Darrington Press (2025–present) =
In June 2025, it was announced that both Crawford and Chris Perkins would be joining Critical Role Productions{{'}} tabletop game imprint Darrington Press.{{Cite web |date=June 16, 2025 |title=Welcoming Chris Perkins and Jeremy Crawford to Our Team! |url=https://darringtonpress.com/welcoming-chris-perkins-and-jeremy-crawford-to-our-team/ |access-date=June 16, 2025 |website=Darrington Press |language=en-US |type=Press release}}{{Cite web |last=McWhertor |first=Michael |date=June 16, 2025 |title=Top D&D designers join Critical Role after quitting Wizards of the Coast |url=https://www.polygon.com/dnd-dungeons-dragons/607177/critical-role-darrington-press-chris-perkins-jeremy-crawford-dnd-wizards |access-date=June 16, 2025 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}} Crawford became the company's Game Director while Perkins became the Creative Director which matches their former roles at Wizards of the Coast.{{Cite web |last=Hoffer |first=Christian |date=June 16, 2025 |title=Chris Perkins and Jeremy Crawford Join Darrington Press |url=https://www.enworld.org/threads/chris-perkins-and-jeremy-crawford-join-darrington-press.713839/ |access-date=June 16, 2025 |website=EN World |language=en-US}} Crawford explained that "Chris and I talked about his retirement plan for years, so his approaching departure was long on my mind" along with the release of the 2024 revised Dungeons & Dragons rulebooks led him to feel "it was time to explore a new chapter for myself".{{Cite web |last=Phillips |first=Jevon |date=June 16, 2025 |title=Why Dungeons & Dragons storytelling duo signed with Critical Role |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2025-06-16/critical-role-raids-dungeons-and-dragons-coffers-to-sign-storytelling-duo |access-date=June 16, 2025 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}
Personal life
Crawford is gay,{{Cite web|title=Dungeons & Dragons Promises To Make Its Adventures More Queer|url=https://kotaku.com/dungeons-dragons-promises-to-make-the-game-more-queer-1798401117|access-date=2021-11-09|website=Kotaku|date=24 August 2017 |language=en-us}}{{Cite web|date=2021-11-04|title=Out100: 9 LGBTQ+ Names at the Forefront of Beauty and Business|url=https://www.out.com/print/2021/11/04/out100-9-lgbtq-names-forefront-beauty-and-business|access-date=2021-11-09|website=www.out.com|language=en}} and married his husband Phillip Lienau in 2014.{{Cite tweet |last=Crawford |first=Jeremy |author-link= |user=jeremyecrawford |number=1142131703541952512 |date=June 21, 2019 |title=My husband and I are celebrating our 5th wedding anniversary (and 23 years together) by flying to Scotland! 💖🌈🏴 While I’m away for the next week, make sure to follow your bliss in your D&D games. 😘 |access-date=November 21, 2022 |link= }}
Works
| class="wikitable sortable" style="margins:auto; width=95%; font-size: 95%;" |
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!width="20%"| Game !width="20%"| Credits !width="15%"| Date !width="20%"| ISBN |
|---|
| Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay
|Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 2nd edition |Designer |2005 |978-1844162208 |
| Blue Rose
|Blue Rose 1st edition |Designer, Editor |2005 |978-1932442229 |
| Blue Rose Companion
|Blue Rose 1st edition |Designer, Production Staff |2005 |978-1932442366 |
| World of Aldea
|Blue Rose 1st edition |Designer, Production Staff |2006 |978-1932442465 |
| Paragons
|Mutants & Masterminds 2nd edition |Designer |2007 | |
| Player's Handbook
|Dungeons & Dragons 4th edition |Designer, Production Staff |2008 |978-0786949298 |
| Monster Manual
|Dungeons & Dragons 4th edition |Designer, Production Staff |2008 |978-0786948529 |
| Forgotten Realms Player's Guide
|Dungeons & Dragons 4th edition |Designer |2008 |978-0786949298 |
| 4th Edition Core Rulebook Collection
|Dungeons & Dragons 4th edition |Designer |2008 |978-1786950638 |
| Dungeon Master's Guide
|Dungeons & Dragons 4th edition |Designer |2008 |978-0786948802 |
| Player's Handbook 2
|Dungeons & Dragons 4th edition |Designer, Production Staff |2009 |978-0-7869-5016-4 |
| Assault on Nightwyrm Fortress
|Dungeons & Dragons 4th edition |Designer |2009 |978-0786950003 |
| Player Essentials: Heroes of the Fallen Lands
|Dungeons & Dragons 4th edition |Designer |2010 |978-0786956203 |
| Monster Manual 3
|Dungeons & Dragons 4th edition |Designer |2010 |978-0786954902 |
| Dungeons & Dragons Starter Set
|Dungeons & Dragons 4th edition |Designer, Production Staff |2010 |978-0786956296 |
| Dungeon Master's Kit
|Dungeons & Dragons 4th edition |Designer |2010 |978-0786956302 |
| Player's Option: Heroes of the Feywild
|Dungeons & Dragons 4th edition |Designer |2011 |978-0786958368 |
| Player's Option: Heroes of Shadow
|Dungeons & Dragons 4th edition |Designer |2011 |978-0786957453 |
| Neverwinter Campaign Setting
|Dungeons & Dragons 4th edition |Designer |2011 |978-0786958146 |
| Monster Vault: Threats to the Nentir Vale
|Dungeons & Dragons 4th edition |Designer |2011 |978-0786958382 |
| Book of Vile Darkness
|Dungeons & Dragons 4th edition |Designer |2011 |978-0786958689 |
| Player's Option: Heroes of the Elemental Chaos
|Dungeons & Dragons 4th edition |Designer, Production Staff |2012 | |
| Into the Unknown: The Dungeon Survival Handbook
|Dungeons & Dragons 4th edition |Designer |2012 |978-0786960323 |
| Ghosts of Dragonspear Castle
|Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition |Project Lead |August 2013 |978-0786965311 |
| Dungeons & Dragons Starter Set
|Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition |D&D Lead Designer |15 July 2014 |978-0786965595 |
| Player's Handbook (2014)
|Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition |D&D Lead Designer, Player's Handbook Lead |19 August 2014 |978-0786965601 |
| Monster Manual
|Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition |D&D Lead Designer, Managing Editor |30 September 2014 |978-0786965618 |
| Dungeon Master's Guide
|Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition |D&D Lead Designer, Dungeon Master's Guide Lead |9 December 2014 |978-0786965625 |
| Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide
|Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition |Designer, Managing Editor, D&D Lead Designer |3 November 2015 |978-0786965809 |
| Elemental Evil Player's Companion
|Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition |D&D Lead Designer, Managing Editor |16 April 2015 | |
| Curse of Strahd
|Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition |D&D Lead Designer, Designer, Managing Editor |15 March 2016 |978-0786965984 |
| Storm King's Thunder
|Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition |D&D Lead Designer, Managing Editor |6 September 2016 |9780786966004 |
| Volo's Guide to Monsters
|Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition |Lead Rules Developer, Managing Editor |15 November 2016 |978-0786966011 |
| Tales from the Yawning Portal
|Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition |Lead Rules Developer, Managing Editor |4 April 2017 |978-0-7869-6609-7 |
| Tomb of Annihilation
|Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition |Lead Rules Developer, Managing Editor |19 September 2017 |9780786966103 |
| Xanathar's Guide to Everything
|Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition |Lead Designer, Managing Editor |21 November 2017 |978-0786966110 |
| Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes
|Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition |Lead Designer, Managing Editor |29 May 2018 |978-0786966240 |
| Waterdeep: Dragon Heist
|Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition |Rules Development, Managing Editor |18 September 2018 |978-0786966592 |
| Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage
|Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition |Managing Editor |20 November 2018 |978-0786966264 |
| Guildmasters' Guide to Ravnica
|Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition |Lead Designer, Managing Editor, Ravnica World Design |20 November 2018 |978-0786966592 |
| Ghosts of Saltmarsh
|Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition |Developer |21 May 2019 |978-0786966752 |
| Player's Handbook (2024)
|Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition |Lead Designer |17 September 2024 |978-0786969821 |
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{cite web|url=http://www.pen-paper.net/rpgdb.php?op=showcreator&creatorid=10443 |title=Jeremy Crawford :: Pen & Paper RPG Database|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070519224855/http://www.pen-paper.net/rpgdb.php?op=showcreator&creatorid=10443|archivedate=May 19, 2007}}
- RPGGeek [https://rpggeek.com/rpgdesigner/16197/jeremy-crawford RPG Designer Page: Jeremy Crawford]
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Category:21st-century American LGBTQ people