GiantLands RPG Imagines a Future Without White People or USA, Sparks Controversy

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The makers of the tabletop role-playing game GiantLands are experiencing increasing controversy following a statement made by Wonderfilled Games on social media, which characterized the game’s concept as a “decolonized RPG” and depicted a future where “the USA and white people no longer exist.

In a recent announcement by Wonderfilled (@WFDgames), they shared their imaginative plan for the development of their product.

Suppose in the future, there were no people of Caucasian descent? That’s an intriguing concept, and James Ward found it fascinating too.”

Ward, who was part of the original TSR team that created Dungeons & Dragons, is one of the co-creators of GiantLands. His involvement has been a significant draw for the game since its initial promotion.

According to the post, it was stated that artists Larry Elmore, Steve Once, and Jeff Dee collectively helped establish the aesthetic style for the game.

As a passionate advocate for diversity in the realm of tabletop role-playing games (RPGs), I’ve always strived to subtly integrate characters of color into my TSR art. However, my efforts to diversify the world of Dungeons & Dragons were frequently met with resistance. Thus, in a bold move to reimagine and deconstruct traditional RPG norms, we embarked on a journey to decolonize this beloved pastime. Our vision transcends the present, envisioning a future where the United States of America and white people are no longer dominant figures in the narrative, fostering an inclusive gaming experience for all.

Previously, the company quoted Malcolm X, saying: “Malcolm X hit the nail on the head when he said, ‘The most overlooked individual in America is the African-American woman.’ This perspective is reflected in our choice to showcase a multiracial Black woman on the cover of our debut GiantLands book, set in a future North America.

Backlash and Response

Shortly after its release, criticism swiftly spread, with numerous players and commentators on social media voicing their concerns about the storyline based on erasure and its provocative nature. Some questioned whether James Ward and legacy artists were truly endorsing such a narrative, while others found it astonishing that the company would market their product around a world devoid of an entire race or America.

Instead of shying away from the dispute, the GiantLands account strengthened its position in a follow-up tweet addressing the criticism.

# Supporters of Trump, who failed to support our business, dwell in a clouded perception of truth. We refuse to cater to them or their interests. They are not invited to join us at our establishments. They purchased the books but seemed oblivious to the underlying message that their kind is being phased out from this…

— Wonderfilled (@WFDgames) June 25, 2025

Our business suffered due to those who support #Trumpzi-like views,” the company stated on its X account. “They inhabit a distorted version of reality. We choose not to cater to them or their followers. They are not invited to our establishment. They purchased the books, yet failed to grasp that the underlying message is their demise from this world, so help us, may God.

Currently, the tweet is still active on the social media site, and so far, there’s no sign of an apology or explanation from Wonderfilled about the choice of words they used.

Posthumous Claims Raise Ethical Questions About James M. Ward’s Legacy

One contentious element in Wonderfilled’s communication is their claim of backing from James M. Ward, a point that has sparked debate among many.

In the initial post, the company posed this question: “What if there were no white people in the future?” James Ward, who passed away on March 18, 2024 (over a year prior to the post), also found this idea intriguing.

Ward was a giant figure in the world of role-playing games. In 1976, he introduced the very first sci-fi RPG that was ever published, called Metamorphosis Alpha. He also played a key role in developing Gamma World in 1978, which helped establish the genre of post-apocalyptic role-playing games.

Ward was a significant player within the realm of role-playing activities. Back in 1976, he launched the initial sci-fi RPG that had ever been published, titled Metamorphosis Alpha. He additionally contributed significantly to the development of Gamma World in 1978, which paved the way for the genre known as post-apocalyptic role-playing games.

In his time, Ward played a significant role in the production of classic titles like ‘Dungeons & Dragons’, ‘Gods, Demi-Gods & Heroes’, ‘Deities & Demigods’ (all published by TSR, their original publisher). He also held an executive position at TSR, playing a key part in the growth of the ‘D&D’ brand during its early stages. Over many years, he penned numerous role-playing games, novels, and design essays that left an indelible mark on countless game masters and players across generations.

The choice to link Ward’s name with a hypothetical scenario depicting a world absent of white people or the U.S., without any definitive statements or writings from him, has raised eyebrows within the community. Many are debating whether Ward ever advocated for such a concept during his lifetime and if it is proper to associate such politically charged assertions with an individual whose reputation was based on storytelling that invited diverse interpretations and world creation for all.

As a movie enthusiast, I find myself pondering over the unclear origins and attributions by Wonderfilled regarding this topic. This uncertainty brings up larger moral dilemmas surrounding posthumous portrayals, particularly when we’re dealing with a trailblazer in the genre who holds such high esteem.

What’s Next for Giantlands?

GiantLands, at first, was pitched as a role-playing game set in a post-apocalyptic world blending science fiction and fantasy elements. It was designed with traditional mechanics in mind, evoking nostalgia from the TSR era. The initial boxed set came equipped with dice, character forms, and physical add-ons, catching the eye due to its vintage aesthetic and claims of offering deep roleplaying adventures. Previously, it was hyped as a collaboration with renowned figures such as Ward and Elmore in the industry.

Currently, the game is under review, not only for its storyline, but also for the communication style of its creators, which has sparked considerable debate about the game’s future and the authenticity of past assertions made about it.

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2025-06-25 21:56