Explained: WoD & CofD, Editions, Who-Does-What

The status of game lines, which found their inception at the hands of White Wolf, can be confusing.
This page aims to provide an overview, which games follow a distinct setting, who owns which game line, who does what and provide an overview of the editions.

Content

  • „… of Darkness“ game lines
    • Which games belong to which „… of Darkness“
  • Ownership
    • Who owns What?
      • Side notes
    • Who does What?
  • Licensees
    • Tabletop Roleplaying Games
    • Translations
    • LARP
  • Editions
    • World of Darkness: Vampire: The Masquerade
      • 1. Edition: 1991 (Publisher: White Wolf)
      • 2. Edition: 1992 (Publisher: White Wolf)
      • 3. Edition: 1998 (Publisher: White Wolf)
      • 4. Edition: 2011 (Owner: CCP)
      • 5. Edition: 2018 (Owner: Paradox Interactive Licensee: „White Wolf“ subsidary)
        5. Edition: Second Printing 2019 (Owner: Paradox Interactive Licensee: Modiphius)
        5. Edition: Third Printing July 2021 (Owner: Paradox Interactive Licensee: Renegade Games)
    • World of Darkness: Mind’s Eye Theatre: Vampire: The Masquerade
      • 1. Edition: 1993 (Publisher: White Wolf)
      • 2. Edition: 1998 (Publisher: White Wolf)
      • 3. Edition: 1999 (Publisher: White Wolf)
      • 4. Edition: 2013 (Owner: CCP Licensee: By Night Studios)
        4. Edition: 2015 (Owner: Paradox Interactive Licensee: By Night Studios)
    • Chronicles of Darkness: Vampire: The Requiem
      • 1. Edition: 2004 (Verlag: White Wolf)
      • 2. Edition a: 2013: (Owner: CCP Licensee: Onyx Path Publishing)
      • 2. Edition b: 2014 (Owner: CCP Licensee: Onyx Path Publishing)
      • 2015: Renaming „World of Darkness“ to „Chronicles of Darkness“
        (Owner: Paradox Interactive Licensee: Onyx Path Publishing)
  • What is all the fuss about?
    • Publishers, Editions und Licensees
Wod Logo Fragezeichen CofD Logo
World of Darkness ? Chronciles of Darkness

„… of Darkness“ game lines

There are two distinct groups of games, that connect their games within an overaching setting specific to the group.
They did share their name for a while and they are:

  • World of Darkness
    The first game line is called „World of Darkness“ (WoD).
    It got founded in 1991 with the release of Vampire: The Masquerade.
    You will find, that it’s referred to as „old“ or „classic“ World of Darkness, along with the fitting abbreviations:
    • oWoD = old World of Darkness
    • cWoD = classic World of Darkness

Next to that, the World of Darkness, features an official Larp line of books covering Vampire: The Masquerade, which feature a diverting Vampire setting that diverges from the „ttrpg standard“, in its most recent editions.

  • Chronicles of Darkness / World of Darkness
    The second game line was called „World of Darkness“.
    It got founded in 2004 with the release of the core book called „World of Darkness“.
    The game line, along with the core book, got renamed to „Chronicles of Darkness“, in 2015.
    The line referred to as „new“ World of Darkness, and sports the following abbrevations:
    • nWoD = new World of Darkness
    • CofD = Chronicles of Darkness

Both game lines are fully separate, distinct, different sets of games, which aren’t compatible with each other.
Even though both are Urban Fantasy roleplaying games and cover playable charakters that are like vampires, werewolves, mages, or of another nature.

Which games belong to which „… of Darkness“

Both lines of games follow the naming convention for distinct games of <Creature>: The <Something>.
Both lines, feature games about the same creatures.

You can have a look at this table, to learn which games belong under which „… of Darkness“ game line:

CreatureChronicles of Darkness World of Darkness
VampireThe RequiemThe Masquerade
WerewolfThe ForsakenThe Apocalypse
MageThe AwakeningThe Ascension
ChangelingThe LostThe Dreaming
WraithThe Oblivion
GeistThe Sin-Eaters
HunterThe VigilThe Reckoning
DemonThe DescentThe Fallen
MummyThe CurseThe Ressurection
PrometheanThe Created
BeastThe Primordial
DeviantThe Renegades

The Chronicles of Darkness sees the steady creation of new games, about new creatures.
The World of Darkness focuses on its existing games, developing new editions and sourcebooks.

Paradox Logo WoD, CofD, Exalted | Onyx Path Logo Scion, Trinity, Scarred Lands

Owners

Who Owns What?

Paradox Interactive owns the following original „White Wolf“ IPs wholesale:

  • World of Darkness
  • Chronicles of Darkness
  • Exalted

Onyx Path Publishing owns the following original „White Wolf“ IPs wholesale:

  • Scion
  • Trinityverse (Trinity, Aberrant, Adventure!)
  • Scarred Lands

The ownership of the right to produce ttrpgs covering Streetfighter has expired.

Uhrwerk Verlag owns the following IP of the game, translated by White Wolf to English:

  • Engel

Dirt Merchants owns the following IP of the game, which was published „White Wolf“:

  • Human occupied Landfill

Side notes

There are two separate „… of Darkness“ games, that warrant a mention for their historical value:

  • GURPS: World of Darkness
    The 3. Edition of GURPS translated three World of Darkness games, to their game system, and offered books to enable GURPS player to enjoy playing them, without using the Storyteller System.
  • Monte Cook’s World of Darkness
    This roleplaying game has just two commonalities to the World of Darkness: It’s name and the Urban Fantasy genre.
    Next to that, neither setting nor system has anything to do with the White Wolf system.
    Even calling it Urban Fantasy might be a stretch, as Monte Cooks game veers deep into a post-apocalyptic scenario.

Who does What?

Paradox Interactive does within the company, via the World of Darkness Brand Team:

  • Development, Design and Writing of Core Products.
    This includes literal core books, as well as sourcebooks, that are considered to be foundational.
    For the 5th Edition of Vampire: The Masquerade this includes:
    „Companion“, „Sabbat“ and „Second Inquisition.
    More titles may follow.
  • Review, Oversight and Approval of other tabletop rpg products
    Examples are: „Chicago by Night“, „Cults of the Blood Gods“, „Deviant: The Renegades“
  • Review, Oversight and Approval of all transmedia products, making sure that they comply to the the setting foundations set in the ttrpg.
    This includes, books, videogames, boardgames, cardgames, official Larps, merchandise, a cinematic universe/franchise and everything else.
  • Development, Implementation of the global marketing efforts
    Projects like official Actual Plays (L.A. by Night), Publication of development blog entries, curation and publication of the original WoD Stories, official World of Darkness News and more.

Renegade Game Studio has been chosen as the publisher and steward for the tabletop rpg products for Vampire: The Masquerade. This covers:

  • Printing and distribution of books
  • Development and Writing of smaller sourcebooks

Licensees

Next to the development of games at the IP owner and its steward, you will find there are more licensees:

Roleplaying Games

  • World of Darkness
    Onyx Path Publishing – English V5 books like „Chicago by Night“, „Cults of the Blood God“ and more
    Alis Games – Polish V5 books like „Heart of Europe“, „Hunger Chronicles“ and more
    Onyx Path Publishing – English books expanding the 20th anniversary game lines (x20).
    I do note that the Vampire x20 game line (V20) is considered to be concluded and won’t see new books. Werewolve will be next to conclude.
    Arkhane Asylum – French books expanding the 20th anniversary game line of Vampire: Dark Ages. I will note that the Vampire: Dark Ages game line (VDA20) is considered to be concluded and won’t see new books.
  • Chronicles of Darkness
    Onyx Path Publishing, the publisher enjoys great freedom in regard to publish books and create new games.
    There is no other licensee, who produces CofD games or books – at least to my knowledge.
  • Exalted
    Onyx Path Publishing, the publisher enjoys great freedom in regard to publish books.
    There is no other licensee, who produces Exalted books – at least to my knowledge.

Translations

Next to the licensees, there are publisher translating the WoD games into various languages:

Next to the licensees, there are publisher translating the CofD games into various languages:

LARP

By Night Studios
Creation and execution of Larp events (Blood & Betrayal 1 to 4)
Development of the Mind’s Eye Theatre rules and setting
Creation of an online Larp SRD and community platform
Creation of merchandise for the World of Darkness

Jackalope Studios
Creation and execution of Blockbuster Larp events (The Night in Question, Elysium Chronicles)
Creation and application of a bespoke system for their events.

? Convention of Thorns ?
The prestigious Larp will be continued, despite the demise of the original creator Dziobak Studios. I don’t know, by whom.

Editions

Let us continue to answer the question which edition has been released at what time.
I will focus soley on the respective Vampire games of both game lines lines, as they are the most prominent feature and to keep it somewhat concise.

World of Darkness: Vampire The Masquerade

This covers the tabletop rpg line.

Vampire: The Masquerade - Cover der V5 Preview
  • 1. Edition: 1991 (Publisher: White Wolf)
    The first edition of the game.
  • 2. Edition: 1992 (Publisher: White Wolf)
    The second edition of the game.
  • 3. Edition: 1998 (Publisher: White Wolf)
    The third edition of the game was originally known as „second revised“ edition.
    Yet the changes to the setting and rules, as well as arguably the style, were so drastic that following the release the „second revised“ edition was spoken of as the „third“ edition.
  • 4. Edition: 2011 (Owner: CCP)
    The fourth edition was designed and released as a „thank you“ to the existing Vampire: The Masquerade fan base, celebrating the 20th anniversary of the game.
    The edition is commonly referred to as „V20“.
    The edition had such a great impact and avid fanbase, that a decent number of sourcebooks were developed and published. In 2015 this eventually, officially elevated the V20 to receive edition status and be counted as the fourth.
  • 5. Edition: 2018 (Owner: Paradox Interactive Licensee: subsidary„White Wolf“)
    The fifth edition. It can bee argued, that it is the first edition designed and published as such, since third edition.
  • 5. Edition: Second Printing 2019 (Owner: Paradox Interactive Licensee: Modiphius)
    The fifth edition received an extensive errata following its initial release.
    The Paradox Interactive subsidary „White Wolf“ got reintegrated to the company. Furthermore they claimed they won’t be writing core books, or any books in house.
    The VtM line was stewarded by Modiphius.
  • 5. Edition: Third Printing July 2021 (Owner: Paradox Interactive Licensee: Renegade Games)
    The fifth edtion received a change of hands, at the end of 2019.
    Paradox Interactive decided to build up a team of writers and developers to (again) create products in house.
    The stewardship got moved from Modiphius to Renegade Games. Renegade Games announced a new print run of the books to be release in the summer Sf 2021.

World of Darkness: Vampire The Masquerade: Mind’s Eye Theatre

This covers the Larp line.

Mind's Eye Theatre (MET) - By Night Studios - Cover
  • 1. Edition: 1993 (Publisher: White Wolf)
    Das 1st edition was released as:
    „Mind’s Eye Theatre: Vampire: The Masquerade“
  • 2. Edition: 1999 (Publisher: White Wolf)
    Das 2nd edition was released as:
    „Mind’s Eye Theatre: Laws of the Night“
    Back then the edition counter reset back to first, and it is counted as such.
  • 3. Edition: 1998 (Publisher: White Wolf)
    Das 3rd edition was released as:
    „Mind’s Eye Theatre: Laws of the Night“
    Because the first release of Laws of the Night got counted as the 1st edition of its line, this one is referred to as „Laws of the Night 2nd edition“.
    [If you like to get your hands on the book via the second hand market]
  • 4. Edition: 2013 (Owner: CCP Licensee: By Night Studios)
    The 4th edition was released as:
    „Mind’s Eye Theatre Vampire: The Masquerade“
    It is commonly referred to as „By Night Studios: Mind’s Eye Theatre“ (BNS:MET) as well as simply put Mind’s Eye Theatre (MET), sometimes „Mind’s Eye Theatre: Vampire The Masquerade (MET:VTM).
    .
    Note:
    The game picks up the metaplot from about 2004 (ingame) and develops the setting into contemporary times. This sees this edition diverge from the current V5 tabletop rpg setting, which picked the metaplot up at about 2004 and develops it differently.
    Thus you will find that there is a different cadre of Clans and Bloodlines, as well as different factions, from the current ttrpg based based products. In general, no Clans or Bloodlines have been renamed, or are currently omitted. The four factions are: Anarchs, Camarilla, Sabbat and Independent Alliance.
    .
  • 4. Edition: 2015 (Owner: Paradox Interactive Licensee: By Night Studios)
    In 2015 the IP owner changed, yet By Night Studio kept their game line alive and well supported.
    The volume 2, of the first big sourcebook for BNS:MET, is soon to be released.

Chronicles of Darkness: Vampire The Requiem

Vampire: The Requiem 2nd Edition Book Cover
  • 1. Edition: 2004 (Publisher: White Wolf)
    The first edition of „Vampire The Requiem“ was released, along the core book called „World of Darkness“.
    To play „Vampire: The Requiem“, you have had to have access to the core book named „World of Darkness“ next to the titular book.
  • 2. Edition a: 2013: (Owner: CCP Licensee: Onyx Path Publishing)
    The second edition of Vampire The Requiem was released as:
    „Blood and Smoke: The Strix Chronicle„. You needed the „God Chronicle“ book, to play it.
  • 2. Edition b: 2014 (Owner: CCP Licensee: Onyx Path Publishing)
    The Second edition of Vampire The Requiem was got renamed to
    „Vampire: The Requiem 2. Edition“.
    You don’t need any additional books, to get started with Vampire: The Requiem 2nd edition.
  • 2015: Renaming „World of Darkness“ to „Chronicles of Darkness“
    (Owner: Paradox Interactive Licensee: Onyx Path Publishing)
    Following the acquisition of the World of Darkness UP, Paradox Interactive decided to rename the game line.
    Likely to distinguish it from the „other“ World of Darkness.

What is all the fuss about?

If you only take a look at the distinct game lines, and know that they are distinct game lines, it seems quite natural.
If you look at it from a timeline view, it looks like this:

  • 1991: World of Darkness
  • 1991: WoD Vampire: The Masquerade 1. Edition
  • 1992: WoD Vampire: The Masquerade 2. Edition
  • 1993: WoD Vampire: The Masquerade Larp Rules 1. Edition (MET: Vampire The Masquerade)
  • 1998: WoD Vampire: The Masquerade 2. Edition Revised
  • 1998: WoD Vampire: The Masquerade Larp Rules 2. Edition (MET: Laws of the Night Revised 1st edition)
  • 1999: WoD Vampire: The Masquerade Larp Rules 3. Edition (MET: Laws of the Night Revised 2nd edition)
  • 2004: World of Darkness
  • 2004: WoD Vampire: The Requiem 1. Edition
  • 2011: WoD Vampire: The Masquerade Vampire: The Masquerade 20th Anniversary
  • 2013: WoD Vampire: The Masquerade Larp Rules 4. Edition (By Night Studios MET: Vampire The Masquerade)
  • 2013: Announcement of the 2nd Edition of WoD: Vampire: The Requiem as „Blood and Smoke: The Strix Chronicle„
  • 2014: WoD Vampire: The Requiem 2nd Edition print, after the name change
  • 2015: Renaming of World of Darkness into Chronicles of Darkness
  • 2015: WoD Vampire: The Requiem 2nd Edition
  • 2018: WoD Vampire: The Masquerade 5. Edition
  • 2019: WoD Vampire: The Masquerade 5. Edition Second Printing

Different colors denote different game lines and (or) different settings.

In 2004 White Wolf announced that the „World of Darkness“ is cancelled, and that it will be replaced by the „World of Darkness“. This new „World of Darkness“ has seen a steady publication stream of new books continuing today.
In 2011 the „World of Darkness“, with the setting and system as etablished between 1991 and 2004 returned. It was conceived as a nostalgia edition. In consequence the setting got to be set as contemporary, but no notable events or changes between the „in game years“ of 2004 and 2011.
In 2013 the „World of Darkness“, with the setting and system as etablished between 1991 and 2004, saw the release of a new Larp core book. It was conceived as a normal continuation of the line, with the setting being set to contemporary and notable events and changes within the „in game years“ of 2004 to 2013.
In 2018 the „World of Darkness“, as the one originally conceived in 1991 and supposedly cancelled in 2004, recieved a new edition. It set the setting to contemporary times with notable events and changes within the „in game years“ of 2004 to 2018.

It is easy for new players as well as existing players to get confused between those three lines, which all referred to their setting as World of Darknes. It is as well tough, to keep up with the discontinuations, nostalgia-continuations, and dis-discontunations. Including an name change of one of the lines as portrayed above.

Add to that confusion, that once a 4th Edition of Vampire: The Masquerade got announced by Onyx Path in 2015, but cancelled by Paradox Interactive 2 month later, in 2015. With Paradox developing books, swearing off developing books and handing that part over with a line steward soon, and being back to develop books with a new steward cuirrently.
For good measures, the „1991 World of Darkness“, in its current iteration, once was named „one World of Darkness“, a term that got silently dropped.

The aspect that the current iteration of Vampire: The Masquerade Mind’s Eye Theatre Larp has a setting that differs from the 5th edition of the tabletop rpg, while Blockbuster Larp do use the setting of tabletop rpg.

For good measures, there are, what feels like, a dozen changes in owners, active licensees, stewards and publishers that don’t help forming a clear picture. Basically it feels like this, little meme (which expresses my motivation for creating this page):

Verschwörungs Meme - Mit WoD Thema - Manischer Mann vor einer Wand mit vielen Linien und Blättern
Let me talk to you about WoD, CofD, Publishers and Licensees

Publishers, Editions und Licensees

If you are looking for a bit of a timeline, covering briefly how White Wolf changed owners, who acquired White Wolf when, and stuff, …. I will offer this timeline, and note that it is just a rough overview, which doesn’t include stuff like change in staff, or a look at the events that lead to the actions taken:

  • 1991
    White Wolf was founded as a publisher and the World of Darkness gets its start with Vampire: The Masquerade.
  • 2004
    White Wolf declares the whole World of Darkness, including Vampire: The Masquerade has ended and is done.
    They create a new game line called World of Darkness with an entirely game new game called Vampire: The Requiem to replace the old.
  • 2006
    White Wolf merges with CCP (of Eve Online fame). The goal is to develop a World of Darkness MMO.
    The World of Darkness MMO was supposed to be based on the „1991 World of Darkness“, not the „2004 World of Darkness“.
  • ~2006 to 2008
    CCP grows exponentially faster than the White Wolf part.
    Thus White Wolfs essentially gets gobbled up into being a department at CCP.
  • 2011
    The 20th Anniversary edition of Vampire: The Maskerade is developed at CCP and released by the end of the year.
    It is developed by people who worked formerly at White Wolf.
  • 2012
    The White Wolf employee Rich Thomas founds „Onyx Path Publishing“, and brings some former White Wolf employees along from CCP into his new venture. Onyx Path Publishing then aqcuires Scion, Trinityverse and Scarred Lands outright.
    They do keep publishing books for the V20 anniversary Edition and do creating anniversary edition version for other games based on the „1991 World of Darkness“.
    They do so as a licensee of CCP, who in their turn keep so quite, that one might think that Onyx Path Publishing acquired all the game line.
  • 2014 – Start of the Year
    CCP drops the World of Darkness MMO projects fully and for good. It’s dead.
    The last remainders of White Wolf staff get reassigned to CCP tasks or fired. In the end there is one person responsible for approving and handling the license for Onyx Path Publishing.
  • 2014 – At about the Half Year Mark
    Onyx Path Publishing announces a 4th edition of Vampire: The Masquerade at GenCon, to be released 2015.
  • 2015
    Paradox Interactive buy the remaining White Wolf / World of Darkness IPs.
    That is: World of Darkness, Chronicles of Darkness and Exalted
  • 2015
    Paradox Interactive creates the subsidary „White Wolf“.
    Who handles the creation of the new core book, and two source books.
  • 2015
    White Wolf announces that there will be a 5th edition of Vampire: The Masquerade, and that it will be part of the „One World of Darkness“.
    Onyx Path Publishings 4th edition plans are no more. With it being obvious that Paradox Interactive/White Wolf and Onyx Path Publishing counted editions differently.
  • 2017
    Paradox Interactive/White Wolf organizes the „World of Darkness Fanfest“ in Berlin.
    It includes the first feature and run of the Pre-Alpha Playtest of 5th Edition Masquerade.
  • 2018 – At about the Half Year Mark
    Paradox Interactive/White Wolf releases Vampire: The Masquerade 5th Edition core book as well as the sourcebooks „Anarch“ and „Camarilla“.
  • 2018 – Three Quarters into the Year
    Following controversy the 5th edition corebook recieves an extensive errata.
    Both books „Anarch“ and „Camarilla“ get pulled, to redesign controversial parts.
  • 2018 – End of the Year
    Paradox Interactive dissolves the subsidary White Wolf as a company of its own. Employees get moved into a World of Darkness team within Paradox Interactive.
    Paradox Interactive announced they won’t be writing or developing books in house.
    Modiphius is named as the „steward“ of the 5. Edition von Vampire: The Masquerade.
  • 2018 – Finale
    Modiphius announces the V5 products:
    „The Fall of London“, „Player’s Guide“, „Second Inquisition“, „Starter Box“.
    Onyx Path Publishing starts the „Chicago by Night“ Kickstarter.
  • 2019
    Modiphius publishes the „Second Printing“ of all three initial V5 books. That’s about it for 2019.
    Paradox Interactive announces that Hunter’s Entertainment will be developing the 5th edition of Werewolf: The Apocalypse.
    Onyx Path Publishing starts the „Cults of the Blood Gods“ Kickstarter.
  • 2020 – Beginning
    Modiphius published the V5 starter set „New Blood“ and the V5 campaign „Fall of London“
  • 2020 – At about the Half Year Mark
    Paradox Interactive calls the inhouse World of Darkness Team „World of Darkness Brand Team“.
  • 2020 – End of the Year
    Paradox Interactive announces that they pull the development and writing of core products in house again.
    They hire, among other people, Justin Achilli for the job as creative lead.
    They announce that Hunter’s Entertainment thusly won’t be developing the 5th edition of Werewolf: The Apocalypse.
    The announce that Renegade Games will be the publisher and steward of 5th Edition Vampire: The Masquerade.
    Onyx Path Publishing remains to be a licensee of Paradox Interactive for all things WoD, CofD and Exalted. They announce that the companion books to Cults of the Blood Gods won’t just be available as PDF, but as PoD too.
  • 2020 – Finale
    Paradox released the V5 Companion for free.
    They announced that „Sabbat“ and „Second Inquisition“ will be the next V5 products.

This is accompained by quite a lot of announcements, releases and developments in regards to Larp, videogames and other products in 2020.