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This is a list of campaign settings published for role-playing games. Since role-playing games originally developed from wargames, there are many historical and alternate-history RPGs based on Earth. The settings for such games are excluded from this list, unless they include significant fictional elements.

Many RPG campaign settings are based on fictional universes from books, comics, video games, or films. Campaigns have been created for Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Star Trek, and James Bond, for example.

Fantasy campaigns

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Campaign setting name Subgenre Setting location Game system(s) Publisher(s) Period(s) published Comments
Aerth High fantasy The planet Aerth Dangerous Journeys Game Designers' Workshop 1992-1994 Developed by Gary Gygax before and after he was forced out of TSR.
Agone High fantasy Multisim 1999-2008
Akhamet Ancient Egyptian Fantasy Akhamet D&D 5th edition First Ones Entertainment 2018–present
Al-Qadim Arabian fantasy The continent Zakhara on planet Abeir-Toril AD&D 2nd edition TSR 1992-1998
The Diamond Throne Medieval fantasy d20 System 2003 A giant-dominated setting; created by Monte Cook and first published in 2003.
Arcanis: the World of Shattered Empires Medieval fantasy The continent of Onara on the Planet of Arcanis d20 System, Arcanis rules system, 5ed D&D Paradigm Concepts 2001–Present Focuses on moral ambiguity and politics
Ars Magica Medieval fantasy, heroic fantasy Mythic Europe Ars Magica rules Lion Rampant, White Wolf, Wizards of the Coast, Atlas Games 1987-2004
Auvron Heroic fantasy Auvron Somlói Ferenc, Kovács Olivér 1995 Hungarian language
Birthright Medieval fantasy The continent of Cerilia on the planet Aebrynis AD&D 2nd edition, D&D 3rd edition TSR 1994-2005 Players each run their own country, and vie economically, politically, and militarily with or against each other and the rest of the countries on the map.
Blackmoor High fantasy The planet Mystara D&D Judges Guild, TSR, Zeitgeist Games 1977-2009 First role-playing game campaign setting developed (1971-) for the purpose, later placed on Greyhawk, then on Mystara, then again relaunched as a standalone world
Blue Rose Romantic fantasy The planet Aldea True20 Green Ronin Publishing 2005–present
Council of Wyrms High fantasy; Dragon-centric AD&D 2nd edition TSR 1994-1999 Players roleplay dragon characters
The Dark Eye Sword and sorcery Aventuria Fantasy Productions, Ulisses Spiele 1984–present Primarily in German
Dark Sun Post-apocalyptic Sword and Sorcery[1][2] The planet Athas AD&D 2nd edition, D&D 4th edition TSR, WotC 1991-2010
Discworld High fantasy GURPS Discworld Steve Jackson Games 1998-2002 Based on Terry Pratchett's Discworld series
Dragonlance High fantasy; Dragon-centric The planet Krynn AD&D, D&D 3rd edition, D&D 5th edition[3] TSR, Sovereign Press, Inc 1984–present
Earthdawn Sword and sorcery province Barsaive FASA 1993–present
Eberron High fantasy D&D 3rd edition, D&D 4th edition, D&D 5th edition WotC 2004–Present
Exandria High fantasy The continents of Tal'Dorei, Wildemount, and Eiselcross[4][5] D&D 5e Green Ronin Publishing, WotC, Darrington Press 2015–Present Originally created by Matthew Mercer for his personal Pathfinder campaign. It is now the setting for campaigns in the web series Critical Role and the spinoff web series Exandria Unlimited; it is also an official D&D setting.[6][7]
Forcelia High fantasy The continent of Alecrast D&D (not TSR's official), Record of Lodoss War, Sword World RPG, Legend of Crystania and Rune Soldier Group SNE 1989–present Primarily in Japanese.
Forgotten Realms High fantasy The continent of Faerûn on the planet Abeir-Toril AD&D, AD&D 2nd edition, D&D 3rd/4th/5th edition TSR, WotC 1987–present Originally created as a paracosm by Ed Greenwood in 1967 to provide a setting for his childhood stories.
Freeport: The City of Adventure Swashbuckling Medieval fantasy Generic local setting d20 System, Pathfinder Green Ronin Publishing 2000–present As a generic setting, Freeport can be expanded by the gamemaster, or inserted into another campaign setting.
Garweeze Wurld Sword and sorcery The planet Aldrazar Hackmaster 4th edition Kenzer & Company 2001 Based on the main setting played by the characters of the Knights of the Dinner Table comic series. It is strongly characterized by Hackmaster's wuss slapping honor system, +12 swords, sidewinder fireballs, etc.
Glorantha High Fantasy The planet Glorantha RuneQuest, Hero Wars, HeroQuest, 13th Age Chaosium 1978–present First introduced in White Bear and Red Moon board game in 1975.
Golarion Multi-cultural Medieval fantasy Pathfinder Chronicles The planet of Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Paizo Publishing 2008–present Regions strongly similar to Europe, Arabia, and Africa
Greyhawk (aka World of Greyhawk) High fantasy The planet Oerth AD&D TSR, WotC 1980-2008
Hackjammer Sword and sorcery The sky, Wildspace, the Phlogiston Hackmaster 4th Edition Kenzer & Company 2005 Parody of Spelljammer, and add-on to Garweeze Wurld
Hârn Medieval fantasy The planet Kethira HârnMaster Columbia Games 1986-2003
Hollow World Classical fantasy Inside the planet Mystara D&D TSR 1990-1992
Hyborian Age Sword and sorcery Earth during the Hyborian Age Conan Role-Playing Game, GURPS Conan, Conan d20, Conan: The Roleplaying Game TSR, Steve Jackson Games, Mongoose Publishing 1985, 1988-1989, 2004-2007 Based on Robert E. Howard's Conan stories
Incunabuli Gothic fantasy The Coast Incunabuli system playtest, Various systems Incunabuli.com 2017–present Players inhabit the role of "cutters," professional adventurers who rob ruins and dungeons in the service of banks and esoteric patrons
Iron Kingdoms Gaslamp fantasy Immoren Privateer Press 2004-2013
Kalibruhn Sword and sorcery Generic, d20 system Creations Unlimited, Necromancer Games, Different Worlds 1987, 2001-2004 Developed by Robert J. Kuntz, in close association with Greyhawk, as early as 1973.
Kara-Tur Wuxia The continent of Kara-Tur on planet Abeir-Toril AD&D TSR 1985-1990 Located on the same continent and Planet as Forgotten Realms and Al-Qadim. Created for the 1st edition of Oriental Adventures but not used for the 3rd edition product of the same name
Kingdoms of Kalamar Sword and sorcery The planet Tellene D&D 3rd edition, HackMaster 5th edition Kenzer & Company 1994-2008
Lankhmar – City of Adventure Sword and sorcery The city of Lankhmar on the planet of Nehwon AD&D TSR, Inc. 1985-1992
Legend of the Five Rings Historical fantasy based on Bushido Empire of Rokugan D&D 3rd edition, L5R rules Alderac Entertainment Group 1997-2010 Rokugan was previously used for the D&D 3rd edition Oriental Adventures
Lost Lands High fantasy The planet Lloegyr (aka Boros) d20 System, Pathfinder, Swords & Wizardry, D&D 5th edition Frog God Games/Necromancer Games/Greg A. Vaughan 2000–present Combines the entire catalog of adventures from Frog God Games and Necromancer Games into a single coherent setting. It first appeared in Necromancer Games' 2000 adventure The Wizard's Amulet, was first incorporated into a single setting in Frog God Games' 2010 adventure The Slumbering Tsar Saga, and was first formally branded and described as its own setting in foreword of Frog God Games' 2013 adventure LL1: Stoneheart Valley.
M.A.G.U.S. high fantasy Ynev Valhalla Páholy 1993 Hungarian language. Based on the "Tier Nan Gorduin" books by Wayne Chapman.
Melniboné Dark fantasy Stormbringer, Elric!, Elric of Melniboné RPG Chaosium, Mongoose Publishing 1981-2007 Based on the Elric of Melniboné books by Michael Moorcock
Middle Earth High fantasy Middle-earth Role Playing (MERP) rules system, Lord of the Rings RPG (CODA System) Iron Crown Enterprises (ICE), Decipher, Inc. 1984-1999, 2002-2006
Midgard Dark fantasy D&D, Pathfinder, 13th Age, Fantasy AGE, Swords & Wizardry Kobold Press 2006–present Originally the setting for publisher Wolfgang Baur's own D&D campaign, the world which would later be named "Midgard" first appeared in a published product with the release of the 2006 adventure Steam & Brass.
Mystara Sword and sorcery (early), high fantasy (late) The planet Mystara D&D TSR 1981-1996 Originally referred to as the "Known World", Mystara first appeared in X1 Isle of Dread and Moldvay edition D&D Expert Set. Some earlier D&D Basic modules were integrated into the Mystara world.
Norrath Sword and sorcery The planet Norrath EverQuest RPG Verant Interactive and 989 Studios 2002-2006
Numenera Science fantasy The Ninth World; a future Earth the Cypher System Monte Cook Games 2013–present Nanites and technology from eight previous advanced civilizations litter the otherwise medieval Ninth World, and some beings can tap into these forces as mages of other fantasy settings could with magic.
The Old World Sword and sorcery Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 1986-2009 A spin-off and a parallel universe to Warhammer Fantasy Battle miniature game
Palladium Fantasy Sword and sorcery 1983–Present
Planescape Supernatural interdimensional fantasy The Great Wheel, aka the Multiverse AD&D 2nd edition TSR 1994-1998 Interconnects campaigns via pathways and portals but also by providing opportunities for characters from different planes to meet in Heaven, Hell, and in the other planes on the Great Wheel.
Planet Eris Sword and Sorcery The planet Eris OD&D, Generic The Scribes of Sparn 2019–present Human-centric sword & sorcery world with splashes of ERB and other weird fiction. Developed (2010-) by Jimm Johnson.
Scarred Lands post-apocalyptic fantasy The planet Scarn d20 System Sword & Sorcery Studios (part of White Wolf Publishing) 2000–present The rights were acquired in 2013 by Nocturnal Media and Onyx Path Publishing to revive the setting.
Shadow World High fantasy The planet Kulthea Rolemaster Iron Crown Enterprises 1987–present
Spelljammer Space opera The sky, Wildspace, the Phlogiston AD&D 2nd edition, D&D 5th edition [8] TSR 1989-1993 Solar systems contained within crystal spheres floating in the Phlogiston. Spelljammer interconnects other campaigns, by allowing characters to travel between crystal spheres.
Tékumel Sword and sorcery The planet Tékumel Empire of the Petal Throne TSR, Different Worlds Publications, Guardians of Order 1974-2005 The creation of this imaginary world originates in the 1940s. Original D&D in 1974 inspired its development as an RPG setting.
Théah High fantasy The continent Théah 7th Sea (role-playing game), (d20 System) (Swashbuckling Adventures) Alderac Entertainment Group 1999 - Present Modelled on historic Europe
Thieves' World Sword and Sorcery The city of Sanctuary, the Rankan Empire Generic, Runequest 3rd edition, d20 system Chaosium, FASA, Green Ronin 1981-1986, 2005-2007 Based on Thieves' World novels series.
Titan Sword and sorcery The continents of Allansia, Khul and the "Old World" Fighting Fantasy RPG, Advanced Fighting Fantasy, d20 system Puffin Books, Arion Games 1984-2014 Originally a setting for Fighting Fantasy game books since 1982.
Warcraft Universe Sword and sorcery Planets of Azeroth, Draenor and others Warcraft: The Roleplaying Game (d20 System) Blizzard Entertainment 2003-2005
Westeros High fantasy A Game of Thrones RPG 2006-present Based on the setting of American author George R. R. Martin, as featured in his series of high fantasy novels titled A Song of Ice and Fire.
The Wheel of Time High fantasy Wheel of Time RPG, d20 System WotC 2001-2002 Based on an epic fantasy series by Robert Jordan.
Wilderlands of High Fantasy High fantasy Generic D&D, D&D 3rd edition Judges Guild, Necromancer Games 1976-1983, 2004-2005 Better known as City State of the Invincible Overlord, it is the first ever published city setting for RPG and the surrounding world developed around it.
World Tree RPG High fantasy the World Tree Padwolf Publishing 2001 Focuses on the culture and social structure of anthropomorph animals and monsters in a surreal setting where the world is a large living tree
Yrth Sword and Sorcery The Planet YRTH GURPS Fantasy, GURPS Banestorm Steve Jackson Games 1986-2005 Alternate Earth with multiple fantasy races. The Banestorm, caused by a critical spell failure by Elves, brought in people from other worlds, thus any fantasy element can be placed onto this world; GURPS Fantasy: Tredroy and GURPS Fantasy: Harkwood provide additional information. Also GURPS Basic 3rd Ed. has a starter adventure "Caravan to En Arris" which is on a separate continent which can be added anywhere.
Castlemourn Post-apocalyptic fantasy Planet of Castlemourn D&D 4th edition Margaret Weis Productions 2006-2008
DragonMech Gaslamp fantasy Planet of DragonMech d20 System Goodman Games, Sword & Sorcery Studios 2004-2006
Eredane Dark fantasy d20 System Fantasy Flight Games 2003-2009
Ptolus Gaslamp fantasy Planet of Praemal D&D 3rd edition Malhavoc Press 2002-2009
Urban Arcana Gaslamp fantasy Generic local setting d20 Modern Wizards of the Coast 2002-2003 Builds on a small campaign model and adds magic and monsters to the game, and rules for playing Shadowkind characters.
Matter of Britain High fantasy Mythological Great Britain and Brittany Multiple, first used by Pendragon Mythology, Setting is used by multiple RPGs 1985-present A default setting for all RPGs taking place in the world of King Arthur, Merlin and Morgan le Fay.
Jakandor Sword and sorcery Island of Jakandor Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Wizards of the Coast 1997-1998 The setting was released in the form of three books, as part of the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons: Odyssey line.
Uresia anime fantasy Planet of Uresia Systemless, Big Eyes, Small Mouth Guardians of Order 2003-2012 Written by S. John Ross.
Multiverse (Magic: The Gathering) Sword and sorcery Multiple planes including Ravnica, Theros D&D 5th edition Wizards of the Coast 2005-present The various planes from the Magic: The Gathering collectible card game.
Roundwander Fantasy multiverse of Everway Everway Wizards of the Coast 1995 Revolves around heroes with the power of "spherewalking," traveling between worlds called "spheres." Spheres typically consist of many "realms."

Horror

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Science fiction

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Campaign setting name Subgenre Setting location Game system(s) Publisher(s) Period(s) published Comments
2300 AD Space opera, hard science fiction 2300 AD (GDW House System), Mongoose Traveller GDW, QuikLink Interactive, Mongoose Publishing 1986, 1988, 2007, 2012, 2022 Originally titled "Traveller: 2300 AD"
Alpha Complex Post-apocalyptic Paranoia West End Games, Mongoose Publishing 1984-
Alternity Space opera TSR, Inc. 1998
Armageddon 2092 Mars cyberpunk Planet Mars Bíborhold Budapest Kft. 1995 Hungarian language
Ashen Stars Space opera Gumshoe System Pelgrane Press 2011
Babylon 5 Space opera d20 System
BattleTech Mecha Inner Sphere FASA, FanPro LLC, Catalyst Game Labs 1984- Also known as Mechwarrior
Brigada Ligeira Estelar Space opera Editora Jambô 2012 This Brazilian game has Mecha and Anime influences
Blue Planet Environmentalist Watery planet of Poseidon Biohazard Games, Fantasy Flight Games, RedBrick, FASA Games 1997, 2000, 2012, 2019
Bubblegum Crisis Cyberpunk Megatokyo Fuzion R. Talsorian Games 1996
Centauri Knights Mecha Big Eyes, Small Mouth Guardians of Order 2003
CthulhuTech Techno horror H.P. Lovecraft's horror with Mecha and Anime influences
Cyberpunk 2020 Cyberpunk Night City, NorCal Interlock System R. Talsorian Games 1988, 1990, 2005, 2019
Cyberspace Cyberpunk San Francisco Spacemaster Iron Crown Enterprises 1989, 1992
Dark*Matter conspiracy theory Alternity Wizards of the Coast 1999
Dawning Star d20 Future
Dragonstar
Doctor Who Time travel Whoniverse Doctor Who RPG, Time Lord, Doctor Who: Adventures in Time and Space FASA, Virgin Books, Cubicle 7 1985, 1991, 2009
Eclipse Phase Transhumanism, hard science fiction The Solar System Eclipse Phase Catalyst Game Labs, Posthuman Studios 2009, 2017
Engel
Ex Machina Cyberpunk dX, d20 Guardians of Order 2004 Multiple settings
Fading Suns Space opera
Fringeworthy
Gaean Reach Jack Vance modified Gumshoe System Pelgrane Press 2011
Gamma World Post-apocalyptic mutation sci-fi Post-apocalyptic US (Lake Geneva, Wisconsin area) TSR, WotC 1978-2010 Incorporated and expanded earlier title Metamorphosis Alpha
Gear Krieg Alternate history Silhouette, SilCore, D20 Dream Pod 9
GURPS Infinite Worlds setting parallel worlds GURPS Steve Jackson Games 1991–present introduced in GURPS Time Travel
GURPS Planet of Adventure Jack Vance GURPS Steve Jackson Games 2003
GURPS Terradyne Solar system GURPS Steve Jackson Games 1991
Heavy Gear Mecha Terra Nova Silhouette, SilCore, D20 Dream Pod 9 1995-2012
Jovian Chronicles Mecha The Solar System Interlock System, Silhouette, SilCore, D20 Dream Pod 9 1992-2005
Mindjammer Space opera, transhumanism Commonality Space Fate, Mongoose Traveller Mindjammer Press 2014 Bears resemblance to Iain M. Banks' Culture
Serenity Space Western The Verse Cortex System Margaret Weis Productions, Ltd 2005 Based on the television series Firefly (TV series) and the film Serenity
Shadowrun Cyberpunk fantasy FASA 1989-
Space: 1889 Steampunk Games Designers Workshop, Heloograph, Inc., Clockwork publishing 1988-
Spacemaster Iron Crown Enterprises
Star*Drive Space opera[9] Alternity[9] TSR[9] Part of the Alternity RPG universe[9]
Starfinder Paizo 2017-
Star Frontiers Space opera The Frontier Sector TSR 1982
Star Hero Star Hero, expansion of Hero System Hero Games
Star Fleet Universe Space opera Prime Directive (role-playing game); GURPS Prime Directive
Star Trek universe Space opera Star Trek: The RPG, Star Trek RPG (CODA System) FASA, Decipher, Inc. 1982-1989, 2002
Star Wars universe Space opera Star Wars expanded universe SW:The RPG, SWRPG (WotC), SWRPG (Fantasy Flight) West End Games, Wizards of the Coast, Fantasy Flight Games 1987–1999, 2000–2010, 2012-
Stargate SG-1 Military science fiction d20 System
Transhuman Space Transhumanist The Solar System GURPS Transhuman Space Steve Jackson Games 2002-
Traveller universe Space opera Charted space Traveller, GURPS Traveller, Mongoose Traveller GDW 1977-96, Steve Jackson Games, 1998-2010, Mongoose Publishing, others
Tribe 8 Post-apocalyptic science fantasy Post-apocalyptic Canada Silhouette, SilCore, D20 Dream Pod 9 1998

Superhero

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Multi-genre

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Comedy/satire

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ Di Filippo, Laurent (2018). "La mythologie nordique dans Donjons & Dragons - Entre réception et stéréotypes". Les clichés dans l'histoire. Fest'Ain d'Histoire. Chazey-sur-Ain: Didaskalie. p. 77.
  2. ^ Gailloreto, Coleman (2021-08-26). "How the Planegea Setting for D&D 5e Blends Fantasy With Paleontology". Screen Rant. Retrieved 2024-01-24. D&D's Dark Sun, a post-apocalyptic sword-and-sorcery fantasy setting
  3. ^ "Dungeons & Dragons Will Return to Dragonlance and Spelljammer This Year". 21 April 2022.
  4. ^ Haeck, James (March 17, 2020). "Welcome to Wildemount: The Regions of Wildemount". D&D Beyond. Archived from the original on February 8, 2021. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
  5. ^ Mercer, Matthew (2020). "Ch. 2: Factions and Societies, Ch. 3: Wildemount Gazetteer". Explorer's Guide to Wildemount. Haeck, James., Introcaso, James., Lockey, Chris., Amundsen, Even. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast. pp. 35–158. ISBN 978-0-7869-6691-2. OCLC 1139657849.
  6. ^ Plante, Corey (January 13, 2020). "D&D 'Explorer's Guide to Wildemount' makes Critical Role & dunamancy canon". Inverse. Retrieved 2020-01-22.
  7. ^ Hall, Charlie (2020-01-13). "The next D&D book is a Critical Role tie-in". Polygon. Retrieved 2020-01-16.
  8. ^ "Dungeons & Dragons Will Return to Dragonlance and Spelljammer This Year". 21 April 2022.
  9. ^ a b c d Tremaine, Kate (2022-09-05). "10 Best Wizards of the Coast RPGs, Ranked". CBR. Retrieved 2024-01-14.
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