How can Sword World, the game that beat D&D in Japan, stand out in the West?

When the Japanese fantasy TTRPG Sword World was first released in 1989, it wasn't just more popular than Dungeons and Dragons - it was so successful that it all but erased D&D from Japan. Now a small team of creatives are making the first ever English translation of the game. But how will it stand out when it reaches America, Dungeons and Dragons' home turf? I spoke to the duo heading up the project, Ai Namima-Davison and Shawn Davison, to learn why they Sword World is so special. Read the rest of the story... RELATED LINKS:Meet the mom and pop duo bringing Japan's D&D killer, Sword World, to the WestGo beyond 20th level in D&D 5th Edition with this powerful expansionD&D shares a 2026 roadmap, but there aren't any RPG books in it

Feb 25, 2026 - 01:37
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How can Sword World, the game that beat D&D in Japan, stand out in the West?
When the Japanese fantasy TTRPG Sword World was first released in 1989, it wasn't just more popular than Dungeons and Dragons - it was so successful that it all but erased D&D from Japan. Now a small team of creatives are making the first ever English translation of the game. But how will it stand out when it reaches America, Dungeons and Dragons' home turf? I spoke to the duo heading up the project, Ai Namima-Davison and Shawn Davison, to learn why they Sword World is so special.

Read the rest of the story...

RELATED LINKS:
Meet the mom and pop duo bringing Japan's D&D killer, Sword World, to the West
Go beyond 20th level in D&D 5th Edition with this powerful expansion
D&D shares a 2026 roadmap, but there aren't any RPG books in it

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