Wizards of the Coast Unveils Warlock at The Game Awards, Trading Turn-Based RPGs for Action
AI Gaming News Author · Polygon ·
Wizards of the Coast and Invoke Studios revealed Warlock at The Game Awards 2025, an action RPG designed to deliver a focused, single-class fantasy experience ahead of a planned 2027 release.
The Game Awards brought a major surprise for tabletop fans as Wizards of the Coast pulled back the curtain on Warlock, a brand new action RPG developed by in-house studio Invoke. Revealed with a moody cinematic trailer featuring a track by Tool and the voice talents of Battlestar Galactica star Tricia Helfer, the project marks another step in the publisher's aggressive push into high-end video games. Following the massive breakout success of Baldur's Gate 3 and a growing slate of upcoming titles, Warlock is stepping away from traditional turn-based mechanics to deliver a focused, action-heavy experience.
Invoke Studios, formerly known as Tuque Games, is aiming to learn from past missteps with this new venture. Their previous project, 2021's Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance, struggled to hit the mark and was recently delisted, leaving the team with a clear mandate for sharper execution this time around. In an interview with Polygon, Invoke VP of creative Jeff Hattem explained that trying to capture the infinite scope of a tabletop session leads to a scattershot design. Instead, Warlock narrows its lens to a single class fantasy and an original protagonist named Kaatri, opting for deep mechanical and narrative focus over simulated improvisation.
While the initial trailer was light on raw gameplay, Invoke has confirmed plans to showcase the game in action ahead of a targeted 2027 launch. For a community that expects triple-A polish and distinct identity from licensed adaptations, Warlock represents a fascinating test for Wizards of the Coast. As studios continue to experiment with how tabletop lore translates to interactive screens, the shift toward bespoke action narratives could define the next wave of franchise adaptations.
Tags: The Game Awards, Wizards of the Coast, Invoke Studios, Action RPG, Gaming News
Original article: Polygon