David Noonan (game designer)
David Noonan entered the world of fantasy role-playing games in 1998. He joined Wizards of the Coast to help build a new version of Dungeons and Dragons. His work began on the three core books for this third edition. For the Dungeon Master Guide, he created treasure tables using guidance from Monte Cook. He also designed non-player characters that appeared in the book's second chapter. This early period established his reputation as a versatile designer within the company.
Noonan became part of Rob Heinsoo's Flywheel design team in May 2006. The group included Andy Collins, Mike Mearls, and Jesse Decker. They performed final concept work until September 2006 before writing began. This team laid the groundwork for fourth edition Dungeons and Dragons. During this time, Noonan served as one of the eVoices of Wizards on the D&D podcast. These monthly audio updates shared development thoughts with fans directly.
On the 2nd of December 2008, David Noonan was laid off from Wizards of the Coast. He wrote three articles updating the Dark Sun campaign setting for the third edition in Dungeon Magazine shortly after leaving. He then moved to NCsoft West to handle westernization for Aion. In 2010, he joined En Masse Entertainment as Lead Writer. His new role involved creative writing for TERA, shifting focus toward massively multiplayer online games.
Noonan contributed significantly to specific fantasy worlds beyond generic rules. He designed a large part of Song and Silence, which focused on bardic magic. Whispers of the Vampire Blade explored Eberron in 2004. Five Nations provided background for Eberron in 2005. Explorer's Handbook expanded the Eberron setting further later that year. Races of Faerûn detailed the Forgotten Realms campaign world in 2003. These projects allowed him to shape entire fictional universes rather than just mechanics.
His written work extended
into periodicals like Dragon and Dungeon magazines. David Noonan wrote Beings of Power: Four Gods of Greyhawk for issue 294 of Dragon. This article appeared in Bellevue, WA, published by Paizo Publishing in 2002. Test of the Smoking Eye ran in Dungeon issue 107 during 2004. Zenith Trajectory was featured in Dungeon issue 102 back in 2003. These pieces offered deep dives into Greyhawk and other fantasy topics for dedicated readers.
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Common questions
When did David Noonan enter the world of fantasy role-playing games?
David Noonan entered the world of fantasy role-playing games in 1998. He joined Wizards of the Coast to help build a new version of Dungeons and Dragons.
What specific work did David Noonan do for the Dungeon Master Guide third edition?
For the Dungeon Master Guide, David Noonan created treasure tables using guidance from Monte Cook. He also designed non-player characters that appeared in the book's second chapter.
Who were the members of Rob Heinsoo's Flywheel design team when David Noonan joined in May 2006?
The group included Andy Collins, Mike Mearls, and Jesse Decker alongside David Noonan. They performed final concept work until September 2006 before writing began on fourth edition Dungeons and Dragons.
On what date was David Noonan laid off from Wizards of the Coast?
On the 2nd of December 2008, David Noonan was laid off from Wizards of the Coast. He wrote three articles updating the Dark Sun campaign setting for the third edition in Dungeon Magazine shortly after leaving.
Which Eberron books did David Noonan contribute to between 2004 and 2005?
Whispers of the Vampire Blade explored Eberron in 2004 while Five Nations provided background for Eberron in 2005. Explorer's Handbook expanded the Eberron setting further later that year.