D&D Beyond Branding Change
[UPDATE] Thanks for the laughs on April Fool's Day folks!
As we roll into our eighth month since launch, it's clear that D&D Beyond has grown into more than just a digital toolset for D&D. We have started down the path to become a destination for the game, a place for players and fans to belong to a community immersed in Dungeons & Dragons. We have decided to update our branding to reflect this exciting shift.
Starting today, we will no longer refer to the site or toolset as "D&D Beyond." We're going beyond that to use "Handy Dandy D&D Beyond."
This is due in large part to the overwhelming popularity of the "Happy Fun Hour" weekly stream by D&D Franchise Director Mike Mearls. During the HFH, Mike pulls back the curtain on D&D design, and frequently refers to DDB as "Handy Dandy D&D Beyond." Because our marketing team enjoyed this moniker, and after a few meetings where I got outvoted, we are now kicking off the updated branding initiative.
"I have used D&D Beyond since the beginning of Happy Fun Hour," said Mearls, "and it's always been handy to have on hand. The term 'handy dandy' comes from an old children's game, but has come to mean 'helpful' or 'useful.' DDB* has been helpful and useful to me, so it was natural for me to call it that."
In abbreviating Handy Dandy D&D Beyond, "DDB" is no longer going to be used - the proper designation is "HDDDB." Since the mobile app requires additional updates and for users to grab the latest to install, you will start seeing the changes reflected there at a later date. We will continue to use "dndbeyond.com" as the URL to reach the site, because no one really wants to type "handydandydndbeyond.com."
We understand change can be difficult, especially after getting used to something for eight months. We appreciate your understanding as we make the update and for you being a part of the community!
You can check out the Happy Fun Hour weekly stream with Mike Mearls Tuesdays at 11 am PT, and the Handy Dandy D&D Beyond Dev Update/ Community Q&A stream on the third Friday of each month.
May all your hours be happy and fun!
* Mike Mearls was interviewed prior to the brand change and referred to HDDDB as "DDB." This is not accurate now, but was left alone to ensure accuracy in the quote.
I just watched the Dragon Talk in which this change was mentioned last night.
Lolz, you had me for about half a round.
What's in a name? A lot, I just learned. I definitely didn't want to sit down at the table and tell everyone I was about to check my handy dandy rofl. Good joke, guys.
I was so pissed off before I read the comments and realized what was happening. I kept associating DDB with Pee Wee’s Play House for some reason every time I looked at the new branding. Lol....Thanks for the temperary dose of depression and anxiety to start off Spring.
Its about time the name was changed to better reflect the community at large...
This is fine.
Har har. The only realistic-sounding part of the entire article was the first paragraph. Everything else was VERY corny.
Happy fools day.
I love you guys! ❤️❤️❤️
This better be April Fools, if it’s not the name must be NERDIER
I'm a big fan of the change to HD3B and will be promoting this hard on Facebook. Cheers!
Can we just keep it this way?
This has to be April Fools.
I will NOT be referring to this as handy dandy D&D Beyond. Handy Dandy sounds like I'm playing a game for a 2 year old. I choose not to participate in this branding change.
My opinion:
This sounds dumb.
FINALLY!
This was such an obvious branding move. Way to catch up guys.
I hope that the name is changed back to normal by tomorrow.
(Luckily, April Fools lasts only 1 day)
Its now the 2nd April in Australia. I fell for this until my daughter said, “That sounds like something left over from yesterday.” Kudos sir.
I'm ruling that all my players must use this name or take disadvantage on all rolls.
I, for one, welcome our new Handy Dandy moniker. This change makes so much sense that I'm astonished you didn't do it sooner.
I would further recommend that this day be forever honoured as "Handy Dandy Day," where we celebrate annually the auspicious rebranding and, subsequently, the transformation of gamer culture into a handier, and dandier, way of being.
This is the perfect update. Everything we knew we wanted but were too timid to ask for. And at the perfect time.... March 32nd!