WotC Layoffs - Rob Heinsoo, Logan Bonner, and Chris Sims

[El Mahdi]

I know it's not just WotC, but damn...rpg's are a just a brutal industry. For those working in it, you have got to have some serious love for the hobby...and some seriously Big Brass Ones.

I salute all of you in this industry for loving it enough to make the hobby products we all love (and probably have a bit of an addiction for).

Best wishes for Rob Heinsoo, Logan Bonner, and Chris Sims (if the rumor is true). May you land on your feet, be able to continue to be a part of this wonderful hobby you've all contributed so much to, and have a very Merry Christmas.

[Charwoman Gene]

One of my "If I ran the world" or "If I had a humongulous pile of money" schemes is to buy D&D and start a foundation.

[Obryn]

Damn, that's quite a list....

I mean, after the past 5 or 6 years, I'm not surprised when WotC lays off people I'd consider vital, but nevertheless... I was wondering who'd get the ol' Christmas Boot this year. Sucks, guys.

-O

[Dragonhelm]

Originally Posted by El Mahdi

I know it's not just WotC, but damn...rpg's are a just a brutal industry. For those working in it, you have got to have some serious love for the hobby...and some seriously Big Brass Ones.

Tracy Hickman once gave me some good advice regarding game design and writing in general.

"Don't quit your day job."

[Anand]

Originally Posted by Charwoman Gene

One of my "If I ran the world" or "If I had a humongulous pile of money" schemes is to buy D&D and start a foundation.

Wow. My feeling as well. I also wish everyone can bouce quickly and smoothly. I loved Rob Heinsoo work.

Cheers.

[MerricB]

I'm so sorry to hear that those three are no longer at Wizards. They've all done great work and they'll be missed.

[filthgrinder]

Do we have any sort of confirmation on this? It fits the pattern of lay offs, but I'm going to be a doubting thomas until we get confirmation from a named source.

[Tuft]

Originally Posted by Mustrum_Ridcully

I suppose they use dice to determine who goes?

And why pre-Christmas? Note that there is any good time for it, but why Christmas exactly? Do they avoid giving some Christmas bonus? Or because they already got one?

Probably because the Christmas season is the absolutely most important season for a toy/game company like Hasbro. Once the retailer pre-orders are in for the season, it's time to cut down until it is time to gear up again for next year's season.

And similarly, since it is those pre-orders that make or break the year, it's also at that time that you can evaluate the year and decide on how high your stake for the next one is going to be.

[ggroy]

Originally Posted by Tuft

Probably because the Christmas season is the absolutely most important season for a toy/game company like Hasbro. Once the retailer pre-orders are in for the season, it's time to cut down until it is time to gear up again for next year's season.

And similarly, since it is those pre-orders that make or break the year, it's also at that time that you can evaluate the year and decide on how high your stake for the next one is going to be.

Wonder how well "black friday" turned out this year for Hasbro and other toy companies.

[Aristotle]

Most companies have to downsize now and again, but the trend at WoTC has not set right with me since just after 3rd edition launched and a lot of great people got cut out. Luckily, for these newest names, their time at WoTC often gives them enough clout within the industry to allow them to find or create work for themselves.

I stopped collecting 4th Edition months ago, after having been a fan early on, and have no intention of playing again. I have a lot of reasons for that, but the way WoTC treats their talent... that was a factor for me. I'd rather not support a game or company that is run like that.

[Haffrung Helleyes]

If you want to do something for these people, support Paizo -- they seem to hire quite a few victims of the annual WoTC layoffs.

Ken

[Shemeska]

Originally Posted by ggroy

Wonder how well "black friday" turned out this year for Hasbro and other toy companies.

If there were to be any, I was expecting any layoffs to come in January, pending the results of holiday sales. This came early and it sucks for all involved.

Hopefully we'll see them picked up by other companies or continue on as freelancers.

[jaerdaph]

Sorry to hear about anyone losing their job.

The timing as always sucks (Christmas etc.), but it is the end of the fiscal year for many companies, which is why these things usually happen now.

I wish them the best of luck.

[hexgrid]

Given the history, Christmas must be a pretty tense time of year at the WotC offices. It would suck to work in that kind of environment.

[filthgrinder]

Just searching around for some kind of confirmation of this rumor, I found this:

If you are in Seattle, you can go down to the Barnes and Noble and ask Rob himself about it...
Dungeons & Dragons Roleplaying Game Official Home Page - Article (PH Holiday Bundle Signing)