Unconfirmed: More Layoffs at WotC

[davethegame]

Chris Sims just posted this on Twitter:

What the heck is going on at WotC? Two layoffs in RPG R&D today, at least (Torah Cottrill, Andy Collins). Me sad.

http://twitter.com/ChrisSSims/status/13740775672

Andy Collins was pretty high up there in the D&D side, and often was a public face on R&D. That's big news.

[ggroy]

More info.

Correction: Andy Collins might not have been laid off, but it is his last day at Wizards. My fault. Torah was laid off.

Collins may have tendered his resignation voluntarily?

[firesnakearies]

I find the number of big-name, well-known, and very talented core writers/designers laid off from WotC since 4E came out to be disturbing, and depressing. If they ever lay off Bruce Cordell, I'm boycotting them forever.

[davethegame]

Originally Posted by ggroy

Collins may have tendered his resignation voluntarily?

Yeah, my hope is that some big software company offered him a lot of money, and not an actual lay-off as previously reported.

Originally Posted by firesnakearies

I find the number of big-name, well-known, and very talented core writers/designers laid off from WotC since 4E came out to be disturbing, and depressing. If they ever lay off Bruce Cordell, I'm boycotting them forever.

I'm with you there!

[Mouseferatu]

Wow.

Voluntary departure or not, he'll be missed. His efforts were more or less tireless, and on a personal level, he's responsible for a lot of the opportunities I've had so far in working with WotC.

Thanks, Andy. Fair winds and following seas in whatever comes next.

[Scribble]

Well thats sad... :-/

Wish them well, whether laid off or not...

[Jdvn1]

Wow, that's definitely a shame.

I'm not very familiar with Torah--seems like he's been with WotC for less than two years?

[Alzrius]

I feel bad for Torah. Nothing like being told you're let go to ruin your day for many days to come.

If Andy left of his own accord, I'd guess that means he has something else lined up. I just hope it's because he got a great offer, rather than being upset with his current job to the point of wanting to leave - it's always preferable to go towards something better, than trying to escape something that's becoming worse.

[ExploderWizard]

Another day at Zorg Industries.............


.....Fire a million.

[ggroy]

Originally Posted by Jdvn1

I'm not very familiar with Torah--seems like he's been with WotC for less than two years?

Torah Cottrill appears to be an editor, who was hired back in mid-late 2008.

Dungeons & Dragons Roleplaying Game Official Home Page - Article (What Happens in Vegas ...)

(scroll to the "staff updates" section)

[ki11erDM]

If Andy left that makes me, for the first time, think something is a bit off with those guys. That was Andy's dream job so ether the job changed or his dream did. But i have yet to see any official post...

[renau1g]

Dreams are good, but they don't pay the bills. Perhaps an offer came by that was too good to pass up from a financial perspective.

[ggroy]

Originally Posted by ki11erDM

If Andy left that makes me, for the first time, think something is a bit off with those guys. That was Andy's dream job so ether the job changed or his dream did. But i have yet to see any official post...

It could be anything at this point, such as low morale in the workplace, management problems, etc ...

[billd91]

Originally Posted by ggroy

It could be anything at this point, such as low morale in the workplace, management problems, etc ...

It could also be knowledge that layoffs were on the way and making the decision to move on his terms - plus saving someone else (who probably gets paid less) from being laid off. I seem to recall there have been other cases of people seeing the writing on the wall and getting out before the WotC layoff hammer came down.

Odd not to be occurring at the end of the year, though. Has WotC laid off at this time of year before?

[lurkinglidda]

I'm bummed :-(