WotC's Annual Xmas Layoffs

kitsune9 · Dec 14, 2011

Words cannot describe how cold this feels when a business makes this decision around this time of year and does it year after year.

Good luck to Mr. Baker and Winter and to the others who have been let go.

Mark CMG · Dec 14, 2011

Pour said:
And does this mean they're not gearing up for 5e yet, given the supposed tendency of hiring for the initiative rather than firing?

Cutting some higher salaried employees is fairly typical when a company moves in a new direction (5E is already underway according to some sources since bringing Monte Cook on board, who also just recently moved back out to Renton from Milwaukee). I'm sure they'll hire on some young talent from the freelancing community into regular positions for lower wages as the heavy lifting begins beyond initial design then, after the release of the new edition, we'll see more layoffs again. It's the nature of the beast/business model they have.

Klaus · Dec 15, 2011

This sucks. A lot.

Best of luck to Rich and Steve. I've always admired your work and I hope we can work together at some point.

Mark CMG · Dec 15, 2011

Sad news.

Best of luck to Steve Winter, Rich Baker, and any others we have yet to hear have also been laid off.

jaerdaph · Dec 15, 2011

That's too bad. I wish both gentlemen the best of luck in their future endeavors. Rich Baker did some excellent work for TSR and WotC on D&D, Alternity and the Forgotten Realms during the 2e and 3e eras - I hope we do see him over at Paizo soon.

francisca · Dec 15, 2011

Steve Winter edited some of my favorite early 80's TSR stuff, including the 1983 Greyhawk boxed set, which next to the AD&D DMG, may be my favorite RPG product of all time.

Hope you land on your feet, Steve, wherever you are.

Sir Robilar · Dec 15, 2011

This sucks. Best of wishes to Steve and Rich!

After many years of exactly this, I have to say that I despise this business model. It must lead to constant fear among the employers of losing their jobs. In such an atmosphere, how are you supposed to create top standard creative work?

Sir Robilar · Dec 15, 2011

This saddens me deeply. Best of wishes to Steve and Rich.

Jeffrey · Dec 15, 2011

Sorry to hear this. Best of luck to these two talents.

Roland55 · Dec 15, 2011

Piratecat said:
That just sucks. I don't ever think I'll understand their criteria for who gets laid off.

Oh, but you do ... you really do.

Whoever their bean counters believe will improve 'the bottom line.'

It's no different in any business. But only a few choice companies practice such Nietzschean pragmatism at Christmas.