Bruce Cordell leaves WotC

[DaveMage]

As long as mearls is at the helm, the game will be good.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

People leave companies all the time, for all sorts of reasons. It'd be a mistake to read much more into this without more data.

And yes, in 2013, 18 years at one company is remarkable.

 

[Riley]

Daggnabit, I was looking forward to (I hoped) Bruce writing lots of adventures for Next.

I hope the new gig works out well for him!

 

[Umbran]

Which is possible, of course, but the great thing about an open playtest is that we can see the state of the project

An excellent point. We have been able to see the project for some time. Is there some reason to think that somehow, with Mearls still at the head, there's going to be a major design direction change from this departure? If not, then there's no reason to worry - or there has always been reason to worry.

I think this is just regular turnover at Wizards.

With what looks to be the basic engine of the game in place, it could simple be, "Well, it is largely baked at this point. My work here is done! Time to do something else!"

And, for those who were hoping to see him do adventures - whether or not he can do that will depend upon the licensing WotC uses. We'll have to see how that turns out.

 

[Zaukrie]

One of my favorite adventure and fluff writers. Alas.

 

[Wrox]

Bruce and Monte didn't seem as intimately involved as Mike, James, and their cadre. I wouldn't worry too too much.

Keep in mind that D&D Next had 3 primary designers at the start: Monte Cook, Bruce Cordell, and Robert Schwalb. Two of these designers have since left. Mearls and Wyatt are both managers.

 

[Jan van Leyden]

Perhaps Mr. Cordell has seen a writing on the wall? With WotC's history of firing experienced staff on a nearly regular basis and with 18 years of employment on your personnel records there are worse ideas than to look around for interesting job opportunities.

 

[MortalPlague]

Daggnabit, I was looking forward to (I hoped) Bruce writing lots of adventures for Next.

Depending how forgiving the new OGL / GSL is, he may still write some 3rd party Next adventures.

Fingers crossed!

Also, I'll wish Bruce all the best in whatever he does next. He's been a staple of D&D for so long, it will be odd not to see his name on any of the books...

 

[Iosue]

This posts by Stan! will probably give some good insight into why both Monte Cook and Bruce Cordell left:

Life After Wizards (Again) Part 1
Life After Wizards (Again) Part 2
Life After Wizards (Again) Part 3

Essentially, all it requires is for them to have some personal side-project they don't want WotC to gain the rights to, and to be stymied by corporate, for whatever reason. Cook of course had Numenara. I imagine we'll see if Cordell had a similar project.

 

[howandwhy99]

13th Age?

Dang, sorry. I was confused and mistook Rob Heinsoo's work for his. Still, I hope good things are ahead for Mr. Cordell.