WotC D&D Gets A New Division At Hasbro

Hasbro is reorganizing and giving tabletop gaming -- Dungeons & Dragons and Magic: the Gathering -- a higher priority.

According to the Wall Street Journal, WotC's revenue last year was $816 million (a 24% increase on 2019). Brian Goldner, Hasbro's Chief Executive, says WotC is predicted to double revenue from 2019 to 2023.

Hasbro is dividing into three 'units' -- Consumer Products (toys, classic board games); Entertainment (film, TV, licensing); and Wizards & Digital (WotC plus digital licensing).

Hasbro bought WotC in 1999 for about $325M.

WSJ News Exclusive | Dungeons & Dragons Gets a Bigger Role at Hasbro

Toy maker Hasbro is reorganizing to capitalize on a pandemic-fueled boom in old-school tabletop games, creating a separate division around the publisher of Dungeons & Dragons and Magic: The Gathering.

www.wsj.com

 

[Urriak Uruk]

Magic's Voyages to Universes Beyond | MAGIC: THE GATHERING

Soon, Magic: The Gathering expands with the Universes Beyond.

magic.wizards.com

Interesting little lore note;

To that end, it's worth noting that the upcoming Magic set Adventures in the Forgotten Realms is not part of Universes Beyond. For now, we're reserving the Universes Beyond branding for worlds outside those built by Wizards of the Coast. As to whether the Forgotten Realms are now canonically part of Magic's Multiverse, for now, the answer is no. But we may change our minds in the future if it makes sense and is a fun net positive for Magic and D&D.

 

[Kobold Avenger]

The rumours about Wizards of the Coast getting sold sound to me like the rumours: about how Kathleen Kennedy has been fired from Star Wars and is taking over Star Trek from Alex Kurtzman who just got fired along with Discovery getting cancelled, who's taking over Star Wars and retconning the sequel trilogy...

 

[Jimmy Dick]

Here’s what I think. After COVID, D&D will boom even bigger.

people will be SICK of their computers and will crave non computer gaming when they turn to gaming.

even in bars and other gathering places.

That is definitely going to happen. The big names like Pathfinder 2e and D&D 5e will definitely increase in sales. I really feel like all the others will see increases as well if they market aggressively. PFS and AL give Paizo and WotC a step up in my opinion.

 

[Jimmy Dick]

I wish they sold it off; to Paizo. Better left in the hands of actual gamers and not corporate stockholder butt-kissers.

Although I'm disappointed in Paizo with their PF2e debacle, and they forever lost my support. Now I've grown suspicious of them.

What debacle? PF2e is a good seller and solid product. Paizo hit a home run with that release.

 

[Scott Christian]

Here’s what I think. After COVID, D&D will boom even bigger.

people will be SICK of their computers and will crave non computer gaming when they turn to gaming.

even in bars and other gathering places.

All the bars I've been to that have gaming night tend to focus on games other than RPGs. Granted, I have only been to a few, but I fail to see a bar that wants people at a table for four to six hours, especially if they don't drink. That was actually the common complaint with bar management at the place I used to frequent - gamers don't drink for four hours straight like regular patrons do.

But every place has a different take. Maybe just having butts in seats is an improvement for some.

 

[Reynard]

That was actually the common complaint with bar management at the place I used to frequent - gamers don't drink for four hours straight like regular patrons do.

Amatuers.

 

[Zardnaar]

The rumours about Wizards of the Coast getting sold sound to me like the rumours: about how Kathleen Kennedy has been fired from Star Wars and is taking over Star Trek from Alex Kurtzman who just got fired along with Discovery getting cancelled, who's taking over Star Wars and retconning the sequel trilogy...

Heh yeah.

Difference is the WorC thing was always speculation those other ones are "fact".

They're not going to fire KK. If they dump her they'll let her contract run out.

Always look at where a rumour cones from and is that source reliable or have a history of correct rumors.

 

[MichaelSomething]

What's the point of Wizards of the Coast of they don't have Magic or D&D?

 

[doctorbadwolf]

This is really good news for D&D (which I am really happy about), but I think there's very little evidence that the rising tide really raises all ships. That growth in D&D leads to overall growth in the rest of the hobby.

I think I’d need some solid evidence for a different conclusion as to why the hobby is booming with successful crowdfunding campaigns, big launches, etc.

 

[Reynard]

What's the point of Wizards of the Coast of they don't have Magic or D&D?

What do you mean? D&D and Magic are going with the WotC & Digital division.