D&D General Dan Rawson Named New Head Of D&D

Hasbro has announced a former Microsoft digital commerce is the new senior vice president in charge of Dungeons & Dragons. Dan Rawson was the COO of Microsoft Dynamics 365.

Hasbro also hired Cynthia Williams earlier this year; she too, came from Microsoft. Of Rawson, she said "We couldn’t be bringing on Dan at a better time. With the acquisition of D&D Beyond earlier this year, the digital capabilities and opportunities for Dungeons & Dragons are accelerating faster than ever. I am excited to partner with Dan to explore the global potential of the brand while maintaining Hasbro’s core value as a player-first company.”

Rawson himself says that "Leading D&D is the realization of a childhood dream. I’m excited to work with Cynthia once again, and I’m thrilled to work with a talented team to expand the global reach of D&D, a game I grew up with and now play with my own kids.”

Interestingly, Ray Wininger -- who has been running D&D for the last couple of years -- has removed mention of WotC and Hasbro from his Twitter bio.

 

[Jahydin]

Well here's hoping Mike and Ray form a new company and make the greatest RPG EVAR!

 

[Vincent55]

Digital is ok, but I fear that it will try a dominate D&D and we will lose what's left of what made the game what it was. As a DM i do use some digital tools to help with running a game, unlike the old days when i handwrite everything now I type it up and use other websites to keep track and create stuff for my game. But i have seen a trend for a 3d vtt and creating things within this environment this on the surface seems to be good but actually, it will cause this to become a digital money scheme much like many MMOs that charge microtransactions and such. There was a woman who is a DM who talks about this online and i feel the same way as her about this, one D&D is not the direction to go.

 

[LuisCarlos17f]

We may agree Hasbro's strategy about D&D is this to become a multimedia franchise, focused to sell branded merchandising, and I don't say this was wrong.

Digital market allows more changes, for example texts being edited to be more politically correct, or updating rules for a better power balance. The TTRPGs in the digital market don't need a lot of infomatic technics working for the net updated patch.

Sometimes I suspect Forgoten Realms is the most famous D&D setting thanks Baldur's Gate and Newerwinter Nights videogames. We shouldn't be surprised if Hasbro wants more D&D videogames, even titles not linked with the dungeon crawling, but farming simulation, or managing a tavern, for example.

Other of the possible marketing stategies for D&D is the intercompany crossover. Hasbro is very used to sell licenced merchandising but D&D needs a good reason to explain because characters from modern tech civilitations appear in a fantasy medieval setting (with Ravenloft the things are different).

 

[Zaukrie]

Digital is ok, but I fear that it will try a dominate D&D and we will lose what's left of what made the game what it was. As a DM i do use some digital tools to help with running a game, unlike the old days when i handwrite everything now I type it up and use other websites to keep track and create stuff for my game. But i have seen a trend for a 3d vtt and creating things within this environment this on the surface seems to be good but actually, it will cause this to become a digital money scheme much like many MMOs that charge microtransactions and such. There was a woman who is a DM who talks about this online and i feel the same way as her about this, one D&D is not the direction to go.

I just don't understand why everyone is so afraid? Is it just change?

All of DnD is a money scheme. It's a business.

 

[DarkCrisis]

Player: “Guys I spent $20 to make my virtual mini look awesome!”

Players character dies during the session

DM: laughs ass off

 

[JiffyPopTart]

Player: “Guys I spent $20 to make my virtual mini look awesome!”

Players character dies during the session

DM: laughs ass off

Sub in $20 and 2 hours to paint a mini and that has been with us for a LONG time.

 

[Mind of tempest]

Sub in $20 and 2 hours to paint a mini and that has been with us for a LONG time.

you guys buy minis?
just use a generic piece for all characters like poor people.

 

[Vincent55]

I just don't understand why everyone is so afraid? Is it just change?

All of DnD is a money scheme. It's a business.

Yes, but buying a physical copy of something vs a digital online sub to something that unless you paid up or buy some added options you really don't own anything. I have digital PDF books on a laptop and physical books, but this is keeping everything to itself while selling you the option to take a look and rent the ability to use it.

 

[DarkCrisis]

Sub in $20 and 2 hours to paint a mini and that has been with us for a LONG time.

What unpainted PC minis have you been buying that costs $20 each?

 

[Parmandur]

What unpainted PC minis have you been buying that costs $20 each?

Plus paint, plus time spent...? Especially time spent?