WotC Ray Winninger Steps Back From WotC

Former leader of the D&D team Ray Winninger has announced his departure from WotC, having "accomplished the ambitious goals we set". Dan Rawson was announced the new head of D&D earlier this month, leading many to speculate about Winninger's departure.

"Sorry for the radio silence; I'm in the midst of a SORELY needed Long Rest. I have indeed left WotC, having accomplished the ambitious goals we set when I took over the D&D team.

Shepherding D&D was an honor and a privilege, but I'm looking forward to slowing down and getting back to a list of personal design projects. (Gamers, you haven't seen the last of me!) Most of all, I look forward to following D&D as a fan again.

Proud of the team I left behind; D&D is in very good hands: @JeremyECrawford, @ChrisPerkinsDnD, @DroidsForSale, @dtovar77, Liz Schuh, Kate Irwin, Trish Yochum, @aquelajames, @FWesSchneider, @MakenzieLaneDA, @amandahamon, Emi Tanji, Bree Heiss, @doctorcomics. @justicearman

@RPGRonLundeen, @BillBenham2, Rob Hawkey, Ben Petrisor, @Dan_Dillon_1, @EytanBernstein, Adrian Ng, Janica Carter, @chrislindsay, @TrystanFalcone, @mattchucole, Bob Jordan, @christulach, Natalie Egan, Hilary Ross, Carl Sibley. Thanks for being such great adventuring companions."

 

[Zaukrie]

Deja read all over again!

 

[TwoSix]

As someone who resolutely remains a luddite when it comes to TTRPGs and continues to find them a respite from screen-time, I think that will be the time that I off-board ... but I am probably in the minority.

I'm neither a luddite nor a grog, but I also feel no need to subscribe to keep current with D&D products; most especially since I use homebrew so heavily.

 

[FoolishFrost]

Well, to be honest, the d20 can never be put back in the bag. If wotc tries to really screw over d&d with subscription level bs, well… they simply can’t undo what they did with 3rd edition.

I mean, not a single player will have much, if any, issues with changing rules.

 

[Von Corellon]

This earnings report couldn’t have helped.
Wizards of the Coast 3rd Quarter

DnD creator Wizards’ Q3 revenue drops $60m on last year​

A financial report shows a $60 million decline in DnD and Magic: The Gathering creator Wizard of the Coast's earnings compared to last year's quarterly revenue.

 

[SakanaSensei]

Well, to be honest, the d20 can never be put back in the bag. If wotc tries to really screw over d&d with subscription level bs, well… they simply can’t undo what they did with 3rd edition.

I mean, not a single player will have much, if any, issues with changing rules.

I'm having a hard time parsing what you mean here, can you clarify? The difficulty of getting players used to 5E to try any other system is, at this point, a meme in a lot of circles.

 

[Micah Sweet]

Unfortunately, I think you might be correct.

Without going too far into the questionable territory, similar motives originally drove some of the decisions behind 4e. Of course, the world was very different then.

Hasbro wants to monetize D&D as a brand. And subscription revenue is the "holy grail" for companies now- it's the new "pivot-to-video." All the recent announcements - from the purchase of D&D Beyond, to the arrival of Dan Rawson, to the statements to investors regarding the projections ... they all point to increased monetization of the D&D brand, which speaks to locking people into an on-line subscription model.

As someone who resolutely remains a luddite when it comes to TTRPGs and continues to find them a respite from screen-time, I think that will be the time that I off-board ... but I am probably in the minority.

I feel exactly the same way. My sole concession to practicality is owning pdfs, and even then not for the stuff I regularly reference.

 

[Micah Sweet]

Another thread of doom and gloom.

They need to start making happier announcements then.

 

[TwiceBorn2]

This earnings report couldn’t have helped.
Wizards of the Coast 3rd Quarter

DnD creator Wizards’ Q3 revenue drops $60m on last year​

A financial report shows a $60 million decline in DnD and Magic: The Gathering creator Wizard of the Coast's earnings compared to last year's quarterly revenue.

Makes me wonder... did Radiant Citadel, Spelljammer, and Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse not sell as well as expected?

I, for one, haven't purchased either of those. Not saying I never will, but they certainly aren't high priority for me.

 

[SkidAce]

Yeah if you bring 5e to an official VTT you're giving up the flexibility of "just make a ruling at the table" which is basically the chewing gum holding the entire system together.

Yeah my way of dong things (some chat program, and some map program) are all I need, and it retains the flexibility.

But there's more money on the table they say...

 

[Micah Sweet]

Makes me wonder... did Radiant Citadel and Spelljammer not sell as well as expected?

It would explain the extreme simplicity and broadest possible appeal design choices of the upcoming 6e. They really need it to make money.