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."

 

[Haplo781]

We don't know he was let go of.

We don't, but we do know that he moved on without an announcement and the position wasn't filled immediately. That's highly unusual for someone stepping down voluntarily.

 

[bedir than]

I believe WotC plans are bigger, more complicated and multi-faceted then that.

One thousand times this

 

[Zaukrie]

For what it's worth, I agree that's not very complicated. But I know people not much older than you who've needed me to explain that, when I tell them to "click" something with the mouse, I mean "left-click" (as opposed to right-clicking).

Truth. I know them also.

 

[J.Quondam]

It's pretty clear WotC has increasingly massive plans for D&D. A lot of folks focus on the digital end of things, but because it's the most visible part, but I believe WotC plans are bigger, more complicated and multi-faceted then that.

Hey, I bet if the "D&D" brand explodes in popularity, Hasbro will license out the IP to Modiphius or something to create an RPG!

 

[SkidAce]

For what it's worth, I agree that's not very complicated. But I know people not much older than you who've needed me to explain that, when I tell them to "click" something with the mouse, I mean "left-click" (as opposed to right-clicking).

With all the tablets and phones, I've had to explain that to young folks.

 

[MGibster]

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.

I can live with a lot of changes. Take away ASI, alignment, use lineage, species, or whatever instead of race, get rid of always evil humanoids, and change the name of Barbarian to be sensitive to, uh, barbarians (I guess), and I'll probably stick with D&D. But if they go to a subscription model they will have lost me. Which is fine, beacuse I can't be that valuable to them.

 

[Velderan]

We don't, but we do know that he moved on without an announcement and the position wasn't filled immediately. That's highly unusual for someone stepping down voluntarily.

Is that what happened? Someone here said according to LinkedIn, the guy who replaced him started 4 months ago and Ray's name is still listed as one of the 3 names on the UA OneD&D PDF they released 2 months ago so he was still involved in some capacity then. It sounds more like a planned "I'm burned out, let me train my replacement so I leave this thing I care about in good hands" scenario than him being forced out.

 

[Parmandur]

Is that what happened? Someone here said according to LinkedIn, the guy who replaced him started 4 months ago and Ray's name is still listed as one of the 3 names on the UA OneD&D PDF they released 2 months ago so he was still involved in some capacity then. It sounds more like a planned "I'm burned out, let me train my replacement so I leave this thing I care about in good hands" scenario than him being forced out.

That seems to fit the evidence we have right now more than him getting jettisoned.

 

[Dr. Bull]

Howdy gang!

As Zaukrie pointed out, there are literally hundreds of options out there... If you want a "real" table top experience, no one is stopping you from engaging an an old-school game of D&D. Go ahead and purchase a 5e or an OSR game right now (just in case you are worried that the world will end with One D&D). You can buy an old TSR product, a retro-clone, 2 versions of Pathfinder, or a new version that you've created on your own. You and your friends can play that game for the rest of your lives, if you want!

I enjoy 5e, but if One D&D isn't my cup of tea, I'll keep playing 5e, Simply6, AD&D, Pathfinder, Savage Worlds, or Call of Cthulhu. No one can stop me.

The corporate folks are engineering the gaming of the future (it's their job), but it doesn't have to be doom and gloom for us all. In the end, profits will be derived from preferences of players. I am betting that WOTC will provide us with multi-platform, multi-device delivery systems. They will produce print products, digital books, virtual adventures, laminated battle mats, dice rollers, character profile apps, and additional products that we didn't expect. They'll even print (gasp!) books for us...

Personally, I prefer the feel of a 32-page, black-and-white interior, color cover (with blue maps on the interior) adventure that provides 20-50 hours of gaming fun...

The VTT and interactive tabletop rpg arenas have barely scratched the surface of possibilities. This (One D&D) is simply an effort to more fully exploit the possibilities. There is money to be made and WOTC intends to make that money. Choose to pay for the next new shiny book, or not (it's up to you). I don't want D&D culture to change, but every generation is different. Right now, the company seems to possess a good blend of accessibility, diversity, and playability. I have very few complaints...

Computer technology sometimes inhibits our own creativity. Other times, computer technology can help us transcend our limitations. I think that WOTC is now exploring its options (especially considering its strong profit margin over the past decade). Some potential markets will fail. Other potential avenues will thrive. Most importantly, it is important to note that corporations will adapt to market demands. If you don't like VTT, please don't buy it. If you love digital content, then feel free to shop in the wonderful world of D&D Beyond! If you want paper, pencils, and dice (like me), then buy an OSR product along with a few old-school adventures and have fun with your friends in your living room?

Better yet, use 5e (or AD&D, or 3e, or 4e, or One D&D), personalize it, and invent your own content. Refine the game to your own tastes. Add some house rules. Be free. Do your own thing. Make your own maps and make your own stories.

<On an important side note, please avoid utilizing "slippery slope" arguments in this thread? Slippery Slope arguments are logical fallacies. Slippery Slope arguments are not valid logic. No one can predict cause-and-effect accurately (especially when addressing culture changes). There are too many variables.>

- Dr. Bull

 

[MoonSong]

I can stick with 5E if 1 DnD isn't my jam or make my own heartbreaker with the OGL.

I'm ready to jump off if the transition to 1DD isn't good. Either staying with pure 5e, or going back to 3.5 core/E6, or just write my own heartbreaker. I'd make homebrew adjustments to 5e, but really, I don't love it that much.