WotC Hasbro CEO Chris Cox, "I would say that the underlying thesis of our D&D business is all about digital,”

[UngainlyTitan]

WotC DOES sell PDFs. And from reports makes good money on them. Just not for select things.

It’s a strategy that doesn’t make much sense to me anymore.

Except as a way to make people go to DnDBeyond.

In fairness to them it was a strategy long before D&DBeyond was conceived.

 

[Vaalingrade]

I wonder how true that remains. i think it is undoubtable that there was time that CR was a major driver of new players to D&D, but is that still the case?

Probably in the plurality, but not the majority just because everyone nerdy who remotely matters on YouTube seems to have a D&D side game these days, so people are being drawn in from all corners of nerddom from the Unexpectables to Sara Z. And a lot of those are also branching out into other games too like Outside Xbox has been having a grant old time with Blades in the Dark and now Deadlands.

 

[UngainlyTitan]

I wonder how true that remains. i think it is undoubtable that there was time that CR was a major driver of new players to D&D, but is that still the case?

Probably not, those that are attracted to CR have been attracted to CR but the success of CR has launched a host of other livecasts of games. I have invested in watching some of Critical Role but it is a hell of a time sink.

 

[UngainlyTitan]

I don't believe that for a simple reason: if Disney wanted to do that, they would just buy D&D.

That implies Hasbro would sell. Hasbro have a reputation of not selling IPs they are interested in. They resisted the attempt of float WoTC, for many reasons including that MS, Disney would buy it up.

 

[Parmandur]

I don't believe that for a simple reason: if Disney wanted to do that, they would just buy D&D.

Counterpoint, Disney is doing precisely what WptC seems to be afraid of for Magic the Gathering with their new collectible card game. Without buying Magic.

 

[Parmandur]

That implies Hasbro would sell. Hasbro have a reputation of not selling IPs they are interested in. They resisted the attempt of float WoTC, for many reasons including that MS, Disney would buy it up.

I mean, Disney buying Hasbro entirely has been floated in the past, but Dianey is tight for cash right now.

 

[Parmandur]

Actually, looking into Lorcana just a bit, it strikes me as possibly no coincidence at all that the OGL shenanigans burst out about two months after the game was unveiled...

 

[Reynard]

Counterpoint, Disney is doing precisely what WptC seems to be afraid of for Magic the Gathering with their new collectible card game. Without buying Magic.

Does Lorcana use WotC's IP?

 

[darjr]

Does Disney own Marvel?

 

[UngainlyTitan]

I mean, Disney buying Hasbro entirely has been floated in the past, but Dianey is tight for cash right now.

It is also possible that Disney buying out Hasbro could run into monopoly issues with the Dept of Justice, the EU Commision would probably throw a fit also. 20 years ago they would have gotten away with it (though maybe not in the EU) but there are signs that the DoJ is starting to pay attention to mergers again.