Recent content by WinningerR

Neither of those assertions is even close to true.

That’s certainly the way the TTRPG studio operated, but our production was much more predictable than video games or entertainment. Video games are famously difficult to schedule and project manage; I worked on a ton of them and delays—sometimes lengthy delays—are more the rule than the...

Nothing prevented it, but nothing required it either. The four groups frequently collaborated, but only on initiatives they all agreed were in the best interests of their businesses. If, say, the Entertainment folks were trying to put a big push behind convincing a TV studio to produce a...

I'll translate. Until now, the D&D brand was carved up into a few separate pieces, each managed different senior leaders. During my tenure, as EP and D&D Studio Head, I was responsible for the tabletop game (business and creative) as well as the creative development of D&D-related IPs...

The primary difference, of course, is intent. TSR thought that everything they shipped to Random House would eventually sell and/or TSR would pay for the returns. Neither TSR regime shipped a ton of stuff to Random House, siphoned off the RH monies to themselves, shut down the business, and...

No, that's not what a "bust out" is at all, at least as the term was defined in GOODFELLAS, which is where everybody first heard it. A "bust out" is using a business you control to borrow as much as you can, and then funneling the borrowed proceeds into your own pocket. That's illegal. It's...

There's nothing unethical so long as it's your money, and that was Lorraine's money. Lots of businesses launch multiple failed versions of a product before getting it right, or launch multiple failed versions of a product and never get it right at all.

TBH, I don't know. I worked on that first Buck Rogers RPG and was on the edge of Miller's orbit at the time so I was well aware of it, but it was certainly announced publicly. Miller was a good friend of Flint; still is. (Miller is one of those people who occasionally hung out at Gary's LA pad.)

There was nothing remotely unethical about Lorraine Williams’ TSR licensing Buck Rogers. The big difference between Williams’ TSR and its earlier incarnation is that, eventually, Lorraine effectively owned 100% of the company; it was no longer split between multiple owners. Under those...

Thanks. That makes sense. I’ll note that’s not saying the tariffs won’t have an impact on D&D or WotC.

Did Chris actually say, “D&D is unlikely to be significantly impacted by the tariffs,” or did he say, “the only D&D products produced outside the US are boxed sets?” I’m guessing the latter because I find it hard to believe the former. Paper costs are certain to rise due to the tariffs, perhaps...

(The usual disclaimer about seeking advice from an actual lawyer before making business decisions.) Generally speaking, you’re free to use someone else’s trademark so long as you use it in such a way that won’t mislead buyers into believing you are a licensee or otherwise affiliated with the...

That’s it! I’m told the theme song directly references CoC’s SAN mechanics.

In Japan, CoC is indeed bigger than D&D. I believe CoC is bigger in Japan than it is in the US, but still well below Paizo’s US sales. I’ve read that CoC’s popularity in Japan was sparked by an anime that revolves around a school girl who dates various Great Old Ones. From there, a rash of...