The question then would be — what troubles? D&D is growing year on year. Online gaming has boomed during the pandemic. What’s your hypothesis? What troubles do you posit?
You're asking me to speculate? We're seeing things that could be symptoms. That doesn't mean we can pull an exact diagnosis out of thin air.
However, if you really want SPECULATION:
* Their entire business if dependent upon the license from WotC. Without it, they have nothing. So, there could be a lack of clarity around the license renewal. I worked for a company that had 80% of their business come from a client - that then left. Not good.
* They could have some idea that Fandom is going to streamline/cut costs. As they have had inadequate resources to fully implement things that have been in the books since the very beginning (Life Cleric, for example), that could be something that drives people out while the getting is good. Most people in Corporate America have felt a budgetary Sword of Damocles.
Is there any substantial evidence of
either of these things? No. However, those HYPOTHETICAL situations might both result in cuts to advertising, and to people leaving for other options.
Evidence. Nothing so far shows it’s reduced. That post snip sure doesn’t. Show it or stop.
So, basically, you'll ignore obvious signs of something because I don't have inside information that it would be impossible for me to collect?
They used to - every single week - get the top billing and a skit out of Riegel to promote their product. Now, they do not. Do you think they're paying the same for less promotion? Would you? Further, they are not even listed as a sponsor every week. do you think they give money just to not even be mentioned? The folks getting that top billing now are smaller operations with seemingly far less revenue. Do you think these smaller operations outbid them week after week? If you can't connect those dots and feel confident that they obviously cut back their CR advertising $.... it is not worth having the discussion. People that demand proof for self evident situations where inside information would be required... well, they're usually more interested in proving they are right than in finding what is right.
