WotC Brand New D&D Video Game from WotC's New Acquisition Tuque Games

Tuque Games has announced it's working on a brand new D&/D video game. "We're developing a brand-new game based in the widely celebrated, enduring, and immensely popular Dungeons & Dragons universe. This yet to be announced title is steepled in classic D&D lore. We aspire to push this game to new heights for the genre. It’s an honour and a privilege to begin a new chapter for Dungeons & Dragons video games."

Not only that, but the company has been purchased by WotC! The press release went out earlier today:

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RENTON, Wash., Oct. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Wizards of the Coast, a subsidiary of Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS), today announced that it has acquired Tuque Games, a digital game development studio based in Montreal. Tuque is led by veterans of the game industry with experience working for leading publishers. Tuque will continue the development of games for Wizards of the Coast's best-known brands, beginning with Dungeons & Dragons.

"At Wizards, we're continuing our commitment to creating new ways to bring our fan favorite brands to life," said Chris Cocks, President, Wizards of the Coast. "Our unique approach of connecting fans around the tabletop as well as through our expanding portfolio of digital games is redefining what it means to be a games company."

Founded in 2012 by Jeff Hattem, Tuque Games released their first title, Livelock, to critical acclaim in 2016. Now with over 55 full-time employees, Tuque will focus on the development of digital games based on the popular Dungeons & Dragons franchise.

"Tuque is thrilled to have the opportunity to be part of the Wizards of the Coast team," said Jeff Hattem, Founder, Tuque Games. "By working more closely together, we can accelerate our joint vision and bring to life new games, characters and worlds in Wizards of the Coast's roster of franchises."

"In Tuque, we believe we have found a unique partner that pairs the nimbleness of an indie studio with the veteran leadership and scale required to deliver complex AAA games for our largest franchises," said David Schwartz, VP of Digital Publishing, Wizards of the Coast. "We are excited to bring Jeff and the Tuque team to the Wizards of the Coast family, which we believe will allow us to continue to meet the needs of our fans while enabling us to scale our digital games development capabilities even faster."

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It seems there's a bit of a D&D video game renaissance going on. Baldur's Gate 3 is coming, as is Solasta: Crown of the Magister.

 

[generic]

Indie games like Undertale (heck, Minecraft started out as an indie game) have been successful before.

The question is not if the studio is large enough, it'f if the developers are capable of delivering fun gameplay and a good story. Just look to Minecraft and Undertale for examples of games with unique gameplay elements that outweighed their relatively poor graphics.

In the case of Minecraft, the uniqueness and expansive size of the game made a compelling story a secondary concern, and made graphics something which, until recently, Mojang has not been compelled to improve.

My worry is not that the game will not be made by a AAA studio, it is that the developers will be pressured by Hasbro cronies and higher-ups in their organization to make a game that isn't to risky (or risque), the type of "middle of the field" game which will not endanger the company, but probably has no chance of selling extremely well.

Even if risks are taken, I don't want the game to lapse into mediocrity.

 

[MonkeezOnFire]

I wouldn't be surprised if they just had this studio pump out mobile microtransaction games for the next while. Those have a tendency to make a ton of money relative to their budget. Idle Champions of the Forgotten Realms seems to be pretty successful so maybe Wizards wants to start collecting more than just the licensing fees for such a venture. The press release mentions AAA but it's just a buzz word. With only around 50 employees they would have to radically grow which anyone should be able to understand is incredibly risky.

 

[Ruin Explorer]

I'd consider those AAA games in retrospect, even if many at the time thought that were lower level tier games that bordered in Indie.

What the heck?

No-one thought that. The concept of "indie games" didn't exist in 1998 (not for anything that wasn't basically shareware, and we didn't call them "indie games" - that term emerged in the later 2000s, mostly after Xbox Live Arcade) and AAA barely did (like it had literally just started being used). That's a truly bizarre thing to say. AAA is about budget and team size - and by the standards of the time, most of the games mentioned were in the general range people, in say, 1998-1999 considered to be AAA. Which was a hell of a lot lower than it is now.

BG1 might have been at the low end of what was considered AAA back then, but BG2 and NWN were huge budget, huge team games for their time, with lavish production values. There were unquestionably AAA.

The "Trails of the..." games you mentioned exist in the space between AAA games and indie games. Sometimes they're referred to as AA games - it's becoming increasingly popular as it becomes clear there are basically three "budget ranges" for game dev, all of which can be profitable.

And games that may not have had a massive budget at first...can turn into a AAA game if it sells enough and becomes popular enough.

No, you've literally just made that up! That is not how AAA is used in the industry. An indie game that sells millions of copies and makes tens of millions (and many have) is still an indie game. It does not "turn into an AAA game". Ever. Please stop misleading people!

It is an informal term, but it's about the size of the team, ambition/scale of the game being developed, and the budget. If you read the rest of the wikipedia article, rather than making things up which aren't true because someone said the word "blockbuster" (which they are analogous to, not the same as!), you will see that. Typically that means a dead minimum budget of $20m, usually more like $40m, and it typically means a team size, from about 2014 onwards, of 100 people. Indeed, 150-200 is increasingly common. CDPR has 400 for CP2077!

These numbers have increased over time. To make an "AAA" game in the early 2000s, you could have a lower budget and team size, but those are what the numbers are now, and this company is claiming they're going to make AAA games now.

Now, any time some studio wants to license the D&D IP, the decision will be colored by "Is this going to compete with our in-house offerings?" And WotC's track record for in-house offerings is not exactly stellar. This has the feel of empire-building: D&D is going like gangbusters, the money is rolling in after the long winter of 4E, and folks are looking for ways to spend that cash... not always well-considered ones.

I just wanted to say how very well-said this is. Quite right. I don't think people are looking at the longer-term consequences here. If WotC blow $30m+ on Tuque, as seems very likely if they develop an AAA game, even assuming the development goes well, that's money taken from the development of D&D, and if Tuque's game doesn't sell well (as is quite likely - first-time teams making AAA games to order do not have a great history), then that's money lost on D&D's balance sheet.

Further, as Dausuul points out, it makes D&D games from competent dev studios less likely, as they have to get past being considered "competition", and will be more harshly scrutinized re: the profits they offer WotC. WotC already told Obsidian and Beamdog to sod off. I guess we're just lucky Larian got in before Tuque was acquired or BG3 might be with Tuque.

The press release mentions AAA but it's just a buzz word.

No. AAA is an industry term. It is not a "buzz word". I am astonished that people who appear to know absolutely nothing about the computer game industry are making wild and definitive claims. Sure, they could be LYING when said they're going to make AAA games, but that's a case of LYING not a case of "a buzz word".

 

[GreyLord]

If an AAA game is ONLY 20M, then the entire idea that Turque cannot make one is ludicrous.

If it is ONLY about money and team size...I don't see a problem with claiming the ability to make an AAA game (especially under the HASBRO umbrella. Anyone thinking Hasbro has no money or is very small should probably reanalyze who HASBRO is).

If it is about SALES...than it becomes much more subjective. There are many games I've seen over the years that say they are AAA games, and have sold to stores...but the sale through rate stinks (meaning the stores get them on the shelves, but then they don't sale and you see the game in the $20 bin a few months later in droves). If EA makes a game that no one buys...is that an AAA game or is it something else. If a small company makes something like...say...Minecraft (which when it was made was VERY SMALL initially) is that a AAA game...or is it just an Indie.

It's amazing how sales seems to paint our perceptions. After an initial game gets started and then starts selling more and advancing (and with more money the team sometimes grows much bigger, sometimes not) our perception of whether it is AAA or not seems MORE based on popularity than what some try to paint it in regards to a standard idea.

As I said, a look up on Wiki seemed to indicate a Mid sized company (which you define as 100 people...and more than 100 are probably going to be included in the making of the Turque games when you include Hasbro and WotC side of things who are connected to Turque even if not employed directly inside of it) AND a blockbuster.

It doesn't have to be Activision to be an AAA game.

I think there is some elitism going on where a few want to put down WotC gaming before it has even occurred.

What comes next may not be an AAA game, or it may be, but deciding right off the bat that there is no way they can make an AAA game is trying to paint anyone else beyond one's favorite game publishers as lesser...IN MY OPINION.

And yes, that IS an uneducated opinion, based probably only upon what I've read in Wikipedia and such. However, I don't see from that why some are instantly saying Turque cannot make an AAA game. With Hasbro they have FAR MORE resources than they ever did on their own, and to try to limit those resources of Hasbro to what Turque had before the acquisition is not giving enough credit to WotC or HASBRO nor even acknowledging some of the reasons HASBRO would have taken the risk to obtain them in the first place.

 

[darjr]

I just had a thought.
Go full LEGO movie.

have all the graphics be renders of dwarven forge terrain, have the figures be miniatures from the game in bases. Use maps right out of the classic adventures and current ones. Have giant dice roll through the background as action ensues.

have everything happen on a kitchen table, with Mountain Dew vans and bags of Cheetoes

 

[Ruin Explorer]

As I said, a look up on Wiki seemed to indicate a Mid sized company (which you define as 100 people...and more than 100 are probably going to be included in the making of the Turque games when you include Hasbro and WotC side of things who are connected to Turque even if not employed directly inside of it) AND a blockbuster.

The DEVELOPER ITSELF needs to be mid-sized or larger.

Not the COMPANY THAT OWNS THE DEVELOPER. They aren't making the game!

The DEVELOPER is Tuque. That's currently 55 people. WotC's size is irrelevant because they're the OWNER not the DEVELOPER and are not making the game.

You're talking from a position of ignorance, and bad assumptions because of that. This is a good example of one of those bad assumptions. Maybe stop making claims about something you don't understand?

If an AAA game is ONLY 20M, then the entire idea that Turque cannot make one is ludicrous.

You have literally no basis for saying that. Further, $20m is the bottom end - and that money will come out of WotC, because this is an acquisition. This is another example of you making claims from a lack of knowledge.

And yes, that IS an uneducated opinion

It's good that you realize that, but maybe stop making claims that rely on you knowing stuff? It's fine to say "Well I think you're being mean and I hope they succeed!", but it's not fine for you to say "Well an AAA game is this and because WotC/Hasbro have X people and Y money it's AAA!" because those are not true.

Also they're called Tuque, like the hat (hence the logo...), not Turque.

As for why the risk? Dausuul already pointed out that this smacks of empire-building. D&D is riding high, so WotC, like TSR before them, are making bad spending decisions.

 

[GreyLord]

Indie games like Undertale (heck, Minecraft started out as an indie game) have been successful before.

The question is not if the studio is large enough, it'f if the developers are capable of delivering fun gameplay and a good story. Just look to Minecraft and Undertale for examples of games with unique gameplay elements that outweighed their relatively poor graphics.

In the case of Minecraft, the uniqueness and expansive size of the game made a compelling story a secondary concern, and made graphics something which, until recently, Mojang has not been compelled to improve.

My worry is not that the game will not be made by a AAA studio, it is that the developers will be pressured by Hasbro cronies and higher-ups in their organization to make a game that isn't to risky (or risque), the type of "middle of the field" game which will not endanger the company, but probably has no chance of selling extremely well.

Even if risks are taken, I don't want the game to lapse into mediocrity.

I think this is probably the biggest obstacle out here and it could be highly possible. It could be a middle of the field or even worse type of game. Hard to say until we see what they are actually making.

Luckily there are other games in development as well. I think WotC is attacking this from a multiple risk angle where they are taking several various options in Video Game development. With different approaches they can hopefully have a few of them be successful. They are thus using large and small developers to contract out games, as well as outright trying to develop one with their own studio as well.

What the outcome of this particular branch of risk will be...could be good or could be very bad I'd imagine.

I wouldn't be surprised if they just had this studio pump out mobile microtransaction games for the next while. Those have a tendency to make a ton of money relative to their budget. Idle Champions of the Forgotten Realms seems to be pretty successful so maybe Wizards wants to start collecting more than just the licensing fees for such a venture. The press release mentions AAA but it's just a buzz word. With only around 50 employees they would have to radically grow which anyone should be able to understand is incredibly risky.

I'd say that could be a possibility.

My first thought when I heard them getting Turque was exactly what you mention, that they were probably going to make mobile type games and such.

I'd also say AAA is a buzz word in this.

However, I'm not discounting they could be serious about this as well. HASBRO sees the success of WotC recently and I would not be surprised if they will be willing to toss a bunch of money at them in a risky undertaking to see what sticks.

Until we see their first announced game I think it is hard to tell what is going to be made. It could be mobile games, or it could be that they expand tremendously with the backing of WotC and HASBRO due to money being input to the company and the ability to hire a LOT more people within it.

I think some of the minds that be in the upper echolons of HASBRO are pushing this as they see Video games that are best sellers make a LOT of money (money that perhaps even D&D does not make on it's booksales, but that perhaps a video game might.

 

[Ruin Explorer]

I'd also say AAA is a buzz word in this.

Please stop saying things that aren't true and are the result of your own, as you put it "uneducated opinion".

 

[GreyLord]

The DEVELOPER ITSELF needs to be mid-sized or larger.

Not the COMPANY THAT OWNS THE DEVELOPER. They aren't making the game!

The DEVELOPER is Tuque. That's currently 55 people. WotC's size is irrelevant because they're the OWNER not the DEVELOPER and are not making the game.

You're talking from a position of ignorance, and bad assumptions because of that. This is a good example of one of those bad assumptions. Maybe stop making claims about something you don't understand?

You have literally no basis for saying that. Further, $20m is the bottom end - and that money will come out of WotC, because this is an acquisition. This is another example of you making claims from a lack of knowledge.

It's good that you realize that, but maybe stop making claims that rely on you knowing stuff? It's fine to say "Well I think you're being mean and I hope they succeed!", but it's not fine for you to say "Well an AAA game is this and because WotC/Hasbro have X people and Y money it's AAA!" because those are not true.

Also they're called Tuque, like the hat (hence the logo...), not Turque.

I may not know much about video game development, but I do KNOW quite a bit about HASBRO, something that I'd say you are just as ignorant about as I am about Video game development.

Why are you limiting Tuque to whatever they are before they were acquired? Do you think they were gotten in a vacuum or something?

Do you really think HASBRO got them just to let them be and not do anything with them?

Really?

IF HASBRO WANTS (and that's the key word, it's what HASBRO wants and wants to do with it ultimately, even though it will be under WotC) they can infuse the company with more cash AND staff.

What the staff of Tuque was PRIOR to being gained by WotC is really inconsequential as HASBRO has enough cash to change any or all of your specifications if HASBRO feels it is warranted.

The real question should not be whether Tuque could obtain cash or staff to make a game or to be larger...that's actually not a problem...

The bigger questions probably rely on what exactly they WILL make and what quality will come out of it.

 

[Undrave]

I just had a thought.
Go full LEGO movie.

have all the graphics be renders of dwarven forge terrain, have the figures be miniatures from the game in bases. Use maps right out of the classic adventures and current ones. Have giant dice roll through the background as action ensues.

have everything happen on a kitchen table, with Mountain Dew vans and bags of Cheetoes

Like Crimson Shroud on the 3DS?