Charles Ryan (and others) out at WotC?

[Henry]

Just curious: where is the Antarctica office of WOTC located, exactly?

Look on the bright side, Charles, you just escaped a bullet!

Best wishes with the new job search and the family addition.

 

[Belen]

Charles: I am very sorry to see you go. I hope that your job hunt goes well. Please keep us in the loop.

 

[Belen]

I think Hecatomb had a major negative impact at Wizards. I have at least two stores that are literally giving it away as prizes because no one will buy it. Wizards made a huge push with this "adult" game and I do not think it has done too well. The game play really stinks and the cards are very difficult to shuffle.

The stores in my area are having the same problem with the Axis and Allies minis game. I know at least one store that has given away an entire case of starters and boosters because no one wants it. Wizards made a huge mistake in not making it to the same scale as the DDM and SWM lines. A lot of people would have loved to use the figs for a modern game.

I have seen no real decline in Magic sales in my area, but I could see how their model could get old. The game has grown ever more complicated over time and it is dominated by people who have played for years.

 

[Henry]

I think Hecatomb had a major negative impact at Wizards. I have at least two stores that are literally giving it away as prizes because no one will buy it.

It may be a localized thing. Around here, I have a friend who is really into this game, and he has a few friends who play it with them. They're buying up cards like gangbusters.

I second the Axis and Allies. I don't know who may be using it in this area, but the fact that it's not built for 28mm scale has totally mixed any desire for me to buy them.

 

[diaglo]

It may be a localized thing. Around here, I have a friend who is really into this game, and he has a few friends who play it with them. They're buying up cards like gangbusters.

I second the Axis and Allies. I don't know who may be using it in this area, but the fact that it's not built for 28mm scale has totally mixed any desire for me to buy them.

don't even see the Hecatomb stuff near me at all. i don't know if the retailers even bought any. it ain't advertised in any of the stores i visit.

ditto on the A&A comments from both of you.

 

[DaveMage]

Michelle was on staff as an editor. She moved out here last year with family in tow to take the job.

I thought that was the case.

I think I remember her posting about it...

I hope she and all the others land quickly on their feet and find something they like.

 

[WizarDru]

The stores in my area are having the same problem with the Axis and Allies minis game. I know at least one store that has given away an entire case of starters and boosters because no one wants it. Wizards made a huge mistake in not making it to the same scale as the DDM and SWM lines. A lot of people would have loved to use the figs for a modern game.

I have seen no real decline in Magic sales in my area, but I could see how their model could get old. The game has grown ever more complicated over time and it is dominated by people who have played for years.

The stores in my area are selling A&A minis pretty strongly, complete with a weekly league. I've never even SEEN Hecatomb in stock at any of them. Hecatomb strikes me like Gloom, with cards that are difficult to play with and too gimmicky for my tastes...plus I found the artwork and concept just unappealing. I mean, "Mister Bananas" versus "Greater Shoggoth"? Not for me, thanks.

I do note that A&A's first expansion, The Russian Front, is due out soon. I suspect that A&A minis aren't selling like Magic...but then, these days, Magic doesn't sell like Magic. I got in on the ground floor, and I've watched it wax and wane over the last dozen years or so. Magic, like Pokemon, stabilized well below it's peak some time ago.

One tends to wonder if WotC's various licensed games might have been a factor (such as Xaolin Showdown, Neopets, Kids Next Door, Star Sisterz and Duel Masters).

 

[ukgpublishing]

I hope that WotC has the sense to offer some kind of information to their customers explaining the situation better than, "no comment."

well it looks to me as if Hasbro Worldwide is catching up with Hasbro UK and Europe over here we saw them lay off nearly all the staff leaving just 3 wotc employees on the magic brand line and replacing everything else with Hasbro staff. Then they got rid of carl crook as the brand manager leaving 2.
corparate mentality leaves little to be desired from an employee point of view, however best of luck to charles and if he wants to do a little independant work promoting our products on a commision basis in the USA, he is always welcome to write. Although I don't think we pay enough.

Kevin for UKG Publishing

 

[Kanegrundar]

You're a good man, Charles. I'm sorry about your job. You and your family will be in my thoughts this holiday season. I have no doubt that you'll land on your feet.

 

[Belen]

One tends to wonder if WotC's various licensed games might have been a factor (such as Xaolin Showdown, Neopets, Kids Next Door, Star Sisterz and Duel Masters).

One would think that innovating a new game would be better than a license. However, Hecatomb shows that mistake.

Just remember, just because an expansion is being released does not mean the line is doing well. They probably had it in production months ago. They will want to make some money off it even if they decide to cancel the game.