Dragon/Dungeon sold, Chainmail axed

[Knightfall]

Unusre of what to think

First, the new d20 Modern section is activated on the WotC site then they announce that Chainmail is going away.

Now it's 99.9% likely that Dugeon Magazine and Dragon Magazine are being sold. Ok, is anyone else confused. What the h-e- double toothpicks is going on with Wizards?

I haven't resubscribed to either magazine and now I'm not sure if I will. A brand new owner could mean a complete format change. I mean, what if it isn't a d20 company? What if it isn't a roleplaying company? I shudder to think what become of them.

And what does this mean for Polyhedron and the Living Greyhawk Journal? Is Poly being sold as part of Dungeon? I can't imagine WotC would sell the rights to the Living Greyhawk Journal to anyone. After all, Greyhawk IS D&D now.

Weirdness... total weirdness.

Later,

RPB

 

[GBDeluxe]

I think it signals the beginning of the end. The D&D 3e steam is winding down. It's less profitable. Not many people are still buying books because all the important core books are basically out. They spread themselves thin with stuff like chainmail. I will not be surprised if by jan 2004 wotc doesnt sell off d&d or the line just comes to a halt.
GBDeluxe

 

[Nikchick]

I think it signals the beginning of the end. The D&D 3e steam is winding down. It's less profitable. Not many people are still buying books because all the important core books are basically out. They spread themselves thin with stuff like chainmail. I will not be surprised if by jan 2004 wotc doesnt sell off d&d or the line just comes to a halt.
GBDeluxe

Nah, honestly, I don't think it's anything like that. For example, Chainmail was the biggest cluster-um-you-know-what since I can't remember when. Chainmail could have been wildly profitable for WotC, if they hadn't ignored every piece of advice given to them by people who *knew* the miniatures business! We're talking about a *cast-to-order* business! You get orders, you spin up miniatures. Got left-overs? Throw 'em back in the pot and make different ones! But noooo.

Anyway, the failure of Chainmail to do what it could have was a real tragedy of *management* but it really doesn't have anything to do with 3E, or whether or not people are buying books. D&D might indeed end up being for sale (nothing would surprise me at this point) but if it were up for sale, it'd only be because Hasbro felt they could make some quick cash (and because they haven't got the slightest clue what to do with the property, since it's not an action figure or Furby, not because of any inherent value or lack thereof).

Seriously, the Chainmail situation was inevitable. The periodicals scenario is a great save, not anything dire. I don't think either of them are related in any tangible way to the fate of D&D.

Nicole

 

[SHARK]

Greetings!

I just don't get it. What the hell is the wrong with them? It seems for what?--the last year or so WOTC has been kicking themselves in the ass about one thing after another, puting out fires here, putting out fires there. Dreaded rumours about this, about Master Tools getting scotched, people being fired, quitting, and now...THIS.

Why can't they get their fripp'in act together and run the damn company smoothly and quietly? What is so damn hard about it?

Look, I'm not an expert on all kinds of business, but come on--with the talent and resources they *had* available, WOTC shouldn't be having all of these problems. This is just rotten, bloody rotten I say! Too many executives shagg'in off all the damn time instead of running a company right.

Semper Fidelis,

SHARK

 

[I'm A Banana]

Okay, I think most anyone coulda told you Chainmail wasn't going to be very successful. Well, anyone not working on it, aparently, anyway.

It's sad, but that's the way the economy crumbles. You can't really be too concerned with it....lots of your favorite things will die out. It's just the Darwinian capitalism at work. Just 'cuz everyone likes baby seals doesn't mean they're evolutionarily superior. Just 'cuz Chainmail's cool doesn't mean it's gonna survive. Sad, but true.

The magazine thing seems to be not that big of a deal, frankly. If it's sold to who people have said it's sold to, they're in good hands and there's nothing to be concerned about.

So everybody, clean up the mess you made in your pants and go back to mindlessly buying d20 products like the good consumer base you are. There's a good message board community....good girls/boys!

 

[rounser]

I'm as disappointed as anyone that I was right about Chainmail, but the writing was on the wall, I'm afraid...I think Lisa Stevens...she's as gamer as gamers get...As I understand it, the whole staff of the periodicals division was purchased, lock stock and (two smoking) barrel(s)

As you say, Chainmail's cancellation is disappointing (especially at this stage of it's existence). At least the magazines and their staff sound like they're intact.

Perhaps those worried regarding the magazines should submit proposals for articles to the editors. What with the number of setting proposals entered in the recent setting search, you're far more likely to get a request to see a full article for potential publication in Dragon or Dungeon than you are to be one of the three setting proposals selected in the search - and with more article proposals to select from, the mags can only improve, and everyone wins...

My opinion is that WotC's selling everything that's not bolted down, and they can put as much pleasant spin on it as they want but the result is the same.

Everything, eh? Perhaps Hasbro are now in more of a mood to agree to Adkison's offer to buy D&D off of them...

 

[Mouseferatu]

Everything, eh? Perhaps Hasbro are now in more of a mood to agree to Adkison's offer to buy D&D off of them...

Nah. If anyone's going to buy D&D, it needs to be either Monte Cook, Jon Tweet, and Skip Williams, or else it needs to be Sword & Sorcery Studios.

The former seems more just, but the latter means I probably get to work on it.

 

[Morrus]

Everything, eh? Perhaps Hasbro are now in more of a mood to agree to Adkison's offer to buy D&D off of them...

Maybe one day.

I wonder why they refused? Because he didn't offer enough, or because they just didn't want to sell? I can't see them being so attached to the line, and, though I know little about the inside dealings there, they don't really seem to be managing too well right now...

 

[-Ekimus-]

i dunno. i dont think WOTC is doing all that great. MTG has been going down the tubes for a few years now, harry potter was a bust, and the local WOTC store in my mall went out of business... seems like dnd is its only $ maker

 

[Pramas]

Nah. If anyone's going to buy D&D, it needs to be either Monte Cook, Jon Tweet, and Skip Williams, or else it needs to be Sword & Sorcery Studios.

But if SSS gets it there'll be a new edition every two years...

Frankly, I don't expect Hasbro to sell D&D. Even if they just print and sell core books, that's easy money.

As for Chainmail, well, it'll sure be fun accepting an Origins Award next week if the game wins...