Hasbro Opens New Wizards of the Coast Video Game Studio in Montreal to Support D&D Franchise

Hasbro has announced a new video game studio in Montreal, with a new focus on supporting D&D video games. The new studio, called Wizards of the Coast Studios Inc. will focus on developing new content for the Dungeons & Dragons franchise and expanding Hasbro's lineup of digital games. The studio is expected to support 200 jobs. Dan Ayoub, the head of the D&D franchise, will also run the new studio. Ayoub, you may recall, has a long pedigree in video game development.

The new studio will not replace Invoke Studios, Hasbro's other studio located in Montreal. The new office for Wizards of the Coast Studios Inc. will be located next to Invoke Studios.

Hasbro has big aspirations for expanding the D&D franchise via video games. Several D&D video games are in development at third party studios and now we're seeing an in-house expansion of the D&D digital portfolio. One obvious speculation is that the new studio will work on a Baldur's Gate 4, which Hasbro has promised will eventually be released following the mammoth success of Baldur's Gate 3.

 

[Parmandur]

the way WotC does it yes, it’s at least as much marketing as it is playtesting

It is market testing. The market is what ia being tested. It's not a dichotomy.

 

[mamba]

It is market testing. The market is what ia being tested. It's not a dichotomy.

can it be both, sure. Do I think their approach is awful at getting meaningful results, absolutely. I said a few times that their testing is only decent at identifying the real misfires, not at identifying improvements over the current version. It helps them to not create a new 4e, but it does not help them to improve the game / identify improvements consistently

Identifying the worst duds is something, but it could be done so much better

 

[Parmandur]

can it be both, sure. Do I think their approach is awful at getting meaningful results, absolutely. I said a few times that their testing is only decent at identifying the real misfires, not at identifying improvements over the current version. It helps them to not create a new 4e, but it does not help them to improve the game / identify improvements consistently

It is naturally going to generate a conservative approach, sure: but since they are pursuing an evergreen strategy with D&D, that is fit-to-purpose.

 

[mamba]

It is naturally going to generate a conservative approach, sure: but since they are pursuing an evergreen strategy with D&D, that is fit-to-purpose.

eh, didn’t work for me, I do not like 2024, I prefer 2014. Maybe that is the consequence of an evergreen strategy, I certainly wanted more change, but it is not evergreen if people do not stick with it as a consequence of stagnation

My point was more that how they collect feedback and how they interpret it / react to it leaves a lot to be desired however, my complaint was about the playtest process, not the result

 

[Hussar]

I think that position is undermined by the presence of some pretty high profile non WotC stuff on Beyond.

I mean, WotC could do whatever they want. They could also not engage in the performative "playtesting" they use as marketing.

There are millions more loyal WotC customers now than there have ever been. There has never been a better time to experiment and see what sticks. Listening to a tiny sliver of the "fans" is just an excuse not to have to be creative.

The argument is that non-WotC stuff doesn't count because people won't buy D&D stuff that isn't "WotC Approved". Thank you for supporting my argument.

Again, you brush it off as "performative". After years of being absolutely pilloried for not "listening to fans", they have made it extremely clear that they will engage with any and all fans that are willing to engage in order to guide how the game is made. They're damned if they do and damned if they don't. They make something without extensive playtesting? They hate fans and don't know anything about D&D and what fans actually want. They playtest and tell fans exactly what they are doing at every step leading up to a release? They hate fans and don't know anything about D&D and what fans actually want.

They just can't win.

 

[Parmandur]

eh, didn’t work for me, I do not like 2024, I prefer 2014. Maybe that is the consequence of an evergreen strategy, I certainly wanted more change, but it is not evergreen if people do not stick with it as a consequence of stagnation

My point was more that how they collect feedback and how they interpret it / react to it leaves a lot to be desired however, my complaint was about the playtest process, not the result

I mean, the point of the process is results. And if people do stick with it, and new people pick it up...well, then it worked.

 

[Parmandur]

In terms of Haabro supporting the TTRPG, hat tip to @darjr from social media, they ha e a new D&D Game Developer job being filled:

The base salary range for this position is $86,700.00 to $143,600.00. The hiring range will vary based on factors such as experience, skills, location and market conditions. Additionally, employees may be eligible for annual and long-term incentives as part of their overall compensation package.

Our Comprehensive Benefits Package Includes:

Health & Wellness: Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
Time Off to Recharge: Paid Vacation & Holidays
Financial Well-being: Generous 401(k) Match
Life & Family Support: Paid Parental Leave
Giving Back: Volunteer & Employee Giving Programs
Level Up Your Skills: Tuition Reimbursement
Exclusive Perks: Product Discounts & more!

Game Designer - D&D

 

[mamba]

I mean, the point of the process is results. And if people do stick with it, and new people pick it up...well, then it worked.

that are the IFs, agreed, they did not manage that with me.

Pretty sure if they had released a somewhat different version it would not have had much impact on either of your criteria, for that they have to really screw up - and as bad as the playtest is, it lets them identify those cases at least. In fact I believe that apart from marketing that is its main purpose, not a gradual improvement of the game.

You can call that the playtest working, I call it barely functioning. It could accomplish a lot more with some slight changes imo

 

[Parmandur]

that are the IFs, agreed, they did not manage that with me.

Pretty sure if they had released a somewhat different version it would not have had much impact on either of your criteria, for that they have to really screw up - and as bad as the playtest is, it lets them identify those cases at least. In fact I believe that apart from marketing that is its main purpose, not a gradual improvement of the game

Sure, as I said it is ultimately a fairly conservative force.

 

[MonsterEnvy]

I would have liked more changes, but I still think 2024 is a solid improvement.