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.

 

[Clint_L]

Great 200 jobs, but not in the U.S. What's wrong with you Hasbro?

Great, 200 jobs in Canada. Thank you, Hasbro, for recognizing that we buy your products, too!

In actuality, this is probably a good strategic choice for them to keep from losing Canadian customers, given that there is a strong movement here to boycott US goods. Plus, Montreal is an established hub for video game designers.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Great, 200 jobs, but in my country, not the US. Thank you, Hasbro, for recognizing that we matter, too!

In actuality, this is probably a good strategic choice for them to keep from losing Canadian customers, given that there is a strong movement here to boycott US goods.

American bourbon companies likely wish they could set up shop in Montreal. They are getting absolutely killed by the boycott.

 

[Clint_L]

But let's leave it at that, before things get political. Point is, Montreal is a pretty sensible choice. It's not random. Hasbro has lots of subsidiaries outside the US. And appeasing a market of 42 million people, who have similar consumer tastes to the US, is not an unreasonable motive.

 

[Incenjucar]

Quebec is really cheap, really nice, and there's a big game dev community there.

 

[Dire Bare]

Great 200 jobs, but not in the U.S. What's wrong with you Hasbro?

Hasbro sells product to Canada, why can't Canadians get some Hasbro jobs?

 

[Byrd]

Great 200 jobs, but not in the U.S. What's wrong with you Hasbro?

Welcome to the boards...I guess.

 

[Not a Decepticon]

Didn't they lay off ton of people from WotC to cut costs last year?

 

[Henadic Theologian]

Great 200 jobs, but not in the U.S. What's wrong with you Hasbro?

WTF is wrong with more jobs is Canada?!?!?!?

Did we accidently do something to Americans that you hate us now? Most of your studios are still in America.

 

[Dire Bare]

Didn't they lay off ton of people from WotC to cut costs last year?

WotC, like many companies, is constantly laying off staff and then rehiring soon after. That's capitalism, baby!