WotC ICv2 Has A Theory That WotC Will Be Sold

[ph0rk]

I've been lamenting the apparent but bizarre inability for anyone to produce commercially viable D&D cinema/TV content

Games workshop has the same problem.

 

[Charlaquin]

I can only imagine that the pandemic hasn't been great for MtG sales.

Of paper products, probably, but they were on the decline before the pandemic. Certain reprint policies and practices have made paper magic pretty much financially inaccessible except for extremely casual play. On the other hand, digital magic has been going very strong ever since the launch of MTG Arena, and I can only imagine that’s been doing even better since the pandemic.

 

[Phion]

I've been lamenting the apparent but bizarre inability for anyone to produce commercially viable D&D cinema/TV content. With the fantasy genre enjoying more mainstream media success, now would seem the best time. Hasbro has the resources and track record of film-ifying their IP; a buyer might not.

Then again, I wonder how much of D&D's development has been guided by non-gaming, non-WotC Hasbro execs, and whether a sale might shake some things loose.

Then again again, I want everything all the time...

Issue may be that d&d lends so much from other fantasy settings that a movie would just be generic. Also d&d's strength is its weakness, everyone is the hero in their story; sounds awful but a lot of the time I get bored listening to peoples d&d stories in real world conversations, I don't doubt for a second that for the group at the time (and if I were in on it) it would be great but as a conversation its hard to attach yourself to anything being said (even with the knowledge of how d&d is played).

 

[Voadam]

I agree with the author that who a buyer could or would be is a big open question without an obvious answer. A private equity firm seeking to strip mine D&D could end up very poorly for the tabletop end of things.

 

[monsmord]

Issue may be that d&d lends so much from other fantasy settings that a movie would just be generic. Also d&d's strength is its weakness, everyone is the hero in their story; sounds awful but a lot of the time I get bored listening to peoples d&d stories in real world conversations, I don't doubt for a second that for the group at the time (and if I were in on it) it would be great but as a conversation its hard to attach yourself to anything being said (even with the knowledge of how d&d is played).

That genericism is certainly a contributing factor; D&D is a system, not a story. And I think you're right, that folks developing screenplays are probably telling the most darling little tales from their game tables, which, you know, may not even be appealing to much of the core fanbase. Vis, the first movie.

I'm not a fan of the FR or MtG settings. But these at least have a presence and fans way from rulebooks. To have how many video games and a perennially popular CCG and novels, and not be able to mine them for decent stories a wider audience will appreciate? Oof. I do see that turning toys into shows/movies would be easier than adapting a rulebook, but... Come on, man.

 

[Quartz]

Games workshop has the same problem.

You don't see WH40K films because they'd be terribly politically incorrect. And, unlike Judge Dredd, the incorrectness is not satire.

 

[Dimitri Mazieres]

I really doubt Hasbro would sell WotC. The IPs under WotC's belt are too big to let go, and I think that the D&D brand has consistently grown in the public eye since 5e's launch in 2014. Unless some company even bigger than Hasbro comes along with a ridiculous amount of money, that is...

 

[Mirtek]

Mystra must be getting very worried

 

[Phion]

That genericism is certainly a contributing factor; D&D is a system, not a story. And I think you're right, that folks developing screenplays are probably telling the most darling little tales from their game tables, which, you know, may not even be appealing to much of the core fanbase. Vis, the first movie.

I'm not a fan of the FR or MtG settings. But these at least have a presence and fans way from rulebooks. To have how many video games and a perennially popular CCG and novels, and not be able to mine them for decent stories a wider audience will appreciate? Oof. I do see that turning toys into shows/movies would be easier than adapting a rulebook, but... Come on, man.

I do agree with you it should be possible; for some reason d&d seems to do well when the movie/ show focuses on the players not the actual story i.e. IT crowd, stranger things and the big bang theory (although I am reluctant to include some of these because they are a poor example of what a game session actually looks like).

There was also a fan made film that focused on d&d on Youtube which was a good watch. I have forgot the name of it for some reason.....think it was called the gamers?

 

[MNblockhead]

I do agree with you it should be possible; for some reason d&d seems to do well when the movie/ show focuses on the players not the actual story i.e. IT crowd, stranger things and the big bang theory (although I am reluctant to include some of these because they are a poor example of what a game session actually looks like).

There was also a fan made film that focused on d&d on Youtube which was a good watch. I have forgot the name of it for some reason.....think it was called the gamers?

Gamers, also Journey Quest. Both by Zombie Orpheus Entertainment (ZOE). Journey Quest is available on Amazon. Not sure about Gamers. Both are a lot of fun.