If I bought WoTC I would......[your answer here]

[Jürgen Hubert]

I'd probably hire most of the creative staff back that was fired recently.

I'd leave the FR line alone - they are doing a great job so far. Maybe I would look into re-releasing some of the older settings - like Dark Sun, Planescape, Spelljammer (the last one with a detailed setting of its own) with the same production values as the FRCS. But only after careful deliberation.

And I would look into a new edition of the spatbooks - but with better and lengthier playtests.

 

[Jeph]

I'd halt any new 3E product development and launch 4E in a year and make a butt-load of money!

Taren Nighteyes

If you did, I wouldn't buy it, and would burn you in effagee (or however you spell that). 3e forever!!!!!!!!!!

I, personally, would publish a bunch of generic construct-a-whatever books: Construct-a-spell, construct-a-firearm (direclty plaguerized from Ken, of course), Construct-a-armor, construct-a-class, construct-a-prestige class, construct-a-race, and all that good stuff.

 

[seasong]

Damn the torpedoes.

Assuming I have to buy WotC and can't do something else with the money, I'd probably do the following:

1. Split WotC into a CCG company and a D&D company. They practically are anyway, and the split focus hurts D&D any time sales are compared. This would also allow the CCG side to really cut loose, without having to worry about hurting D&D.

2. Do what I presume WotC is doing right now, already: dedicate some people to the SRD, and have a hard deadline for completion. The good will will probably be worth it.

3. Fix the Setting Support problem. Build up a setting, sell the heck out of it for 1-3 years, and then turn it over to a niche publisher. WotC is built around megahits, and a setting that has slowly (inevitably) slipped into decline is a stone around the company's neck. Conversely, a discarded WotC setting is like a goldmine to a niche publisher. Handing off the reins allows WotC to focus on their next megahit, without "screwing" the most loyal fans to the last megahit. A few requirements on this: make sure to sell it to someone who cares (creator if possible), and who has established a solid rep for reliable, quality publication.

4. Finish getting the ESDs out there. They won't make much money for WotC, but they aren't really costing anything, either.

5. Chainmail. If the financials look good, make it a third company. Otherwise, turn it over to a niche company.

There'd probably be more, but I'd have to look at the issue more closely.

 

[Florin]

I'd sell off everything but the RPG department. I'd run everything in the pipes out the door, drop all the campaign settings, and figure out what high-volume books need to be published, like moster manuals, re-done classbooks, etc. Fire everyone that wasn't necessary to make those items. I'd have a standing policy that everything that was printed would be in the SRD one year after it was published, with all the proper nouns and monster descriptions taken out, but I'd leave the spells with good names. No "Sword" spells here!

Then, once I had printed all the high-volume books that were needed, I'd get rid of everyone except that guy who orders more reprints as needed!

 

[The Sigil]

Oh, yeah...

If I couldn't do my earlier one...

I'd insert a clause into the d20STL that states that everyone who publishes under the d20STL has to send me two free (preview) copies of their work (one for me to read and the other for me to collect). If it was a print version, they would also have to send me an electronic copy (which I would obviously agree not to redistribute to others).

Imagine - the biggest, baddest d20 library on the planet... ALL MINE... BWAHAHAHAHA...

--The Sigil

 

[Ringmasta]

I would change all official references to Mordenkainen, Elminster, or Raistlin to "The Ringmasta".

 

[Airwolf]

I want Mike Mearls as my right hand man.

I want Kevin Kulp as my second right hand man.

I really want to know what your left-hand man is doing?

Two right-hand men and not a mention of the left-hand man, is that like typing with one hand?

 

[MeepoTheMighty]

I would make Bigby's Pimp Slap an official spell.

I would take gnomes out of the game and replace them with kobolds.

Three words: More Chainmail Bikinis.

 

[Zappo]

I'd sell the rights for all the settings to capable firms and d20 companies.

I'd hire back the big names.

I'd publish and market a really rules-light fantasy RPG, to be used as a gateway to D&D. This should be advertised as heavily as I can.

 

[Aaron2]

I'd concoct a scheme where some kid who plays D&D "disappears" but he really just moved to New Jersey.

Then I'd leak it that Al Qaida members play D&D.

Then I'd put a line in the PH how "we believe that magic is real" and I'd add rules on how to summon demons IRL.

Now that D&D is "scary" and "dangerous" again, sales will shoot through the roof!

Oh yeah, I'd dump FR. Then I'd put an article in Dragon how if you don't play by my rules you aren't playing "D&D".


Aaron