D&D (2024) Is Combat Tedious on Purpose?

[Micah Sweet]

If one's concerns and desires are not linked to reality, discussing them is not particularly informative or constructive for anyone else.

So your contention is that maximizing profits by any (legal) means at the expense of any non-financial consideration is the only realistic option for WotC to take? And making a slightly changed half-edition is the only way to accomplish that goal?

Also, as I said I would like WotC to be a lot less influential on the industry and the hobby. Are you saying that this cannot ever realistically happen, and therefore there is no value in discussing it?

 

[TiQuinn]

So your contention is that maximizing profits by any (legal) means at the expense of any non-financial consideration is the only realistic option for WotC to take?

The words “fiduciary responsibility” come to mind. They are part of a publicly traded company. I agree there needs to be more emphasis on stewardship but that is definitely the business argument for it.

 

[Micah Sweet]

The words “fiduciary responsibility” come to mind. They are part of a publicly traded company. I agree there needs to be more emphasis on stewardship but that is definitely the business argument for it.

Does the law actually indicate that, if they believe that there is a way for the company to make more money for their shareholders that doesn't break the law, they are required to take that action? If not, I'd say there's some wiggle-room on what WotC can choose to do.

 

[SteveC]

So your contention is that maximizing profits by any (legal) means at the expense of any non-financial consideration is the only realistic option for WotC to take? And making a slightly changed half-edition is the only way to accomplish that goal?

Also, as I said I would like WotC to be a lot less influential on the industry and the hobby. Are you saying that this cannot ever realistically happen, and therefore there is no value in discussing it?

I think these are two separate issues. The first is that as a large public corporation, Hasbro is going to make WotC look at those financial considerations first. During Covid there was a time when WotC was being really successful with the D&D brand, and so they most likely weren't looking at them the same way, so things were just ignored. And now here we are and, despite the fact that the PHB sold so incredibly well for a quarter when it was released, things are getting leaner. So things are being looked at. And here we are.

And on the second point, I agree. I would like less WotC influence as well. I think we are starting to see that as the plans for Sigil and monetizing the brand aren't heading the way they wanted it. As a result, they will be less involved with the world of gaming. They don't have a path to that magical number for making the game a hit at the moment, so until that changes ... other companies can step up, and I hope they will.

And, as always, this is just my opinion and who knows what's going to happen? There may be someone with vision who is able to put things back on track for D&D. Who knows?

 

[MGibster]

One undeniable advantage of having a single big player in the hobby (in this case, WotC) is that said big player is big enough to garner attention from outside the hobby itself; and external attention - if at all positive - can only serve to grow the hobby by introducing more people to its existence.

I don't mind having a 600 pound gorilla in the hobby space. Someone is going to be top dog, so why not WotC? I don't think it's healthy for so many companies to seemingly rely on 5th edition for their own success. When the OGL scandal hit, it really dawned on me just how dependent so many companies were on 5th edition.

Does the law actually indicate that, if they believe that there is a way for the company to make more money for their shareholders that doesn't break the law, they are required to take that action? If not, I'd say there's some wiggle-room on what WotC can choose to do.

There is wiggle room, but honestly none of us has a crystal ball to best divine what's in the best fiduciary interest of WotC. Not even the executives at WotC.

 

[Micah Sweet]

I don't mind having a 600 pound gorilla in the hobby space. Someone is going to be top dog, so why not WotC? I don't think it's healthy for so many companies to seemingly rely on 5th edition for their own success. When the OGL scandal hit, it really dawned on me just how dependent so many companies were on 5th edition.

There is wiggle room, but honestly none of us has a crystal ball to best divine what's in the best fiduciary interest of WotC. Not even the executives at WotC.

Which supports my point that WotC is under no obligation to take the actions they have taken.

 

[TiQuinn]

Does the law actually indicate that, if they believe that there is a way for the company to make more money for their shareholders that doesn't break the law, they are required to take that action? If not, I'd say there's some wiggle-room on what WotC can choose to do.

The shareholders certainly would take issue. And really, you’ve already said you’re not looking at this from the perspective of what’s financially good for the company.

I don't think the continuing financial success of a mega-corporation is in the best interest of the people who enjoy this hobby, whether they like the current edition of official D&D or not.

It’s fine to be a fan of the hobby and the game. But don’t get that confused with the primary motives of the people running WotC.

 

[Micah Sweet]

The shareholders certainly would take issue. And really, you’ve already said you’re not looking at this from the perspective of what’s financially good for the company.



It’s fine to be a fan of the hobby and the game. But don’t get that confused with the primary motives of the people running WotC.

I have said that I believe it would be a better business decision in the long run,more than once. It's the demand for immediate "number go up" gratification that's the problem IMO.

And my primary concern is the health of the hobby and its fans, not any one publisher (but see above).

 

[payn]

I don't mind having a 600 pound gorilla in the hobby space. Someone is going to be top dog, so why not WotC? I don't think it's healthy for so many companies to seemingly rely on 5th edition for their own success. When the OGL scandal hit, it really dawned on me just how dependent so many companies were on 5th edition.

Back in 2000, OGL was beneficial because of print and low penetration into markets. Now, its beneficial because its brought a boom to the RPG space and folks can pull people in without them having to learn a new system every time. The good news is that the OGL is no longer the only space to rely on, there is also the ORC.

 

[Minigiant]

It doesn't lose them money with certainly. It might make them less money in the short term, but they will remain profitable, which IMO is all they, and any business, should be focusing on beyond making product they can be proud to sell.

"It might make them less money "

And that's why it won't happen. Even the most charitable nice RPG companies don't aim to make less money.

I don't mind having a 600 pound gorilla in the hobby space. Someone is going to be top dog, so why not WotC? I don't think it's healthy for so many companies to seemingly rely on 5th edition for their own success. When the OGL scandal hit, it really dawned on me just how dependent so many companies were on 5th edition

The Fantasy RPG industry is heavily reliant on WOTC for marketing.

Only WOTC has the money to flood every inch of media that even sniffs with nerd culture with ads. And that's what keeps the nozzle of new customers and returning fans flowing.