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<blockquote data-quote="tyrlaan" data-source="post: 5321203" data-attributes="member: 20998"><p><strong>Year 1</strong></p><p>I'd kick things off by changing absolutely nothing. Why? Because I'm not about to jump into running a company with the assumption that I know what needs to be done or can be done without really knowing thing one about what's going on behind the scenes. So first order of business would be to learn what is going on behind the scenes.</p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Where is money allocated</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Where are resources allocated</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Profit margins on various product lines</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Run a cost/benefit analysis on all aspects of WotC's offerings</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">How much of Hasbro's cookie jar is available to WotC and are there restrictions on how that's divided across D&D and non-D&D WotC product</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">What are Hasbro's expectations of WotC and the D&D brand</li> </ul><p></p><p>Once I know where the money is and how it's both coming in and going out, I can start to make wise decisions instead of off the cuff ones. For example, I look at <em>Dungeon</em> and <em>Dragon</em> today and I'm underwhelmed. There's likely a reason for it. But I can't rightly fix it with guns blazing and asking no questions. But once I know things like the DDI mags cost $X to maintain and earn us $Y and we have Z resources allocated to it, I can start to look deeper to "fix" it. </p><p></p><p>If I'm lucky, all this analysis can be done in time to start building future plans before the year is out, like end of Q4 I'm thinking. </p><p></p><p><strong>Year 2</strong></p><p>Planning time! Release schedules etc still unchanged at this point. I'll assume that everything I think is wrong/right today is actually true and that through some miracle of perceptive powers all the analysis work in Year 1 just proved I've been right all this time. Therefore I would start planning the following:</p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Loosen up the GSL to remove some of the niggling bits that bother 3PPs. <strong>Finish planning and implement by Q4 of Year 2.</strong></li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Take a serious look at marketing strategy. Brainstorm new ideas to bring D&D to even more people. <strong>Planning done by Q2 of Year 2 and implemented by Q4 of Year 2.</strong></li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Reinvigorate <em>Dragon</em> and <em>Dungeon</em>. Whatever this really requires. I'd be open to anything that fits the company budget, whether it’s paying more for freelancers, hiring extra help, revamping content management software. Whatever it takes. <strong>Finish planning by Q3 of Year 2 to implement by Q2 of Year 3.</strong></li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Identify a way to release cost-effective revised rulebooks. I'd go into this accepting the fact that it might not be feasible, but I'd make sure it’s thoroughly investigated/researched. <strong>Finish planning and implement by Q1 of Year 3 (if doable).</strong></li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Make sure certain products are on the roadmap if they aren't already to bring newer classes/races on par with other ones in terms of system support. I'm thinking Divine Power 2, Primal Power 2, etc.<strong>Finish planning by Q2 of Year 2 and implement by Q1 of Year 3.</strong></li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Look to sell off miniatures line/shut it down wholesale/possibly partner with another company. The plan is to get out of the business (unless the Year 1 research tells me this is a cash cow of course) other than to have someone else do the work and split the profits. A deal with Reaper sounds like a great idea.<strong>Finish planning by Q3 of Year 2 and implement by Q4 of Year 3</strong></li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">DDI software components! My guess is a new development staff is needed. Assuming the money is there to do it, fire and hire is in order. Update CB to be more houserule friendly. Build out the missing slots in Adventure Tools. <strong>Finish planning the replacement of staff and allocation of resources by Q4 of Year 2 and implement by Q2 of Year 3. Planning of actual software changes starts Q1 of Year 3 with implementation by Q1 of Year 4.</strong></li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">What to publish next! We need new material that people will buy and I would be a strong enemy of releasing a new edition thanks to the digital world and what it offers.<strong>Planning starts and runs straight into Year 3.</strong></li> </ul><p></p><p>So really the only change that would come out from the customer perspective is an update to the GSL and maybe a new marketing campaign. Shocking? I don’t think so. WotC seems to be making money right now so it’s not like I’d expect to walk into a ship that’s sinking and needs instant saving. About my only financial concern I have at the moment is loss of some DDI subscriptions if the magazines keep causing dissatisfaction, but that can be “patched” with some smart content releases until the bigger changes I plan out finally hit.</p><p></p><p><strong>Year 3</strong></p><p>Released to the world!</p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Revised core rulebooks are on shelves</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Updated product release schedule</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">New and improved <em>Dragon</em> and <em>Dungeon</em> magazine! Regular monthly column for each released Campaign Setting. Return of rarely seen or dead columns, such as Demonomicon, Save My Game, etc. Additional exclusive DDI releases, on par with what was done with the Assassin. Downloadable dungeon tile files for use in home games. Downloadable condition markers that can be printed out and used at home. Monthly DDI fiction. Monthly webcast from a WotC staff member talking about an aspect of gaming. DDI mailbag. Make some articles follow a blog style so they can stir up interactive conversation. And probably more things that I’d be able to think of when planning for this over the span of 6 months with a team of other WotC employees.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">D&D miniatures line by Reaper!</li> </ul><p>More planning!</p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Continue planning content to publish next. Ideas on the table. 4e modern, future, super hero, wild west, manga, etc. Hit all the genres. Keep things as plug and play/modular as possible so people can do some really interesting things with home games. Classless 4e. Rules for aspects of non-combat; getting followers, building castles. 4e DIY manuals. Return of the World Builder’s Guidebook and other helpful DM tools. Rules for a new tier beyond epic (I bet this one just scared the pants of some of you <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite2" alt=";)" title="Wink ;)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=";)" /> ). <strong>Planning is frankly ongoing, but hopeful implementation of first batch of products would be q2 of Year 4.</strong></li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Start planning for DDI software on mobile tools. Fully embrace the world of the smartphone. Investigate Mircosoft’s smart table (or whatever it’s called) and develop software for that too. Start looking at the bleeding edge because everyone else is. <strong>Can’t estimate planning and implementation anymore <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite7" alt=":p" title="Stick out tongue :p" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":p" /></strong></li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Start planning out D&D hosted weekend long RPG conventions. I mean huge weekend long tabletop gaming story arcs that start and end in a weekend. Pay to play of course. Time them with new setting releases. </li> </ul><p></p><p><strong>Year 4</strong></p><p>Released to the world!</p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">DDI Redux! Serious support in the CB for the house ruling enthusiast. Virtual table top. Masterplan? Why use that when WotC provides you something a million times better through the Adventure Tools? Support simple to use customizable character sheet print outs. Character visualizer. Simple to apply monster themes. Ability to revert to old versions of errata’ed rules. The list can go on here just like I commented above in planning what to publish.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Seriously new products that take D&D places people didn’t expect. Products you NEED to have unless you want all your friends to point and laugh at you.</li> </ul><p></p><p>Planning</p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Product brainstorming continues</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Appeal to Hasbro to get D&D out to the world in other media. I’m thinking a new cartoon. A live action mini-series on the Sci-Fi channel or something. A new movie!</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Investigate the console market. Team with someone to develop a console “game” that works over Xbox Live or PSN or whatever and lets people play D&D through their console systems.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Get adspace on TV and radio. Google homepage. Figure out demographics and make smart calls, like a D&D ad during a commercial break in Big Bang Theory. Think big, but think smart.</li> </ul><p></p><p><strong>Year 5</strong></p><p>Total pie in the sky here, but what I’m going for by year 5 would ultimately be something like this:</p><p></p><p>Instead of “you’re a geek if you play D&D” it’s “you’re a geek if you <em>don’t</em> play D&D”</p><p></p><p>Also, D&D would be instant name brand recognition. People wouldn’t ask “do you play any rpgs” they’d ask “do you play D&D.” Making D&D as household a term as Kleenex is the goal. And if I did that, I think I’ve figured out how to win D&D <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite8" alt=":D" title="Big grin :D" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":D" /></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="tyrlaan, post: 5321203, member: 20998"] [b]Year 1[/b] I'd kick things off by changing absolutely nothing. Why? Because I'm not about to jump into running a company with the assumption that I know what needs to be done or can be done without really knowing thing one about what's going on behind the scenes. So first order of business would be to learn what is going on behind the scenes. [LIST] [*]Where is money allocated [*]Where are resources allocated [*]Profit margins on various product lines [*]Run a cost/benefit analysis on all aspects of WotC's offerings [*]How much of Hasbro's cookie jar is available to WotC and are there restrictions on how that's divided across D&D and non-D&D WotC product [*]What are Hasbro's expectations of WotC and the D&D brand [/LIST] Once I know where the money is and how it's both coming in and going out, I can start to make wise decisions instead of off the cuff ones. For example, I look at [i]Dungeon[/i] and [i]Dragon[/i] today and I'm underwhelmed. There's likely a reason for it. But I can't rightly fix it with guns blazing and asking no questions. But once I know things like the DDI mags cost $X to maintain and earn us $Y and we have Z resources allocated to it, I can start to look deeper to "fix" it. If I'm lucky, all this analysis can be done in time to start building future plans before the year is out, like end of Q4 I'm thinking. [b]Year 2[/b] Planning time! Release schedules etc still unchanged at this point. I'll assume that everything I think is wrong/right today is actually true and that through some miracle of perceptive powers all the analysis work in Year 1 just proved I've been right all this time. Therefore I would start planning the following: [list] [*]Loosen up the GSL to remove some of the niggling bits that bother 3PPs. [b]Finish planning and implement by Q4 of Year 2.[/b] [*]Take a serious look at marketing strategy. Brainstorm new ideas to bring D&D to even more people. [b]Planning done by Q2 of Year 2 and implemented by Q4 of Year 2.[/b] [*]Reinvigorate [i]Dragon[/i] and [i]Dungeon[/i]. Whatever this really requires. I'd be open to anything that fits the company budget, whether it’s paying more for freelancers, hiring extra help, revamping content management software. Whatever it takes. [b]Finish planning by Q3 of Year 2 to implement by Q2 of Year 3.[/b] [*]Identify a way to release cost-effective revised rulebooks. I'd go into this accepting the fact that it might not be feasible, but I'd make sure it’s thoroughly investigated/researched. [b]Finish planning and implement by Q1 of Year 3 (if doable).[/b] [*]Make sure certain products are on the roadmap if they aren't already to bring newer classes/races on par with other ones in terms of system support. I'm thinking Divine Power 2, Primal Power 2, etc.[b]Finish planning by Q2 of Year 2 and implement by Q1 of Year 3.[/b] [*]Look to sell off miniatures line/shut it down wholesale/possibly partner with another company. The plan is to get out of the business (unless the Year 1 research tells me this is a cash cow of course) other than to have someone else do the work and split the profits. A deal with Reaper sounds like a great idea.[b]Finish planning by Q3 of Year 2 and implement by Q4 of Year 3[/b] [*]DDI software components! My guess is a new development staff is needed. Assuming the money is there to do it, fire and hire is in order. Update CB to be more houserule friendly. Build out the missing slots in Adventure Tools. [b]Finish planning the replacement of staff and allocation of resources by Q4 of Year 2 and implement by Q2 of Year 3. Planning of actual software changes starts Q1 of Year 3 with implementation by Q1 of Year 4.[/b] [*]What to publish next! We need new material that people will buy and I would be a strong enemy of releasing a new edition thanks to the digital world and what it offers.[b]Planning starts and runs straight into Year 3.[/b] [/LIST] So really the only change that would come out from the customer perspective is an update to the GSL and maybe a new marketing campaign. Shocking? I don’t think so. WotC seems to be making money right now so it’s not like I’d expect to walk into a ship that’s sinking and needs instant saving. About my only financial concern I have at the moment is loss of some DDI subscriptions if the magazines keep causing dissatisfaction, but that can be “patched” with some smart content releases until the bigger changes I plan out finally hit. [b]Year 3[/b] Released to the world! [list] [*]Revised core rulebooks are on shelves [*]Updated product release schedule [*]New and improved [i]Dragon[/i] and [i]Dungeon[/i] magazine! Regular monthly column for each released Campaign Setting. Return of rarely seen or dead columns, such as Demonomicon, Save My Game, etc. Additional exclusive DDI releases, on par with what was done with the Assassin. Downloadable dungeon tile files for use in home games. Downloadable condition markers that can be printed out and used at home. Monthly DDI fiction. Monthly webcast from a WotC staff member talking about an aspect of gaming. DDI mailbag. Make some articles follow a blog style so they can stir up interactive conversation. And probably more things that I’d be able to think of when planning for this over the span of 6 months with a team of other WotC employees. [*]D&D miniatures line by Reaper! [/list] More planning! [list] [*]Continue planning content to publish next. Ideas on the table. 4e modern, future, super hero, wild west, manga, etc. Hit all the genres. Keep things as plug and play/modular as possible so people can do some really interesting things with home games. Classless 4e. Rules for aspects of non-combat; getting followers, building castles. 4e DIY manuals. Return of the World Builder’s Guidebook and other helpful DM tools. Rules for a new tier beyond epic (I bet this one just scared the pants of some of you ;) ). [b]Planning is frankly ongoing, but hopeful implementation of first batch of products would be q2 of Year 4.[/b] [*]Start planning for DDI software on mobile tools. Fully embrace the world of the smartphone. Investigate Mircosoft’s smart table (or whatever it’s called) and develop software for that too. Start looking at the bleeding edge because everyone else is. [b]Can’t estimate planning and implementation anymore :p[/b] [*]Start planning out D&D hosted weekend long RPG conventions. I mean huge weekend long tabletop gaming story arcs that start and end in a weekend. Pay to play of course. Time them with new setting releases. [/list] [b]Year 4[/b] Released to the world! [list] [*]DDI Redux! Serious support in the CB for the house ruling enthusiast. Virtual table top. Masterplan? Why use that when WotC provides you something a million times better through the Adventure Tools? Support simple to use customizable character sheet print outs. Character visualizer. Simple to apply monster themes. Ability to revert to old versions of errata’ed rules. The list can go on here just like I commented above in planning what to publish. [*]Seriously new products that take D&D places people didn’t expect. Products you NEED to have unless you want all your friends to point and laugh at you. [/list] Planning [list] [*]Product brainstorming continues [*]Appeal to Hasbro to get D&D out to the world in other media. I’m thinking a new cartoon. A live action mini-series on the Sci-Fi channel or something. A new movie! [*]Investigate the console market. Team with someone to develop a console “game” that works over Xbox Live or PSN or whatever and lets people play D&D through their console systems. [*]Get adspace on TV and radio. Google homepage. Figure out demographics and make smart calls, like a D&D ad during a commercial break in Big Bang Theory. Think big, but think smart. [/list] [b]Year 5[/b] Total pie in the sky here, but what I’m going for by year 5 would ultimately be something like this: Instead of “you’re a geek if you play D&D” it’s “you’re a geek if you [i]don’t[/i] play D&D” Also, D&D would be instant name brand recognition. People wouldn’t ask “do you play any rpgs” they’d ask “do you play D&D.” Making D&D as household a term as Kleenex is the goal. And if I did that, I think I’ve figured out how to win D&D :D [/QUOTE]
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