New WotC Layoffs?

I have been unable to verify any of this, so consider this no more than a "rumour report". However I'm hearing that layoffs have occurred at WotC this week, and that one of the victims is art director Mark Painter. Again, all rumour at this point.

 

[Yaarel]

The time we spend at work is such a huge chunk of our lives. It sucks when work is an unpleasant place to be. Humans deserve better lives.

 

[D'karr]

Then it's a good thing that almost everyone we've ever heard from that works/worked at WotC says that it is a pretty sweet place to work.

 

[Morrus]

I'll never understand what the infatuation is with paying attention to everyone who is working at WotC and having a big brewhaaha every time that changes. Every other company in the planet does the same thing, and you never see anyone care. Only with WoTC it seems.

Does it matter? It's a weird side-effect of our niche little hobby's fandom.

 

[Umbran]

Does it matter? It's a weird side-effect of our niche little hobby's fandom.

Sorta. Consider it in the context of edition warring and/or Paizo/WotC fan conflicts. The obsession is not necessarily healthy.

 

[Queer Venger]

Sorta. Consider it in the context of edition warring and/or Paizo/WotC fan conflicts. The obsession is not necessarily healthy.

New kid on the block here, but Paizo/WotC fan conflicts? I play both 5e and Pf, why would there be conflict? Ive been to Gencon, and going again this year, both games seem to be pretty equally represented there. And isnt PF D&D 3.75 anyway?

 

[Remathilis]

New kid on the block here, but Paizo/WotC fan conflicts? I play both 5e and Pf, why would there be conflict? Ive been to Gencon, and going again this year, both games seem to be pretty equally represented there. And isnt PF D&D 3.75 anyway?

Quick version.

1.) D&D releases 4e.
2.) WotC botches the GSL release; meanwhile dissatisfaction with 4e swells within the community.
3.) Paizo capitalizes on both and continues to release 3.5-geared stuff. Eventually makes its own version of D&D
4.) Supporters herald it as the true successor to D&D. Dissenters call it a rip-off of WotC's IP and abuse of the OGL.
5.) Supporters and Dissenters meet on message board.
6.) Slurs, insults, and d*ck measuring contests among both groups ensue.
7.) Pathfinder proves popular among its niche, D&D 4e doesn't survive.
8.) Gloating and sour grapes among both groups ensue.

 

[Sacrosanct]

Sorta. Consider it in the context of edition warring and/or Paizo/WotC fan conflicts. The obsession is not necessarily healthy.

I agree with this, because in all of these types of discussions, you've got people displaying a real hatred toward WotC. That level of vitrol for a company we have no ties to and people we don't know IRL is pretty unhealthy. It's also odd that it only seems to be with WoTC (let alone any other industry).

I get that getting laid off sucks. I've been laid off too before. I really feel for the people who are, but LOTS of good people get laid off all the time. It impacts me exactly zero, so me getting an emotional investment so deep that I express repeated hatred at the company? It's just a game folks, and they aren't doing anything different than any other company. I also think it sends a message that gamers are way too emotionally unstable due to the level of attachment they have for this game, in the context of the game's history where gamers have a reputation of taking things too far.

So yeah, obsession is a good word. Before we know it, we'll have people saying things like, "WoTC/Mearls/insert head person X ruined *my* game. I hope they burn and rot. I will do whatever I can in my power to ruin them."

Oh wait. We DID have people say that in the past couple years...

 

[billd91]

I agree with this, because in all of these types of discussions, you've got people displaying a real hatred toward WotC. That level of vitrol for a company we have no ties to and people we don't know IRL is pretty unhealthy. It's also odd that it only seems to be with WoTC (let alone any other industry).

You're not familiar with auto enthusiasts, I take it?

 

[Sacrosanct]

You're not familiar with auto enthusiasts, I take it?

Actually, I am one myself (My 68 Camaro is my baby). But I don't recall seeing people create threads like this in auto forums every time someone leaves the company.

 

[Umbran]

New kid on the block here, but Paizo/WotC fan conflicts?

To oversimplify - it is an outgrowth of the edition wars. Transferring the 3e/4e conflict out to Pathfinder/4e, and thence to Paizo/WotC is a fairly natural thing.

Basically, it's like the Yankees/Red Sox fan conflict, but between gaming geeks willing to troll and insult each other to "win".