WotC New WotC President Is World of Warcraft's John Hight

After WotC president Cynthia Williams resigned a couple of months ago, taking up the CEO role at Funko, we've been waiting to hear who her replacement will be.

WotC has now announced that John Hight--who previously managed the World of Warcraft franchise for Blizzard Entertainment--is taking over. Like Williams, Hight comes from a video gaming background.

Hasbro CEO Chris Cocks said "I admire John’s career focus on fostering community. He is a true embodiment of our mission to bring people together through play. John’s love of D&D and Magic: The Gathering, combined with his leadership in video games, will be crucial as we expand our digital offerings to deliver what our fans crave."

Hight worked at Blizzard for 12 years, on both World of Warcraft and Diablo. According to Business Wire, his role includes oversight of Hasbro's network of gaming studios and digital licensing agreements.

 

[payn]

I'm sure anyone who is on a discussion forum dedicated to a specific product is as highly invested in all aspects of that product.

Not me. I thought "EN" World was short for engine. Stayed for the discussion.

 

[KYRON45]

I'm sure anyone who is on a discussion forum dedicated to a specific product is as highly invested in all aspects of that product.

I can honestly say that I am invested in the fun factor that comes from the company. D&D in particular is one of the cornerstones of the foundation of who I am as a person. That being said; if not for the forum I wouldn't know a fraction of what goes on at the company.

I'm just curious if I am an outlier or if all fans of things research to the level that generally gets discussed here.
It's all very interesting to me.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

I'm not sure about it. I think that Metzen may be the sort who would want to walk that back, as there have been some things found in the War Within beta that hint at future faction conflict... again...

I don't think the NPC faction conflict is going to impact what they're doing with players. Dragonflight and War Within are all about making life better for the players of today. (Guilds will no longer be server-based in WWI, for instance.)

There have always been cross-factional friendships in the lore, some of which Metzen himself wrote. I don't think they're going to start removing Horde folks from Alliance guilds, etc.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Does everyone here scrutinize every company they buy things from with this much intensity?

Slow news period until the GenCon news starts coming out (usually a few days before actual convention).

 

[Ruin Explorer]

I just wanted to observe a remarkable irony here that people are praising the fact that we have a WoW guy in charge in 5E, whereas 4E allegedly resembling WoW (it did not, but that's a separate discussion), largely based on an ill-advised comment months before release by a WotC exec was literally a reason repeatedly and strongly cited to not buy 4E lol. Imagine if 5E started with a WoW guy in charge of WotC? I think even if it was otherwise identical there'd have been nerd riots.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

I just wanted to observe a remarkable irony here that people are praising the fact that we have a WoW guy in charge in 5E, whereas 4E allegedly resembling WoW (it did not, but that's a separate discussion), largely based on an ill-advised comment months before release by a WotC exec was literally a reason repeatedly and strongly cited to not buy 4E lol.

The real reason not to play 4E was no gnomes in the Players Handbook!

 

[payn]

The real reason not to play 4E was no gnomes in the Players Handbook!

Or Bards!

 

[FrogReaver]

I just wanted to observe a remarkable irony here that people are praising the fact that we have a WoW guy in charge in 5E, whereas 4E allegedly resembling WoW (it did not, but that's a separate discussion), largely based on an ill-advised comment months before release by a WotC exec was literally a reason repeatedly and strongly cited to not buy 4E lol. Imagine if 5E started with a WoW guy in charge of WotC? I think even if it was otherwise identical there'd have been nerd riots.

I agree it’s ironic and was going to make a similar point. But also, There’s just not the same fear that they are trying to make d&d a mmo anymore.

 

[Malmuria]

I'm just curious if I am an outlier or if all fans of things research to the level that generally gets discussed here.
It's all very interesting to me.

Yes - there is such a thing called "games journalism" and people tend to following gaming news, if that's what you mean by the amount of 'research' on display here

 

[Tales and Chronicles]

Or Bards!

Dragonborn boobs! People always forget the Dragonborn boobs!

Those were noble...eh...hills..to die upon. Glorious days for the hobby.