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.

 

[KYRON45]

Capitalism is the enemy argument begins in 3...2...

 

[Cordwainer Fish]

Well, there's this one idea where you take people who are already familiar with your company and industry because they already work for you, and you promote them to fill openings in your leadership.

Yes, radical and crazy, I know.

Are you nuts? People have nephews who need jobs; you can't insist that they be qualified!

 

[FrogReaver]

Diablo 3 expansion was a big change in direction. If he was involved there that’s a good sign.

 

[KYRON45]

Dear Mr. Hight;
As a 40 year fan of the D&D brand I would like to congratulate you on your recent position of President of WotC. I hope that under your stewardship you take the brand strongly into its next 50 years as the flagship TTRPG. Just remember that if you don't do an excellent job people who have never met you and really have little idea exactly what it is you do will never stop complaining about it. They have actually already started. I wish you well and hope that this game that I love so much survives its own constituency.

Warmest Regards
Random Internet Guy

 

[Aldarc]

Dear Mr. Hight;
As a 40 year fan of the D&D brand I would like to congratulate you on your recent position of President of WotC. I hope that under your stewardship you take the brand strongly into its next 50 years as the flagship TTRPG. Just remember that if you don't do an excellent job people who have never met you and really have little idea exactly what it is you do will never stop complaining about it. They have actually already started. I wish you well and hope that this game that I love so much survives its own constituency.

Warmest Regards
Random Internet Guy

There's nothing to be gained from licking his boots.

I doubt Hight had much to do with the problems of those expansions, though. I don't think he'd have been involved with gameplay or story decisions. Maybe he greenlit the concepts for them, but that would be as deep as it goes.

Then he likely didn't have anything to do with their successes either, which is what the post I was responding to was doing.

 

[KYRON45]

There's nothing to be gained from licking his boots.


Then he likely didn't have anything to do with their successes either, which is what the post I was responding to was doing.

Welcoming the guy and wishing him luck is boot licking?
That says a lot that you think so.

 

[Demetrios1453]

There's nothing to be gained from licking his boots.

There is also no reason to complain if people choose to do so (although calling it "boot licking" is probably not quite warranted here). Making that choice is their perogative.

 

[Aldarc]

There is also no reason to complain if people choose to do so. Making that choice is their perogative.

I'm not complaining, just reminding him that there is nothing that is gained from doing so. I genuinely doubt that John Hight comes here to read what any of us think about his appointment as WotC president.

 

[KYRON45]

I'm not complaining, just reminding him that there is nothing that is gained from doing so. I genuinely doubt that John Hight comes here to read what any of us think about his appointment as WotC president.

Is there anything lost from doing so? I don't want anything from him or you.

 

[John R Davis]

I wish him and the company and our game, well.

I'm sure the diggity-diggers are out there trying to find a 2007 video where he kicked a puppy.