[Updated] Chris Sims & Jennifer Clarke Wilkes Let Go From WotC

The details are unclear, but D&D editor Chris Sims has reported that he is now in need of a job, and is willing to relocate. He was hired by WotC in 2005 after working for them as a freelance editor. Part of the D&D 5E launch, he was one of the editors for the Player's Handbook and Dungeon Master's Guide, and was responsible for stat block development in the Monster Manual. The reasons have not been revealed, nor is it clear whether he left or was laid off.

Whether this is an isolated thing or part of more layoffs if unclear right now. More if I hear anything! In the meantime, if you can hire an excellent writer and editor, please do!

For more on ex-WotC employees, please check my list here!

UPDATE: Jennifer Clarke Wilkes is also in the same boat. She has worked on both D&D as an editor and on Magic: the Gathering, and has been working for WotC for many years.

UPDATE 2: Chris Sims confirms here that he and Jennifer were both laid off.

 

[Grainger]

I thought that in general, freelancers earn a lot more than salaried staff per hour. The advantage in hiring them is that you only have to pay for the hours you actually need them, and you often don't have the "hidden" costs of employment (taxes, sick pay, holiday pay, maternity pay, pension contributions, providing equipment, office space, etc.) and it's generally more flexible. I'm not arguing with those of you who know the figures - I'm sure you're right with regard to the "per word" figures - I just find it interesting that the freelancers in this situation actually get less.

 

[delericho]

by the way, someone asked earlier why someone would work for wotc, it's because if you work for even just a year or two there you do way better then most freelancers.

Plus, by all accounts it's a really good place to work - while it lasts.

 

[Morrus]

I thought that in general, freelancers earn a lot more than salaried staff per hour. The advantage in hiring them is that you only have to pay for the hours you actually need them, and you often don't have the "hidden" costs of employment (taxes, sick pay, holiday pay, maternity pay, pension contributions, providing equipment, office space, etc.) and it's generally more flexible. I'm not arguing with those of you who know the figures - I'm sure you're right with regard to the "per word" figures - I just find it interesting that the freelancers in this situation actually get less.

This is a tiny little cottage industry, and the average company size is somewhere in the region of 1 person. WotC, Paizo, etc. - they're exceptions, not the rule.

 

[ExploderWizard]

Jenga's business model is certainly unstable.

HAHAHAHAHA!!!! Thanks for making my morning!!

 

[kenmarable]

How do we know they weren't just on fixed-term contracts or something? Why does Chris Sims saying he's in need of a job automatically mean he got fired? Maybe he was only being employed until the conclusion of the 5e launch period. I don't think there's any need to turn this into a pity party on his behalf.

Just a thought.

As others have said, Chris Sims's tweets make it quite apparent that he didn't see this coming and was surprised. Plus the fact that Jennifer Clarke Wilkes was employed continuously by WotC for 15 years makes it seem extremely unlikely that this was just end of contracts.

Two people (out of a very small staff) unemployed on the same day, unexpectedly (so at least Sims didn't quit) and despite one of them being there for a long time means they were fired. It is remotely possible it is something else, but the likelihood is pretty absurd. So it's safe to assume they were fired. So either they both did something worthy of firing (I doubt it), or were fired for business reasons - they were laid off. Considering WotC has laid off employees Dec/Jan many, many times in the past, and often around new edition launches, every single sign points to them being laid off.

I'd say the burden of proof is definitely on those who want to argue that they weren't laid off. Because there is so much evidence pointing towards a layoff, that it's safe to assume that's what it is until proven otherwise.

Plus, wishing people well when they find themselves surprisingly without a livelihood isn't a "pity party." Having been through that and not knowing how I'm going to feed my family, calling sympathy for that a "pity party" is awfully rude.

 

[DMZ2112]

Good fortune to Chris and Jennifer!

It's a shame but not very surprising. I'm sure their work was exemplary, and I am always sad to hear about a fellow editor being fired (not only for the editor themself but also because it generally means someone thinks writing quality is a safe place to cut corners), but we know -- and have known forever -- that WotC is essentially getting out of the book business. The DMG is out. What use is an editor to a company whose current plans include outsourcing of all authoring? All Wizards needs now is a skeleton crew to maintain content quality and brand identity from their contractors. I just hope these two were given the courtesy of good notice.

{Also, for the record, I don't /agree/ that Wizards no longer needs editors to watch over their contractors. I bet you anything we see a further drop in product quality from this point on. Never fire your editors. You only think you know how to write.}

 

[Sacrosanct]

As others have said, this is just corporate America. If you want to boycott WoTC/Hasbro for layoffs, then I'm assuming you won't buy anything from any company ever? Because pretty much anything you would buy at the store is owned by a company that does layoffs.

It sucks, but it's part of normal corporate life. Really, the only way to keep someone on is to have a justifiable workload for them. And in this case, it would be splatbook treadmills. WoTC has already said they aren't doing that, so as unfortunate as this is, it should not be a surprise to anyone. And it doesn't make WoTC/Hasbro some sort of evil overlord or anything. Not any different than any other publically traded company that is.

 

[Morrus]

If you want to boycott WoTC/Hasbro for layoffs, then I'm assuming you won't buy anything from any company ever?

Just curious who you're addressing there? Who said they wanted to boycott WotC?

(I'm not saying nobody did - I haven't read every post in the thread - but a quote would probably help!)

 

[Zaukrie]

Good luck to both of them. It signals continued small release schedules to me. I may be wrong, but that is how I read this. That's fine, I feel no need to give Hasbro more money.

 

[Alphastream]

Most of it is salaried, not /word. But back when they had DDI, Dragon, Dungeon, etc. it was about $.06 per word for most people.

I've not seen many examples of $0.01 per word. Nobody should take work at that rate.

I turned .01 down last week. It was a well-known RPG company, for an adventure at Gen Con. I am fortunate to be able to write as a hobby, not for income, but I felt responsible for others who do need to earn these assignments to help make ends meet. I turned it down, in part, in hopes it would encourage higher pay next time.