[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.

 

[fjw70]

If 5e is only going to release a single book every few months then I don't expect to see 5e to retake the top retail sales spot, and from what Mike was saying prior to the release it doesn't sound like they care.

 

[Sir Brennen]

On the subject of authors making a living by writing, here's a timely blog post by a Hugo-winning author that just went up yesterday:

http://www.kameronhurley.com/?p=14582

 

[Flexor the Mighty!]

If 5e is only going to release a single book every few months then I don't expect to see 5e to retake the top retail sales spot, and from what Mike was saying prior to the release it doesn't sound like they care.

Which is fine with me to be honest. I don't approach a RPG like a CCG where you need to keep buying boosters or anything like that. For me there is enough in the 3 core books to game until the cows come home.

 

[fjw70]

Which is fine with me to be honest. I don't approach an RPG like a CCG where you need to keep buying boosters or anything like that. For me there is enough in the 3 core books to game until the cows come home.

I agree. I would like to see more adventure support but I guess I can convert for now.

 

[Sacrosanct]

If 5e is only going to release a single book every few months then I don't expect to see 5e to retake the top retail sales spot, and from what Mike was saying prior to the release it doesn't sound like they care.

It's not so much that 5e will only release a single book every few months. It's that WoTC will only release a book ever few months. It seems clear official 5e products will be released regularly, just with different outsourced companies like Kobold.

 

[fjw70]

It's not so much that 5e will only release a single book every few months. It's that WoTC will only release a book ever few months. It seems clear official 5e products will be released regularly, just with different outsourced companies like Kobold.

Yes I meant offical 5e products by WotC.

 

[Sacrosanct]

Yes I meant offical 5e products by WotC.

And I'm saying it doesn't need to come from WotC themselves in order to take the top sales spot. Consumers largely don't give a where the books are coming from, as long as they are there. Look at the spell cards. And the giant ass monster manual that Frog God did. Those are all 5e products that help the edition as a whole, but aren't put out by WoTC

 

[fjw70]

And I'm saying it doesn't need to come from WotC themselves in order to take the top sales spot. Consumers largely don't give a where the books are coming from, as long as they are there. Look at the spell cards. And the giant ass monster manual that Frog God did. Those are all 5e products that help the edition as a whole, but aren't put out by WoTC

Do the retail rankings take 3rd party products into account? I hadn't really thought about that and just assumed it was just official products.

 

[Sacrosanct]

I guess that's the magic question then. Because if they only take official WoTC products into account, you'd be technically right. But it would be an awfully silly way to measure the success of a product.

 

[fjw70]

I guess that's the magic question then. Because if they only take official WoTC products into account, you'd be technically right. But it would be an awfully silly way to measure the success of a product.

I guess the next question is are the 3rd party products able to significantly influence the ratings? I don't know. I have never been much of a consumer of third party stuff and haven't paid much attention to them.