WotC Wizards Q1 2023 revenue up 12%

[bedir than]

Digital, including D&D Beyond which is called out for doing well, up 9%.
Hoffer is saying that D&D itself was up, but I couldn't find that in the reports or statements (it may have been in Q&A)

• Adjusted operating loss was the result of lower revenues, as well as higher advertising for Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves partially offset by lower royalty expense.

https://investor.hasbro.com/news-releases/news-release-details/hasbro-reports-first-quarter-2023-financial-results

More on the movie in the remarks

Based on the strong fan and audience response, we are expecting Honor Among Thieves to enjoy a long viewing life that introduces our newest franchise brand to tens of millions of new consumers globally via theaters, streaming and post theatrical sales.

 

[mamba]

nvm

 

[bedir than]

Also, I lost a bet (no money was put on the table). I expected an announcement of a D&D movie sequel.

 

[delericho]

Also, I lost a bet (no money was put on the table). I expected an announcement of a D&D movie sequel.

I would expect any such announcement to be in a venue with a wider audience.

 

[Snarf Zagyg]

Huh.

I am reasonably surprised to see continued strong growth.

 

[Parmandur]

Huh.

I am reasonably surprised to see continued strong growth.

Why? Golden Keys is a pretty strong new product, and the movie, while it has not set the world aflame in the box office, rocketed D&D's search metrics to the highest they've ever been, by a long shot. That will translate to people checking out the PHB, Starter Set in Target, and/or Beyond. Also, toys with Hugh Grant's face on them or plush Themberchauds.

 

[mamba]

or plush Themberchauds.

I take that over Hugh Grant toys

 

[Snarf Zagyg]

Why? Golden Keys is a pretty strong new product, and the movie, while it has set yhe world aflame in the box office, rocketed D&D's search metrics to the highest they've ever been, by a long shot. That will translate to people checking out the PHB, Starter Set in Target, and/or Beyond. Also, toys with Hugh Grant's face on them or plush Themberchauds.

Why?

1. They were starting from a massive base (for D&D)- in other words, the insane growth during the pandemic and directly afterwards. It's similar to the law of big numbers- after meteoric growth, it's hard to sustain continued high growth.

2. We're in that period where they've announced a new (revised? altered? backwards-compatible?) system, but haven't released to it yet, which often causes people to delay purchases.

3. A lot of people spent discretionary RPG money during those few stupid OGL days on other products.

4. Finally, between the inflation and uncertain economy, people have been somewhat cutting back on discretionary spending.


So yeah, it's a good sign. Just a little surprised.

 

[Parmandur]

Why?

1. They were starting from a massive base (for D&D)- in other words, the insane growth during the pandemic and directly afterwards. It's similar to the law of big numbers- after meteoric growth, it's hard to sustain continued high growth.

2. We're in that period where they've announced a new (revised? altered? backwards-compatible?) system, but haven't released to it yet, which often causes people to delay purchases.

3. A lot of people spent discretionary RPG money during those few stupid OGL days on other products.

4. Finally, between the inflation and uncertain economy, people have been somewhat cutting back on discretionary spending.


So yeah, it's a good sign. Just a little surprised.

Fair points.

I would point to the movie as a gargantuan marketing opportunity, even if the box office has been medicore, they have sold ~ million tickets in the United States. Google Analytics on D&D since the movie dropped are astonishing, actually.

 

[Parmandur]

Some Google data on people searching for D&D in the past year. And since 2004. It's way hitter now than a year ago.

 

[Snarf Zagyg]

Fair points.

I would point to the movie as a gargantuan marketing opportunity, even if the box office has been medicore, they have sold ~ million tickets in the United States. Google Analytics on D&D since the movie dropped are astonishing, actually.

Unless I am mistaken, the quarter (Q1) ended April 2, 2023, and the movie was released theatrically on March 31, 2023. We will probably see a lot more about it reflected in the next quarterly earnings report.

 

[Parmandur]

Unless I am mistaken, the quarter (Q1) ended April 2, 2023, and the movie was released theatrically on March 31, 2023. We will probably see a lot more about it reflected in the next quarterly earnings report.

True, but the marketing and merchandising for the movie started in late July 2022...which also happens to be the all time high for online interest in D&D until this March as they were aggressively screening the movie in previews.

 

[vecna00]

I'm also surprised by those numbers. I figured they might be down or flat for the first quarter and then up again in Q2.

 

[Parmandur]

I'm also surprised by those numbers. I figured they might be down or flat for the first quarter and then up again in Q2.

It rather puts the late unpleasantness in perspective.

 

[vecna00]

It rather puts the late unpleasantness in perspective.

Yep, almost as if it wasn't as big as some folks made it out to be.

 

[Clint_L]

That’s the internet for you. See the current thread on the Pinkertons.

 

[Henadic Theologian]

That’s the internet for you. See the current thread on the Pinkertons.

Don't onfuse low awareness among casuals with not mattering, morally it matters.

 

[Zardnaar]

Also, I lost a bet (no money was put on the table). I expected an announcement of a D&D movie sequel.

I didn't accept the bet though as it was entirely one sided.

 

[Velderan]

Anyone savvy enough to pick through the numbers and figure out how much licensing impacted their revenue? We're seeing more and more licensed products, I'm curious how much money that's bringing in for them.

 

[bedir than]

Anyone savvy enough to pick through the numbers and figure out how much licensing impacted their revenue? We're seeing more and more licensed products, I'm curious how much money that's bringing in for them.

The glut of D&D licensed products will show up in Q2