WOTC Resolutions for 2003

[scarymonkey]

1. Get out of the retail business.

WOTC is not a retail company. What in the world made them think that this was a good idea? Hell, most game stores I know of are run as a labor of love. They certainly aren't profitable. Apparently they thought that if GW could do it, so could they. GW stores can get away with only selling GW stuff. WOTC can't do this and survive.

WOTC will close or sell all of their retail stores in 2003.


2. Get out of the miniatures business.

Again, WOTC tried expanding into an area where they had no experience. Did they really believe that Chainmail could compete against Warhammer or MageKnight? Warhammer owns the high end of the market and Mageknight owns the low end. Where was there a niche to fill?

I don't see them competing very well in the D&D mini arena either. The only thing that they have going for them is the D&D logo on their package. Reaper (and others) make figures that are superior and less expensive. It's such a shame that they had to try doing their own minis. Revoking the D&D license from Ral Partha killed them dead.

WOTC will continue to try to rid their warehouses of Chainmail minis by repackaging them as D&D figures while they quickly ramp down production. Look for them to sell the D&D mini license to someone else late in 2003 or early in 2004.

3. Find a new cash cow.

While I don't follow the CCG market that closely, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to notice that Yu-Gi-Oh must be beating the crap out of Pokemon and MTG sales right now. Pokemon is dead. Magic sales must be flat. The Starwars and Harry Potter ccg games haven't exactly been runaway successes either. I would imagine that big brother Hasbro must be putting a lot of pressure on WOTC to find something new to get kids addicted to and fast.

Without something new and obscenely profitable (like Pokemon), expect more layoffs and for WOTC to move their offices in 2003. They will be able to hang out with the couple of guys in the Avalon Hill division and discuss their coming fate as a ghost company too.


Everyone have a happy 2003 and thank gawd for Ryan Dancey and the OGL.

 

[Eternalknight]

2. Get out of the miniatures business.

Again, WOTC tried expanding into an area where they had no experience. Did they really believe that Chainmail could compete against Warhammer or MageKnight? Warhammer owns the high end of the market and Mageknight owns the low end. Where was there a niche to fill?

I don't see them competing very well in the D&D mini arena either. The only thing that they have going for them is the D&D logo on their package. Reaper (and others) make figures that are superior and less expensive. It's such a shame that they had to try doing their own minis. Revoking the D&D license from Ral Partha killed them dead.

WOTC will continue to try to rid their warehouses of Chainmail minis by repackaging them as D&D figures while they quickly ramp down production. Look for them to sell the D&D mini license to someone else late in 2003 or early in 2004.

Well, it's pretty common knowledge that WotC is going to be releasing a new mini's game in 2003. It will be different than Chainmail, but compatible.

 

[scarymonkey]

I'm aware of that but I still think that they will get out of the mini business soon.

 

[Hopping Vampire]

first off, Magic sales are alot more steady than D&d. Second, Pokemon is NOT dead. the initial rage from its release has just calmed down a great deal. after all they have world championships.Yu Gi Oh will die down just like pokemon in a year or 2. Wizards biggest "mistake" i've seen thus far is eTools. Thats got to be the worst 30$ ive ever spent on gaming material. Thats just another in their long line of sub par D&d products.

 

[alsih2o]

Where was there a niche to fill?

i am neither pro nor con on wotc, but my brother has a saying he likes- "there is always room at the top"

 

[KenM]

Another resoultion for WOTC, when the revised core DnD books come out. Put whats new/ changed availble for download, so people that bought the first edtion of the core books don't have to buy them again.

 

[Corinth]

That'll be done. All of the changes go into the SRD on the day of official release, just as was done with d20 Modern.

 

[Alaric_Prympax]

Hopefully they'll update their product library which still does not have any 2003 products listed. I get more information on EN World's front page on up coming WotC D&D products then WotC site.

Thanks Morrus and company for all your hard work.

 

[bolen]

If it is any indication. My 10 year old nephew loves pokeman. It seems to be still very popular with that crowd.

 

[Mark]

Welcome to the boards, scarymonkey!

These appear to be predictions rather than resolutions but...

1.) (On getting out of retail...) That is what it looks like they are doing, mainly. Looks like they will keep stores open in key markets where it is profitable rather than just trying to have one on every corner.

2.) (On minis games...) As long as the upcoming game is more compatible with the d20 system, and the minis have more crossover utility for standard D&D gaming, it could do very well.

3.) (On CCGs...) These are ridiculously profitable, including Pokemon and and MTG. The success of Yu-Gi-Oh is just keeping the seat warm until WotC/Hasbro can figure out what the next big trend in CCGs will be. Who owns the Yu-Gi-Oh CCG rights, anyway? Or maybe the question to ask is "Who will own them by the second quarter of 2003?"