You're the Head of WOTC. Now What?

[Destil]

A) Have some frank discussions with the head of legal about piracy and online resources. I'd get a solid business plan for online ventures over the course of the next few years and I'd make it a very solid point that non-commercial piracy just isn't a big deal (it's unavoidable and you just hurt your fan base if you go after it.

Out of print PDFs would be back on the market in a heartbeat, that's pure profit and the audience isn't going to draw any significant number away from 4E. By now WotC shouldn't be worrying as much about about the previous version as a competitor.

Aside from that one specific point I don't know anywhere near about costs and resources available to have many other ideas. The most effort at this point should go into growing the player base for hobby gaming as a whole, I know that much. But WotC has been leaning towards doing this for a few years (Magic 2010 is a pretty good and hopefully successful example, though it pissed off some established players). The 4E intro box-set would be the single most important item I'd want to see out of the D&D side of things, making sure it's useful once the players graduate to the full game and has excellent production values and as much advertising as I can get for it. Sell it at cost or a slight loss because over the long term attracting more new and young gamers is the only way to keep the business alive.

 

[Nahat Anoj]

I'd push DDI heavily. By the time 5e comes out, I'd consider not releasing paper books at all. It would depend on the state of computing at that time - I'd be particularly interested in whether or not tablet computers like the iPad would be popular/ubiquitous. One idea I've had it making a dedicated D&D mini-computer, like a D&D-only Kindle. This "D&D Kindle" would basically be all your books in one - when they do updates, you would automatically download all the revised and new content into it. I wouldn't make the game exclusive to this "D&D Kindle" - you could download it and put it on your home computer/laptop/tablet if you wish.

I'd go full throttle on that virtual game table. It doesn't even need to have 3D virtual minis - just something with a battle map, ability to roll dice, keep track of conditions, etc. Make the game playable without any physical props (although still useable in case people want don't want to abandon reality completely ).

If there was a way to program it so random dungeons could be made with the computer controlling all the monsters and NPCs in place of an actual DM, I'd look into that. This will probably raise the hackles of some people, but I'd look in to making D&D into something like a turn-based MMO. People could go online and just play, any time they want.

But - and I think this is really important in allaying concerns - I would still make it possible for human DMs to set up and run adventures if they want to. And, again, I would make sure it could still be played "offline," at an actual game table with your friends physically present. The computer would just facilitate things.

 

[MichaelSomething]

I'd call Kenzer & Co. and ask them what they'd do if they owned the rights to D&D. I'd then call an emergency meeting with everyone at Wizards of the Coast and implement everything Kenzer & Co. said.

And I'm being 100% serious.

If you did that, they could sue you for stealing all of their ideas.

You might as well just hire them to develop D&D or just flat out buy them.

 

[jdrakeh]

1. The most powerful source in gaming should have their own PDF e-tail outlet. I'd make that happen, after which. . .

2. I'd bring PDFs back, price them lower than the corresponding print products, and offer them through our (i.e., WotC's) dedicated e-tail site.

3. I'd start making rule books available in other, less graphically rich, electronic formats and adjust price points accordingly.

4. I'd bring back a boxed starter set that wasn't completely crippled by way of excluding character generation rules. I'd use the Moldvay Basic Set as a template.

Those are the big four things that I can think of right off the top of my head.

 

[TheYeti1775]

Think Crothian has the best 2 ideas.

If profitable things I would do:

1. Push Hasbro for the Toy/Boardgame Line.
Think about it the Galatic Hero's Line is hugely popular with younger kids. Translate that over to D&D figures.
Action figures for the next age of kids as well, GI Joe/Star Wars comes to mine.
Board Games - D&D version of Monopoly, think about it their is every other version under the Sun. They already own the rights in house, nothing to do but come up with the figures, property names, and the cards for it.
Mini-sets - this is where it belongs as part of the action figurine lines. You want to spur mini sales, how many of you would love to have Monster Manual 1 available as a complete set? Break it up into boxes of 15, sure it can be random to encourage more sales.

2. Electronic Initiative
DDI is a revenue stream. But nothing really keeps people from doing one month subscriptions only once a year for the update.
The fans want PDF's back and available.
Solution - re-release the PDF's via DDI. Not all at once though, or with specials running for long standing DDI Customers.
a. Not all at once - Month one release the B series; Month two B Series not availabe but A Series is. That encourages monthly subscriptions to be renewed by those that want these legally.
b. Specials for long standing DDI Customers - release it all, but have a discounted price the longer you have been a DDI Customer without interruption. i.e 6 months gets you a 5% off while a year would get you 10%.
Either of these is a win situation as it encourages your new 'flagship' to constantly provide revnue.

3. The Classics Line
Many would love releases of beloved lines. While not wholey profitable, customer satisfaction of their wants could increase sales in other areas.
This can be used in conjunction with the Electronic Initiative in item 2.
By licensing rights out for various Settings/Editions all their sale from within DDI only (if electronic). (pushes DDI customer base again) This also allows for some WotC quality control on the products with minimum risk. Though you could make it Exclusive Rights to it, I would make it more open in that say Green Ronin and Paizo could make stuff for the same Setting competing with each other to make better products.

4. Mainstreaming my products
Many of the products are already mainstream, i.e. Magic
How do I make it so with other products of mine? Easy, get it introduced in popular shows. Think about how many times your watching a TV show and you see them go to a website or mention something and you Google it. You get it out there so everyone thinks everyone knows about it. More ET moments (remember the beginning of the movie) out there.
While the majority of gamers are hormonal males, chainmail bikinis do not protect as much as a full suit. Family friendly the art, as the majority of toys/games are bought by moms for the kids.

5. Product Lines
Games - primarily Computer.
Atari has fumbled the ball on you, least from a customer prespective. You have to recover from this.
EA is a legitimate possiblity for picking up the pieces for you. Heck even in Madden they have made a Magic style team/deck builidng option for you to play. Earn cards through play or pay to build a bigger better team.
Honestly how many gamers are out there that would love to play through a stack of modules on the same game engine allowing their character imports from each.
Living (Realms/Greyhawk/Eberron/Darksun/Spelljammer/etc) online, how many would go for it? Take WoW on.

6. Customer interaction
Think how many times we have loved official representives sharing their thoughts with us here on the forums. That can sooth a lot of bad blood created by descisions that might alienate some of your customer base.
I would find time to answer questions on a forum most likely WotC's but probably an EnWorld as well.


Other than that don't have a lot of other ideas off the top of my head.

 

[avin]

Change DDM to produce minis that represent MM entries.

I think that could be a potential mistake. A large part of DDM collectors (as seen on Maxminis, DDMspoilers or Hordeling) still plays 3.5 and like a more neutral approach to minis.

Unless is something easily used as a 3.5 proxie it may stay on shelves.

Speaking for my 4E self, I would only want this if they improve some artwork, for creatures such as troglodytes...

 

[Upper_Krust]

Hi all!

I think I would like to see them continue along the same lines with regards the PnP side of things. However, I would branch out into different areas.

Video Games...not MMOs.

Firstly, something like an updated Baldur's Gate/Dragon Age style game. With a party of 5 characters having adventures in one of the settings. Make this episodic.

Then a more action based fantasy game using the D&D format (like a God of War, Darksiders, Bayonetta etc. but with D&D).

Lastly a simple 'Japanese style' RPG version of D&D on the handheld consoles. Something thats really simple but fun. That we could create lots of content for.

Movies

As regards the movie I would have them develop my script idea...

Immortality

...for which I have similar ideas for a quartet of movies.

Technology

While its still fairly early, I'd look into the technology of roll up televisions.

Have Roll-Up TV, Will Travel

I'd love to see some digital roll-up battlemaps that could have infinite dungeons on them as well as sound effects and character movements.

I know the ipad is inevitable, but I think the current incarnation is so devoid of features and so pricey thats its going to be a while before its mainstream. But in 5 years time lets say it will be the new standard.

Board Games

I'd still like to see a few board games for attracting younger players. We could use surplus pre-painted minis to reduce the costs.

Television

Have an animated D&D show for young and old alike.

A D&D based show along the lines of Legend of the Seeker would be good too.

 

[Jan van Leyden]

I would find time to answer questions on a forum most likely WotC's but probably an EnWorld as well.
QUOTE]

A CEO doing this couldn't spend much time on business decisions, though.

Anyone decides on his own whether this is a good or a bad thing.

 

[jmucchiello]

One idea I've had it making a dedicated D&D mini-computer, like a D&D-only Kindle. This "D&D Kindle" would basically be all your books in one - when they do updates, you would automatically download all the revised and new content into it. I wouldn't make the game exclusive to this "D&D Kindle" - you could download it and put it on your home computer/laptop/tablet if you wish.

This idea is about 15-20 years too early. When tablet computers are $50, then maybe you could start working on it.

 

[Upper_Krust]

Technology

While its still fairly early, I'd look into the technology of roll up televisions.

Have Roll-Up TV, Will Travel

I'd love to see some digital roll-up battlemaps that could have infinite dungeons on them as well as sound effects and character movements.

Seems its already been done...

D & D On A Microsoft Surface