The news was shared briefly during the convention and later confirmed in a post on BlueSky.

Lorwyn-Shadowmoor is a distinctive setting within the Magic: The Gathering multiverse, known for its absence of humans and its focus on fae creatures such as Kithkin, Merfolk, Bogarts, and Flamekin. The setting is divided into two contrasting aspects: Lorwyn, a bright and idyllic world of perpetual daylight and midsummer, and Shadowmoor, a darker counterpart where the same creatures take on more sinister roles.

The plane undergoes a cyclical transformation every 300 years, shifting between its Lorwyn and Shadowmoor states. This duality offers a unique backdrop for storytelling and gameplay, with potential for creative mechanics and narrative exploration in the upcoming D&D supplement.

Previous crossovers between Magic: The Gathering and Dungeons & Dragons have introduced new rules and systems to the 5th Edition of D&D, such as the guild mechanics from Ravnica and the piety system from Theros. It remains to be seen what specific elements from Lorwyn-Shadowmoor will be adapted for the tabletop role-playing game, but the setting’s rich lore and dynamic nature suggest opportunities for innovative gameplay.

No release date has been announced, though speculation points to a possible late 2025 or 2026 launch. As more details emerge, fans of both franchises will be watching closely to see how WotC brings the whimsical and dark world of Lorwyn-Shadowmoor to life in the D&D universe.

Not everything Elon acquires turns to shit, but its not for the lack of trying as he recently announced that he is turning his popular car brand Tesla into a cab company with the launch of the Cybercab, a very small and impractical car with no stearing wheel. This was an idea he got while playing the arcade game Crazy Taxi by himself in the $35M compound he bought for his 11 kids and their mothers after watching a documentary about the Waco Siege and thinking it looked cool. Elon is the number one ranked Crazy Taxi player on his Crazy Taxi arcade machine. He is also best Diablo 4 player in the galaxy, and its definitely him playing and not a team of SpaceX interns who are paid in meme coins and ketamine.

In Hasbro’s recent Q3 earnings report, it was revealed that Dungeons & Dragons isn’t performing well. Many speculate that the brand’s future will grow even bleaker once the Baldur’s Gate 3 hype fades and the final season of Stranger Things airs next year. Both properties contributed significantly to the game’s recent boom which got off to a flying start during the pandemic, but the momentum appears to be waning. It’s surely nothing that massive layoffs and AI can’t fix, two things that both Musk and leadership at Hasbro are very fond of. “Dungeons and Dragons fans also love AI, and there has never been any backlash against the use of AI in WOTC products,” said Hasbro CEO Chris Cocks while staring me rabidly in the eyes while holding a shank he made from compressed Magic: The Gathering cards and melted Monopoly game pieces.

It remains to be seen if Chris Cocks will give up his position as CEO of Hasbro in the case of an acquisition or if there is room for two Cocks in the company.

Dixon Dubow played a significant role in building relationships with the community. His contributions were widely recognized amongst content creators as helping Wizards of the Coast maintain strong connections during major events and product releases.

The corporate reorganization remains vague, with concerns about what this means for the future of Wizards of the Coast and its structure. Wizards of the Coast has yet to issue an official statement regarding this development.

This is not the first time Wizards of the Coast has faced significant layoffs in recent years. In December 2023, Hasbro, the parent company of Wizards of the Coast, announced a round of layoffs that affected 1100 staff members, many of whom were part of Wizards of the Coast. This came after an earlier round of 800 layoffs at the beginning of 2023, bringing the total number of positions eliminated last year to over 1900, marking a 20% workforce reduction. The layoffs were part of a broader strategy by Hasbro to navigate financial challenges amid a struggling toy market, while also cutting costs by selling their stake in eOne and closing their Providence, R.I. offices.

During these challenging times, Wizards of the Coast had been a bright spot for Hasbro, with Magic: The Gathering and Dungeons & Dragons seeing significant popularity. However, the recent developments raise questions about the company’s direction and its ability to sustain community-focused initiatives.

Update 24/10

Toybook.com has revealed that Hasbro has announced significant organizational changes as part of its ongoing restructuring efforts.

In a letter to Hasbro employees CEO Chris Cocks stated that less than 100 employees will be affected by a workforce reduction, as WOTC seeks to streamline operations and speed up its product development processes. These changes are aimed at reducing the time to market by at least three months, with a focus on “design to value” according to Cocks.

The letter goes on to say that the restructuring reflects Hasbro’s increasing focus on digital, direct, and technology-driven innovation, with several leadership roles being redefined. You don’t have to read between the lines here to understand that this means that the focus is getting players on D&D Beyond and Sigil while shifting book sales over to digital. Technology-driven innovation also likely refers to projects such as Sigil but also to generative AI which Cocks seems to be a big fan of.

The entire letter can be read over at Toybook.com.

The CFP is modeled after the Pauper Format Panel, which was introduced in 2022, and includes members from the existing Commander Rules Committee and the Commander Advisory Group (CAG). The goal of the CFP is to ensure that the format remains community-driven, with representation from a diverse group of players from different regions and levels of Commander play.

The panel consists of 17 members for its first year, including content creators and community leaders like Josh Lee Kwai, Olivia Gobert-Hicks, and DeQuan Watson. The CFP will work closely with Wizards of the Coast’s design teams, providing feedback on the format’s development and discussing any potential changes. The group will also offer input on major announcements related to Commander before they are made public.

Verhey emphasized that while Wizards will make the final decisions, the CFP’s insights will play an important role in guiding the direction of the format. The panel members have been encouraged to share their opinions publicly and may express differing viewpoints without being bound to support Wizards’ decisions.

One of the panel’s first tasks will be evaluating a proposed bracket system that aims to help players better align their Commander games based on deck power levels. Verhey noted that this project would move forward slowly, allowing the panel sufficient time to provide feedback before any testing takes place. Additionally, the CFP will eventually turn its attention to reviewing the Commander banned card list, though no changes are expected until 2025 at the earliest.

The Pixel Perfect Secret Lair drop, available from October 14 to November 16, features video game-inspired cards like Mana Geyser and Fierce Guardianship. The drop will be available in non-foil for $39.99 and rainbow foil for $49.99, with 50% of proceeds going to Extra Life.

In addition, players can support Extra Life through MTG Arena by purchasing special cosmetics between October 15 and November 15, including the Pixel Ajani Avatar and Sleeve Bundle.

Extra Life 2024 will also feature a Game Day Stream on November 2, with special gameplay events and guest appearances to raise funds for charity. Those attending MagicCon: Las Vegas can participate in charity events and purchase exclusive merchandise, with proceeds going to support Extra Life’s mission.

The controversy centered around the banning of high-profile cards like Jeweled Lotus, Dockside Extortionist, and Mana Crypt, which sparked outrage in the Magic community. The threats prompted the RC to step down, with Wizards now taking full control of the format’s governance.

In a statement released yesterday, Wizards addressed the situation, condemning the threats and emphasizing that personal safety concerns had grown too large for the committee to handle. The company vowed to take action against anyone threatening harm to community members or employees.

Jim Lapage, a member of the Commander RC, shared his disappointment, stating that the transition to Wizards’ control was necessary to ensure both the well-being of the RC members and the ongoing care of the format. Wizards confirmed that while they are assuming responsibility, they intend to work closely with the community and former RC members to continue shaping the format.

As part of this new direction, Wizards is introducing a system to objectively categorize the power levels of Commander decks, with plans to involve the community in its development through an open beta process. The goal is to better balance games and create a shared understanding of power levels within the format.

While many fans called for the removal of the RC, it’s unclear if this outcome is what they envisioned. Wizards has assured the community that the spirit of Commander will remain intact and that further updates will be shared in the coming weeks.

This move marks a significant shift in how Commander will be managed, and it remains to be seen how the format will evolve under Wizards’ stewardship.

The talk started off with Cocks taking credit for the growth of the Magic: The Gathering brand under his leadership, noting an increase from $400 million to $1.1 billion in revenue since he started at Wizards of the Coast eight years ago.

He proudly cited the success of Baldur’s Gate 3 as one of the key reasons for the company’s shift into digital. He also noted that people had been skeptical about the focus on digital games, saying “Could you even extend digitally as you are not Call of Duty or Need for Speed?”. This perspective seemingly overlooks the deep-rooted history of D&D in the digital realm. Notably, the franchise’s digital journey began with the release of Pool of Radiance in 1988, and the enduring success of earlier titles like Baldur’s Gate 1 and 2 set a solid foundation for the latest installment.

The CEO also discussed new releases for WotC, including the release of new games starting in 2026 with a sci-fi IP named “Exodus,” described as D&D in space, and a new D&D game. Cocks goes on to compare Exodus to what Starcraft was to Warcraft. Continuing on, WOTC aims to release 1-2 new digital games per year, having previously stated that the company has invested over $1 billion into digital gaming and that there are 40 video games currently in production.

Cocks also explained that Hasbro aims to broaden MTG and D&D’s reach by incorporating more intellectual properties, with upcoming Final Fantasy and Marvel sets coming to MTG next year, to appeal to diverse audiences, including older demographics and female gamers.

Cocks ended the chat with a rather ominous quote about using AI to revolutionize player engagement, from campaign creation to emergent storytelling.

“Inside of development, we’ve already been using AI. It’s mostly machine-learning-based AI or proprietary AI as opposed to a ChatGPT approach. We will deploy it significantly and liberally internally as both a knowledge worker aid and as a development aid. I’m probably more excited though about the playful elements of AI. If you look at a typical D&D player….I play with probably 30 or 40 people regularly. There’s not a single person who doesn’t use AI somehow for either campaign development or character development or story ideas. That’s a clear signal that we need to be embracing it.

We need to do it carefully, we need to do it responsibly, we need to make sure we pay creators for their work, and we need to make sure we’re clear when something is AI-generated. But the themes around using AI to enable user-generated content, using AI to streamline new player introduction, using AI for emergent storytelling, I think you’re going to see that not just our hardcore brands like D&D but also multiple of our brands.”

Firstly, Cocks’ assertion that all 30-40 D&D players he knows use AI may be more indicative of his immediate circle rather than the broader community. While it’s true that many Dungeon Masters and players do incorporate AI tools, a significant portion of the community remains skeptical or outright opposed to their use. This sentiment has been underscored by multiple controversies and the noticeable backlash against Wizards of the Coast regarding the use of AI.

So there you have it. Chris Cocks isn’t just steering WOTC towards a fully digital future; he also believes that embracing AI in D&D is inevitable. What do you think? Will we all be enjoying D&D as an AI-driven Baldur’s Gate 3 clone in a few years, or will the AI hype bubble burst before that happens? Let us know what you think in the comments below.

Dungeons & Dragons, the once venerable titan of tabletop role-playing games, has embarked on a journey into the digital realm as showcased in the recent D&D Direct event. In fact, CEO of Hasbro Chris Cocks recently stated on CNBC that the company was going all in on digital, and the following quote (not by Cocks) during this year’s D&D direct took the sentiment even further:

We’re starting off on PC, but we want to go everywhere because we want to connect players on mobile, console, and maybe even your fridge.

That statement might be well-meaning, but it does come off a bit tone-deaf. Also, it might not be well-meaning. It might just mean that Hasbro wants to sell you microtransactions on your fridge, but why would they put that in the video?

By going digital Hasbro is looking to distance itself from the company that was once its main competitor, Mattel, whose stock has more than halved since its all-time high in 2013, and has not seen much growth since 2020. Hasbro stock prices have also been sliding since their all-time high in 2019, but is hoping that transitioning from a toy company to a gaming company, or even a tech company might turn that around.

By selling enough monthly subscriptions to D&D Beyond and Project Sigil and microtransactions, the company might try to position itself as a Netflix or Spotify of TTRPGs, effectively using the subscription model to keep users within their own ecosystem. This paired with the fact that there allegedly won’t ever be a new edition of D&D, only updates to the current one, and the whole thing starts smelling like Enshittification is about to happen.

This shift to digital comes with a set of risks and consequences, including opening doors for emerging competitors who adhere more closely to the traditional pen-and-paper format, while also adding a range of digital games to their list of competitors. Players who prefer traditional pen and paper are likely to switch over to competing systems should D&D abandon physical books altogether, while players who prefer digital might choose to play Baldur’s Gate III, World of Warcraft, or Elden Ring instead.

Chasing Profits

Wizards of the Coast’s move towards digitizing D&D does not exist in a vacuum. The overwhelming success of video games like Baldur’s Gate 3, which brings the D&D universe, or rather the Forgotten Realms, to life in a digital format, has set a high bar for engaging audiences in virtual fantasy worlds. This game, developed by Larian Studios, not only captured the essence of D&D in a video game format but also expanded its reach to an audience that might not engage with traditional tabletop games.

In the wake of Baldur’s Gate 3‘s success, WOTC appears to be in a race to not only catch up with but also harness the capabilities of digital platforms to recreate the tabletop experience in a new medium.

However, this rush to digitize has led to some strategic missteps. Many players have noted that in its bid to emulate the success of digital RPGs, WOTC may be overlooking what makes tabletop D&D unique. The tactile feel, the social interaction, and the imaginative demands of traditional D&D are hard to replicate in a digital format. Sure, Virtual Tabletops are useful, but Project Sigil seems to want to be more than just a VTT. As such, WOTC finds itself in a precarious position of chasing the digital tail of its own licensed properties, potentially at the expense of the core attributes that have defined D&D for decades.

Project Sigil is far from Hasbro’s only egg in its digital bucket and has already invested over $1 billion (!!!) into around 40 video games that are currently in production. “We are aggressively investing in that space, seeking the best partners in the world to work with on interesting experiences on every platform, in every genre,” Eugene Evans, Wizards of the Coast’s senior vice president of digital strategy and licensing, told Gamefile.news earlier this year.

Despite Wizards of the Coast’s (WOTC) aggressive pivot towards digital platforms for Dungeons & Dragons, it’s noteworthy that WOTC itself has not directly developed any of the franchise’s successful video games. Instead, acclaimed titles such as the Baldur’s Gate and Icewind Dale series along with Planescape: Torment, developed by Black Isle Studios and later by Larian Studios for Baldur’s Gate 3, have been crafted by external companies with expertise in video game development. This outsourcing has yielded some of the most celebrated RPGs in the video game industry, underscoring an important insight: truly memorable and successful video games are often the result of creative passion rather than a mere pursuit of profits.

D&D Direct heavily emphasized well-known characters like Karlach and Astarion from Baldur’s Gate 3, Drizzt Do’Urden, and even Optimus Prime showcasing their integration into Project Sigil. This focus on well-known characters aligns with the broader narrative that Wizards of the Coast is heavily franchising the D&D universe.

Given that Project Sigil features both simple tokens and more detailed miniatures, it’s reasonable to speculate that while tokens might be available for free or at a lower cost, WOTC is positioning the detailed miniatures as premium, purchasable content. This approach not only taps into the video game industry’s lucrative strategies of selling digital items but also indicates a significant shift in how D&D could be monetized moving forward. Lock users in with the subscription, sell microtransactions.

As Wizards of the Coast adopts strategies from the video game industry, such as premium digital content and microtransactions within Project Sigil and their lineup of upcoming games, Hasbro is entering a new competitive landscape traditionally dominated by established video games like Baldur’s Gate 3, World of Warcraft, Cyberpunk 2077, The Witcher and Elden Ring to name a few. This transition into a digital gaming company exposes WOTC to a broader spectrum of competitors, where players have well-established alternatives that offer rich gaming experiences and developed community engagement.

The pivot could influence players to consider other gaming options available on platforms like Steam, which offers a vast selection of games across various genres. The presence of alternative gaming choices might lead players to assess the value of investing in Project Sigil’s premium content. Why spend money on a digital miniature when you can use that money on a World of Warcraft subscription, the new Elden Ring DLC, or the countless other options available with just a click of the mouse?

Conversely, the traditional segment of D&D’s audience, those who prefer pen-and-paper gameplay, may view WOTC’s digital shift with skepticism. As WOTC integrates more video game-like features into Project Sigil and emphasizes digital products, there is a risk that these traditional players might feel alienated. Concerns that WOTC may eventually scale back or cease the publication of physical books and production of tangible game pieces could deter this audience from engaging with the new digital offerings.

Opening the Gates

The timing of WOTC’s digital pivot is particularly critical as it coincides with a surge in interest in traditional RPG formats, as evidenced by the monumental success of Brandon Sanderson’s Cosmere RPG Kickstarter and the rising popularity of Shadowdark, which won Best Game, Best Rules, Best Design and Product of the Year at the Ennies this year.

The success of Cosmere, which massively exceeded its funding goals, and Shadowdark with its Old-School esthetics and feel, signals a robust market demand for rich, narrative-driven RPG experiences—a demand that WOTC’s digital-first strategy might fail to meet.

Just days after the D&D Direct event, the Cosmere RPG’s Kickstarter campaign concluded, amassing over $15 million from more than 54,000 backers. This overwhelming response underscores a potent interest in expansive, story-rich RPGs that promise both novel content and a return to form in gameplay. The timing of these events is not merely coincidental but indicative of a broader trend where potential players seem to diverge towards offerings that preserve the traditional elements of RPGs.

The RPG market is thus at a crossroads. WOTC’s shift towards digital might inadvertently catalyze a splintering of the market, where new and existing competitors can carve out niches by catering to those who prefer the analog and narrative depth of traditional RPGs. This could reshape the competitive landscape, positioning companies like Paizo, Brotherwise Games, The Arcane Library, and Kobold Press as formidable contenders.

Over the last two years, Wizards has been at the center of controversy, facing allegations that AI tools were utilized to produce some of their official artwork. The FAQ released by the company explains their approach to managing such allegations and emphasizes their preference for handling matters internally to protect the privacy of the artists involved.

According to the FAQ, Wizards of the Coast acknowledges that mistakes have been made in detecting AI-generated art but also notes that instances have occurred where public accusations have misidentified legitimate art as AI-generated, leading to false alarms. The company outlines its reliance on both public and private channels to identify potential issues, with a reiterative process that involves direct communication with the artists.

One of the more notable points in the FAQ addresses the lack of transparency in their processes, a decision Wizards defends by stressing the importance of protecting individual artists from public backlash and harassment. This stance, however, has not satisfied some fans who would prefer more openness and accountability, particularly when it involves artists who might have violated the company’s guidelines.

Wizards of the Coast also reveals that they have employed specific handbooks for artists working on Magic: The Gathering and Dungeons & Dragons, which detail the expectations and prohibitions against using generative AI tools in their artwork.

The FAQ coincides with instances where AI-generated art was identified in promotional materials for Magic: The Gathering, highlighting the challenges and complexities of enforcing these guidelines.

The dialogue around AI art in gaming continues to evolve, and Wizards of the Coast’s recent FAQ is just one step in addressing the broader concerns about the role of AI in creative industries. Whether this will appease the community or lead to further discussions remains to be seen.

Williams, who took the helm at WotC in 2022, replaced Chris Cocks when he was promoted to CEO of Hasbro. She brought to WotC a background from Microsoft, where she managed the Gaming Ecosystem Commercial Team, and prior to that, a tenure at Amazon. Under her leadership, WotC focused on digitizing its major brands and streamlining operations, a strategy laid out in their Blueprint 2.0. A strategy that certainly not all of the tabletop community was happy with.

Her time at WotC was not without its controversies, most notably the mishandling of the Open Gaming License for Dungeons & Dragons which faced backlash from the gaming community. Despite this, Williams also saw through periods of record sales and significant product launches.

Hasbro is actively searching for Williams’ successor, considering both internal and external candidates. The company has expressed its gratitude for Williams’ contributions and looks forward to what she will achieve next. “We’re excited for Cynthia to take the next step in her career and grateful for the contributions she has made,” a Hasbro representative commented.

The resignation comes at a critical time as WotC celebrates the 50th anniversary of Dungeons & Dragons, amidst planning a major reboot of the game’s core rules set to roll out later this year. The transition in leadership will be closely watched by the industry and community alike, as the company aims to maintain its leadership in the ever-evolving world of tabletop gaming.