Beyond anything else, i am bummed that those that made the game into what i loved are all going now. Sure, new person might be better, might be worse, but even if they are better, i am still bummed. i really connected with Perkins and J-Craw on a level that is hard to explain, and now they are going.
It is massively illogical, but i just feel cold and disconnected. The Company and I have not seen eye to eye for years now, but i always had the sense that the design team got what was great about the game, now i have to wonder if the new staff will be the same. Time will tell, but I also have some sulking to get out of my system before i find out.
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He/Him. Loooooooooong time Player. The Dark days of the THAC0 system are behind us.
"Hope is a fire that burns in us all If only an ember, awaiting your call To rise up in triumph should we all unite The spark for change is yours to ignite." Kalandra - The State of the World
Honestly, the timing is consistent with either "going out with one last hurrah" or "downsizing the team because of poor performance"... even though they have essentially opposite meanings.
Honestly, the timing is consistent with either "going out with one last hurrah" or "downsizing the team because of poor performance"... even though they have essentially opposite meanings.
Based on what we do know, it seems like both are at play with the recent leadership resignations. Crawford and Perkins are probably both riding quite high right now - great sales numbers, great polling numbers during playtests. From their various interviews and videos throughout the past couple months, they both seem pretty pleased with what they created and are proud of the legacy they are leaving. The fact the article says Wizards is promoting from within is another pretty strong sign that this is more a "last hurrah" situation - Wizards is looking to elevate the rest of the team, showing confidence in their work product under Crawford and Perkins. Chris Cao, on the other hand... his team eliminated, his product mostly shuttered, and very little fanfare surrounding Sigil's going live? All of that points to someone leaving for "poor performance."
I am sure some of the conspiracy folks are going to try and lump all three's leaving as a single event, but the reality is that 5.24 and Sigil were very different products. It happened they were to release at the same time - which makes sense - and one found success and the other failure. But they are still different enough that it is less "three Wizards execs leave!" and more a semi-coincidence that Cao's leaving coincided with Perkins and Crawford.
When a product does not do well in corporations, they tend to remove the executives in charge.
This might be true, but since everything Crawford and Perkins have been in charge of recently has been very successful, it isn't really relevant.
I suggest you look at Hasbro's Quarterly reviews and tell me where D&D is specifically highlighted as a bullet point. I have many years working as a corporate asset, that is a good sign for a business unit. You will find Larian Studio's product mentioned, but that has nothing to do with the core product. Oh well, I'll buy a Beholder ski hat for merch sales that Hasbro should do well (anyone at WotC or a data skimmer looking for a product to make, please make an official D&D one for sale and take my money). But I don't see anything financially stating D&D game itself is doing well. And like I wrote earlier, when a department isn't doing good, the heads get removed. I've seen it and survived corporate restructures for a poorly performing unit. At least their Maps looks good, but that's because the team they are using are gamers and they know what gamers want, so I hope to see that as a bullet point in the future on quarterly earnings.
I'm mixed about this. I'd be glad for a change in direction, and this is the opportunity to make real changes with less attachment to sacred cows etc. Maybe with new heads they'll be brave enough to overhaul some of the aspects that need to be redone. On the other hand, they could go nuts and do something really drastic, when I don't think that's what the game needs. We'll see.
One thing that I know will happen and I know that I'm going to get frustrated by is the constant YouTube suggestions pinging my phone for the next few days as the conspiracy theorists go nuts about how this is the end of D&D - despite it being obvious that this was preplanned because they saw their baby through and now it's time for them to do something else.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
If you're not willing or able to to discuss in good faith, then don't be surprised if I don't respond, there are better things in life for me to do than humour you. This signature is that response.
When a product does not do well in corporations, they tend to remove the executives in charge.
This might be true, but since everything Crawford and Perkins have been in charge of recently has been very successful, it isn't really relevant.
I suggest you look at Hasbro's Quarterly reviews and tell me where D&D is specifically highlighted as a bullet point. I have many years working as a corporate asset, that is a good sign for a business unit. You will find Larian Studio's product mentioned, but that has nothing to do with the core product. Oh well, I'll buy a Beholder ski hat for merch sales that Hasbro should do well (anyone at WotC or a data skimmer looking for a product to make, please make an official D&D one for sale and take my money). But I don't see anything financially stating D&D game itself is doing well. And like I wrote earlier, when a department isn't doing good, the heads get removed. I've seen it and survived corporate restructures for a poorly performing unit. At least their Maps looks good, but that's because the team they are using are gamers and they know what gamers want, so I hope to see that as a bullet point in the future on quarterly earnings.
Hasbro has not released its Q1 2025 financial reports. The Q4 reports specifically state:
“D&D released the first significant update the 5th Edition since 2014 and closed out the year strong with both the new Players Handbook and Dungeon Master’s Guide breaking records for the best-selling D&D books ever.”
I'm mixed about this. I'd be glad for a change in direction, and this is the opportunity to make real changes with less attachment to sacred cows etc. Maybe with new heads they'll be brave enough to overhaul some of the aspects that need to be redone. On the other hand, they could go nuts and do something really drastic, when I don't think that's what the game needs. We'll see.
One thing that I know will happen and I know that I'm going to get frustrated by is the constant YouTube suggestions pinging my phone for the next few days as the conspiracy theorists go nuts about how this is the end of D&D - despite it being obvious that this was preplanned because they saw their baby through and now it's time for them to do something else.
Could be worse, could be 6E conspiracy theories, we are about 4 years away from that. Be interesting to see who are the replacements and what they plan on doing.
Who Will Replace Jeremy Crawford And Chris Perkins On The D&D Team?
"In the immediate future, no one will directly step in to replace Crawford or Perkins. However, Lanzillo mentioned that James Wyatt and Wes Schneider, principal designers who have been part of the D&D team for years, will both have a "bigger place at the table." Lanzillo also mentioned that other designers, including Justice Arman, would also have progressive leadership roles as well.
Although the team is losing a combined 40+ years of experience with Perkins and Crawford's departures, other members of the team have stepped up to serve as the project leads of other projects in recent years. Outside the new core rulebooks, other designers have been listed as the project lead for all of D&D's releases over the past two years.
According to Lanzillo, the D&D team is shifting to match existing team members' strengths. "Right now, we have folks in principal and lead roles that are escalating to take on more responsibility," Lanzillo said. "We're looking at the team and our needs and to figure out how to really construct the team in a way where we can work to everyone's strengths."
The timing of their departure was also deliberate, as both waited for the newly revised core rulebooks to come out before leaving the D&D team. "They wanted to make sure that [the core rulebooks were really successful, that they were setting up all of the future leads for success," Lanzillo said. "That has happened, and they feel really reassured that the folks in place will be able to carry on with the wonderful legacy that they've given us, and then bring their own stuff to the table, which they've already been doing."
Screen Rant also confirmed with Lanzillo that both Perkins and Crawford's departures were on their terms and not part of some wider corporate move. "It's one of those things where you finished a major keystone creative project and you do ask yourself, 'Okay, do I have the next one in me for right now? Do I want to do something a little bit different?'" Lanzillo said. "I think any creative can identify with that."
I read it, not sure I buy what's being sold.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Any time an unfathomably powerful entity sweeps in and offers godlike rewards in return for just a few teensy favors, it’s a scam. Unless it’s me. I’d never lie to you, reader dearest.
Not everything is a matter of portent. I am sure that there will be people who selectively filter events of the coming weeks/months/(heaven help us) years and point to them and say "See! It's what we said all along!" While I'm sure there were things that each of them weren't thrilled about at times or would liked to have done differently, when isn't that true? For anyone at any job. (Or, you know, life in general for that matter.)
I'm going to choose to take them each at their word, and tip my hat in a fond and grateful (if mildly saddened) farewell. Thanks, guys. Others are obviously free to speculate as they will.
The timing of their departure was also deliberate, as both waited for the newly revised core rulebooks to come out before leaving the D&D team. "They wanted to make sure that [the core rulebooks were really successful, that they were setting up all of the future leads for success," Lanzillo said. "That has happened, and they feel really reassured that the folks in place will be able to carry on with the wonderful legacy that they've given us, and then bring their own stuff to the table, which they've already been doing."
Screen Rant also confirmed with Lanzillo that both Perkins and Crawford's departures were on their terms and not part of some wider corporate move. "It's one of those things where you finished a major keystone creative project and you do ask yourself, 'Okay, do I have the next one in me for right now? Do I want to do something a little bit different?'" Lanzillo said. "I think any creative can identify with that."
I read it, not sure I buy what's being sold.
But that is the problem with conspiracy theories, they never require evidence to flourish, only imagination.
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Mother and Cat Herder. Playing TTRPGs since 1989 (She/Her)
The timing of their departure was also deliberate, as both waited for the newly revised core rulebooks to come out before leaving the D&D team. "They wanted to make sure that [the core rulebooks were really successful, that they were setting up all of the future leads for success," Lanzillo said. "That has happened, and they feel really reassured that the folks in place will be able to carry on with the wonderful legacy that they've given us, and then bring their own stuff to the table, which they've already been doing."
Screen Rant also confirmed with Lanzillo that both Perkins and Crawford's departures were on their terms and not part of some wider corporate move. "It's one of those things where you finished a major keystone creative project and you do ask yourself, 'Okay, do I have the next one in me for right now? Do I want to do something a little bit different?'" Lanzillo said. "I think any creative can identify with that."
I read it, not sure I buy what's being sold.
Personally, I am far more likely to believe people that are directly involved than random rumors or hutches from people that have no connection to the subjects at all.
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She/Her Player and Dungeon Master
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Some one didn't read the article
She/Her Player and Dungeon Master
Glady isn't the case here
Beyond anything else, i am bummed that those that made the game into what i loved are all going now.
Sure, new person might be better, might be worse, but even if they are better, i am still bummed.
i really connected with Perkins and J-Craw on a level that is hard to explain, and now they are going.
It is massively illogical, but i just feel cold and disconnected. The Company and I have not seen eye to eye for years now, but i always had the sense that the design team got what was great about the game, now i have to wonder if the new staff will be the same. Time will tell, but I also have some sulking to get out of my system before i find out.
He/Him. Loooooooooong time Player.
The Dark days of the THAC0 system are behind us.
"Hope is a fire that burns in us all If only an ember, awaiting your call
To rise up in triumph should we all unite
The spark for change is yours to ignite."
Kalandra - The State of the World
Considering the timing it will be hard for some not to see this as the proverbial "rats fleeing a sinking ship".
Frankly that’s less likely to be a matter of the timing and more a matter of their preconceptions/desires where the “ship” is concerned.
Honestly, the timing is consistent with either "going out with one last hurrah" or "downsizing the team because of poor performance"... even though they have essentially opposite meanings.
Based on what we do know, it seems like both are at play with the recent leadership resignations. Crawford and Perkins are probably both riding quite high right now - great sales numbers, great polling numbers during playtests. From their various interviews and videos throughout the past couple months, they both seem pretty pleased with what they created and are proud of the legacy they are leaving. The fact the article says Wizards is promoting from within is another pretty strong sign that this is more a "last hurrah" situation - Wizards is looking to elevate the rest of the team, showing confidence in their work product under Crawford and Perkins. Chris Cao, on the other hand... his team eliminated, his product mostly shuttered, and very little fanfare surrounding Sigil's going live? All of that points to someone leaving for "poor performance."
I am sure some of the conspiracy folks are going to try and lump all three's leaving as a single event, but the reality is that 5.24 and Sigil were very different products. It happened they were to release at the same time - which makes sense - and one found success and the other failure. But they are still different enough that it is less "three Wizards execs leave!" and more a semi-coincidence that Cao's leaving coincided with Perkins and Crawford.
This might be true, but since everything Crawford and Perkins have been in charge of recently has been very successful, it isn't really relevant.
pronouns: he/she/they
I suggest you look at Hasbro's Quarterly reviews and tell me where D&D is specifically highlighted as a bullet point. I have many years working as a corporate asset, that is a good sign for a business unit. You will find Larian Studio's product mentioned, but that has nothing to do with the core product. Oh well, I'll buy a Beholder ski hat for merch sales that Hasbro should do well (anyone at WotC or a data skimmer looking for a product to make, please make an official D&D one for sale and take my money). But I don't see anything financially stating D&D game itself is doing well. And like I wrote earlier, when a department isn't doing good, the heads get removed. I've seen it and survived corporate restructures for a poorly performing unit. At least their Maps looks good, but that's because the team they are using are gamers and they know what gamers want, so I hope to see that as a bullet point in the future on quarterly earnings.
I'm mixed about this. I'd be glad for a change in direction, and this is the opportunity to make real changes with less attachment to sacred cows etc. Maybe with new heads they'll be brave enough to overhaul some of the aspects that need to be redone. On the other hand, they could go nuts and do something really drastic, when I don't think that's what the game needs. We'll see.
One thing that I know will happen and I know that I'm going to get frustrated by is the constant YouTube suggestions pinging my phone for the next few days as the conspiracy theorists go nuts about how this is the end of D&D - despite it being obvious that this was preplanned because they saw their baby through and now it's time for them to do something else.
If you're not willing or able to to discuss in good faith, then don't be surprised if I don't respond, there are better things in life for me to do than humour you. This signature is that response.
Hasbro has not released its Q1 2025 financial reports. The Q4 reports specifically state:
“D&D released the first significant update the 5th Edition since 2014 and closed out the year strong with both the new Players Handbook and Dungeon Master’s Guide breaking records for the best-selling D&D books ever.”
-Hasbro’s Fourth Quarter Financial Results Conference Call Management Remarks
Your claims that the quarterly reports do not highlight D&D are nothing short of fiction.
Having them do a farewell video with Todd Kendrick where they share their final thoughts and suffer through one more round of dad jokes would be nice.
She/Her Player and Dungeon Master
Could be worse, could be 6E conspiracy theories, we are about 4 years away from that. Be interesting to see who are the replacements and what they plan on doing.
She/Her Player and Dungeon Master
Also a guy named Greg Bilsland is back at WotC as well.
x.com Greg Bilsland
She/Her Player and Dungeon Master
I can't say I remember anything about him, but he seems to have been around for most of 4th edition and early 5th edition (https://rpggeek.com/rpgdesigner/19115/greg-bilsland)
I read it, not sure I buy what's being sold.
Any time an unfathomably powerful entity sweeps in and offers godlike rewards in return for just a few teensy favors, it’s a scam. Unless it’s me. I’d never lie to you, reader dearest.
Tasha
Not everything is a matter of portent. I am sure that there will be people who selectively filter events of the coming weeks/months/(heaven help us) years and point to them and say "See! It's what we said all along!" While I'm sure there were things that each of them weren't thrilled about at times or would liked to have done differently, when isn't that true? For anyone at any job. (Or, you know, life in general for that matter.)
I'm going to choose to take them each at their word, and tip my hat in a fond and grateful (if mildly saddened) farewell. Thanks, guys. Others are obviously free to speculate as they will.
But that is the problem with conspiracy theories, they never require evidence to flourish, only imagination.
Mother and Cat Herder. Playing TTRPGs since 1989 (She/Her)
Personally, I am far more likely to believe people that are directly involved than random rumors or hutches from people that have no connection to the subjects at all.
She/Her Player and Dungeon Master