Editing Wizards of the Coast (section)

=== Acquisition of TSR and ''Pokémon Trading Card Game'' ===
[[File:Peter Adkison-2007.jpg|right|thumb|180px|[[Peter Adkison]], founder of Wizards of the Coast, at [[Gen Con]] Indy 2007]]

Wizards of the Coast announced the purchase of [[TSR (company)|TSR]], the makers of ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]'', on April 10, 1997.<ref name="briefhistory"/><ref name=":13">{{Cite magazine |last=Brown |first=Janelle |date=April 10, 1997 |title=Disaffected Fans Cheer D&D Buyout |language=en-US |magazine=Wired |url=https://www.wired.com/1997/04/disaffected-fans-cheer-dd-buyout/ |access-date=2021-10-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180623061913/https://www.wired.com/1997/04/disaffected-fans-cheer-dd-buyout/ |archive-date=June 23, 2018 |issn=1059-1028}}</ref><ref name=":14">{{cite web |date=2017-12-27 |title=The Story of D&D Part Two: How Wizards of the Coast Saved Dungeons & Dragons |url=https://nerdist.com/article/the-story-of-dd-part-two-how-wizards-of-the-coast-saved-dungeons-dragons/ |access-date=2021-10-10 |website=Nerdist |language=en |archive-date=May 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220520233638/https://nerdist.com/article/the-story-of-dd-part-two-how-wizards-of-the-coast-saved-dungeons-dragons/ |url-status=live }}</ref> WotC acquired TSR and [[Five Rings Publishing Group]] for $25 million.<ref name="Varney">{{cite news |url=http://www.austinchronicle.com/issues/vol17/issue18/screens.gaming.html |title=The Year in Gaming |access-date=June 3, 2007 |last=Varney |first=Allen |author-link=Allen Varney |newspaper=[[The Austin Chronicle]] |date=May 3, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707190800/http://www.austinchronicle.com/issues/vol17/issue18/screens.gaming.html |archive-date=July 7, 2011}}</ref> As part of the sale, TSR employees were offered an opportunity to relocate from Wisconsin to the west coast.<ref>{{cite web |date=2014-11-25 |title=Dungeons & Dragons: A Journey of Imaginations |url=https://atthelakemagazine.com/dungeons-dragons/ |access-date=2021-05-04 |website=At The Lake Magazine |language=en-US |archive-date=May 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210504141709/https://atthelakemagazine.com/dungeons-dragons/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":14" /> WotC continued using the brand name TSR until 2000 and allowed the trademark to expire in 2004.<ref>{{cite web |date=2017-09-07 |title=1980s space opera RPG Star Frontiers could be about to make a comeback |url=https://www.tabletopgaming.co.uk/news/1980s-space-opera-rpg-star-frontiers-could-be-about-to-make-a-comeback/ |access-date=2021-05-04 |website=Tabletop Gaming |archive-date=May 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210504142246/https://www.tabletopgaming.co.uk/news/1980s-space-opera-rpg-star-frontiers-could-be-about-to-make-a-comeback/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Between 1997 and 1999, the company spun off several TSR campaign settings, including [[Planescape]], [[Dark Sun]], and [[Spelljammer]], to focus the business on the more profitable [[Greyhawk]] and [[Forgotten Realms]] lines.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pc.gamespy.com/articles/539/539972p1.html |title=Magic & Memories: The Complete History of Dungeons & Dragons – Part IV |publisher=[[GameSpy]] |date=August 18, 2004 |access-date=November 8, 2008 |archive-date=December 27, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081227062620/http://pc.gamespy.com/articles/539/539972p1.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In mid 1997, WotC revisited the concept of a third edition of ''Dungeons & Dragons'', having first discussed it soon after the purchase of TSR.<ref name="30 Years">{{cite book |last=Johnson |first=Harold |title=[[30 Years of Adventure: A Celebration of Dungeons & Dragons]] |publisher=Wizards of the Coast |year=2004 |isbn=0-7869-3498-0 |display-authors=etal}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite book |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BfNEDwAAQBAJ&q=art+&pg=PA287 |title=Dungeons and Dragons Art and Arcana: A Visual History |last1=Witwer |first1=Michael |last2=Newman |first2=Kyle |last3=Peterson |first3=Jon |last4=Witwer |first4=Sam |publisher=Ten Speed Press |year=2018 |isbn=9780399580956 |pages=287–324 |chapter=Reincarnation: 3rd Edition |access-date=October 16, 2020 |archive-date=August 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230805044705/https://books.google.com/books?id=BfNEDwAAQBAJ&q=art+&pg=PA287 |url-status=live }}</ref> WotC released the third edition of ''Dungeons & Dragons'' in 2000 with the [[d20 System]].<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{cite web |date=2020-09-15 |title=Will Dungeons & Dragons Get A 6th Edition? |url=https://screenrant.com/dungeons-dragons-6th-edition-dnd-when-coming-update/ |access-date=2021-05-04 |website=[[Screen Rant]] |language=en-US |archive-date=May 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210504150713/https://screenrant.com/dungeons-dragons-6th-edition-dnd-when-coming-update/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The company released these properties under the [[Open Game License]], which allows other companies to make use of those systems.<ref name="briefhistory" />

The new edition of ''Dungeons & Dragons'' won multiple Origins Awards in 2000, such as ''Best Roleplaying Game'' for ''Dungeons & Dragons'' and ''Best Graphic Presentation of a Roleplaying Game, Adventure'', ''or Supplement'' for the ''[[Monster Manual#Dungeons & Dragons 3rd edition|Monster Manual]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.originsgames.com/awards/2000 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081120083801/http://www.originsgames.com/awards/2000 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2008-11-20 |title=2000 - Academy of Adventure Gaming Arts and Design |date=2008-11-20 |access-date=2019-07-08}}</ref> In 2002, WotC sponsored a design contest for which designers could submit proposals to produce a new campaign world to the company. WotC selected "[[Eberron]]", which game designer [[Keith Baker (game designer)|Keith Baker]] submitted, and its first campaign book was released in June 2004.<ref name=":2" /> The ''[[Eberron Campaign Setting]]'' won the 2004 Origins Award for ''Best Role-Playing Supplement''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.originsgames.com/awards/2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081120100526/http://www.originsgames.com/awards/2004 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2008-11-20 |title=2004 - Academy of Adventure Gaming Arts and Design |date=2008-11-20 |access-date=2019-07-08}}</ref> In 2003, WotC released version 3.5 of ''Dungeons & Dragons'' and the d20 system.<ref name="briefhistory" /> The 30th anniversary of the D&D game was celebrated at Gen Con Indy 2004.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ww2.wizards.com/Company/Press/?doc=20040524a |publisher=Wizards of the Coast |title=Celebrate At Gen Con Indy As Dungeons & Dragons Turns 30 |date=May 24, 2004 |access-date=November 8, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090217125441/http://ww2.wizards.com/Company/Press/?doc=20040524a |archive-date=February 17, 2009}}</ref>

==== ''Pokémon TCG'' ====
On August 2, 1997, Wizards of the Coast was granted {{US patent|5662332}} on collectible card games.<ref name="briefhistory"/> In January 1999, WotC began publishing ''[[Pokémon Trading Card Game]]'' after acquiring the rights in August 1998.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wizards.com/Corporate_Info/News_Releases/WotC/Pokemon.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990221060236/http://www.wizards.com/Corporate_Info/News_Releases/WotC/Pokemon.html |title=Wizards Of The Coast Catches Pokémon Trading Card Game Rights! |website=wizards.com |archive-date=February 21, 1999 |date=August 27, 1998 |access-date=June 15, 2019}}</ref><ref name="Minotaur2"/> The game sold nearly 400,000 copies in less than six weeks and sold 10-times more units than initial projections.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_1999_Feb_3/ai_53696127 |title=Pokemon Trading Card Game a Monster Success; Stores Selling Out of Product within Hours of Restocking on Shelves |publisher=Business Services Industry |date=February 3, 1999 |access-date=December 27, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090104212044/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_1999_Feb_3/ai_53696127 |archive-date=January 4, 2009}}</ref> Some sports card series were discontinued in 1999 because so many printers were producing ''Pokémon'' cards.<ref name="GIG"/> The game won the [[National Parenting Center]]'s 1999 Seal of Approval.<ref name="awards"/>

Within a year, WotC had sold millions of copies of the ''Pokémon'' game and the company released a new set that included an instructional [[CD-ROM]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_2000_March_8/ai_60004920 |title=Pokemon Trading Card Game Phenomenon Celebrates One-year Anniversary With Release of Base Set 2; Base Set 2 Makes Learning the Game Easier with Instructional CD-ROM |publisher=Business Services Industry |date=March 8, 2000 |access-date=December 27, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090104152213/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_2000_March_8/ai_60004920 |archive-date=January 4, 2009}}</ref> WotC continued to publish the game until 2003. One of [[Nintendo]]'s affiliates [[The Pokémon Company]] (formerly Pokémon USA) began producing a new edition for the game one day after the last of its agreements with Wizards expired on September 30, 2003. The following  day, WotC filed suit against Nintendo, accusing it of "abandoning a contract with Wizards, the longtime producer and distributor of Pokémon trading-card games, and using Wizards-patented methods and technology to manufacture the games itself".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/stories/2003/10/13/story2.html |title=A suit of cards: Wizards of the Coast sues Nintendo over Pokemon game |first=Eric |last=Engleman |work=Puget Sound Business Journal |date=October 10, 2003 |access-date=December 27, 2008 |archive-date=May 26, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110526091050/http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/stories/2003/10/13/story2.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Cook |first=John |date=2003-10-11 |title=It's Wizards vs. Pokemon as ex-partners square off |url=https://www.seattlepi.com/business/article/It-s-Wizards-vs-Pokemon-as-ex-partners-square-off-1126716.php |access-date=2022-12-29 |website=Seattle Post-Intelligencer |language=en |archive-date=July 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190708075954/https://www.seattlepi.com/business/article/It-s-Wizards-vs-Pokemon-as-ex-partners-square-off-1126716.php |url-status=live }}</ref> The companies resolved the legal action in December 2003 without going to court.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20031229005065/en/Pokemon-USA-Wizards-Coast-Resolve-Dispute |title=Pokemon USA, Inc. and Wizards of the Coast, Inc. Resolve Dispute |publisher=Business Services Industry |date=December 29, 2003 |access-date=December 27, 2008 |archive-date=September 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200918084942/https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20031229005065/en/Pokemon-USA-Wizards-Coast-Resolve-Dispute |url-status=live }}</ref>

==== Retail stores ====
After the company's success in 1999 with ''Pokémon'',<ref name="GIG" /> Wizards of the Coast acquired and expanded The Game Keeper, a US chain of retail gaming stores, eventually changing its name to Wizards of the Coast.<ref name="Standard & Poor's">{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/standardpoors50000stan_1 |title=Standard & Poor's 500 Guide: 2006 Edition |publisher=Standard & Poor's |year=2005 |isbn=978-0-07-146823-7 |chapter=Hasbro Inc.<!--This book does not appear to use page numbers--> |url-access=registration}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=May 4, 1999 |title=Wizards to Buy The Game Keeper |work=[[IGN]] |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/05/05/wizards-to-buy-the-game-keeper |access-date=October 11, 2021 |archive-date=September 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210930174022/https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/05/05/wizards-to-buy-the-game-keeper |url-status=live }}</ref> The company's gaming center in Seattle was closed in March 2001.<ref name="Minotaur1" /> In December 2003, WotC announced it would close all of its stores to allow it concentrate on game design.<ref name="Standard & Poor's" /><ref>{{cite web |last=FREY |first=CHRISTINE |date=2003-12-30 |title=Wizards of the Coast to shut stores |url=https://www.seattlepi.com/business/article/Wizards-of-the-Coast-to-shut-stores-1133361.php |access-date=2021-10-11 |website=seattlepi.com |language=en-US |archive-date=October 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211026023743/https://www.seattlepi.com/business/article/Wizards-of-the-Coast-to-shut-stores-1133361.php |url-status=live }}</ref> The stores were closed in early 2004.<ref name="briefhistory" />