Editing Wizards of the Coast

{{Short description|American game publisher}}
{{Distinguish|Wizard Entertainment}}
{{Good article}}
{{Use American English|date = March 2019}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2018}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Wizards of the Coast LLC
| logo = Wizards of the coast logo 21.webp
| logo_size = 200
| logo_caption = Logo used since 2021
| type = [[Subsidiary]]
| foundation = {{start date and age|1990}}
| former_name = Wizards of the Coast, Inc.<br />(1990–2009)
| founder = [[Peter Adkison]]
| key_people = {{Unbulleted list|John Hight<br />([[President (corporate title)|President]])|Tim Fields<br />([[Vice-president|VP]], General Manager)|David Schwartz<br />(VP, Digital Publishing)|Timothy O'Hara<br />(SVP, Finance and Operations)}}
| hq_location_city = [[Renton, Washington|Renton]], [[Washington (state)|Washington]]
| hq_location_country = United States<br />{{coord|47|27|53|N|122|13|18|W|scale:10000_type:landmark_region:US-WA|display=title,inline}}
| industry = [[Entertainment]]
| products = {{Unbulleted list|[[Collectible card games]]|[[role-playing games]]|[[Video game industry|video games]]|[[magazines]]}}
| owner = 
| parent = [[Hasbro]] (1999–present)
| subsid = See {{section link||Studios}}
| brands = {{Unbulleted list|''[[Magic: The Gathering]]''|''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]''|''[[Pokémon Trading Card Game]]'' (1999–2003)|''[[Duel Masters Trading Card Game|Kaijudo Trading Card Game]]''}}
| num_employees = 1,000+
| num_employees_year = 2020
| homepage = {{URL|https://company.wizards.com/en|company.wizards.com}}
}}
'''Wizards of the Coast LLC''' ('''WotC''' {{IPAc-en|ˈ|w|ɒ|t|ˌ|s|iː}} or '''Wizards''') is an American game [[Publishing|publisher]], most of which are based on [[fantasy]] and [[List of science fiction themes|science-fiction themes]], and formerly an operator of retail game stores. In 1999, toy manufacturer  [[Hasbro]] acquired the company and currently operates it as a subsidiary.<ref>{{cite web |last=Hasbro |title=About the Company – Hasbro |url=https://corporate.hasbro.com/en-us |access-date=2021-10-11 |website=Hasbro Corporate |language=en |quote=Wizards of the Coast, a subsidiary of Hasbro, is an award-winning developer and publisher of tabletop and digital games best known for MAGIC: THE GATHERING and DUNGEONS & DRAGONS. |archive-date=October 16, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016022040/https://corporate.hasbro.com/en-us |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Subsidiaries of the registrant: HASBRO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES |url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/46080/000119312512072846/d274949dex21.htm |access-date=2021-10-11 |website=www.sec.gov |archive-date=October 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029174429/https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/46080/000119312512072846/d274949dex21.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":16" /> During a February 2021 reorganization of Hasbro, WotC became the lead part of a new division called "Wizards & Digital".<ref name=":9">{{Cite news |last=Ewalt |first=David M. |date=2021-02-25 |title=Dungeons & Dragons Gets a Bigger Role at Hasbro |language=en-US |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/dungeons-dragons-gets-a-bigger-role-at-hasbro-11614254403 |url-status=live |access-date=2021-02-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225172500/https://www.wsj.com/articles/dungeons-dragons-gets-a-bigger-role-at-hasbro-11614254403 |archive-date=2021-02-25 |issn=0099-9660}}</ref><ref name=":15">{{cite web |last=Hoffer |first=Christian |date=February 25, 2021 |title=Wizards of the Coast Gets a Big Promotion at Hasbro |url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/wizards-of-the-coast-dungeons-dragons-magic-hasbro-reorganizatio/ |access-date=2021-02-26 |website=[[ComicBook.com]] |language=en |archive-date=February 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226063241/https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/wizards-of-the-coast-dungeons-dragons-magic-hasbro-reorganizatio/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

WotC was originally a [[role-playing game]] (RPG) publisher that in the mid-1990s originated and popularized [[collectible card game]]s with ''[[Magic: The Gathering]]''. It later acquired [[TSR (company)|TSR]], publisher of the RPG ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]'',  and published the licensed ''[[Pokémon Trading Card Game]]'' from 1999 to 2003. WotC's corporate headquarters is located in [[Renton, Washington]], which is part of the [[Seattle metropolitan area]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Company |url=https://company.wizards.com/en/join |access-date=2022-12-29 |website=Wizards of the Coast |language=en-US |archive-date=December 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221229222152/https://company.wizards.com/en/join |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":0" />

The company publishes RPGs, [[board game]]s, and collectible card games. It has received numerous awards, including several [[Origins Awards]]. The company has also produced sets of sports cards and series for [[association football trading card|association football]], [[baseball card|baseball]], [[basketball card|basketball]] and [[American football card|American football]].

== History ==
[[File:Wizards of the Coast, original logo.jpg|thumb|left|150px|Original logo designed by Rich Kaalaas<ref name=":10" />]]
Wizards of the Coast (WotC) was founded by [[Peter Adkison]] in 1990 outside of [[Seattle, Washington]],<ref name=":2">{{Cite book |title=Designers & Dragons |last=Appelcline |first=Shannon |publisher=Mongoose Publishing |year=2011 |isbn=978-1-907702-58-7 |pages=276–277, 294}}</ref> and its current headquarters is located in nearby [[Renton, Washington|Renton]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/blog/techflash/2015/11/after-45m-sale-wizards-of-the-coast-has-a-new.html |title=After $45M sale, Wizards of the Coast has a new landlord in Renton |last=Stiles |first=Marc |date=November 30, 2015 |website=www.bizjournals.com |access-date=2019-07-08 |archive-date=April 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200403101937/https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/blog/techflash/2015/11/after-45m-sale-wizards-of-the-coast-has-a-new.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The company was named after a guild of wizards in a [[role-playing game]] (RPG) Adkison was playing.<ref name=":10">{{cite web |last1=Kaalaas |first1=Rich |last2=Adkison |first2=Peter |date=August 29, 2019 |title=The Story Behind the Wizards of the Coast Logo & Name |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psiKoGi9H8U |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211031/psiKoGi9H8U |archive-date=2021-10-31 |url-status=live |website=YouTube |publisher=[[Gen Con]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref> The company published RPGs such as the third edition of ''[[Talislanta]]'' and its own product ''[[The Primal Order]]'' (1992).<ref name=":2" /> ''The Primal Order'' was a supplement designed for use with any game system,<ref name="FRGB">{{cite book |last=Fannon |first=Sean Patrick |author-link=Sean Patrick Fannon |year=1999 |title=[[The Fantasy Roleplaying Gamer's Bible]] |edition=2nd |publisher=Obsidian Studios |isbn=0-9674429-0-7 |pages=151, 154}}</ref> but [[Palladium Books]] sued WotC for using references to Palladium's game and system.<ref name="Minotaur1">{{cite web |url=http://archive.salon.com/tech/feature/2001/03/23/wizards/print.html |title=Death to the Minotaur: Part 1 |access-date=September 1, 2006 |last=Tynes |first=John |author-link=John Scott Tynes |date=March 23, 2001 |work=Salon |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060823043008/http://archive.salon.com/tech/feature/2001/03/23/wizards/print.html |archive-date=August 23, 2006}}</ref> The suit was settled in 1993.<ref name="briefhistory">{{cite web |url=http://www.rpg.net/columns/briefhistory/briefhistory1.phtml |title=Wizards of the Coast: 1990 – present |access-date=September 1, 2006 |last=Appelcline |first=Shannon |date=August 3, 2006 |work=A Brief History of Game |publisher=RPGnet |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060824022118/http://www.rpg.net/columns/briefhistory/briefhistory1.phtml |archive-date=August 24, 2006}}</ref>

In 1991, [[Richard Garfield]] approached WotC with the idea for a new board game called ''[[RoboRally]]'' but Adkison rejected it because the game would have been too expensive to produce.<ref name="GIG">{{cite book |last=Tinsman |first=Brian |year=2003 |title=The Game Inventor's Guidebook |publisher=[[Krause Publications]] |isbn=0-87349-552-7 |pages=11–12, 18, 63, 76}}</ref> Adkison asked Garfield if he could invent a game that was portable and quick-playing, and Garfield agreed.<ref name="GIG"/><ref name="MILLER">{{Citation |last=Miller |first=John Jackson |title=Scrye Collectible Card Game Checklist & Price Guide |year=2001 |page=520 |postscript=.}}</ref>

Adkison set up a new corporation called Garfield Games to develop Garfield's [[collectible card game]] concept into ''[[Magic: The Gathering]]''. The new company sheltered the game from the legal battle with Palladium. Garfield Games then licensed the production and sale rights to WotC until the court case was settled, at which point Garfield Games was shut down. WotC debuted ''Magic: The Gathering'' in July 1993 at [[Origins Game Fair]] in [[Dallas]].<ref name="Minotaur1"/> The following month, the game was extremely popular at [[Gen Con]], selling out of its supply of 2.5&nbsp;million cards, which had been planned to last until the end of the year.<ref name="GIG"/> The game's success generated revenue that grew the company in two years from a few employees working in Adkison's basement headquarters to 250 employees in its own offices.<ref name="briefhistory"/> In 1994, ''Magic: The Gathering'' won the [[Mensa International|Mensa]] Top Five Mind Games award,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mindgames.us.mensa.org/manufacturer/past_winners.php |title=American Mensa mind games past winners |publisher=Mind Games |access-date=December 27, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081220094028/http://mindgames.us.mensa.org/manufacturer/past_winners.php |archive-date=December 20, 2008}}</ref> and the [[Origins Award]]s for Best Fantasy or Science Fiction Board Game of 1993 and Best Graphic Presentation of a Board Game of 1993.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.originsgamefair.com/awards/1993/list-of-winners |title=Origins Award Winners (1993) |publisher=Academy of Adventure Gaming Arts & Design |access-date=November 1, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071106005056/http://www.originsgamefair.com/awards/1993/list-of-winners |archive-date=November 6, 2007}}</ref>

In 1994, WotC began an association with The Beanstalk Group, a brand-licensing agency and consultancy, to license the brand  ''Magic: The Gathering''.<ref name="Minotaur2">{{cite web |url=http://archive.salon.com/tech/feature/2001/03/26/wizards_part2/index.html |title=Death to the Minotaur: Part 2 |access-date=September 1, 2006 |last=Tynes |first=John |author-link=John Scott Tynes |date=March 23, 2001 |work=Salon |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060705225115/http://archive.salon.com/tech/feature/2001/03/26/wizards_part2/index.html |archive-date=July 5, 2006}}</ref> After the success of ''Magic: The Gathering'', in 1994, WotC published ''[[RoboRally]]'', which won the 1994 Origins Awards for Best Fantasy or Science Fiction Board Game and Best Graphic Presentation of a Board Game.<ref name="awards">{{cite web |url=http://ww2.wizards.com/Company/Awards/ |title=Awards |publisher=Wizards of the Coast |access-date=November 8, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081106205309/http://ww2.wizards.com/Company/Awards/ |archive-date=November 6, 2008}}</ref> Also in 1994, WotC also expanded its RPG line by buying ''[[SLA Industries]]'' from [[Nightfall Games]] and ''[[Ars Magica]]'' from [[White Wolf, Inc.|White Wolf]].<ref name="briefhistory"/> In 1995, WotC published ''[[The Great Dalmuti]]'', another card game by Richard Garfield, which won the 1995 Mensa Best New Mind Game award.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mensamindgames.com/about/winning-games/ |title=Mensa Select Games |website=American Mensa's Mind Games |access-date=2019-07-08 |archive-date=April 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190422164011/https://mensamindgames.com/about/winning-games/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In August 1995, WotC released ''[[Everway]]'' before closing its RPG product line four months later. In 1995, Wizards' annual sales passed US$65 million.<ref>{{cite book |title=Visions of Schooling: Conscience, Community, and Common Education |last=Salomone |first=Rosemary C. |year=2002 |publisher=Yale University Press |isbn=978-0-300-09350-6 |page=144}}</ref>

=== 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" />

=== Acquisition by Hasbro ===
In September 1999, toy manufacturer [[Hasbro]] bought Wizards of the Coast for about US$325 million.<ref name=":16">{{cite web |url=https://money.cnn.com/1999/09/09/deals/hasbro/ |title=Hasbro gets the Wizard |date=September 9, 1999 |website=CNN Money |access-date=2019-07-08 |archive-date=April 15, 2002 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020415013324/https://money.cnn.com/1999/09/09/deals/hasbro/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":4">{{cite web |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-07-07/hasbro-s-free-magic-the-gathering-arena-official-launch-is-2019 |title=Move Over Monopoly: Hasbro's Next Big Growth Engine Is Magic |last=Deaux |first=Joe |date=July 7, 2019 |website=Bloomberg |access-date=2019-07-08 |archive-date=November 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108015604/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-07-07/hasbro-s-free-magic-the-gathering-arena-official-launch-is-2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Avalon Hill]], which Hasbro had purchased in mid-1998, was made a division of WotC in late 1999.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jLqXM3U_pzEC&q=avalon+hill+subsidiary+1999&pg=PA53 |title=Encyclopedia of Play in Today's Society |last=Carlisle |first=Rodney |publisher=SAGE Publications |year=2009 |isbn=9781452266107 |pages=53 |access-date=October 16, 2020 |archive-date=August 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230805044542/https://books.google.com/books?id=jLqXM3U_pzEC&q=avalon+hill+subsidiary+1999&pg=PA53 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":1">{{cite web |url=http://boardgames.about.com/od/companies/a/hasbro_history.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080415170800/http://boardgames.about.com/od/companies/a/hasbro_history.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=2008-04-15 |title=Hasbro - Brief History |date=2008-04-15 |access-date=2019-07-08}}</ref> In November 1999, WotC announced [[Gen Con]] would leave Milwaukee after the 2002 convention.<ref name="Miller2002">{{cite news |last=Miller II |first=Stanley A. |date=August 3, 2002 |title=Gen gone: Next year, gamers will be draggin' their tales to Indiana prairie |work=[[Journal Sentinel]] |url=http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=63415 |access-date=December 17, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070809193643/http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=63415 |archive-date=August 9, 2007}}</ref> Also in November, Vince Caluori became President of WotC.<ref>{{cite web |date=November 17, 1999 |title=Vince Caluori promoted to president of WoTC |url=http://www.sfwa.org/News/caluori.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060925014626/http://www.sfwa.org/News/caluori.htm |archive-date=September 25, 2006 |access-date=November 3, 2008 |publisher=Fantasy and Science Fiction News}}</ref>

On January 1, 2001, Peter Adkison resigned from WotC.<ref name="briefhistory"/> In August 2001, the company, which had been a semi-independent division of Hasbro, was consolidated into Hasbro's game division. According to trade magazine ''[[ICv2]]'': "this is seen as a loss of autonomy for WotC by most. The Hasbro release specified that despite the consolidation at the management level, WotC will continue to operate out of its Seattle offices."<ref>{{cite web |date=August 29, 2001 |title=Hasbro Clips WotC's Wings |url=https://icv2.com/articles/games/view/668/hasbro-clips-wotcs-wings |access-date=2021-10-11 |website=icv2.com |language=en |archive-date=October 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211026232148/https://icv2.com/articles/games/view/668/hasbro-clips-wotcs-wings |url-status=live }}</ref> Between 2001 and 2002, Hasbro sold [[Origins Game Fair]] to [[Game Manufacturers Association]] (GAMA),<ref name="briefhistory" /> and in May 2002, it sold Gen Con to Peter Adkison.<ref name="gamespy1">{{cite web |last=Bub |first=Andrew S. |date=July 26, 2003 |title=Interview with Peter Adkison |url=http://archive.gamespy.com/articles/july03/gencon2003/adkison/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041221062714/http://archive.gamespy.com/articles/july03/gencon2003/adkison/index2.shtml |archive-date=December 21, 2004 |access-date=June 21, 2007 |publisher=[[GameSpy]] |df=mdy}}</ref>

=== 2000–2010 ===

In 2000, Wizards of the Coast introduced the [[Open Game License]] (OGL), which allowed the production of a wide range of unofficial commercial [[derivative work]]s based on the [[game mechanics|mechanics]] of ''Dungeons and Dragons'';<ref>{{Cite web |last=Walsh |first=Kit |date=2023-01-10 |title=Beware the Gifts of Dragons: How D&D's Open Gaming License May Have Become a Trap for Creators |url=https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2023/01/beware-gifts-dragons-how-dds-open-gaming-license-may-have-become-trap-creators |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230112003746/https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2023/01/beware-gifts-dragons-how-dds-open-gaming-license-may-have-become-trap-creators |archive-date=2023-01-12 |access-date=2023-01-12 |website=[[Electronic Frontier Foundation]] |language=en}}</ref> it is credited with increasing the market share of d20 products<ref name=":103">{{Cite journal |last1=Demil |first1=Benoît |last2=Lecocq |first2=Xavier |date=2014-05-15 |title=The Rise and Fall of an Open Business Model |url=https://journals.openedition.org/rei/5803 |journal=Revue d'économie industrielle |language=en |issue=146 |pages=85–113 |doi=10.4000/rei.5803 |s2cid=145373814 |issn=0154-3229 |access-date=January 12, 2023 |archive-date=January 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111172412/https://journals.openedition.org/rei/5803 |url-status=live |doi-access=free }}</ref> and leading to a "boom in the RPG industry in the early 2000s".<ref name=":93">{{Cite journal |last1=Seaman |first1=Christopher B. |last2=Tran |first2=Thuan |date=2022 |title=Intellectual Property and Tabletop Games |url=https://ilr.law.uiowa.edu/print/volume-107-issue-4/intellectual-property-and-tabletop-games/ |journal=[[Iowa Law Review]] |volume=107 |issue=4 |pages=1615–1683 |access-date=January 12, 2023 |archive-date=January 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111112235/https://ilr.law.uiowa.edu/print/volume-107-issue-4/intellectual-property-and-tabletop-games/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Chuck Huebner became president and CEO of Wizards of the Coast in June 2002.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/stories/2003/03/10/story4.html |title=Focusing Wizards: CEO puts Wizards of the Coast under a corporate spell |last=Lang Jones |first=Jeanne |date=March 9, 2003 |website=www.bizjournals.com |access-date=2019-07-08 |archive-date=January 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125034100/https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/stories/2003/03/10/story4.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thestreet.com/story/10026106/1/hasbro-fires-exec-claiming-embezzlement.html |title=Hasbro Fires Exec, Claiming Embezzlement |last=Arango |first=Tim |date=2002-06-06 |website=TheStreet |language=en |access-date=2019-07-08 |archive-date=July 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190708192838/https://www.thestreet.com/story/10026106/1/hasbro-fires-exec-claiming-embezzlement.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2003, the company employed 850 people.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.seattlepi.com/business/article/It-s-Wizards-vs-Pokemon-as-ex-partners-square-off-1126716.php |title=It's Wizards vs. Pokemon as ex-partners square off |last1=Cook |first1=John |last2=Reporter |first2=Seattle Post-Intelligencer |date=2003-10-11 |website=seattlepi.com |access-date=2019-07-08 |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>

Throughout the early 2000s, WotC won multiple [[Origins Award]]s, including: 2001 ''Best Role-Playing Game Supplement'' (''[[Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting#3rd edition|Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting]])'' and the ''Best Game Related Novel'' (''Clan War 7th Scroll: The Lion);'' 2002 ''Best Role-Playing Adventure'' (''[[City of the Spider Queen]]''); 2005 ''Collectible Card Game or Expansion of the Year'' (''[[Ravnica: City of Guilds]]'' expansion for ''Magic: The Gathering'') and ''Gamer's Choice Best Historical Game of the Year'' (''Axis and Allies Collectible Miniatures Game''), and the 2006 ''Miniature or Miniatures Line of the Year'' (''Colossal Red Dragon'').<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.originsgames.com/awards/2001 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081120094703/http://www.originsgames.com/awards/2001 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2008-11-20 |title=2001 - Academy of Adventure Gaming Arts and Design |date=2008-11-20 |access-date=2019-07-08}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.originsgamefair.com/awards/2002 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516074720/http://www.originsgamefair.com/awards/2002 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2008-05-16 |title=2002 - Academy of Adventure Gaming Arts and Design |date=2008-05-16 |access-date=2019-07-08}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.originsgames.com/awards/2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081120083041/http://www.originsgames.com/awards/2005 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2008-11-20 |title=2005 - Academy of Adventure Gaming Arts and Design |date=2008-11-20 |access-date=2019-07-08}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.originsgamefair.com/aagad/awards/winners |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080511222136/http://www.originsgamefair.com/aagad/awards/winners |url-status=dead |archive-date=2008-05-11 |title=33rd Annual Origins Awards Winners - Academy of Adventure Gaming Arts and Design |date=2008-05-11 |access-date=2019-07-08}}</ref> It also won the 2002 Gold [[ENnies|Ennie Award]] for "Best Publisher"<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ennie-awards.com/history/2002.asp |title=The ENnie Awards -- 2002 Awards |website=www.ennie-awards.com |access-date=19 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090803184456/http://www.ennie-awards.com/history/2002.asp |archive-date=3 August 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref> and the 2006 Silver Ennie Award for "Fan's Choice for Best Publisher".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ennie-awards.com/history/2006.asp |title=The ENnie Awards -- 2006 Awards |website=www.ennie-awards.com |access-date=19 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090720101730/http://www.ennie-awards.com/history/2006.asp |archive-date=20 July 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 2002, Wizards of the Coast's periodicals department was spun off; WotC outsourced its magazines by licensing ''[[Dungeon (magazine)|Dungeon]]'', ''[[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]]'', ''[[Polyhedron (magazine)|Polyhedron]]'', and ''[[Amazing Stories]]'' to [[Paizo Publishing]].<ref name="briefhistory" /><ref>{{cite press release |url=http://ww2.wizards.com/Company/Misc/Index.aspx?doc=pr_20020708b |title=Wizards of the Coast Signs Exclusive Publishing Agreement With Paizo Publishing, LLC To Produce Top Hobby Industry Magazines |publisher=Wizards of the Coast |date=July 8, 2002 |access-date=January 4, 2008 |location=Renton, Washington |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071223034609/http://ww2.wizards.com/Company/Misc/Index.aspx?doc=pr_20020708b |archive-date=December 23, 2007}}</ref> The license expired in September 2007 and WotC began publishing the magazines online.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://paizo.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/Store.woa/23/wa/browse?path=paizo/news/v5748eaic9kh0&wosid=1AIO0gcKkNHbmSRwSHYOQM |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120713123711/http://paizo.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/Store.woa/23/wa/browse?path=paizo/news/v5748eaic9kh0&wosid=1AIO0gcKkNHbmSRwSHYOQM |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 13, 2012 |title=Paizo Publishing to Cease Publication of ''Dragon'' and ''Dungeon'' |publisher=[[Paizo Publishing]] |date=April 19, 2007 |access-date=December 27, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Magazine Publishers of America |title=Defunct or Suspended Magazines 2007 |work=MPA Website:The Definitive Source of the Magazine Industry |publisher=Magazine Publishers of America |year=2003 |url=http://www.magazine.org/research/finance_and_operations/finance_operations_trends_and_magazine_handbook/20924.aspx |access-date=February 5, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080922183611/http://www.magazine.org/research/finance_and_operations/finance_operations_trends_and_magazine_handbook/20924.aspx |archive-date=September 22, 2008}}</ref> In 2003, WotC released [[Dungeons & Dragons Miniatures Game|''Dungeons & Dragons'' miniatures]]; collectible, painted, plastic miniature games. In 2004, the company added a licensed ''[[Star Wars]]'' line. In April 2004, Loren Greenwood succeeded Huebner as the subsidiary's president.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://old.seattletimes.com/html/businesstechnology/2001905788_bizbriefs17.html |title=Business Digest: Boeing issues new round of layoff notices |date=April 17, 2004 |website=Seattle Times |access-date=2019-07-08 |archive-date=July 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190708192840/http://old.seattletimes.com/html/businesstechnology/2001905788_bizbriefs17.html |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://icv2.com/articles/games/view/4684/loren-greenwood-named-new-wotc-president |title=Loren Greenwood Named New WotC President |date=April 20, 2004 |website=ICv2 |language=en |access-date=2019-07-08 |archive-date=July 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190708191034/https://icv2.com/articles/games/view/4684/loren-greenwood-named-new-wotc-president |url-status=live }}</ref> Also in 2004, Avalon Hill became a subsidiary of WotC.<ref name=":1" />

In early 2006, WotC filed a lawsuit against Daron Rutter, who was the administrator of the website MTG Salvation.<ref name="WOTC Legal">{{cite press release |url=http://ww2.wizards.com/Company/Misc/Index.aspx?doc=pr_20060119a |title=Wizards Of The Coast Takes Legal Action |access-date=September 2, 2006 |date=January 19, 2006 |location=Renton, Wash. |publisher=Wizards of the Coast |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070101135631/http://ww2.wizards.com/Company/Misc/Index.aspx?doc=pr_20060119a |archive-date=January 1, 2007}}</ref> The lawsuit said Rutter publicly posted confidential prototypes of upcoming ''Magic: The Gathering'' card sets to the MTG Salvation forums,<ref name="WOTC Legal" /> ten months before the cards were to be released.<ref name="L&O">{{cite web |url=http://www.wizards.com/magic/Magazine/Article.aspx?x=mtgcom/daily/mr233 |title=Law & Order |author=Rosewater, Mark |work=[[Magicthegathering.com]] |publisher=Wizards of the Coast |access-date=December 31, 2008 |date=June 19, 2006 |author-link=Mark Rosewater |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090603030814/https://www.wizards.com/Magic/Magazine/Article.aspx?x=mtgcom%2Fdaily%2Fmr233 |archive-date=June 3, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://icv2.com/print/article/8879 |title=WotC Settles Suit With Fan |website=icv2.com |language=en |access-date=2019-07-08 |archive-date=July 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190708182324/https://icv2.com/print/article/8879 |url-status=live }}</ref> The lawsuit was settled out of court, according to [[Mark Rosewater]].<ref name="L&O" />

Greg Leeds succeeded Greenwood as president and CEO of WotC in March 2008.<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://ww2.wizards.com/Company/Press/?doc=20080313 |title=Greg Leeds Joins as New Head of Wizards of the Coast |access-date=November 3, 2008 |date=March 13, 2008 |location=Renton, Wash. |publisher=Wizards of the Coast |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081228025655/http://ww2.wizards.com/Company/Press/?doc=20080313 |archive-date=December 28, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://icv2.com/articles/games/view/12229/new-wotc-president |title=New WotC President |date=March 13, 2008 |website=icv2.com |language=en |access-date=2019-07-08 |archive-date=July 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190708191008/https://icv2.com/articles/games/view/12229/new-wotc-president |url-status=live }}</ref> On June 6, 2008, Wizards released the fourth edition of ''Dungeons & Dragons'', and began introducing fourth-edition online content in ''Dragon'' and ''Dungeon'' magazines.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ww2.wizards.com/Company/Press/?doc=20080606 |title=Dungeons & Dragons 4th Edition Rulebooks Now Available |date=June 6, 2008 |access-date=November 8, 2008 |publisher=Wizards of the Coast |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080614235355/http://ww2.wizards.com/Company/Press/?doc=20080606 |archive-date=June 14, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/d-d-4th-edition-called-forth-from-fiery-pit-5013974 |title=D&D 4th Edition Called Forth From Fiery Pit |last=Fahey |first=Mike |date=June 8, 2008 |website=Kotaku |language=en-US |access-date=2019-07-08 |archive-date=July 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190708180847/https://kotaku.com/d-d-4th-edition-called-forth-from-fiery-pit-5013974 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/103321-Unboxing-the-New-D-D-Red-Box |title=Unboxing the New D&D Red Box {{!}} The Escapist |website=www.escapistmagazine.com |date=September 8, 2010 |language=en |access-date=2019-07-08 |archive-date=July 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190708180847/http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/103321-Unboxing-the-New-D-D-Red-Box |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mysanantonio.com/lifestyle/article/Dungeons-Dragons-lasting-magic-793124.php |title=Dungeons & Dragons' lasting magic |last=Olivo |first=Benjamin |date=2010-03-19 |website=San Antonio Express-News |access-date=2019-07-08 |archive-date=July 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190708180848/https://www.mysanantonio.com/lifestyle/article/Dungeons-Dragons-lasting-magic-793124.php |url-status=live }}</ref>{{overcite|date=March 2024|reason=Does this sentence really need four citations?}}

Throughout the 2000s, WotC released new editions of ''Magic: The Gathering''. In 2009, WotC announced a new edition called ''[[Magic: The Gathering core sets, 2009–2015#Magic 2010|Magic 2010]],'' which coincided with the first major rules change to ''Magic'' since the ''[[Magic: The Gathering core sets, 1993–2007#Revised Edition|Revised Edition]]'' was released in 1994.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.coolstuffinc.com/a/magic-2010-rules-changes-reactions-analysis |title=Magic 2010 Rules Changes - Reactions & Analysis {{!}} Article by Leaf |website=www.coolstuffinc.com |access-date=2019-07-09 |archive-date=July 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190709153908/https://www.coolstuffinc.com/a/magic-2010-rules-changes-reactions-analysis |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.wired.com/2009/07/2010-core-set-returns-magic-the-gathering-to-its-fantasy-roots/ |title=2010 Core Set Returns Magic: The Gathering to its Fantasy Roots |date=2009-07-03 |magazine=Wired |access-date=2019-07-09 |issn=1059-1028}}</ref>

By 2008, the company employed over 300 people<ref name="About">{{cite web |title=About Wizards |url=http://ww2.wizards.com/Company/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060903072837/http://ww2.wizards.com/Company/ |archive-date=September 3, 2006}}</ref> and went through a restructuring.<ref>{{cite web |date=August 20, 2008 |title=Restructuring at WotC |url=https://icv2.com/articles/games/view/13126/restructuring-wotc |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100106194129/http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/13126.html |archive-date=January 6, 2010 |access-date=2021-09-17 |website=icv2.com |language=en}}</ref> On April 6, 2009, WotC suspended all sales of its products for the ''Dungeons & Dragons'' games in PDF format from places such as [[OneBookShelf]], and its online storefronts RPGNow and [[DriveThruRPG]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://icv2.com/articles/games/view/14693/wotc-ends-pdf-download-sales |title=WotC Ends PDF Download Sales |website=icv2.com |language=en |access-date=2019-07-08 |archive-date=January 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125031532/https://icv2.com/articles/games/view/14693/wotc-ends-pdf-download-sales |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://icv2.com/articles/games/view/14726/wizards-coast-ceo-greg-leeds-pdfs |title=Wizards of the Coast CEO Greg Leeds on PDFs - An ICv2 Interview |date=April 10, 2009 |website=ICv2 |language=en |access-date=2019-07-08 |archive-date=August 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200811130740/https://icv2.com/articles/games/view/14726/wizards-coast-ceo-greg-leeds-pdfs |url-status=live }}</ref> The company launched a lawsuit against eight people to prevent future copyright infringement of its books, including fourth-edition ''Dungeons & Dragons'' products that were sold through these places, and all older editions PDFs of the game.<ref>{{cite press release |last=Thorburn |first=Tolena |url=http://ww2.wizards.com/Company/Press/?doc=20090406 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120801184713/http://ww2.wizards.com/Company/Press/?doc=20090406 |title=Wizards of the Coast sues eight for copyright infringement |publisher=Wizards of the Coast |date=April 6, 2009 |archive-date=August 1, 2012 |access-date=May 16, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://icv2.com/articles/games/view/14690/wizards-sues-eight |title=Wizards Sues Eight |website=icv2.com |language=en |access-date=2019-07-08 |archive-date=August 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200811124311/https://icv2.com/articles/games/view/14690/wizards-sues-eight |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== 2010–2020 ===
[[File:Wizards of the Coast logo.svg|right|thumb|180px|Wizards of the Coast logo from 2010 to 2021]]

In 2012, [[Ethan Gilsdorf]] writing for ''[[The New York Times]]'' reported sales of ''Dungeons & Dragons'' products had slumped.<ref name=":5" /> Despite the company not releasing sales figures, analysts and gaming experts noted sales had been declining.<ref name=":5">{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/10/arts/video-games/dungeons-dragons-remake-uses-players-input.html |title=Dungeons & Dragons Remake Uses Players' Input |last=Gilsdorf |first=Ethan |date=2012-01-09 |work=The New York Times |access-date=2019-07-09 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=January 10, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120110182243/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/10/arts/video-games/dungeons-dragons-remake-uses-players-input.html |url-status=live }}</ref> That year, WotC announced a public playtest to develop a new edition of ''Dungeons & Dragons'' called ''[[D&D Next]]''.<ref name=":5" /><ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://newsfeed.time.com/2012/01/11/diy-dd-dungeons-dragons-crowdsources-the-classic-game/ |title=DIY D&D: Dungeons & Dragons Crowdsources the Classic Game |last=Locker |first=Melissa |magazine=Time |access-date=2019-07-09 |language=en-US |issn=0040-781X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.wired.com/2012/01/5th-edition-dungeons-and-dragons/ |title=5th Edition D&D Is in Development -- Should We Care? |last=Harnish |first=M. J. |date=2012-01-09 |magazine=Wired |access-date=2019-07-09 |issn=1059-1028}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.wired.com/2012/05/d-d-update-mike-mearls/ |title=Where Is D&D Headed Next? An Update with Mike Mearls ... And the Public Playtest Begins |last=Gilsdorf |first=Ethan |date=2012-05-22 |magazine=Wired |access-date=2019-07-09 |issn=1059-1028}}</ref> The 5th edition of ''Dungeons & Dragons'' was released on July 15, 2014, with the ''[[Dungeons & Dragons Starter Set#Starter Set|Dungeons & Dragons Starter Set]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2014/8/11/5991925/dungeons-and-dragons-5th-edition-gives-freedom-back-to-the-dungeon |title=Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition gives freedom back to the Dungeon Master |last=Hall |first=Charlie |date=2014-08-11 |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |access-date=2019-07-08 |archive-date=July 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190708172017/https://www.polygon.com/2014/8/11/5991925/dungeons-and-dragons-5th-edition-gives-freedom-back-to-the-dungeon |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://boingboing.net/2014/12/09/the-awesome-glory-that-is-dung.html |title=The awesome glory that is Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition / Boing Boing |website=boingboing.net |date=December 9, 2014 |access-date=2019-07-08 |archive-date=July 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190708172017/https://boingboing.net/2014/12/09/the-awesome-glory-that-is-dung.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://diehardgamefan.com/2014/07/04/unboxing-the-dd-starter-set-dungeons-dragons-fifth-editiondd-next/ |title=Unboxing the D&D Starter Set (Dungeons & Dragons Fifth Edition/D&D Next) |last=Lucard |first=Alex |date=July 4, 2014 |website=Diehard Gamefan |language=en-US |access-date=2019-07-08 |archive-date=July 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190708172021/http://diehardgamefan.com/2014/07/04/unboxing-the-dd-starter-set-dungeons-dragons-fifth-editiondd-next/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2014, 126,870 units of the ''Dungeons & Dragons Starter Set'' were sold, and in 2018, 306,670 units of the product were sold.<ref name=":7">{{Cite news |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2019-07-08/how-to-be-a-professional-dungeons-dragons-master-hosting-games |title=The Rise of the Professional Dungeon Master |last=Pilon |first=Mary |date=July 8, 2019 |work=Bloomberg |access-date=July 9, 2019 |archive-date=July 10, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190710004711/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2019-07-08/how-to-be-a-professional-dungeons-dragons-master-hosting-games |url-status=live }}</ref>

Throughout the 2010s, WotC and its products continued to earn awards. This included multiple 2015 [[Origins Award]]s, such as: ''Role-Playing Game Fan Favorite'' (''Dungeon & Dragons: [[Player's Handbook#Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition|Players Handbook]]''), ''Role-Playing Supplement'' ''Fan Favorite'' (''Dungeon & Dragons: [[Monster Manual#Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition|Monster Manual]]''), and ''Collectible Card Game'' (''Magic the Gathering'': ''[[Khans of Tarkir]]'').<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.originsgamefair.com/origins-awards-winners |title=Origins Awards Winners |website=Origins Game Fair |language=en-US |access-date=2019-07-09 |archive-date=July 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190709024358/https://www.originsgamefair.com/origins-awards-winners |url-status=dead}}</ref> WotC won the 2015 Gold [[ENnies|Ennie Award]] for "Fan's Choice for Best Publisher"<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ennie-awards.com/blog/about-us/2015-ennie-award-winners/ |title=2015 ENnie Award Winners &#124; ENnie Awards |website=www.ennie-awards.com |access-date=15 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190831054410/http://www.ennie-awards.com/blog/about-us/2015-ennie-award-winners/ |archive-date=31 August 2019 |url-status=dead}}</ref> and won the 2017 Gold Ennie Awards for "Fan's Choice for Best Publisher".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ennie-awards.com/blog/about-us/2017-noms-and-winners |title=2017 Noms and Winners &#124; ENnie Awards |website=www.ennie-awards.com |access-date=15 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190823074115/http://www.ennie-awards.com/blog/about-us/2017-noms-and-winners |archive-date=23 August 2019 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 2014, [[20th Century Fox]] acquired the screen rights to ''Magic: The Gathering'' to produce a movie series with [[Simon Kinberg]] attached to the project.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2014/film/news/fox-developing-a-magic-the-gathering-movie-1201053456/ |title=Fox Developing a 'Magic: the Gathering' Movie |last=Kroll |first=Justin |date=2014-01-13 |website=Variety |language=en |access-date=2019-07-08 |archive-date=July 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190709004713/https://variety.com/2014/film/news/fox-developing-a-magic-the-gathering-movie-1201053456/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2014/1/14/5306658/20th-century-fox-developing-magic-the-gathering-movie-series |title=Magic: The Gathering film series on the cards for 20th Century Fox |last=Pitcher |first=Jenna |date=2014-01-14 |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |access-date=2019-07-08 |archive-date=July 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190708233220/https://www.polygon.com/2014/1/14/5306658/20th-century-fox-developing-magic-the-gathering-movie-series |url-status=live }}</ref> Also in 2014, WotC filed a lawsuit against [[Cryptozoic Entertainment]] and Hex Entertainment alleging their online card game ''[[Hex: Shards of Fate]]'' was a clone of ''Magic: The Gathering''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/wizards-of-the-coast-is-suing-someone-for-cloning-magic-1576546829 |title=Wizards Of The Coast Is Suing Someone For Cloning Magic: The Gathering |last=LeJacq |first=Yannick |website=Kotaku |date=May 14, 2014 |language=en-US |access-date=2019-07-08 |archive-date=July 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190708233221/https://kotaku.com/wizards-of-the-coast-is-suing-someone-for-cloning-magic-1576546829 |url-status=live }}</ref> The three companies agreed to a settlement the following year.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/254889/16_months_on_Wizards_of_the_Coast_settles_Hex_Shards_of_Fate_lawsuit.php |title=16 months on, Wizards of the Coast settles Hex: Shards of Fate lawsuit |last=Kerr |first=Chris |website=www.gamasutra.com |date=September 29, 2015 |language=en |access-date=2019-07-08 |archive-date=July 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190708233220/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/254889/16_months_on_Wizards_of_the_Coast_settles_Hex_Shards_of_Fate_lawsuit.php |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2015, it was reported an estimated 20 million people played ''Magic: The Gathering'' and that the game had tournaments, a professional league, and a weekly organized game program called [[Friday Night Magic]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/jul/10/magic-the-gathering-pop-culture-hit-where-next |title=How Magic: The Gathering became a pop-culture hit – and where it goes next |last=Duffy |first=Owen |date=2015-07-10 |work=The Guardian |access-date=2019-07-08 |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=February 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204180206/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/jul/10/magic-the-gathering-pop-culture-hit-where-next |url-status=live }}</ref>

Since the release of the 5th edition, WotC has published more than twenty ''Dungeon & Dragons'' books, including new [[List of Dungeons & Dragons rulebooks#Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition|rulebooks, campaign guides and adventure modules]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/imprints/WC/wizards-coast/books |title=Books {{!}} Wizards of the Coast |website=Penguin Random House Canada |language=en |access-date=2019-07-08 |archive-date=July 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190708173128/https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/imprints/WC/wizards-coast/books |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2019/07/dungeons-and-dragons-next.html |title=Dungeons & Dragons Expands Its Line with Three New Releases |last=Kunzelman |first=Cameron |date=July 3, 2019 |website=Paste Magazine |language=en |access-date=2019-07-08 |archive-date=July 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190708173136/https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2019/07/dungeons-and-dragons-next.html |url-status=live }}</ref> According to ''[[The Seattle Times]]'', 2017 had "the most number of players in its history".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/life/lifestyle/behind-the-scenes-of-the-making-of-dungeons-dragons/ |title=Behind the scenes of the making of Dungeons & Dragons |last=Brodeur |first=Nicole |date=2018-05-04 |website=[[The Seattle Times]] |language=en-US |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180513132519/https://www.seattletimes.com/life/lifestyle/behind-the-scenes-of-the-making-of-dungeons-dragons/ |archive-date=13 May 2018 |access-date=2020-02-25}}</ref> Writing for ''[[Bloomberg Businessweek|Bloomberg]]'', [[Mary Pilon]] reported sales of the 5th edition of ''Dungeon & Dragons'' rose 41 percent in 2017 compared to the year before, and in 2018 rose another 52 percent. Pilon also said  in 2017, nine million people watched others play ''D&D'' on the video-sharing platform [[Twitch (service)|Twitch]].<ref name=":7" />

In 2016, WotC partnered with [[OneBookShelf]] to create an online community-content platform called [[Dungeon Masters Guild]] (DMsGuild) that allowed creators to make and sell content using WotC's properties. Users of DMsGuild could also purchase earlier editions of ''Dungeon & Dragons'' as PDFs and as [[Print on demand|print-on-demand]] books.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/d-ds-dungeon-masters-guild-wants-players-to-monetize-fa-1784518350 |title=D&D's Dungeon Masters Guild Wants Players To Monetize Fan Content |last=D'Anastasio |first=Cecilia |website=Kotaku |date=July 29, 2016 |language=en-US |access-date=2019-07-08 |archive-date=July 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190708175300/https://kotaku.com/d-ds-dungeon-masters-guild-wants-players-to-monetize-fa-1784518350 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://venturebeat.com/2018/07/29/the-d20-beat-the-dms-guild-is-a-fantastic-way-for-dd-to-resurrect-old-settings/ |title=The D20 Beat: The DM's Guild is a fantastic way for D&D to resurrect old settings |date=2018-07-29 |website=VentureBeat |language=en-US |access-date=2019-07-08 |archive-date=October 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029050705/https://venturebeat.com/2018/07/29/the-d20-beat-the-dms-guild-is-a-fantastic-way-for-dd-to-resurrect-old-settings/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dmsguild.com/about.php |title=About Us |website=Dungeon Masters Guild |access-date=2019-07-08 |archive-date=June 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190630191143/https://www.dmsguild.com/about.php |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2016, Chris Cocks replaced Greg Leeds as president of WotC.<ref>{{cite press release |title=Hasbro Announces New Leadership for Wizards of the Coast |url=http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160411006121/en/ |location=Pawtucket, R.I. |publisher=Hasbro |agency=Business Wire |date=April 11, 2016 |access-date=September 7, 2016}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{cite web |url=http://www.rentonreporter.com/business/wizards-of-the-coast-brings-a-bit-of-magic-to-renton/ |title=Wizards of the Coast brings a bit of Magic to Renton |last=McFadden |first=Adam |date=2012-06-27 |website=Renton Reporter |language=en-US |access-date=2019-07-08 |archive-date=July 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190708170851/http://www.rentonreporter.com/business/wizards-of-the-coast-brings-a-bit-of-magic-to-renton/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.geekwire.com/2018/little-kid-president-company-wizards-coast-leader-stays-ever-evolving-game/ |title=From little kid to president of the company, Wizards of the Coast leader stays in the ever-evolving game |date=2018-10-30 |website=GeekWire |language=en-US |access-date=2019-07-08 |archive-date=July 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190708170849/https://www.geekwire.com/2018/little-kid-president-company-wizards-coast-leader-stays-ever-evolving-game/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2016/10/19/13334400/dungeons-and-dragons-movie-director-script |title=The next D&D movie has a very low bar to clear |last=Hall |first=Charlie |date=2016-10-19 |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |access-date=2019-07-08 |archive-date=July 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190708170847/https://www.polygon.com/2016/10/19/13334400/dungeons-and-dragons-movie-director-script |url-status=live }}</ref> Giaco Furino writing for ''[[Vice Media|Vice]]'' reported high tensions over deadlines at the company.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/i-spent-a-gloriously-geeky-day-with-the-makers-of-dungeons-dragons/ |title=I Spent a Gloriously Geeky Day with the Makers of Dungeons & Dragons |last=Furino |first=Giaco |date=2016-09-12 |website=Vice |language=en-US |access-date=2019-07-09 |archive-date=July 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190709003641/https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/4w5xxp/i-spent-a-gloriously-geeky-day-with-the-makers-of-dungeons-dragons |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2019, WotC became a member of the [[Entertainment Software Association]].<ref>{{cite web |date=2019-08-07 |title=Video Game Industry Commitments to Further Inform Consumer Purchases |url=https://www.theesa.com/perspectives/video-game-industry-commitments-to-further-inform-consumer-purchases/ |access-date=2020-10-19 |website=Entertainment Software Association |language=en-US |archive-date=October 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022112046/https://www.theesa.com/perspectives/video-game-industry-commitments-to-further-inform-consumer-purchases/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Lopez |first=Ule |date=2019-02-11 |title=ESA is Joined by SEGA, Riot Games, THQ Nordic, and Other Publishers |url=https://www.vgr.com/sega-riot-games-thq-nordic-esa/ |access-date=2020-10-19 |website=VGR |language=en |archive-date=January 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111095320/https://www.vgr.com/sega-riot-games-thq-nordic-esa/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In April 2019, WotC announced the appointment of gaming-industry veteran [[James Ohlen]] as the head of its new studio in [[Austin, Texas]]; in January 2020 the new studio was revealed to be [[Archetype Entertainment]].<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Wizards of the Coast Opens New Austin Studio |magazine=Variety |date=24 April 2019 |url=https://variety.com/2019/gaming/news/wizards-of-the-coast-james-ohlen-1203196523/ |access-date=24 April 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2020-01-31-ex-bioware-vets-working-on-story-driven-sci-fi-game-at-new-wizards-of-the-coast-studio |title=Ex-BioWare vets working on story-driven sci-fi game at new Wizards of the Coast studio |first=Matt |last=Wales |date=January 31, 2020 |access-date=February 13, 2020 |work=[[Eurogamer]] |archive-date=September 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200916080210/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2020-01-31-ex-bioware-vets-working-on-story-driven-sci-fi-game-at-new-wizards-of-the-coast-studio |url-status=live }}</ref> In June 2019, internet-streaming service [[Netflix]] announced WoTC would work with [[Russo brothers|Anthony and Joe Russo]] to create an animated series based on the mythology of ''Magic: The Gathering''. The Russo brothers were [[executive producer]]s on the series, with writers [[Henry Gilroy]] and [[Jose Molina (writer)|Jose Molina]] as [[showrunner]]s, and [[Bardel Entertainment]] worked on animation.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2019/6/3/18648018/magic-the-gathering-netflix-series-joe-anthony-russo |title=The directors of Avengers: Endgame are adapting Magic: The Gathering for Netflix |last=Patches |first=Matt |date=2019-06-03 |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |access-date=2019-07-09 |archive-date=July 2, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190702103253/https://www.polygon.com/2019/6/3/18648018/magic-the-gathering-netflix-series-joe-anthony-russo |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.newsweek.com/sandman-magic-gathering-witcher-every-major-fantasy-adaptation-coming-netflix-ahead-1446893 |title=Sandman, Magic the Gathering, The Witcher: Every major fantasy adaptation coming to Netflix ahead of 'streaming wars' with Disney and Apple |last=Joyner |first=Alfred |date=July 7, 2019 |website=Newsweek |language=en |access-date=2019-07-09 |archive-date=July 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190709005119/https://www.newsweek.com/sandman-magic-gathering-witcher-every-major-fantasy-adaptation-coming-netflix-ahead-1446893 |url-status=live }}</ref> In July 2019, Joe Deaux reported in ''[[Bloomberg Businessweek|Bloomberg]]'': "''Magic'' is part of the [Hasbro's] 'franchise brands', a segment that accounted for $2.45 billion in net revenue for the company last year".<ref name=":4" /> According to Chris Cocks, ''Magic'' accounted for a "meaningful portion" of that sum and KeyBanc estimated the game's contribution was more than $500 million of the franchise brands.<ref name=":4" />

In 2019, WotC released a ''[[Hearthstone]]'' competitor called ''[[Magic: The Gathering Arena]]'', which is a [[free-to-play]] [[digital collectible card game]] with [[microtransaction]] purchases. It had been In open [[beta testing]] since September 2018.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://venturebeat.com/2018/09/19/magic-the-gathering-arena-open-beta-test-september-27/ |title=Magic: The Gathering — Arena launches open beta test September 27 |date=2018-09-19 |website=VentureBeat |language=en-US |access-date=2019-07-09 |archive-date=September 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924213630/https://venturebeat.com/2018/09/19/magic-the-gathering-arena-open-beta-test-september-27/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.destructoid.com/magic-arena-adds-a-battle-season-pass-gets-it-all-wrong-with-daily-xp-caps-559855.phtml |title=Magic: Arena adds a battle/season pass, gets it all wrong with daily XP caps |last=Carter |first=Chris |date=July 6, 2019 |website=Destructoid |language=en |access-date=2019-07-09 |archive-date=November 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108002350/https://www.destructoid.com/magic-arena-adds-a-battle-season-pass-gets-it-all-wrong-with-daily-xp-caps-559855.phtml |url-status=live }}</ref> Brett Andress, an analyst at [[KeyBanc Capital Markets]], predicted ''Magic: The Gathering Arena'' would boost earnings by at least 20 percent.<ref name=":4" />

=== 2020–present ===
In February 2020, during a Hasbro [[earnings call]], CEO [[Brian Goldner]] said Wizards of the Coast was delivering positive results and that Hasbro  planned to double WotC's revenues between 2018 and 2023.<ref name=":11" /> He also reported revenues from ''Magic: The Gathering'' had increased by over 30 percent; ''[[Magic: The Gathering Arena]]'' had a strong first year and ''Dungeons & Dragons'' revenues grew for the seventh consecutive year.<ref name=":11">{{cite web |url=https://www.fool.com/earnings/call-transcripts/2020/02/11/hasbro-inc-has-q4-2019-earnings-call-transcript.aspx |title=Hasbro Inc (HAS) Q4 2019 Earnings Call Transcript |last=Motley Fool Transcribers |date=2020-02-11 |website=[[The Motley Fool]] |language=en |access-date=2020-02-12 |archive-date=February 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200212203742/https://www.fool.com/earnings/call-transcripts/2020/02/11/hasbro-inc-has-q4-2019-earnings-call-transcript.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":83">{{Cite news |last=Parvini |first=Sarah |date=January 13, 2021 |title=Turning to Dungeons & Dragons to escape a real life monster — COVID-19 |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-01-13/online-d-d-provides-relief-covid-19-pandemic |url-status=live |access-date=February 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210113145241/https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-01-13/online-d-d-provides-relief-covid-19-pandemic |archive-date=January 13, 2021}}</ref> ''Dungeons & Dragons'' virtual play increased by 86 percent during 2020, due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref name=":83"/>

On June 1, 2020, after the [[murder of George Floyd]], WotC released a statement in support of its Black fans, employees, and community members.<ref name=":17">{{Cite news |date=June 22, 2020 |title='Racist' and 'culturally offensive' images pulled from hugely popular trading card game |language=en-US |newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/06/22/racist-culturally-offensive-images-pulled-hugely-popular-trading-card-game/ |access-date=2022-05-05 |issn=0190-8286 |archive-date=June 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200623142000/https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/06/22/racist-culturally-offensive-images-pulled-hugely-popular-trading-card-game/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Kotaku June 2020">{{cite web |last=Parrish |first=Ash |date=June 10, 2020 |title=Wizards Of The Coast Bans 7 Racist Magic: The Gathering Cards |url=https://kotaku.com/wizards-of-the-coast-bans-7-racist-magic-the-gathering-1843987502 |access-date=2020-06-11 |website=Kotaku |language=en-us |archive-date=October 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020165145/https://kotaku.com/wizards-of-the-coast-bans-7-racist-magic-the-gathering-1843987502 |url-status=live }}</ref> This provoked a backlash; multiple open letters that criticized the company for its treatment of [[people of color]], and documenting issues Black and Brown community members had taken with the company's actions were published.<ref name=":17" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=June 23, 2020 |title='Magic: The Gathering' pulls racist playing cards from popular game |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/nation-world/sns-nyt-magic-the-gathering-racist-cards-20200623-4462otdcjrbdjlxfotric2lqt4-story.html |access-date=2022-05-05 |website=Chicago Tribune |language=en |archive-date=May 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220505023844/https://www.chicagotribune.com/nation-world/sns-nyt-magic-the-gathering-racist-cards-20200623-4462otdcjrbdjlxfotric2lqt4-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2020-06-25 |title="Magic: The Gathering" entfernt rassistische Spielkarten |language=de |trans-title="Magic: The Gathering" removes racist playing cards |work=Der Spiegel |url=https://www.spiegel.de/netzwelt/games/magic-the-gathering-entfernt-rassistische-spielkarten-a-155a7795-dcfa-4721-bfd9-2323b5e321ff |access-date=2022-05-12 |issn=2195-1349 |archive-date=May 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220512172231/https://www.spiegel.de/netzwelt/games/magic-the-gathering-entfernt-rassistische-spielkarten-a-155a7795-dcfa-4721-bfd9-2323b5e321ff |url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[The New York Times]]'', ''[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]'', and ''[[Kotaku]]'' reported following this criticism, WotC banned seven ''Magic: The Gathering'' cards that were deemed racially offensive from tournament-sanctioned play.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Pietsch |first=Bryan |date=2020-06-22 |title='Magic: The Gathering' Pulls Racist Playing Cards From Popular Game |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/22/us/magic-the-gathering-racist-cards.html |access-date=2020-08-20 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=July 31, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731072325/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/22/us/magic-the-gathering-racist-cards.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Kotaku June 2020" /><ref name=":12">{{cite web |last=Hall |first=Charlie |date=2020-06-10 |title=Racist Magic: The Gathering cards banned, removed from database by publisher |url=https://www.polygon.com/2020/6/10/21287154/racist-magic-the-gathering-cards-banned-removed-from-database-wizards-apology |access-date=2020-06-11 |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |language=en |archive-date=January 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210129143036/https://www.polygon.com/2020/6/10/21287154/racist-magic-the-gathering-cards-banned-removed-from-database-wizards-apology |url-status=live }}</ref> The ''D&D'' team announced it would be changing portions of its fifth-edition product line that fans had criticized for being insensitive, such as racist portrayals of a fictional people known as the [[Vistani]], and races [[Dungeons & Dragons controversies#Humanoids and monsters|characterized as monstrous and evil]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Limbong |first=Andrew |date=June 29, 2020 |title='Dungeons & Dragons' Tries To Banish Racist Stereotypes |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/live-updates-protests-for-racial-justice/2020/06/29/884824236/dungeons-dragons-tries-to-banish-racist-stereotypes |access-date=2020-07-25 |website=[[NPR]] |language=en |archive-date=July 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730061246/https://www.npr.org/sections/live-updates-protests-for-racial-justice/2020/06/29/884824236/dungeons-dragons-tries-to-banish-racist-stereotypes |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Parrish |first=Ash |date=June 23, 2020 |title=Wizards Of The Coast Will Finally Address Racist Stereotypes In Dungeons And Dragons |url=https://kotaku.com/wizards-of-the-coast-will-finally-address-racist-stereo-1844133956 |access-date=2020-07-26 |website=Kotaku |language=en-us |archive-date=August 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806005513/https://kotaku.com/wizards-of-the-coast-will-finally-address-racist-stereo-1844133956 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Elliott |first=Josh K. |date=June 25, 2020 |title='Dungeons & Dragons' to change 'evil' races due to racial stereotypes |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/7103563/dungeons-dragons-evil-race-stereotypes/ |access-date=2020-07-26 |website=[[Global News]] |language=en |archive-date=July 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200729074222/https://globalnews.ca/news/7103563/dungeons-dragons-evil-race-stereotypes/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The company also announced plans to change character creation to broaden the range of character types and adding a sensitivity disclaimer to some legacy products that include cultures inspired by Asia, [[Mesoamerica]], and the Middle East.<ref>{{cite web |date=2020-07-10 |title=Dungeons & Dragons Adds Cultural Sensitivity Warnings to Legacy Titles |url=https://www.cbr.com/dungeons-dragons-cultural-sensitivity-warnings-legacy-titles/ |access-date=2020-07-25 |website=[[Comic Book Resources]] |language=en-US |archive-date=July 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200714075423/https://www.cbr.com/dungeons-dragons-cultural-sensitivity-warnings-legacy-titles/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Blum |first=Jeremy |date=2020-07-11 |title='Dungeons & Dragons' Book 'Oriental Adventures' Receives A Sensitivity Disclaimer |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/dungeons-and-dragons-oriental-adventures-disclaimer_n_5f089048c5b6480493cf760f |access-date=2020-07-25 |website=HuffPost |language=en |archive-date=July 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725203912/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/dungeons-and-dragons-oriental-adventures-disclaimer_n_5f089048c5b6480493cf760f |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Hall |first1=Charlie |last2=Polo |first2=Susana |date=2020-06-25 |title=The game and comics industries are grappling with widespread allegations of harassment and abuse |url=https://www.polygon.com/2020/6/25/21302341/video-game-tabletop-game-comics-allegations-harassment-abuse-racism-metoo |access-date=2020-06-26 |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |language=en |archive-date=May 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518175230/https://www.polygon.com/2020/6/25/21302341/video-game-tabletop-game-comics-allegations-harassment-abuse-racism-metoo |url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[The Washington Post]]'' reported the tabletop community has widely approved of these changes,<ref>{{cite news |last=Modak |first=Sebastian |date=July 24, 2020 |title=Amid a pandemic and a racial reckoning, 'D&D' finds itself at an inflection point |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/2020/07/24/amid-pandemic-racial-reckoning-dd-finds-itself-an-inflection-point/ |access-date=2020-07-25 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |language=en |archive-date=July 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730213415/https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/2020/07/24/amid-pandemic-racial-reckoning-dd-finds-itself-an-inflection-point/ |url-status=live }}</ref> although ''[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]'' criticized some of the change attempts as often feeling "like lip service".<ref>{{Cite magazine |title=Dungeons, Dragons, and Diversity |language=en-us |magazine=Wired |url=https://www.wired.com/story/dungeons-dragons-diversity/ |access-date=2020-12-31 |issn=1059-1028}}</ref>

During its 2021 Investor Event, Hasbro announced the company would be reorganized into three divisions: Consumer Products, Entertainment, and Wizards & Digital.<ref name=":9" /><ref name=":15" /> The announcement was paired with a rebrand including a new logo and refreshed website for WotC.<ref>{{cite web |date=February 26, 2021 |title=Wizards Of The Coast Gets New Logo and Look Amidst Hasbro Shakeup |url=https://mtgrocks.com/wizards-of-the-coast-redesign/ |website=MTG Rocks |access-date=February 26, 2021 |archive-date=February 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226120247/https://mtgrocks.com/wizards-of-the-coast-redesign/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Griepp |first=Milton |date=February 26, 2021 |title=WotC Makes More Money than Hasbro's Toy Business |url=https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/47698/wotc-makes-more-money-hasbros-toy-business |access-date=2021-02-26 |website=[[ICv2]] |language=en |archive-date=February 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226194302/https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/47698/wotc-makes-more-money-hasbros-toy-business |url-status=live }}</ref> Also in 2021, WotC opened a new video-game studio, whose first project was a high-budget game based on the ''[[G.I. Joe]]'' franchise.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.kotaku.com.au/2021/09/wizards-of-the-coasts-new-studio-is-hiring-for-its-aaa-g-i-joe-game/ |website=[[Kotaku]] |access-date=October 10, 2021 |date=September 27, 2021 |title=Wizards Of The Coast's New Studio Is Hiring For Its AAA G.I. Joe Game |archive-date=October 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211010132003/https://www.kotaku.com.au/2021/09/wizards-of-the-coasts-new-studio-is-hiring-for-its-aaa-g-i-joe-game/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/wizards-of-the-coast-aaa-studio-gi-joe-game/ |first=Christian |last=Hoffer |title=Wizards of the Coast Launches New AAA Game Studio, Working on GI Joe Game |website=[[ComicBook.com]] |access-date=October 10, 2021 |date=September 26, 2021 |archive-date=October 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211010132006/https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/wizards-of-the-coast-aaa-studio-gi-joe-game/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2022, Chris Cocks became CEO of Hasbro and Cynthia Williams replaced him as president of Wizards & Digital.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 2, 2022 |title=Wizards of the Coast Names New Leadership |url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/wizards-of-the-coast-cynthia-williams-tim-fields/ |access-date=2022-02-03 |website=[[ComicBook.com]] |language=en |archive-date=February 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220203033216/https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/wizards-of-the-coast-cynthia-williams-tim-fields/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=February 2, 2022 |title=Hasbro Appoints New Leadership for Wizards of the Coast |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/press-releases/2022-02-02/hasbro-appoints-new-leadership-for-wizards-of-the-coast |access-date=February 2, 2022 |website=Bloomberg |type=[[Press release]] |archive-date=February 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220203033212/https://www.bloomberg.com/press-releases/2022-02-02/hasbro-appoints-new-leadership-for-wizards-of-the-coast |url-status=live }}</ref> In June 2022, Hasbro defeated a board challenge from [[activist investor]] Alta Fox Capital Management LLC.,<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-06-07 |title=Hasbro Fends Off Activist Alta Fox's Push for Board Shake-Up |language=en |work=Bloomberg.com |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-06-07/hasbro-is-said-to-fend-off-activist-s-push-for-board-shake-up |access-date=2022-06-08 |archive-date=June 24, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220624224552/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-06-07/hasbro-is-said-to-fend-off-activist-s-push-for-board-shake-up |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Whitten |first=Sarah |date=2022-06-08 |title=Dungeons & Dragons maker Hasbro wins board battle against activist investor Alta Fox |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2022/06/08/dungeons-dragons-maker-hasbro-wins-board-battle-against-activist-investor.html |access-date=2022-06-08 |website=CNBC |language=en |archive-date=June 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220608195336/https://www.cnbc.com/2022/06/08/dungeons-dragons-maker-hasbro-wins-board-battle-against-activist-investor.html |url-status=live }}</ref> a [[hedge fund]] company that owned a 2.5 percent stake in Hasbro and had wanted to spin out WotC<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 31, 2022 |title=An epic proxy battle comes to Hasbro |url=https://www.npr.org/2022/05/31/1102294858/an-epic-proxy-battle-comes-to-hasbro |access-date=June 8, 2022 |website=The Indicator from Planet Money |publisher=[[NPR]] |language=en |format=Transcript |archive-date=June 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220608074235/https://www.npr.org/2022/05/31/1102294858/an-epic-proxy-battle-comes-to-hasbro |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Whitten |first=Sarah |date=2022-05-18 |title=Hasbro slams activist investor's proposed board directors as proxy battle heats up |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2022/05/18/hasbro-slams-activist-investors-proposed-board-directors-amid-proxy-battle.html |access-date=2022-06-08 |website=CNBC |language=en |archive-date=June 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220608195337/https://www.cnbc.com/2022/05/18/hasbro-slams-activist-investors-proposed-board-directors-amid-proxy-battle.html |url-status=live }}</ref> into a separate company to create what it saw as "more value by making a second publicly traded company with a more profitable line of business".<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 8, 2022 |title=Hasbro Board of Directors Re-Elected, Defeats Attempt to Spin Out Wizards of the Coast |url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/hasbro-board-directors-election-wizards-of-the-coast-alta-fox/ |access-date=June 8, 2022 |website=[[ComicBook.com]] |language=en |archive-date=June 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220608153813/https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/hasbro-board-directors-election-wizards-of-the-coast-alta-fox/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In July 2022, WotC announced it was establishing another new video-game studio called Skeleton Key, which would focus on [[AAA (video game industry)|AAA]] games and would be headed by Christian Dailey, formerly of [[BioWare]].<ref name=":18">{{Cite web |last=Dinsdale |first=Ryan |date=2022-07-26 |title=Wizards of the Coast Sets Up a Video Game Studio Led By Dragon Age Producer |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/wizards-of-the-coast-sets-up-a-video-game-studio-led-by-dragon-age-producer |access-date=2022-07-26 |website=[[IGN]] |language=en |archive-date=July 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220726235214/https://www.ign.com/articles/wizards-of-the-coast-sets-up-a-video-game-studio-led-by-dragon-age-producer |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=July 26, 2022 |title=Wizards of the Coast Announces New Video Game Studio Led by Former BioWare Director |url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/wizards-of-the-coast-skeleton-key-video-games-christian-dailey/ |access-date=July 26, 2022 |website=[[ComicBook.com]] |language=en |archive-date=July 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220726171619/https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/wizards-of-the-coast-skeleton-key-video-games-christian-dailey/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In April 2022, Hasbro acquired the digital toolset and game companion [[D&D Beyond]] from [[Fandom (website)|Fandom]],<ref name=":72">{{Cite web |last=Vlessing |first=Etan |date=2022-04-13 |title=Hasbro Buys D&D Beyond for $146.3M in Gaming Expansion |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/hasbro-buys-dd-beyond-for-146-3m-in-gaming-expansion-1235129523/ |access-date=2022-04-14 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |language=en-US |archive-date=April 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220417093724/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/hasbro-buys-dd-beyond-for-146-3m-in-gaming-expansion-1235129523/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":82">{{Cite web |last=Vanjani |first=Karishma |title=Hasbro Pushes for Digital Growth of Dungeons & Dragons With $146M Acquisition |url=https://www.barrons.com/articles/hasbro-stock-dungeons-dragons-beyond-acquisition-51649875679 |access-date=2022-04-14 |website=www.barrons.com |language=en-US |archive-date=April 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220419153244/https://www.barrons.com/articles/hasbro-stock-dungeons-dragons-beyond-acquisition-51649875679 |url-status=live }}</ref> and transferred control to WotC the following month.<ref name=":92">{{Cite web |date=April 22, 2022 |title=Change of D&D Beyond Ownership |url=http://www.dndbeyond.com/posts/1234-change-of-d-d-beyond-ownership |access-date=2022-05-11 |website=D&D Beyond |language=en-us |type=[[Press release]] |archive-date=May 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220514224222/https://www.dndbeyond.com/posts/1234-change-of-d-d-beyond-ownership |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":102">{{Cite web |last=Zambrano |first=J. R. |date=2022-05-11 |title=D&D Beyond Officially Changes Hands May 18th |url=https://www.belloflostsouls.net/2022/05/dd-beyond-officially-changes-hands-may-18th.html |access-date=2022-05-11 |website=Bell of Lost Souls |language=en |archive-date=October 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005170011/https://www.belloflostsouls.net/2022/05/dd-beyond-officially-changes-hands-may-18th.html |url-status=live }}</ref> At the Hasbro Investor Event in October 2022, it was announced Dan Rawson, former chief operating officer (COO) of [[Microsoft Dynamics 365]] was appointed to the newly created position of Senior Vice President for the ''Dungeons & Dragons'' brand to act as head of the franchise.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 4, 2022 |title=Hasbro Announces New Dungeons & Dragons Head |url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/hasbro-dungeons-dragons-senior-vice-president-dan-rawson/ |access-date=2022-10-05 |website=[[ComicBook.com]] |language=en |archive-date=October 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005165755/https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/hasbro-dungeons-dragons-senior-vice-president-dan-rawson/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=October 5, 2022 |title=Hasbro Adds SVP of 'D&D', Strengthening Online Side of Brand |url=https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/52307/hasbro-adds-svp-d-d-strengthening-online-side-brand |access-date=October 5, 2022 |website=[[ICv2]] |language=en |archive-date=October 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005134135/https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/52307/hasbro-adds-svp-d-d-strengthening-online-side-brand |url-status=live }}</ref> According to ''[[Dicebreaker]]'', Rawson's role was "part of Wizards' plans to apply more resources to the digital side of D&D" following Hasbro's purchase of D&D Beyond.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-10-05 |title=Wizards of the Coast appoints former Microsoft e-commerce veteran as new senior VP of Dungeons & Dragons |url=https://www.dicebreaker.com/companies/wizards-of-the-coast/news/wizards-of-the-coast-hires-dan-rawson-vice-president-of-dungeons-and-dragons |access-date=2022-10-05 |website=Dicebreaker |language=en |archive-date=October 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005165758/https://www.dicebreaker.com/companies/wizards-of-the-coast/news/wizards-of-the-coast-hires-dan-rawson-vice-president-of-dungeons-and-dragons |url-status=live }}</ref>

At a December 2022 investor-focused web seminar, Williams and Cocks called the ''Dungeons & Dragons'' brand "under monetized".<ref name=":25">{{Cite web |date=December 9, 2022 |title=Dungeons & Dragons executives think "the brand is really under monetised" |url=https://www.dicebreaker.com/categories/roleplaying-game/news/dungeons-and-dragons-under-monetised-says-executives |access-date=January 12, 2023 |website=Dicebreaker |language=en |archive-date=January 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111172405/https://www.dicebreaker.com/categories/roleplaying-game/news/dungeons-and-dragons-under-monetised-says-executives |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":26">{{Cite web |date=December 12, 2022 |title=D&D CEO Thinks Hobby Is 'Under Monetized' Compared To Video Games |url=https://kotaku.com/dungeons-and-dragons-dnd-fifth-edition-one-dnd-1849884812 |access-date=January 12, 2023 |website=Kotaku |language=en |archive-date=January 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230112010412/https://kotaku.com/dungeons-and-dragons-dnd-fifth-edition-one-dnd-1849884812 |url-status=live }}</ref> They noted the high engagement of fans with the brand but said the majority of spending is by Dungeon Masters, who comprise around 20 percent of the player base. Williams commented the goal of increased investment in digital aspects of that product line was to "unlock" recurrent spending typical of digital games.<ref name=":25" /><ref name=":26" />

In 2022, ''The Gamer'' and ''Kotaku'' reported on the increased product-release schedule for ''Magic: The Gathering'';<ref name=":37" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Parlock |first=Joe |date=2022-05-02 |title=Help, There's Too Much Magic: The Gathering Stuff Launching In The Rest Of 2022 |url=https://www.thegamer.com/magic-the-gathering-mtg-2022-busy-too-much-hype/ |access-date=2023-01-28 |website=TheGamer |language=en |archive-date=January 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230128201924/https://www.thegamer.com/magic-the-gathering-mtg-2022-busy-too-much-hype/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ''The Gamer'' said the increased number of preview seasons for the game was leading to exhaustion within the community and had "drained the well of enthusiasm dry".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Parlock |first=Joe |date=2022-10-11 |title=Magic: The Gathering Content Creators Are Exhausted |url=https://www.thegamer.com/magic-the-gathering-content-creators-are-exhausted/ |access-date=2023-01-28 |website=TheGamer |language=en |archive-date=January 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230128201925/https://www.thegamer.com/magic-the-gathering-content-creators-are-exhausted/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[Vice (magazine)|Vice]]'' commented there was "a growing divide in the ''Magic: The Gathering'' community between the casual players and the collectors" because "some rich collectors have turned the cards into a kind of commodities market",<ref name=":31" /> and that "Wizards of the Coast has increasingly catered to this kind of consumer", leading to products that are too expensive for many casual players.<ref name=":31">{{Cite web |date=October 6, 2022 |title=Magic: The Gathering Celebrates 30 Year Anniversary by Selling $1,000 Boosters |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/magic-the-gathering-celebrates-30-year-anniversary-by-selling-dollar1000-boosters/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230128195512/https://www.vice.com/en/article/n7zqnw/magic-the-gathering-celebrates-30-year-anniversary-by-selling-dollar1000-boosters |archive-date=January 28, 2023 |access-date=January 28, 2023 |website=Vice |language=en}}</ref> In November 2022, [[CNBC]] reported: "Bank of America downgraded the stock of Wizard of the Coast's owner, Hasbro";<ref name=":35">{{Cite web |date=November 16, 2022 |title='Magic: The Gathering' angers fans with 30th anniversary collectible cards |url=https://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2022/11/16/magic-the-gathering-prices |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230127074437/https://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2022/11/16/magic-the-gathering-prices |archive-date=January 27, 2023 |access-date=January 28, 2023 |website=WBUR |language=en}}</ref>  analyst Jason Haas stated changes to the ''Magic: The Gathering'' brand "amount to Hasbro 'killing its golden goose{{'"}} and that the "primary concern" is the overproduction of "''Magic'' cards which has propped up Hasbro's recent results but is destroying the long-term value of the brand".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Harring |first=Alex |date=November 14, 2022 |title=Bank of America says Hasbro could fall 34% due to company ruining 'Magic: The Gathering' card game |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2022/11/14/bank-of-america-says-hasbro-could-fall-34percent-as-company-kills-magic-the-gathering-card-game.html |url-access=subscription |access-date=January 28, 2023 |website=CNBC |language=en |archive-date=January 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230128195518/https://www.cnbc.com/2022/11/14/bank-of-america-says-hasbro-could-fall-34percent-as-company-kills-magic-the-gathering-card-game.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":37">{{Cite web |date=November 14, 2022 |title=Toy Company Slammed For Getting Greedy With Magic: The Gathering |url=https://kotaku.com/mtg-30th-anniversary-black-lotus-transformers-warhammer-1849779811 |access-date=January 28, 2023 |website=Kotaku |language=en |archive-date=January 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230128195518/https://kotaku.com/mtg-30th-anniversary-black-lotus-transformers-warhammer-1849779811 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Between November and December 2022, there was speculation based on unconfirmed leaks saying WotC was planning to discontinue the OGL for ''Dungeons & Dragons''.<ref name=":22">{{Cite web |last=Law |first=Eric |date=2022-11-14 |title=Rumor: One D&D Might Be Killing Third-Party Homebrew Content |url=https://gamerant.com/dungeons-and-dragons-one-dnd-no-ogl-rumor/ |access-date=2022-11-26 |website=[[Game Rant]] |language=en-US |archive-date=January 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230113073331/https://gamerant.com/dungeons-and-dragons-one-dnd-no-ogl-rumor/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Chancey |first=Tyler |date=November 22, 2022 |title=Wizards Clarifies One D&D Third Party Support |url=https://techraptor.net/tabletop/news/wizards-clarifies-one-dd-third-party-support |access-date=2022-11-26 |website=TechRaptor |language=en |archive-date=January 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230113072017/https://techraptor.net/tabletop/news/wizards-clarifies-one-dd-third-party-support |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":33">{{Cite web |date=November 21, 2022 |title=Dungeons & Dragons Clarifies Support for Third-Party Material as New Edition Draws Near |url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/dungeons-dragons-open-game-license-srd-one-dnd/ |access-date=2022-11-26 |website=[[ComicBook.com]] |language=en |archive-date=January 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230113022707/https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/dungeons-dragons-open-game-license-srd-one-dnd/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":52">{{Cite web |date=December 21, 2022 |title=The Dungeons & Dragons Open Gaming License Isn't Going Anywhere |url=https://gizmodo.com/dnd-open-gaming-license-dungeons-dragons-wizards-coast-1849919823 |access-date=December 21, 2022 |website=Gizmodo |language=en |archive-date=December 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221221193823/https://gizmodo.com/dnd-open-gaming-license-dungeons-dragons-wizards-coast-1849919823 |url-status=live }}</ref> Following a WotC response to the speculation,<ref name=":33"/> the company released limited details of an update to the OGL the following month.<ref name=":73">{{Cite web |date=December 21, 2022 |title=OGLs, SRDs, & One D&D |url=http://www.dndbeyond.com/posts/1410-ogls-srds-one-d-d |access-date=December 21, 2022 |website=D&D Beyond |language=en-us |archive-date=December 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221221183154/http://www.dndbeyond.com/posts/1410-ogls-srds-one-d-d |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":62">{{Cite web |date=December 21, 2022 |title=Dungeons & Dragons Announces Changes to OGL, Some Third-Party Creators Must Report Revenue and Potentially Pay Royalties |url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/dungeons-dragons-wizards-of-the-coast-ogl-srd-royalties/ |access-date=December 21, 2022 |website=[[ComicBook.com]] |language=en |archive-date=December 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221221184130/https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/dungeons-dragons-wizards-of-the-coast-ogl-srd-royalties/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":52" /> Linda Codega, writing for ''[[Io9]]'', reported on the details from a leaked full copy of the OGL 1.1 on January 5, 2023.<ref name=":21">{{Cite web |last=Codega |first=Linda |date=2023-01-05 |title=Dungeons & Dragons' New License Tightens Its Grip on Competition |url=https://gizmodo.com/dnd-wizards-of-the-coast-ogl-1-1-open-gaming-license-1849950634 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111115214/https://gizmodo.com/dnd-wizards-of-the-coast-ogl-1-1-open-gaming-license-1849950634 |archive-date=2023-01-11 |access-date=2023-01-12 |website=[[Gizmodo]] |language=en}}</ref> Codega said: "every single licensed publisher will be affected by the new agreement&nbsp;... The main takeaway from the leaked OGL 1.1 draft document is that WotC is keeping power close at hand."<ref name=":21" /> ''[[ICv2]]'' commented the leaked OGL had several controversial parts.<ref name=":23">{{Cite web |date=January 11, 2023 |title='Dungeons & Dragons' OGL 1.1 Furor |url=https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/53040/dungeons-dragons-ogl-1-1-furor |access-date=January 11, 2023 |website=[[ICv2]] |language=en |archive-date=January 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111092439/https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/53040/dungeons-dragons-ogl-1-1-furor |url-status=live }}</ref> Following this leak, numerous news-and-industry-focused outlets reported on negative reactions from fans and professional content creators.{{efn|Such as:''[[Financial Times]]'',<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 13, 2023 |title=Dungeons & Dragons & fear & loathing |work=Financial Times |url=https://www.ft.com/content/b8f27121-ac91-45c8-9f4d-7a1d86115c19 |url-status=bot: unknown |url-access=subscription |access-date=January 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230113112621/https://www.ft.com/content/b8f27121-ac91-45c8-9f4d-7a1d86115c19 |archive-date=January 13, 2023}}</ref> ''[[Vice (magazine)|Vice]]'',<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 12, 2023 |title=Dungeons and Dragons Is Jeopardizing Its Greatest Strength: Its Ubiquity |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/dungeons-and-dragons-is-jeopardizing-its-greatest-strength-its-ubiquity/ |access-date=January 12, 2023 |website=Vice.com |language=en |archive-date=January 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230112140313/https://www.vice.com/en/article/3ad9kn/dungeons-and-dragons-is-jeopardizing-its-greatest-strength-its-ubiquity |url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[The Guardian]]'',<ref name=":262">{{Cite web |date=January 13, 2023 |title='People are leaving the game': ''Dungeons & Dragons'' fans revolt against new restrictions |url=https://www.theguardian.com/games/2023/jan/12/dungeons-and-dragons-wizards-of-the-coast-ogl |access-date=January 13, 2023 |website=[[The Guardian]] |language=en |archive-date=January 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230113061242/https://www.theguardian.com/games/2023/jan/12/dungeons-and-dragons-wizards-of-the-coast-ogl |url-status=live }}</ref> [[CNBC]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Whitten |first=Sarah |date=January 13, 2023 |title=Dungeons & Dragons open game license update delayed following fan backlash |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2023/01/13/hasbro-delays-new-dungeons-dragons-licensing-rules.html |access-date=January 17, 2023 |website=CNBC |language=en |archive-date=January 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117114351/https://www.cnbc.com/2023/01/13/hasbro-delays-new-dungeons-dragons-licensing-rules.html |url-status=live }}</ref>  ''[[NME]]'',<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nattrass |first=J. J. |date=2023-01-09 |title=D&D content creators outraged over licensing changes, demand the game remain "open" |url=https://www.nme.com/en_asia/news/gaming-news/dd-content-creators-outraged-over-licensing-changes-demand-the-game-remain-open-3377607 |access-date=2023-01-10 |website=NME |language=en |archive-date=January 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230112040950/https://www.nme.com/en_asia/news/gaming-news/dd-content-creators-outraged-over-licensing-changes-demand-the-game-remain-open-3377607 |url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[IGN]]'',<ref>{{Cite web |last=Northup |first=Travis |date=2023-01-06 |title=Wizards of the Coast OGL Change Draws Ire From Creators and Fans Alike: 'It's Not Right' |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/wizards-of-the-coasts-new-dungeons-dragons-license-ogl-controversy |access-date=2023-01-10 |website=[[IGN]] |language=en |archive-date=January 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230112125127/https://www.ign.com/articles/wizards-of-the-coasts-new-dungeons-dragons-license-ogl-controversy |url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[ICv2]]'',<ref name=":23" /> ''[[Inverse (website)|Inverse]]'',<ref name=":202">{{Cite web |last=Plante |first=Corey |title=D&D's community is up in arms over a controversial change |url=https://www.inverse.com/gaming/dnd-dungeons-dragons-ogl-11-homebrew-changes-opendnd |access-date=2023-01-10 |website=Inverse |language=en |archive-date=January 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230113022546/https://www.inverse.com/gaming/dnd-dungeons-dragons-ogl-11-homebrew-changes-opendnd |url-status=live }}</ref> and ''[[ComicBook.com]]''.<ref name=":192">{{Cite web |date=January 6, 2023 |title=Dungeons & Dragons Community Holds Breath as Wizards of the Coast Prepares New OGL |url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/dungeons-dragons-ogl-leak-community-backlash-dnd/ |access-date=January 10, 2023 |website=[[ComicBook.com]] |language=en |archive-date=January 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110025509/https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/dungeons-dragons-ogl-leak-community-backlash-dnd/ |url-status=live }}</ref> }} ''[[TheStreet]]'' said WotC's main competitors quickly moved away from the OGL in the time it took WotC to settle on a response.<ref name=":28">{{Cite web |last=Button |first=Danni |date=January 14, 2023 |title=Hasbro Faces Criticism Over Dungeons & Dragons Rules Change |url=https://www.thestreet.com/media/hasbro-just-tanked-one-of-its-biggest-revenue-drivers |access-date=January 17, 2023 |website=[[TheStreet]] |language=en-us |archive-date=January 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230116155712/https://www.thestreet.com/media/hasbro-just-tanked-one-of-its-biggest-revenue-drivers |url-status=live }}</ref> Both [[Kobold Press]] and [[MCDM Productions]] announced upcoming new open tabletop RPG systems.<ref name=":24">{{Cite web |date=2023-01-10 |title=DUNGEONS & DRAGONS TV Show Announced Amid Controversy |url=https://www.starburstmagazine.com/dungeons-and-dragons-tv-show-announced-amid-controversy |access-date=2023-01-11 |website=STARBURST Magazine |language=en-GB |archive-date=January 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111185059/https://www.starburstmagazine.com/dungeons-and-dragons-tv-show-announced-amid-controversy |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Law |first=Eric |date=2023-01-10 |title=Dungeons and Dragons Publisher Kobold Press Making New Roleplaying System |url=https://gamerant.com/dungeons-dragons-publisher-kobold-press-tabletop-roleplaying-system-black-flag/ |access-date=2023-01-11 |website=[[Game Rant]] |language=en |archive-date=January 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111185050/https://gamerant.com/dungeons-dragons-publisher-kobold-press-tabletop-roleplaying-system-black-flag/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=January 10, 2023 |title=Matt Colville Announces Plans for New RPG as Dungeons & Dragons OGL Furor Continues |url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/dungeons-dragons-matt-colville-ttrpg-mcdm-productions/ |access-date=January 11, 2023 |website=[[ComicBook.com]] |language=en |archive-date=January 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111025034/https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/dungeons-dragons-matt-colville-ttrpg-mcdm-productions/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Paizo]] announced a new [[Open RPG Creative License]] (ORC), a system-agnostic license, and other publishers joined the development of this new license.{{efn|Such as: Kobold Press, [[Chaosium]], [[Green Ronin Publishing|Green Ronin]], Legendary Games, and Rogue Genius Games.<ref name=":02">{{Cite web |date=January 12, 2023 |title=Paizo Announces Its Own Gaming License Amid D&D OGL Controversy |url=https://gizmodo.com/paizo-wizards-of-the-coast-dnd-open-rpg-ogl-1-1-1849982443 |access-date=January 13, 2023 |website=Gizmodo |language=en |archive-date=January 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230113001955/https://gizmodo.com/paizo-wizards-of-the-coast-dnd-open-rpg-ogl-1-1-1849982443 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":110">{{Cite web |date=January 12, 2023 |title=Paizo Addresses Pathfinder's Future, Announces New System-Neutral Open RPG License |url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/paizo-addresses-pathfinders-future-announces-new-system-neutral-open-rpg-license/ |access-date=January 13, 2023 |website=[[ComicBook.com]] |language=en |archive-date=January 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230113012522/https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/paizo-addresses-pathfinders-future-announces-new-system-neutral-open-rpg-license/ |url-status=live }}</ref>}} ''TheStreet'' also said WotC had united its player base against it; both ''TheStreet''<ref name=":28" /> and ''Io9'' noted the movement to boycott ''D&D Beyond'' and mass subscription cancellations; ''Io9'' stated the "immediate financial consequences" forced a response by WotC.<ref name=":29">{{Cite web |date=2023-01-14 |title=Cancelled D&D Beyond Subscriptions Forced Hasbro's Hand |url=https://gizmodo.com/dungeons-dragons-wizards-hasbro-ogl-open-game-license-1849981136 |access-date=2023-01-17 |website=Gizmodo |language=en |archive-date=January 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117171732/https://gizmodo.com/dungeons-dragons-wizards-hasbro-ogl-open-game-license-1849981136 |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Io9'' also reported WotC's internal messaging on the response to the leak was this was a fan overreaction.<ref name=":29" />

In the following weeks, WotC reversed changes to the OGL and solicited public feedback{{efn|OGL1.2, with an open feedback period, was announced on January 13, 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 13, 2023 |title=An Update on the Open Game License (OGL) |url=http://www.dndbeyond.com/posts/1423-an-update-on-the-open-game-license-ogl |access-date=January 13, 2023 |website=[[D&D Beyond]] |publisher=Wizards of the Coast |language=en-us |archive-date=January 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230113162049/https://www.dndbeyond.com/posts/1423-an-update-on-the-open-game-license-ogl |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":272">{{Cite web |date=January 13, 2023 |title=Dungeons & Dragons Releases Statement on New OGL, Retracts Royalties and License Back Language |url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/dungeons-dragons-ogl-statement-retracts-royalties-license-back-language-outrage/ |access-date=January 13, 2023 |website=[[ComicBook.com]] |language=en |archive-date=January 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230113164003/https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/dungeons-dragons-ogl-statement-retracts-royalties-license-back-language-outrage/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":282">{{Cite web |date=January 13, 2023 |title=Wizards of the Coast Breaks Their Silence on the Dungeons & Dragons OGL |url=https://gizmodo.com/dungeons-dragons-ogl-license-wizards-of-the-coast-wotc-1849985196 |access-date=January 13, 2023 |website=Gizmodo |language=en |archive-date=January 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230113162920/https://gizmodo.com/dungeons-dragons-ogl-license-wizards-of-the-coast-wotc-1849985196 |url-status=live }}</ref>}} before moving away from the OGL and releasing the [[c:File:SRD5.1-CCBY4.0License.pdf|System Reference Document 5.1]] (SRD 5.1) under an irrevocable creative commons license ([[CC BY 4.0|CC-BY-4.0]]).{{efn|System Reference Document 5.1 was announced and became effective immediately on January 27, 2023. Additionally, Wizards announced it would no longer pursue deauthorizing the OGL1.0a.<ref name=":332">{{Cite web |last=Hall |first=Charlie |date=January 27, 2023 |title=D&D won't change the OGL, handing fans and third-party publishers a massive victory |url=https://www.polygon.com/23574677/dungeons-dragons-dnd-ogl-canceled-wizards-fans-win |access-date=January 27, 2023 |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |language=en-US |archive-date=January 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230127201901/https://www.polygon.com/23574677/dungeons-dragons-dnd-ogl-canceled-wizards-fans-win |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":36">{{Cite web |date=January 27, 2023 |title=Dungeons & Dragons Will Not De-Authorize Current OGL, Releases Full SRD Under Creative Commons License |url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/dungeons-dragons-ogl-not-deauthorized/ |access-date=January 27, 2023 |website=[[ComicBook.com]] |language=en |archive-date=January 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230127212444/https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/dungeons-dragons-ogl-not-deauthorized/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":34">{{Cite web |date=January 27, 2023 |title=Dungeons & Dragons Scraps Plans to Update Its Open Game License |url=https://gizmodo.com/dungeons-dragons-will-no-longer-deauthorize-its-open-1850041837 |access-date=January 27, 2023 |website=Gizmodo |language=en |archive-date=January 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230127202427/https://gizmodo.com/dungeons-dragons-will-no-longer-deauthorize-its-open-1850041837 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=January 27, 2023 |title=System Reference Document 5.1 |url=https://www.dndbeyond.com/attachments/39j2li89/SRD5.1-CCBY4.0License.pdf |website=[[D&D Beyond]] |publisher=Wizards of the Coast |quote=The System Reference Document 5.1 is provided to you free of charge under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License ("CC-BY-4.0"). |access-date=January 27, 2023 |archive-date=January 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230127212445/https://www.dndbeyond.com/attachments/39j2li89/SRD5.1-CCBY4.0License.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>}} Edwin Evans-Thirlwell of ''[[The Washington Post]]'' wrote: "pushback from fans, who criticized WotC's response as far from an apology and a dismissal of their legitimate concerns, led WotC to backpedal further" and that the company "appears to have committed an irreversible act of self-sabotage in trying to replace [the OGL]—squandering the prestige accumulated over 20 years in a matter of weeks".<ref name=":322">{{Cite news |last=Evans-Thirlwell |first=Edwin |date=January 19, 2023 |title=The D&D Open Game License controversy, explained |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/2023/01/19/dungeons-and-dragons-open-game-license-wizards-of-the-coast-explained/ |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=January 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230119203631/https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/2023/01/19/dungeons-and-dragons-open-game-license-wizards-of-the-coast-explained/ |archive-date=January 19, 2023}}</ref> Both ''Io9'' and ''ComicBook.com'' called the major concessions by WotC a "huge victory" for the ''Dungeons & Dragons'' community.<ref name=":36" /><ref name=":34" /> [[The Motley Fool]] said the "abrupt ''volte-face''" was "an abject failure for Hasbro's business" if the assumed goal was to increase monetization of "''Dungeons & Dragons'' properties, grow revenue for Hasbro, and earn more profits for Hasbro shareholders".<ref name=":27">{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Rich |date=2023-01-17 |title=A Big Change Could Be Coming for Hasbro: Should Investors Worry? |url=https://www.fool.com/investing/2023/01/17/big-change-coming-for-hasbro-should-investor-worry/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117164624/https://www.fool.com/investing/2023/01/17/big-change-coming-for-hasbro-should-investor-worry/ |archive-date=January 17, 2023 |access-date=2023-01-17 |website=The Motley Fool |language=en}}</ref> 

Also in January 2023, WotC canceled at least five unnamed video-game projects;<ref name=":19">{{Cite news |last=Schreier |first=Jason |date=2023-01-03 |title=Hasbro's Wizards of the Coast Cancels Video Game Projects |language=en |work=Bloomberg.com |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-01-03/hasbro-s-wizards-of-the-coast-cancels-video-game-projects |url-access=subscription |access-date=2023-01-04 |archive-date=February 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230218151926/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-01-03/hasbro-s-wizards-of-the-coast-cancels-video-game-projects |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Welsh |first=Oli |date=2023-01-04 |title=Wizards of the Coast reportedly cancels at least 5 video games |url=https://www.polygon.com/23538612/wizards-coast-dungeons-dragons-video-game-cancellations |access-date=2023-01-04 |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |language=en-US |archive-date=January 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230104190236/https://www.polygon.com/23538612/wizards-coast-dungeons-dragons-video-game-cancellations |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=January 4, 2023 |title=D&D publisher Wizards of the Coast has cancelled at least five video games |url=https://www.dicebreaker.com/companies/wizards-of-the-coast/news/dnd-publisher-cancels-video-games |access-date=January 4, 2023 |website=Dicebreaker |language=en |archive-date=January 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230104104949/https://www.dicebreaker.com/companies/wizards-of-the-coast/news/dnd-publisher-cancels-video-games |url-status=live }}</ref> an internal project code-named Jabberwocky, and two games that were in the early development stages.<ref name=":19" /><ref name=":20">{{Cite web |last=Schreier |first=Jason |date=January 3, 2023 |title=Hasbro's Wizards of the Coast Cancels Video Game Projects |url=https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/hasbro-s-wizards-of-the-coast-cancels-video-game-projects-1.1865422 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230103231104/https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/hasbro-s-wizards-of-the-coast-cancels-video-game-projects-1.1865422 |archive-date=January 3, 2023 |access-date=January 4, 2023 |website=[[BNN Bloomberg]]}}</ref> Jason Schreier writing for ''Bloomberg News'' said fewer than 15 people at WotC would lose their jobs but "the reorganization will land hard for several independent studios such as Boston-based OtherSide Entertainment and Bellevue, Washington-based [[Hidden Path Entertainment]], both of which were working on games for Wizards of the Coast".<ref name=":19" /><ref name=":20" /> In February 2023, ''[[Markets Insider]]'' reported Bank of America continued to rate Hasbro's stock as underperforming and said the company "faces a steep decline in its share price if it continues to 'destroy customer goodwill{{'"}} by over-monetizing brands within its Wizards segment.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fox |first=Matthew |date=February 7, 2023 |title=Hasbro 'continues to destroy customer goodwill' and the stock could crash 29% as it dilutes the value of Magic: The Gathering, Bank of America says |url=https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/hasbro-dilutes-magic-the-gathering-brand-stock-price-bank-america-2023-2 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230208015619/https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/hasbro-dilutes-magic-the-gathering-brand-stock-price-bank-america-2023-2 |archive-date=February 8, 2023 |access-date=February 8, 2023 |website=[[Markets Insider]] |language=en-US}}</ref> In April 2023, WotC sent private detectives from the [[Pinkerton (detective agency)|Pinkerton]] agency to the house of a ''Magic: The Gathering'' YouTuber, who said the agents demanded he destroy cards from an unreleased set he had been accidentally sent, and to remove videos from his channel, otherwise he and his wife would face a $200,000 fine and imprisonment.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-04-25 |title=Magic: The Gathering YouTuber Says Pinkertons Threatened Him With $200k Fines, Jail |url=https://kotaku.com/magic-the-gathering-pinkerton-youtube-wotc-mtg-1850372856 |access-date=2023-04-29 |website=Kotaku |language=en |archive-date=April 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230427151018/https://kotaku.com/magic-the-gathering-pinkerton-youtube-wotc-mtg-1850372856 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hall |first=Charlie |date=2023-04-24 |title=Magic publishers sent Pinkerton agents to a YouTuber's house to retrieve leaked cards |url=https://www.polygon.com/23695923/mtg-aftermath-pinkerton-raid-leaked-cards |access-date=2023-04-29 |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |language=en-US |archive-date=April 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230429051743/https://www.polygon.com/23695923/mtg-aftermath-pinkerton-raid-leaked-cards |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Carter |first=Chase |date=2023-04-27 |title=Magic: The Gathering publisher hires Pinkerton to seize leaked cards from YouTuber's house |url=https://www.dicebreaker.com/categories/trading-card-game/news/magic-the-gathering-aftermath-youtube-prompts-pinkerton-investigation |access-date=2023-10-08 |website=Dicebreaker |language=en}}</ref> The game's players subsequently initiated a boycott in response.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gose |first=Lance |date=2023-05-03 |title=Magic: The Gathering Players Launch Boycott Over WOTC's Pinkerton Controversy |url=https://www.cbr.com/mtg-players-boycott-wotc-pinkerton/ |access-date=2023-10-08 |website=CBR |language=en}}</ref> In December 2023, [[TechCrunch]] reported that paperwork Hasbro filed with the SEC contained information announcing layoffs of 1,100 employees (20 percent of their entire workforce across all divisions) effective immediately.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Silberling |first1=Amanda |date=11 December 2023 |title=Hasbro to cut 1,100 jobs despite Dungeons & Dragons thriving |url=https://techcrunch.com/2023/12/11/hasbro-layoffs-dungeons-dragons-wizards/?fbclid=IwAR3LJfCB2AKFg449CSkgMVMf538SI636KAX4VnSa2uCM7GR-o-JgBg5iKxI |access-date=13 December 2023 |website=TechCrunch}}</ref> A wide range of WotC employees were laid off;<ref>{{Cite news |last=Randall |first=Harvey |date=2023-12-13 |title=Hasbro's 1,100 layoffs have hit D&D and Magic: The Gathering hard, as a growing list of staff announce their departures |language=en |work=PC Gamer |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/hasbros-1100-layoffs-have-hit-dandd-and-magic-the-gathering-hard-as-a-growing-list-of-staff-announce-their-departures/ |access-date=2023-12-13}}</ref> Chase Carter of ''Dicebreaker'' commented: "past successes and future plans could not save Wizards of the Coast's workers from the hungry maw of corporate line-item reduction, and the full extent of this culling remains to be seen".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Carter |first=Chase |date=2023-12-13 |title=D&D and MTG designers, artists and producers lose jobs among over 1,000 Hasbro layoffs, former devs confirm |url=https://www.dicebreaker.com/companies/hasbro/news/hasbro-layoffs-hit-dungeons-and-dragons-magic-the-gathering-designers-artist-producers |access-date=2023-12-13 |website=Dicebreaker |language=en}}</ref>

In March 2024, Wizards of the Coast stopped [[Language localisation|localizing]] ''Magic: The Gathering'' and ''Dungeons & Dragons'' for [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]]. The company received a [[vampetaço]] in retaliation.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Guterrez |first1=Barbara |last2=Higor |first2=Italo |title="Vampetaço": fãs de Magic protestam nas redes sociais |date=4 March 2024 |journal=Game On |url=https://www.terra.com.br/gameon/videos/vampetaco-fas-de-magic-protestam-nas-redes-sociais,accb3bcb7ab7325a73e3258009fe559ded2wkqv5.html |language=pt-BR |access-date=7 April 2025 |archive-date=7 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250407173724/https://www.terra.com.br/gameon/videos/vampetaco-fas-de-magic-protestam-nas-redes-sociais,accb3bcb7ab7325a73e3258009fe559ded2wkqv5.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Cynthia Williams resigned at the end of April 2024<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/robwieland/2024/04/17/wizards-of-the-coast-president-cynthia-williams-resigns/ | title=Wizards of the Coast President Cynthia Williams Resigns | website=[[Forbes]] }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://investor.funko.com/news-and-events/press-releases/Press-Releases/2024/Funko-Appoints-Cynthia-Williams-Chief-Executive-Officer-Board-Member/ | title=Funko Appoints Cynthia Williams Chief Executive Officer, Board Member  | website=[[Funko]] }}</ref> and was replaced that summer by John Hight, who left his long-time role at [[Blizzard Entertainment]] to take the job.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.geekwire.com/2024/longtime-world-of-warcraft-leader-john-hight-named-president-at-wizards-of-the-coast/ | title=Longtime World of Warcraft leader John Hight named president at Wizards of the Coast | website=[[GeekWire]] }}</ref> The 3D [[virtual tabletop]] (VTT) ''Dungeons & Dragons'' simulator ''[[D&D Beyond#Sigil|Sigil]]'' launched as part of D&D Beyond in March 2025.<ref name=":38">{{Cite web |last=Machkovech |first=Sam |date=2025-03-12 |title=After years in development, D&D’s Unreal-powered virtual tabletop still feels off |url=https://www.polygon.com/dnd-dungeons-dragons/537899/sigil-vtt-review |access-date=2025-03-23 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}}</ref> Later that month, approximately 90% of the development team were laid off by WotC; in an internal communication, Hasbro Direct senior vice president Dan Rawson stated "our aspirations for ''Sigil'' as a large, standalone game with a distinct monetization path will not be realized".<ref name=":40">{{Cite web |last=Carter |first=Chase |date=2025-03-19 |title=Wizards of the Coast shutters Sigil virtual tabletop project, lays off 30 staff |url=https://www.rascal.news/wizards-of-the-coast-shutters-sigil-virtual-tabletop-project-lays-off-30-staff/ |url-access=registration |access-date=2025-03-23 |website=Rascal News |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":41">{{Cite web |last=Hall |first=Charlie |date=2025-03-19 |title=D&D suffers more layoffs as Wizards cuts Sigil VTT staff by 90% |url=https://www.polygon.com/dnd-dungeons-dragons/542716/wizards-sigil-vtt-layoffs |access-date=2025-03-23 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}}</ref> Following the release of core rulebooks for the [[One D&D|2024 revision]] of ''Dungeons & Dragons'', Creative Director [[Chris Perkins (game designer)|Chris Perkins]] and Game Director [[Jeremy Crawford]] announced their departures from the company in April 2025. Christian Hoffer, for ''[[Screen Rant]]'', highlighted that both "have been part of the ''Dungeons & Dragons'' design team for decades and were two of the lead designers of" ''Dungeons & Dragons'' 5th Edition.<ref name=":32">{{Cite web |last=Hoffer |first=Christian |date=April 11, 2025 |title=Jeremy Crawford and Chris Perkins to Leave Dungeons & Dragons' Design Team |url=https://screenrant.com/jeremy-crawford-chris-perkins-leaving-dnd-interview/ |access-date=April 11, 2025 |website=[[Screen Rant]] |language=en-US}}</ref> 

== Studios ==
*[[Archetype Entertainment]] in [[Austin, Texas]], U.S.; opened in April 2019.<ref name="gi.biz april 2019">{{cite web |last=Sinclair |first=Brendan |date=April 24, 2019 |title=James Ohlen joins Wizards of the Coast |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2019-04-24-james-ohlen-joins-wizards-of-the-coast |access-date=February 13, 2020 |work=[[GamesIndustry.biz]] |archive-date=September 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200916080214/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2019-04-24-james-ohlen-joins-wizards-of-the-coast |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=2020-01-30 |title=Wizards of the Coast's new Archetype Entertainment studio is making a sci-fi RPG |url=https://venturebeat.com/2020/01/30/wizards-of-the-coasts-new-archetype-entertainment-studio-is-making-a-sci-fi-rpg/ |access-date=2021-10-10 |website=VentureBeat |language=en-US |archive-date=October 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211010170802/https://venturebeat.com/2020/01/30/wizards-of-the-coasts-new-archetype-entertainment-studio-is-making-a-sci-fi-rpg/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
*Atomic Arcade in [[Raleigh, North Carolina]], led by Ames Kirshen, formerly vice-president of production and creative at [[Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment]] (WBIE), opened in September 2021.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Macgregor |first=Jody |date=September 27, 2021 |title=Wizards of the Coast is making a big-budget G.I. Joe game |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/wizards-of-the-coast-is-making-a-big-budget-gi-joe-game/ |access-date=October 10, 2021 |magazine=[[PC Gamer]]}}</ref>
*[[D&D Beyond]]; founded in 2017, acquired in May 2022.<ref name=":72" /><ref name=":82" /><ref name=":92" />
*[[Invoke Studios]] in [[Montreal, Quebec]], Canada; founded in 2012, acquired in October 2019.<ref>{{cite web |date=2019-10-29 |title=Wizards of the Coast acquires Tuque, which is making a D&D triple-A game |url=https://venturebeat.com/2019/10/29/wizards-of-the-coast-acquire-tuque-which-is-making-a-dd-triple-a-game/ |access-date=2021-10-10 |website=VentureBeat |language=en-US |archive-date=October 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211010170503/https://venturebeat.com/2019/10/29/wizards-of-the-coast-acquire-tuque-which-is-making-a-dd-triple-a-game/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
*Mirrorstone Books; opened in 2004.<ref>{{cite web |last= |date=2008-07-31 |title=Celebrate young adult literature's rise with Teen Read Week 2008 |url=https://www.ala.org/news/news/pressreleases2008/July2008/trwo8 |access-date=2021-10-11 |website=American Library Association |language=en |quote=Since launching in 2004, Mirrorstone Books, a subsidiary of Wizards of the Coast, Inc., has offered a wide array of fantasy fiction for children and young adults. |archive-date=October 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211028165333/https://www.ala.org/news/news/pressreleases2008/July2008/trwo8 |url-status=live }}</ref>
*Studio X in [[Renton, Washington]], U.S.; reorganization of ''Magic: The Gathering'' [[Research and development|R&D]] in 2018.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rosewater |first=Mark |author-link=Mark Rosewater |date=May 12, 2021 |title=Blogatog |url=https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/651030647095394304/whats-studio-x |access-date=2023-01-17 |website=Tumblr |quote=There was a reorganization a couple years back and there was a new group made in charge of tabletop Magic that combined numerous sections including R&D. That group was supposed to get a name with Studio X being the temporary fill-in, but so far, we remain Studio X. |archive-date=January 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117230628/https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/651030647095394304/whats-studio-x |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Rosewater |first=Mark |author-link=Mark Rosewater |date=September 7, 2022 |title=Blogatog |url=https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/694784981008023552/what-is-studio-x-i-see-it-pop-up-on-blogatog |access-date=2023-01-17 |website=Tumblr |quote=A number of years back, we changed how we organized Wizards. Tabletop Magic is now overseen by Bill Rose and is one large group with the original placeholder, but its seems to have stuck, name of Studio X. Studio X includes everyone who makes tabletop Magic from the designers to the creative people to the editors to the graphic designers to the people that handle layout and printing to the marketers to the architects and business people (and I’m forgetting many sections - I apologize). |archive-date=January 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117230629/https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/694784981008023552/what-is-studio-x-i-see-it-pop-up-on-blogatog |url-status=live }}</ref>
*Skeleton Key in [[Austin, Texas]]; opened in July 2022.<ref name=":18" />
*Wizards Kids Studio in [[Seattle, Washington]], U.S.; opened in December 2020.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.geekwire.com/2020/wizards-coast-hires-video-game-vet-leah-hoyer-lead-new-wizards-kids-studio/amp/ |title=Wizards of the Coast hires video game vet Leah Hoyer to lead new Wizards Kids Studio |website=[[GeekWire]] |access-date=October 10, 2021 |date=December 12, 2020 |first=Nicole |last=Tanner |archive-date=October 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211011015945/https://www.geekwire.com/2020/wizards-coast-hires-video-game-vet-leah-hoyer-lead-new-wizards-kids-studio/amp/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Former ===
*[[Avalon Hill]] in [[Renton, Washington]], U.S.; founded 1952, acquired by Hasbro in 1998, moved to Wizards of the Coast in 2004, moved back to Hasbro Gaming in 2021.<ref>{{cite web |date=September 9, 2020 |title=Management of Avalon Hill Board Game Brand Will Move From Wizards of the Coast to Hasbro |url=https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/46496/management-avalon-hill-board-game-brand-will-move-from-wizards-coast-hasbro |access-date=2021-10-10 |website=[[ICv2]] |language=en |archive-date=September 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200909211313/https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/46496/management-avalon-hill-board-game-brand-will-move-from-wizards-coast-hasbro |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=February 25, 2021 |title=EDITED TRANSCRIPT HAS.OQ - Hasbro Inc Investor Event 2021 |url=https://investor.hasbro.com/static-files/de97af26-93c3-4bfe-92d6-fbc9e0196fe1 |access-date=October 11, 2021 |website=Hasbro |quote=This year, we'll bring the relaunch of the AVALON HILL brand within the Hasbro Gaming portfolio |archive-date=July 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709181731/https://investor.hasbro.com/static-files/de97af26-93c3-4bfe-92d6-fbc9e0196fe1 |url-status=live }}</ref>
*[[Last Unicorn Games]] in [[Philadelphia]], [[Pennsylvania]], U.S.; founded in 1994, acquired and dissolved in 2000.<ref>{{cite web |date=March 27, 2001 |title=Decipher Nabs Last Unicorn Developers |url=https://icv2.com/articles/games/view/261/decipher-nabs-last-unicorn-developers |access-date=2021-10-10 |website=[[ICv2]] |language=en |archive-date=October 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211010170208/https://icv2.com/articles/games/view/261/decipher-nabs-last-unicorn-developers |url-status=live }}</ref>
*[[TSR, Inc.]] in [[Lake Geneva, Wisconsin]], U.S.; founded in 1973, acquired and dissolved in 1997.<ref name=":13" /><ref name=":14" />

== See also ==
*[[List of Wizards of the Coast products]]

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
*{{Commons category-inline}}
* {{official website}}

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