Wizards of the Coast
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Wizards of the Coast president steps down after only two years in the role
John Hight is stepping down as president of Wizards of the Coast after two years, transitioning to an advisory role on September 1st. This announcement follows a recent $56 million impairment charge and cancellation of several video games by parent company Hasbro. Despite these changes, Magic: The Gathering and Dungeons & Dragons continue to perform well, and the upcoming 2027 video game slate remains on track.
Wizards of the Coast boss steps down after just 2 years defined by Magic's Universes Beyond and D&D 5.5e, as parent Hasbro eats $56 million on canceled games
John Hight, president of Dungeons & Dragons owner Wizards of the Coast, is stepping down after two years. His tenure included the transition to D&D 5.5 edition and the 'Universes Beyond' initiative for Magic: The Gathering. Parent company Hasbro also reported a $56 million loss on canceled games.
Wizards of the Coast president John Hight is stepping down
John Hight, president of Wizards of the Coast and former executive producer of World of Warcraft, is stepping down from his role. He will transition to an advisory position with Hasbro, the parent company, until September 1, continuing to receive his salary and a bonus for fiscal year 2026. Hight has overseen the Magic: The Gathering and Dungeons and Dragons franchises, as well as the digital gaming division, during a period that saw several game cancellations and layoffs.
Demeo x Dungeons & Dragons: Battlemarked Rolls Onto Xbox Later This Year
Demeo x Dungeons & Dragons: Battlemarked is coming to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, and Xbox Handheld later this year, supporting Xbox Play Anywhere and cross-play with other platforms including Nintendo Switch 2, Steam, Meta Horizon, and PlayStation. Developed by Resolution Games, the cooperative tactical adventure will allow up to four players to journey through the Forgotten Realms with streamlined mechanics inspired by Dungeons & Dragons. CEO Tommy Palm expressed excitement about bringing the game to Xbox's passionate co-op community.
John Hight steps down as Wizards of the Coast president
John Hight, president of Wizards of the Coast, will step down on September 1 after two years in the role. He will continue with the company as an advisor. Hight previously served as general manager for the Warcraft franchise at Blizzard. During his tenure at Wizards of the Coast, he oversaw Dungeons & Dragons and Magic: The Gathering.
'I have been hunted down by HR reps, lawyers, and comms people:' Developers discuss the pain and prevalence of side work clauses
Developers discuss the prevalence and impact of restrictive side work clauses in the video game industry, where companies often claim ownership of personal projects. While some employees have successfully negotiated these terms, many face broad restrictions that hinder personal and professional growth. Legal experts note that clauses are generally enforceable if the side work falls within the scope of employment, emphasizing the importance of transparency and written agreements.
It's not just Baldur's Gate 4 – Larian is "not involved in any" Baldur's Gate 3 projects now, but devs tease Divinity news is on the way
Larian Studios has clarified that they are not involved in any current Baldur's Gate 3 projects, despite a new comic set in the universe being released by Dark Horse Comics. The studio is shifting its focus to the Divinity series, with hints of new announcements coming soon. Larian's involvement with the Baldur's Gate IP is limited as Hasbro owns the Dungeons and Dragons intellectual property.
World of Warcraft is reportedly getting a crossover with Dungeons & Dragons according to a hastily deleted article
A deleted post from Roll20 suggests that World of Warcraft is planning a crossover with Dungeons & Dragons, though neither Wizards of the Coast nor Blizzard Entertainment have made an official announcement. This potential collaboration follows D&D's recent surge in popularity and its history of cross-media ventures.
Dungeons & Dragons accidentally unveiled a World of Warcraft collab ahead of schedule
Wizards of the Coast appears to have accidentally revealed an upcoming collaboration between Dungeons & Dragons and World of Warcraft. A deleted announcement on the virtual tabletop platform Roll20 indicated that pre-orders for D&D World of Warcraft were live. This leak suggests an official crossover between the two popular franchises, following previous D&D collaborations with other IPs like Stranger Things and Rick and Morty.
A crossover between Dungeons & Dragons and World of Warcraft has leaked
A crossover between Dungeons & Dragons and World of Warcraft has reportedly leaked ahead of the Gen Con event. The leak suggests a setting book for D&D 5th edition based on the Warcraft universe, similar to previous Magic: The Gathering collaborations. This would not be the first time Blizzard and D&D have partnered, with past collaborations including a World of Warcraft RPG.
Larian once again reminds us it's 'not involved in any BG3-related projects' in response to Karlach comic…
Larian Studios has clarified that it is not involved in any new projects related to Baldur's Gate 3, including a recently announced comic series by Dark Horse Comics. The studio, which developed Baldur's Gate 3, stated they are focusing on their own IP, Divinity. This comes after Larian previously announced they would not be developing Baldur's Gate 4.
Dungeons & Dragons World of Warcraft Crossover May Have Been Leaked
A leaked Roll20 post suggests Wizards of the Coast is planning a crossover between Dungeons & Dragons and World of Warcraft. This potential supplement or campaign module would be the first major crossover since the World of Warcraft RPG books for D&D 3.5e, and more details may emerge at Gen Con.
With Secret Lair, Magic: The Gathering Wants To Appeal To As Many People As Possible
Wizards of the Coast's Secret Lair brand is expanding its reach by collaborating with various IPs like Hatsune Miku, Stardew Valley, The Hobbit, Marvel, Lofi Girl, and Masters of the Universe. Principal product lead Steve Sunu emphasized authenticity in these collaborations, aiming to appeal to both Magic: The Gathering fans and fans of the respective IPs. New drops include a Hatsune Miku Commander deck, Stardew Valley themed cards, and unique treatments for Marvel and The Hobbit collaborations.
MTG Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is a blast from the past that re-awoke my love the series, and it's on offer right…
The Magic: The Gathering and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles crossover set is a nostalgic love letter to the series, featuring clever mechanics and art that enriches the game. Despite community concerns about crossover sets impacting Magic's aesthetic and release schedule, this particular release demonstrates a strong commitment to design quality. The cards are currently available at a discount during Best Buy's sale.
The Hobbit Marks Magic: The Gathering’s First Return To Previously Visited Universes Beyond
Wizards of the Coast announced The Hobbit as the first "sequel set" for its Magic: The Gathering Universes Beyond initiative. Set lead Annie Sardelis, executive producer Zakeel Gordon, and principal game designer Gavin Verhey discussed new mechanics like "Hone" and "Storied," as well as special "Book Cover" card treatments. The set, which draws from J.R.R. Tolkien's novel, aims to be more granular than its predecessor, The Lord of the Rings, and is scheduled for release on August 14.
After its Baldur's Gate 3-era splurge, Hasbro is scaling back its gaming ambitions following $56m loss, but Warlock and Mass Effect-like Exodus are safe
Hasbro is scaling back its video game ambitions following a $56 million write-down, leading to project cancellations and layoffs. CEO Chris Cocks confirmed that existing projects like the sci-fi RPG Exodus and Warlock: Dungeons and Dragons remain on track for a 2027 release. The company is shifting focus to major owned franchises and high-conviction titles, citing successes like Baldur's Gate 3 and Magic: The Gathering Arena.
Evening Reading - July 22, 2026
This edition of Shacknews Evening Reading covers various gaming and entertainment news. Highlights include reviews for Final Fantasy X/X-2 on Switch and Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game, Victor Wembanyama as the NBA 2K27 cover star, and Xbox backwards compatibility on PC. Business news includes earnings reports from Tesla, Google, and SpaceX, alongside updates on BlizzCon 2026 digital bundles and the reopening of the Cinerama Dome.
Skyrim and Stardew Valley mods weren't enough: rotund icon Jimothy the viral raccoon invades D&D as a Wizards-approved "cryptid" who is "hurling garbage and making friends"
Wizards of the Coast has officially added the viral raccoon known as Jimothy to Dungeons & Dragons as a playable cryptid with unique abilities like 'Compact Frame' and 'Hurl Garbage.' This follows numerous fan-made mods and developer tributes to the raccoon, which has gained widespread internet fame due to its unique appearance.
Baldur's Gate series overlords Hasbro take $56 million hit after cancelling several games due out in "2028 and beyond", with Exodus and Warlock unaffected
Hasbro has announced a $56 million impairment due to the cancellation of several games planned for release in 2028 and beyond. While specific titles were not named, the company stated its confidence in its digital games portfolio, with releases like Exodus and Warlock: Dungeons & Dragons still on track for 2027. Hasbro is refocusing its strategy on fewer, high-potential projects and partnerships.
Hasbro Writes Down $56 Million After Cancelling Several Games
Hasbro has recorded a $56 million write-down due to the cancellation of several video game projects planned for release in 2028 and beyond. CEO Chris Cocks stated this move is part of a refocused digital strategy prioritizing franchises like Magic: The Gathering and Dungeons & Dragons, and successful mobile titles like Monopoly Go!. While Exodus and Warlock: Dungeons & Dragons remain in development for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S, other projects, including one from Giant Skull, have been cancelled.
