Williams is out (https://www.marketwatch.com/story/hasbro-wizard-of-the-coast-president-cynthia-williams-resigns-81104105)
Those diversity hires just 'aint paying off as imaginated.
(https://media.tenor.com/5vKnZA8IzwIAAAAM/ray-liotta-laughing.gif)
I hope all her bad ideas go with her.
Quote from: Vykos on April 17, 2024, 12:49:20 PMI hope all her bad ideas go with her.
Didnt she bring a bunch of C-levels with her?
Are they still there?
Also important, what company is she going to? to destroy next?
Maybe it won't matter but I'm still happy about it.
Next step should be to circumcise the Cocks.
LOL! I bet she didn't want to be around when garbage woke 5E reboot launched.
Quote from: Exploderwizard on April 17, 2024, 01:20:59 PMLOL! I bet she didn't want to be around when garbage woke 5E reboot launched.
I really don't think that's anyone's concern ever though. They seem to love all the negativity and such. It's like as long as they can point to some white guy who is confused about why this trusted brand has decided to start shitting and farting all over the place, doing crap like "buy this awful book, we're so great and noble that we didn't give any white people writing credit on it!" and going on racial youtube channels and talking about how white men need to get out as soon as possible- as long as this performance makes someone confused or sad- then everything is perfect. Like the entire purpose of the company is to be able to make a link to some white dude complaining and being like MMMM THE TEARS. As if they were all convinced that this was the product worth spending millions to create.
I don't think this is a sign that things are going to improve. To me, it looks like Hasbro is self-immolating just like Disney. D&D is just going to be a junk brand for a while just like so many other IPs they hold; they will print and sell merch but no more meaningful content for the foreseeable future.
Overheard outside the C-Suite at WotC: "Look, I understand why it's good for the Brand and the Master Plan, I'm just not sure publicly coming out as a quadragendered paladin of Asmodeus fits my long term career plans. Maybe we should put someone else in this slot for now. I'm sure there's someone we can tap or rehabilitate ..."
If I had a nickel for every time a woman named Williams took control of DND and tried to run it into the ground, it's weird that I'd have two nickels.
Dumping lots of staff to raise profits and thus the CEO's bonus on the way out is a pretty common tactic so I'm not surprised she's ditching after a round of layoffs.
That's good news I suppose. But any nerd who goes rushing back into Wotc's arms because of this is a fool, a fool I tells ya. The whole place needs to be knocked down, disinfected, and rebuilt.
The cynic in me thinks Hasbro did this to rehabilitate WotC's image and image only.
Greetings!
Yeah! GOOD!
However, WOTC is still fucked, and they can choke. Moving chairs around doesn't change the damage they have done to the company, or the damage they have done to the trust and relationship with millions of customers.
And, it doesn't change the other terrible and horrible people they have retained on staff, in command of D&D.
The company should never have hired a horrible person like Williams to begin with.
So, fuck them. Let them continue to burn. I hope they go broke.
Semper Fidelis,
SHARK
Quote from: SHARK on April 17, 2024, 02:43:03 PMGreetings!
Yeah! GOOD!
However, WOTC is still fucked, and they can choke. Moving chairs around doesn't change the damage they have done to the company, or the damage they have done to the trust and relationship with millions of customers.
And, it doesn't change the other terrible and horrible people they have retained on staff, in command of D&D.
The company should never have hired a horrible person like Williams to begin with.
So, fuck them. Let them continue to burn. I hope they go broke.
Semper Fidelis,
SHARK
My question is a bit more on the business side. How long can Hasbro use the D&D ip before WOTC gets entirely gutted? And will the upcoming VTT lead to further layoffs?
Quote from: Crazy_Blue_Haired_Chick on April 17, 2024, 02:45:45 PMQuote from: SHARK on April 17, 2024, 02:43:03 PMGreetings!
Yeah! GOOD!
However, WOTC is still fucked, and they can choke. Moving chairs around doesn't change the damage they have done to the company, or the damage they have done to the trust and relationship with millions of customers.
And, it doesn't change the other terrible and horrible people they have retained on staff, in command of D&D.
The company should never have hired a horrible person like Williams to begin with.
So, fuck them. Let them continue to burn. I hope they go broke.
Semper Fidelis,
SHARK
My question is a bit more on the business side. How long can Hasbro use the D&D ip before WOTC gets entirely gutted? And will the upcoming VTT lead to further layoffs?
Greetings!
Yes, good questions! Well, I think in light of recent massive firings of staff at WOTC, from all accounts they are just about running on a skeleton staff. I definitely think that the whole VTT/computer focus for the new edition of D&D is largely responsible for the firings. Having a more computer and online-ficused game means that there is less need, emphasis, and focus for physical, printed books. That's definitely a business choice--and a viable market, all by itself. However, the two are very different markets, with different essential elements and different traditions and preferences. Also, some overlap, of course, but the fan-groups tend towards having interests and requirements that ultimately diverge, and become increasingly less compatible.
I think all of this is the pre-game show to moving their version of D&D into a mostly exclusive digital format. As previously mentioned, that is fine. That's a viable market. But it is very different from the physical game/Book hobby. I think it is clear that WOTC no longer really values the physical game/Book market of the hobby. They certainly do not value traditional gamers, or White people, so their market success and popularity has suffered enormous damage. Having said that, they can still manage to be a profitable company. They are just a very different kind of company, with a smaller, more narrow focus, market, and customer base. They want to cultivate a Woke customer base. So, Ok. Go broke then. Some Woke companies thrive, after all.
That doesn't mean though that they have not lost large numbers of customers. Their business future is somewhat precarious at the moment, though. There is a chance they can jump and hustle and move the company into being profitable for the foreseeable future as a digital-focused company--or, if this new venture fails, they will likely experience a long wallowing existence as a rump company, flailing about chaotically, trying to do a bit of this and a bit of that, but ultimately being consigned to creative mediocrity.
Semper Fidelis,
SHARK
Her resignation is around the time of the 2023 Q4 report is set to drop. At a guess, the report is terrible and she's gonna be the fall guy for the losses. None of the midwits in charge other than her will lose their jobs or their bonuses. Ah well...
Cynthia was a poison who was destroying RPGs and the gaming industry. Now that she's gone, Wizards of th eWoke will have seen their error and will amend their ways, and Dungeons and Dragons will be a sane game.
NOT
In the immortal words of Triumph the Insult Comic Dog, "Who gives a shit?" Seems like this is just some damage control WotC is performing as the ship goes down.
Quote from: Jeffadamo on April 17, 2024, 02:35:10 PMIf I had a nickel for every time a woman named Williams took control of DND and tried to run it into the ground, it's weird that I'd have two nickels.
lewl
Quote from: Brad on April 17, 2024, 04:27:09 PMIn the immortal words of Triumph the Insult Comic Dog, "Who gives a shit?" Seems like this is just some damage control WotC is performing as the ship goes down.
Well, it's clear she had some bad ideas and backed some weird plans. I agree it won't fix things, but it's still good to some degree.
Of course, we'll have to see who the replacement is....
Quote from: Brad on April 17, 2024, 04:27:09 PMIn the immortal words of Triumph the Insult Comic Dog, "Who gives a shit?" Seems like this is just some damage control WotC is performing as the ship goes down.
Yup.
This is a nothingburger.
Just the corporate snake shedding some skin...
I think that Dork Tower has got it right....
(http://www.dorktower.com/2024/04/08/think-pink/)http://www.dorktower.com/2024/04/08/think-pink/ (http://www.dorktower.com/2024/04/08/think-pink/)
I'll wait to see who replaces her before I pop the champagne.
Quote from: Jeffadamo on April 17, 2024, 02:35:10 PMIf I had a nickel for every time a woman named Williams took control of DND and tried to run it into the ground, it's weird that I'd have two nickels.
Actually you'd have two nickels and two bucks.
She sucked but I fear her replacement will be worse. Hasbro and WotC are all in on DEI. I expect the next CEO to be a black trans pansexual small person...(add more descriptors you like) who will want to make D&D more accessible and a safe zone for all gamers and people of diversity.
I'm just too old, jaded, cynical and realistic to believe this will be a net positive.
Doesn't matter, broom still has fleas.
WotC betting it all on becoming a video game while the AAA video game industry is crashing is going to be something to behold.
Greetings!
*LAUGHING*!!
Damn, gang! What are you all snacking on or drinking tonight? Aglondir, on down to Geeky, you all are just stabbing WOTC with gigantic lightning pikes!
I agree entirely. Definitely more of a shitshow trainwreck coming down the track with WOTC!!!
Semper Fidelis,
SHARK
Quote from: SHARK on April 17, 2024, 03:27:40 PMQuote from: Crazy_Blue_Haired_Chick on April 17, 2024, 02:45:45 PMQuote from: SHARK on April 17, 2024, 02:43:03 PMGreetings!
Yeah! GOOD!
However, WOTC is still fucked, and they can choke. Moving chairs around doesn't change the damage they have done to the company, or the damage they have done to the trust and relationship with millions of customers.
And, it doesn't change the other terrible and horrible people they have retained on staff, in command of D&D.
The company should never have hired a horrible person like Williams to begin with.
So, fuck them. Let them continue to burn. I hope they go broke.
Semper Fidelis,
SHARK
My question is a bit more on the business side. How long can Hasbro use the D&D ip before WOTC gets entirely gutted? And will the upcoming VTT lead to further layoffs?
Greetings!
Yes, good questions! Well, I think in light of recent massive firings of staff at WOTC, from all accounts they are just about running on a skeleton staff. I definitely think that the whole VTT/computer focus for the new edition of D&D is largely responsible for the firings. Having a more computer and online-ficused game means that there is less need, emphasis, and focus for physical, printed books. That's definitely a business choice--and a viable market, all by itself. However, the two are very different markets, with different essential elements and different traditions and preferences. Also, some overlap, of course, but the fan-groups tend towards having interests and requirements that ultimately diverge, and become increasingly less compatible.
I think all of this is the pre-game show to moving their version of D&D into a mostly exclusive digital format. As previously mentioned, that is fine. That's a viable market. But it is very different from the physical game/Book hobby. I think it is clear that WOTC no longer really values the physical game/Book market of the hobby. They certainly do not value traditional gamers, or White people, so their market success and popularity has suffered enormous damage. Having said that, they can still manage to be a profitable company. They are just a very different kind of company, with a smaller, more narrow focus, market, and customer base. They want to cultivate a Woke customer base. So, Ok. Go broke then. Some Woke companies thrive, after all.
That doesn't mean though that they have not lost large numbers of customers. Their business future is somewhat precarious at the moment, though. There is a chance they can jump and hustle and move the company into being profitable for the foreseeable future as a digital-focused company--or, if this new venture fails, they will likely experience a long wallowing existence as a rump company, flailing about chaotically, trying to do a bit of this and a bit of that, but ultimately being consigned to creative mediocrity.
Semper Fidelis,
SHARK
WOTC only laid off a handful of people. It wasn't gutted, and it recently came out most of who was laid off had already been marked for layoff due to their project ending before layoffs were even announced company wide. WOTC had fewer layoffs than any other department at Hasbro. Definitely not a skeleton crew.
Quote from: Mistwell on April 18, 2024, 01:12:40 AMQuote from: SHARK on April 17, 2024, 03:27:40 PMQuote from: Crazy_Blue_Haired_Chick on April 17, 2024, 02:45:45 PMQuote from: SHARK on April 17, 2024, 02:43:03 PMGreetings!
Yeah! GOOD!
However, WOTC is still fucked, and they can choke. Moving chairs around doesn't change the damage they have done to the company, or the damage they have done to the trust and relationship with millions of customers.
And, it doesn't change the other terrible and horrible people they have retained on staff, in command of D&D.
The company should never have hired a horrible person like Williams to begin with.
So, fuck them. Let them continue to burn. I hope they go broke.
Semper Fidelis,
SHARK
My question is a bit more on the business side. How long can Hasbro use the D&D ip before WOTC gets entirely gutted? And will the upcoming VTT lead to further layoffs?
Greetings!
Yes, good questions! Well, I think in light of recent massive firings of staff at WOTC, from all accounts they are just about running on a skeleton staff. I definitely think that the whole VTT/computer focus for the new edition of D&D is largely responsible for the firings. Having a more computer and online-ficused game means that there is less need, emphasis, and focus for physical, printed books. That's definitely a business choice--and a viable market, all by itself. However, the two are very different markets, with different essential elements and different traditions and preferences. Also, some overlap, of course, but the fan-groups tend towards having interests and requirements that ultimately diverge, and become increasingly less compatible.
I think all of this is the pre-game show to moving their version of D&D into a mostly exclusive digital format. As previously mentioned, that is fine. That's a viable market. But it is very different from the physical game/Book hobby. I think it is clear that WOTC no longer really values the physical game/Book market of the hobby. They certainly do not value traditional gamers, or White people, so their market success and popularity has suffered enormous damage. Having said that, they can still manage to be a profitable company. They are just a very different kind of company, with a smaller, more narrow focus, market, and customer base. They want to cultivate a Woke customer base. So, Ok. Go broke then. Some Woke companies thrive, after all.
That doesn't mean though that they have not lost large numbers of customers. Their business future is somewhat precarious at the moment, though. There is a chance they can jump and hustle and move the company into being profitable for the foreseeable future as a digital-focused company--or, if this new venture fails, they will likely experience a long wallowing existence as a rump company, flailing about chaotically, trying to do a bit of this and a bit of that, but ultimately being consigned to creative mediocrity.
Semper Fidelis,
SHARK
WOTC only laid off a handful of people. It wasn't gutted, and it recently came out most of who was laid off had already been marked for layoff due to their project ending before layoffs were even announced company wide. WOTC had fewer layoffs than any other department at Hasbro. Definitely not a skeleton crew.
Greetings!
So, as I recall, The Quartering, and Clownfish talked about WOTC layoffs, as well as Pundit. Pundit said there is hardly any designers left--certainly most of the designers with talent have already left, or been fired. (Para).
So, why would Pundit say these things and thus be mistaken--when he could have gotten the deep truth from you to set him straight? What difference would it make to Pundit whether there was a full staff of monkeys at WOTC, or in my words, a "skeleton crew."?
Semper Fidelis,
SHARK
There is essentially no one left in the book publishing division.
Does that make Williams the one turning off the lights on her way out the door? In a way, that's actually good news.
Quote from: GeekyBugle on April 17, 2024, 11:43:55 PMWotC betting it all on becoming a video game while the AAA video game industry is crashing is going to be something to behold.
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/56/39/35/56393530f2bd0fa3dd4450cc40cd409d.gif)
I'll drink to that!
I think it's a shame she's gone. There is so much left to burn down.
I want that field nice and fertile for us to move in on.
Quote from: GeekyBugle on April 17, 2024, 11:43:55 PMWotC betting it all on becoming a video game while the AAA video game industry is crashing is going to be something to behold.
The true irony is that the D&D game from Larian helped trigger that collapse.
WotC - Failure is the Only Option
The AI has determined that C.Williams' services are no longer required.
Quote from: Chris24601 on April 18, 2024, 10:49:03 AMQuote from: GeekyBugle on April 17, 2024, 11:43:55 PMWotC betting it all on becoming a video game while the AAA video game industry is crashing is going to be something to behold.
The true irony is that the D&D game from Larian helped trigger that collapse.
WotC - Failure is the Only Option
Eh, not sure about that, the collapse was already under way IMHO. But it might have accelerated it.
Quote from: Crazy_Blue_Haired_Chick on April 17, 2024, 02:45:45 PMMy question is a bit more on the business side. How long can Hasbro use the D&D ip before WOTC gets entirely gutted? And will the upcoming VTT lead to further layoffs?
wotc has been gutting itself without Hasborgs help. Hasbro used to reign in wotc's stupid to a degree once they figured out just how destructive wotc can be. But round 5e's release that started to change.
When it comes to video games, I don't think the general position of the industry is a good marker of what's to come. Larian, who doesn't ascribe to any DEI nonsense publicly and whose "woke content" is just the ramifications of allowing an incredibly huge number of things to play out under the player's control, made a magnificent game- the best CRPG ever by almost every metric and one of the top hundred video games in history. At the time, they pointed out that it could be used as a tabletop sim with the right mods perhaps (granted with the slightly different ruleset, but it's like 97% 5e).
What does WotC do with this incredible gift, this hugely profitable beast? Well, we see Larian saying that they aren't gonna make any DLC and that Baldur's Gate 3 is being turned over to Wizards of the Coast and they are working on a different project. Which means that WotC wanted to burn down the license, take everything that Larian did that was wildly popular, and somehow assume they'd be able to be a good controller of this.
But clearly they won't. They lack the technical capacity, they axed everyone who worked with Larian on it, and clearly they didn't offer Larian the terms needed to begin immediately working on BG4, which would take years and blow away BG3. They fucked up massively.
Yes, but she is still there for another 8 Days. How much damage can an evil wench do in 8 Days, when she knows she's leaving anyway?
Quote from: Man at Arms on April 18, 2024, 02:25:00 PMYes, but she is still there for another 8 Days. How much damage can an evil wench do in 8 Days, when she knows she's leaving anyway?
Not much damage. She is most likely locked out of email and had her personal affects mailed to her home. The higher the employee, the more important it is to remove all of their access to the network when they are being fired.
Quote from: Chris24601 on April 18, 2024, 10:49:03 AMQuote from: GeekyBugle on April 17, 2024, 11:43:55 PMWotC betting it all on becoming a video game while the AAA video game industry is crashing is going to be something to behold.
The true irony is that the D&D game from Larian helped trigger that collapse.
WotC - Failure is the Only Option
"Victory has defeated you."
-Bane
Jessica Price will be her replacement. Calling it now.
Quote from: Franky on April 21, 2024, 03:19:40 AMJessica Price will be her replacement. Calling it now.
Greetings!
*LAUGHING*!!!! Fucking hilarious, Franky! That would be so EPIC! So appropriate, too!
Semper Fidelis,
SHARK
The people who hired her are still there though.
Recently released image shows WoTC desperately running away from the consequences of their actions.
Quote from: yosemitemike on April 21, 2024, 07:59:56 AMThe people who hired her are still there though.
Bingo! None of the C-Suite midwits will lose anything from this, which all the more terrible as they're just as retarded as Williams. The CEO of Hasbro certainly won't get ousted for running the company into the ground. The only thing that is saving them now is Monopoly Go, but whether that can turn it around or not is still up for debate.
Quote from: Theory of Games on April 17, 2024, 12:37:13 PMThose diversity hires just 'aint paying off as imaginated.
(https://media.tenor.com/5vKnZA8IzwIAAAAM/ray-liotta-laughing.gif)
I wasn't aware that former Microsoft executive was considered an underrepresented minority category.
Quote from: pawsplay on April 21, 2024, 01:18:06 PMQuote from: Theory of Games on April 17, 2024, 12:37:13 PMThose diversity hires just 'aint paying off as imaginated.
(https://media.tenor.com/5vKnZA8IzwIAAAAM/ray-liotta-laughing.gif)
I wasn't aware that former Microsoft executive was considered an underrepresented minority category.
Greetings!
Williams is a WOMAN. Therefore, she certainly qualifies as much-needed diversity for the staff at WOTC. Especially so for being represented as a woman in the upper echelons of executives. It is well-known that within the patriarchal, misogynistic systems that dominate America, we need more WOMEN represented within the executive levels of every company.
You are slipping there in your consciousness and awareness there of properly promoting Feminism, comrade. You may need some additional instruction and training at the Feminist DEI summer camp.
Apparently, you have forgotten how "The Future is FEMALE!" Perhaps you are being corrupted by toxic masculinity and patriarchal thinking? There cannot be any wrongthink, COMRADE!
How dare you!
*LAUGHING*
Semper Fidelis,
SHARK
Yeah, I'm sure they hired her because she's a woman, and not because she's a former Microsoft executive with experience specifically chasing revenues from gamers and trying to monetize the human reward center of the brain.
Quote from: pawsplay on April 21, 2024, 02:16:22 PMYeah, I'm sure they hired her because she's a woman, and not because she's a former Microsoft executive with experience specifically chasing revenues from gamers and trying to monetize the human reward center of the brain.
Given what I've observed of WotC, I imagine
both were considered positives on her resume.
Quote from: pawsplay on April 21, 2024, 02:16:22 PMYeah, I'm sure they hired her because she's a woman, and not because she's a former Microsoft executive with experience specifically chasing revenues from gamers and trying to monetize the human reward center of the brain.
And yet she didn't do anything but make shit worse. Maybe her 'experience' wasn't all that was it cracked up to be and she was a 'Diversity Hire' at Microsoft?
Quote from: Insane Nerd Ramblings on April 21, 2024, 04:06:52 PMQuote from: pawsplay on April 21, 2024, 02:16:22 PMYeah, I'm sure they hired her because she's a woman, and not because she's a former Microsoft executive with experience specifically chasing revenues from gamers and trying to monetize the human reward center of the brain.
And yet she didn't do anything but make shit worse. Maybe her 'experience' wasn't all that was it cracked up to be and she was a 'Diversity Hire' at Microsoft?
The rationale for hiring her was destined to make things worse. Squeezing games like they were turnips full of gold coins was never going to work, long term.
Just to be real here, the fact that people are chattering about "diversity hires" is proof you are paying attention to what they want you to, and not at all what you should be. These people are not looking out for your bests interests. WotC is currently under a regime that is thinking purely on a quarterly basis, and does not care about its long-term business, or its customers, at all.
So yeah, keep talking about diversity hires, and not on hiring from a world where it's normal to rely on 14 year olds stealing their parents' wallets so they can spend $60 on some click game, as a business model.
Quote from: Insane Nerd Ramblings on April 21, 2024, 01:00:30 PMQuote from: yosemitemike on April 21, 2024, 07:59:56 AMThe people who hired her are still there though.
Bingo! None of the C-Suite midwits will lose anything from this, which all the more terrible as they're just as retarded as Williams. The CEO of Hasbro certainly won't get ousted for running the company into the ground. The only thing that is saving them now is Monopoly Go, but whether that can turn it around or not is still up for debate.
You need to remember that to the corporate masters EVERY property MUST be producing an ever increasing stream of profits.
Else they'll fire the middle to lower level employees (to reduce costs), give themselves a fat bonus and rinse and repeat.
UNLESS some megacorporation really turns back to profit I don't see anything changing for the better any time soon. You still need to see Blackrock et all power to diminish before that happens any other way than a mega corporation deciding to stop chasing the ESG score and turn back to profit.
Quote from: SHARK on April 21, 2024, 02:01:04 PMQuote from: pawsplay on April 21, 2024, 01:18:06 PMI wasn't aware that former Microsoft executive was considered an underrepresented minority category.
Greetings!
Williams is a WOMAN. Therefore, she certainly qualifies as much-needed diversity for the staff at WOTC. Especially so for being represented as a woman in the upper echelons of executives. It is well-known that within the patriarchal, misogynistic systems that dominate America, we need more WOMEN represented within the executive levels of every company.
You are slipping there in your consciousness and awareness there of properly promoting Feminism, comrade. You may need some additional instruction and training at the Feminist DEI summer camp.
Apparently, you have forgotten how "The Future is FEMALE!" Perhaps you are being corrupted by toxic masculinity and patriarchal thinking? There cannot be any wrongthink, COMRADE!
How dare you!
*LAUGHING*
Semper Fidelis,
SHARK
Dude, you're arguing with someone that doesn't know the definition of woman.
What companies are finding out is that the promotion of diversity hires (to "kickstart" the numbers of qualified women and POCs) isn't resulting in a competent and diverse company, just a diverse one. And with the economy the way it is, Blackrock and Vanguard aren't going to be able to prop up stupidity with other people's money forever...
Quote from: pawsplay on April 21, 2024, 04:49:59 PMSo yeah, keep talking about diversity hires, and not on hiring from a world where it's normal to rely on 14 year olds stealing their parents' wallets so they can spend $60 on some click game, as a business model.
You seem to be under the mistaken belief that those 2 things are mutually exclusive. They're not. And I stopped giving WotC money years ago. I'm just waiting for the conflagration to consume them so I can roast my marshmallows over the embers of their company.
Why to you guys continue to interact with Paws? It's clear that he is a troll that's just trying to shit up the forum.
Quote from: Eirikrautha on April 21, 2024, 06:24:03 PMQuote from: SHARK on April 21, 2024, 02:01:04 PMQuote from: pawsplay on April 21, 2024, 01:18:06 PMI wasn't aware that former Microsoft executive was considered an underrepresented minority category.
Greetings!
Williams is a WOMAN. Therefore, she certainly qualifies as much-needed diversity for the staff at WOTC. Especially so for being represented as a woman in the upper echelons of executives. It is well-known that within the patriarchal, misogynistic systems that dominate America, we need more WOMEN represented within the executive levels of every company.
You are slipping there in your consciousness and awareness there of properly promoting Feminism, comrade. You may need some additional instruction and training at the Feminist DEI summer camp.
Apparently, you have forgotten how "The Future is FEMALE!" Perhaps you are being corrupted by toxic masculinity and patriarchal thinking? There cannot be any wrongthink, COMRADE!
How dare you!
*LAUGHING*
Semper Fidelis,
SHARK
Dude, you're arguing with someone that doesn't know the definition of woman.
What companies are finding out is that the promotion of diversity hires (to "kickstart" the numbers of qualified women and POCs) isn't resulting in a competent and diverse company, just a diverse one. And with the economy the way it is, Blackrock and Vanguard aren't going to be able to prop up stupidity with other people's money forever...
Not to be argumentative, but from my vantage point all of those "diverse" hires in corporations trying to suck up to Lovecraftian Horror that is DEI have been "divisive" hires. So far, no company that I have seen do this has survived it unscathed.
When Williams was hired, a great deal was made of how she had gone from being the girl who was told that she couldn't play D&D to being the President of WotC in charge of D&D. Shatter that glass ceiling! Stunning and brave! That will show the no one who said that girls couldn't play D&D back then. There's a reason why people think she was hired at least partly because of the optics of hiring a woman. I was rather more concerned about her comments about D&D being under-monetized at the time but the Stunning and Brave Woman thing was there and people noticed it.
Quote from: Eirikrautha on April 21, 2024, 06:24:03 PMQuote from: SHARK on April 21, 2024, 02:01:04 PMQuote from: pawsplay on April 21, 2024, 01:18:06 PMI wasn't aware that former Microsoft executive was considered an underrepresented minority category.
Greetings!
Williams is a WOMAN. Therefore, she certainly qualifies as much-needed diversity for the staff at WOTC. Especially so for being represented as a woman in the upper echelons of executives. It is well-known that within the patriarchal, misogynistic systems that dominate America, we need more WOMEN represented within the executive levels of every company.
You are slipping there in your consciousness and awareness there of properly promoting Feminism, comrade. You may need some additional instruction and training at the Feminist DEI summer camp.
Apparently, you have forgotten how "The Future is FEMALE!" Perhaps you are being corrupted by toxic masculinity and patriarchal thinking? There cannot be any wrongthink, COMRADE!
How dare you!
*LAUGHING*
Semper Fidelis,
SHARK
Dude, you're arguing with someone that doesn't know the definition of woman.
What companies are finding out is that the promotion of diversity hires (to "kickstart" the numbers of qualified women and POCs) isn't resulting in a competent and diverse company, just a diverse one. And with the economy the way it is, Blackrock and Vanguard aren't going to be able to prop up stupidity with other people's money forever...
Greetings!
*LAUGHING*! Yes, very true, my friend. Thank you for reminding me.
Semper Fidelis,
SHARK
Quote from: yosemitemike on April 22, 2024, 07:15:49 AMWhen Williams was hired, a great deal was made of how she had gone from being the girl who was told that she couldn't play D&D to being the President of WotC in charge of D&D. Shatter that glass ceiling! Stunning and brave! That will show the no one who said that girls couldn't play D&D back then. There's a reason why people think she was hired at least partly because of the optics of hiring a woman. I was rather more concerned about her comments about D&D being under-monetized at the time but the Stunning and Brave Woman thing was there and people noticed it.
Greetings!
Precisely, Yosemitemike! I had thought that I was alluding to precisely that with my satire post, but apparently, I was too clumsy in my presentation and failed.
I love the bold callback to the hype of those days. So STUNNING AND BRAVE! Geesus, yeah, WOTC laid that BS on thick too, didn't they? *Laughing*
Semper Fidelis,
SHARK
It's not even resulting in a diverse workforce unless you consider a room full of white woman who say they are vaguely queer as diverse.
Quote from: yosemitemike on April 22, 2024, 07:15:49 AMWhen Williams was hired, a great deal was made of how she had gone from being the girl who was told that she couldn't play D&D to being the President of WotC in charge of D&D. Shatter that glass ceiling! Stunning and brave! That will show the no one who said that girls couldn't play D&D back then. There's a reason why people think she was hired at least partly because of the optics of hiring a woman. I was rather more concerned about her comments about D&D being under-monetized at the time but the Stunning and Brave Woman thing was there and people noticed it.
This (https://www.geekwire.com/2022/wizards-of-the-coast-taps-former-microsoft-and-amazon-leader-cynthia-williams-as-president/)is what they highlighted:
QuoteWilliams will assume her new office at Wizards, headquartered in Renton, Wash., on Feb. 21. She moves over from Microsoft, where she has been a GM and vice president in various areas within its Xbox division since 2018. Previously, Williams spent 11 years in Amazon's finance and fulfillment departments and more than 12 years at Richmond, Va.-based tobacco company Altria...
Cocks added that Williams has been hired for a "deep understanding of technology and e-commerce, along with cloud and console-based gaming." Fields, similarly, offers "unmatched production experience and a demonstrated ability to accelerate the growth of brands in mobile gaming."
Through that lens, both Williams and Fields can be seen to represent continued investment by Wizards and Hasbro in growing its efforts in the video game space, both on mobile and console.
Girl power?
Her performance implies the obvious. DEI power.
Quote from: pawsplay on April 23, 2024, 11:36:57 AMQuote from: yosemitemike on April 22, 2024, 07:15:49 AMWhen Williams was hired, a great deal was made of how she had gone from being the girl who was told that she couldn't play D&D to being the President of WotC in charge of D&D. Shatter that glass ceiling! Stunning and brave! That will show the no one who said that girls couldn't play D&D back then. There's a reason why people think she was hired at least partly because of the optics of hiring a woman. I was rather more concerned about her comments about D&D being under-monetized at the time but the Stunning and Brave Woman thing was there and people noticed it.
This (https://www.geekwire.com/2022/wizards-of-the-coast-taps-former-microsoft-and-amazon-leader-cynthia-williams-as-president/)is what they highlighted:
QuoteWilliams will assume her new office at Wizards, headquartered in Renton, Wash., on Feb. 21. She moves over from Microsoft, where she has been a GM and vice president in various areas within its Xbox division since 2018. Previously, Williams spent 11 years in Amazon's finance and fulfillment departments and more than 12 years at Richmond, Va.-based tobacco company Altria...
Cocks added that Williams has been hired for a "deep understanding of technology and e-commerce, along with cloud and console-based gaming." Fields, similarly, offers "unmatched production experience and a demonstrated ability to accelerate the growth of brands in mobile gaming."
Through that lens, both Williams and Fields can be seen to represent continued investment by Wizards and Hasbro in growing its efforts in the video game space, both on mobile and console.
Girl power?
Maybe this will help clear things up for you.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/brettknight/2022/10/11/could-dungeons--dragons-be-the-next-harry-potter-stranger-things-have-happened/
Quote"My very first experience wanting to play Dungeons & Dragons was back in the '80s," says the 55-year-old Williams, who grew up amid the tobacco fields of North Carolina, "and there were some of my male friends in a basement, and I wanted to play, and they were like: 'No, you can't play. This isn't for girls.' I'm really excited that that is no longer the case."
In fact, around 40% of D&D players are now female, according to a 2020 study Wizards of the Coast conducted with market research firm Newzoo. And surprisingly for a game that's about to turn 50, the players skew young.
Sounds pretty girl power/identity politicky to me. Also, anyone who thinks that 40% of D&D players are female and skew young clearly has never played it online, in store, or at a convention in a game. The only way you get to that conclusion is by only watching sessions that pre-select players specifically for those characteristics for the optics or by joining a group that self-segregates. Are there both young and/or female players? Absolutely. Is the number increasing? Probably (moreso because of things like Critical Role than anything Hasbro has been doing). But 40% and/or skewing young in the general playerbase? That's Kyle Brink levels of delusion...
"My very first experience wanting to play Dungeons & Dragons was back in the '80s," says the 55-year-old Williams, who grew up amid the tobacco fields of North Carolina, "and there were some of my male friends in a basement, and I wanted to play, and they were like: 'No, you can't play. This isn't for girls.' I'm really excited that that is no longer the case."
Why don't I believe a single fucking word of this?
Quote from: Brad on April 24, 2024, 11:28:46 AM"My very first experience wanting to play Dungeons & Dragons was back in the '80s," says the 55-year-old Williams, who grew up amid the tobacco fields of North Carolina, "and there were some of my male friends in a basement, and I wanted to play, and they were like: 'No, you can't play. This isn't for girls.' I'm really excited that that is no longer the case."
Why don't I believe a single fucking word of this?
I know!
1) Nobody ever said that to a girl who wanted to play, ever, in the entire history of the hobby.
2) D&D was for nerds back then and this woman wanted nothing to do with the game or anybody who played it.
Quote from: Brad on April 24, 2024, 11:28:46 AM"My very first experience wanting to play Dungeons & Dragons was back in the '80s," says the 55-year-old Williams, who grew up amid the tobacco fields of North Carolina, "and there were some of my male friends in a basement, and I wanted to play, and they were like: 'No, you can't play. This isn't for girls.' I'm really excited that that is no longer the case."
Why don't I believe a single fucking word of this?
Eh, it could have happened but a bit of plausibility makes for the best lie/propaganda after all. We're probably talking about 8-12 year olds in the 80s so not the most mature subset of humanity regardless of which of the two genders we're talking about. Regardless, it never would have happened AFTER the onset of puberty so basically for the vast majority of her 55 year life she would have been perfectly welcome in any group she came across.
I'm looking forward to the Post-Williams Era, at WOTC. Ok, who's next?
Go OSR, Go!!!
As a kid of the 80s, I can tell you that she would have been welcome at any table I have ever known. "It's not for girls" was a jock thing, not a nerd thing.
Quote from: Brad on April 24, 2024, 11:28:46 AMWhy don't I believe a single fucking word of this?
Because you are too based to believe bullshit made up just-so stories?
Quote from: BadApple on April 24, 2024, 02:22:38 PMAs a kid of the 80s, I can tell you that she would have been welcome at any table I have ever known. "It's not for girls" was a jock thing, not a nerd thing.
Exactly. Young boys, verging on being teenagers, would want a girl playing with them. Especially nerdy boys.
Quote from: BadApple on April 24, 2024, 02:22:38 PMAs a kid of the 80s, I can tell you that she would have been welcome at any table I have ever known. "It's not for girls" was a jock thing, not a nerd thing.
In my experience it was a rest of society thing. I've mentioned before on the forum that we were always eager to have girls at the table, but it was always somebody else (teachers, librarians, parents, boyfriends, etc) stepping in and shutting it down. I'm not saying we never barred a girl from the table (we did a time or two), but it was always for reasons other than "this isn't for girls".
Quote from: Brad on April 24, 2024, 11:28:46 AM"My very first experience wanting to play Dungeons & Dragons was back in the '80s," says the 55-year-old Williams, who grew up amid the tobacco fields of North Carolina, "and there were some of my male friends in a basement, and I wanted to play, and they were like: 'No, you can't play. This isn't for girls.' I'm really excited that that is no longer the case."
Why don't I believe a single fucking word of this?
Greetings!
Yeah, Brad. I agree. It's BS. Her entire statement is absolutely fraudulent.
Girls were always welcome at any table I was playing at as a kid. Even more so as an adolescent. The fact is, most girls were not interested. A few girls liked to play. And, there were always a decent number of girls that were undecided about playing--but were very eager to sit right there amongst us, and observe, or cheerlead. They just liked hanging out and listening and following along with all the drama going on. Funny thing, we even see that behavior from girls and women to this day! It is fun and enjoyable to see even when a woman doesn't want to play--they often want to cook, serve drinks, go get snacks for everyone, and hang out together. Participating in such ways provides them--the women--with great joy. It's all good.
Semper Fidelis,
SHARK
Quote from: Brad on April 24, 2024, 11:28:46 AMWhy don't I believe a single fucking word of this?
Because it's transparent bullshit. Only someone who isn't the hobby and doesn't know anything about it would believe a word of this. Girls didn't participate because, for the most part, they didn't want to. It's pretty much the same today. I rarely get female players on Roll20 even though anyone can sign up and I often don't know the sex of the player before they start playing because people are using screen names. The idea that 40% of ttrpg players is bullshit on the level of the claim that half of the readership of American super hero comics are women. It's not true and everyone knows it's not true.
Well, my daughter and her friends play, so that's a data point. The nice purple haired lady down the street runs D&D at the boys and girls club. There's a social aspect that has changed substantially since the eighties. I've known guys who absolutely don't want girls at the table. Generally they're guys I don't want at the table.
Quote from: David Johansen on May 11, 2024, 10:31:55 AMWell, my daughter and her friends play, so that's a data point. The nice purple haired lady down the street runs D&D at the boys and girls club. There's a social aspect that has changed substantially since the eighties. I've known guys who absolutely don't want girls at the table. Generally they're guys I don't want at the table.
Yep, it became popular, it became cool and presto! now more women want to play, and change it so it's nothing like the thing that became popular.
I wonder: Is it okay for women/girls to want to play away from men/boys? Would those who say yes want those same women/girls at their table?
Why isn't allowed for men/boys to have their own sex segregated spaces anymore?
Quote from: GeekyBugle on May 11, 2024, 12:17:56 PMQuote from: David Johansen on May 11, 2024, 10:31:55 AMWell, my daughter and her friends play, so that's a data point. The nice purple haired lady down the street runs D&D at the boys and girls club. There's a social aspect that has changed substantially since the eighties. I've known guys who absolutely don't want girls at the table. Generally they're guys I don't want at the table.
Yep, it became popular, it became cool and presto! now more women want to play, and change it so it's nothing like the thing that became popular.
I wonder: Is it okay for women/girls to want to play away from men/boys? Would those who say yes want those same women/girls at their table?
Why isn't allowed for men/boys to have their own sex segregated spaces anymore?
Greetings!
Yeah, GeekyBugle! I think that having women join the game table is great! *Mostly*, right? *Laughing* There does seem to be that weird, fucked up deep urge that women seem to get where they then proceed to want to make all kinds of changes to the scene that they found enjoyable to begin with. Fuck no! Keep the fucking women IN CHECK! But yes, normal, cool women that are respectful of the game, the table, and men--are generally awesome. There is that potential problem of being that so many women are corrupted by Feminism. That, I think, is a contributing cause to women's stupidity in virtually everything.
Yes, it is also fine and good to have game tables for just a group of men. Nothing wrong with that at all. The women don't need to always be in every male group for everything. It is also important though to gatekeep out of the game table weak, "White Knight" male feminists. That way, the group of men can simply enjoy being together as men for the game. Cigars. Cervesa, whiskey, all around!
The game table vibe is very different from all-men groups, compared to mixed men and women groups. As I said, women bring their own flavour to the table. It is generally good, but needs to be supervised and viewed carefully. Men, in general, on the other hand, are their own distinct type of environment, but are also more predictable and stable than groups that include women. I play tables that are all men for one group, and two other game groups that are mixed men and women.
It also occurred to me. Why the fuck do the pussies cry about the male only groups? Whaa! Whaa! These people need to plug the fuck into ALL MALE softball teams, all male Rugby teams, and all male Bowling teams. Hello? Yeah, there are mixed versions of these too, as well as groups just for women. That's because normal people have recognized that each kind of grouping type provides a very different social environment. This kind of reality has been going on forever. *Laughing* You know what I'm saying, Hermano!
Semper Fidelis,
SHARK
Quote from: SHARK on May 11, 2024, 12:43:18 PMQuote from: GeekyBugle on May 11, 2024, 12:17:56 PMQuote from: David Johansen on May 11, 2024, 10:31:55 AMWell, my daughter and her friends play, so that's a data point. The nice purple haired lady down the street runs D&D at the boys and girls club. There's a social aspect that has changed substantially since the eighties. I've known guys who absolutely don't want girls at the table. Generally they're guys I don't want at the table.
Yep, it became popular, it became cool and presto! now more women want to play, and change it so it's nothing like the thing that became popular.
I wonder: Is it okay for women/girls to want to play away from men/boys? Would those who say yes want those same women/girls at their table?
Why isn't allowed for men/boys to have their own sex segregated spaces anymore?
Greetings!
Yeah, GeekyBugle! I think that having women join the game table is great! *Mostly*, right? *Laughing* There does seem to be that weird, fucked up deep urge that women seem to get where they then proceed to want to make all kinds of changes to the scene that they found enjoyable to begin with. Fuck no! Keep the fucking women IN CHECK! But yes, normal, cool women that are respectful of the game, the table, and men--are generally awesome. There is that potential problem of being that so many women are corrupted by Feminism. That, I think, is a contributing cause to women's stupidity in virtually everything.
Yes, it is also fine and good to have game tables for just a group of men. Nothing wrong with that at all. The women don't need to always be in every male group for everything. It is also important though to gatekeep out of the game table weak, "White Knight" male feminists. That way, the group of men can simply enjoy being together as men for the game. Cigars. Cervesa, whiskey, all around!
The game table vibe is very different from all-men groups, compared to mixed men and women groups. As I said, women bring their own flavour to the table. It is generally good, but needs to be supervised and viewed carefully. Men, in general, on the other hand, are their own distinct type of environment, but are also more predictable and stable than groups that include women. I play tables that are all men for one group, and two other game groups that are mixed men and women.
It also occurred to me. Why the fuck do the pussies cry about the male only groups? Whaa! Whaa! These people need to plug the fuck into ALL MALE softball teams, all male Rugby teams, and all male Bowling teams. Hello? Yeah, there are mixed versions of these too, as well as groups just for women. That's because normal people have recognized that each kind of grouping type provides a very different social environment. This kind of reality has been going on forever. *Laughing* You know what I'm saying, Hermano!
Semper Fidelis,
SHARK
Yeah, I mean when it's only guys we can talk however we see fit without caring if we'll offend the delicate sensibilities of a woman.
I rather play in a group where I'm the only man (provided it's not crazy cat-lady-to-be women) than to have a male feminist in my group.
I'm currently playing in TWO groups, one started and remains as only men, not by design but hey, the other started also like that, now we have a woman playing with us, I'm okay with both, I'm also perfectly okay with women (of the sane and insane variety [although the insane ones should never be allowed around sane people]) having their own sex segregated spaces, in return I want my own sex segregated spaces if I wish to retreat to one to be free of pussy footing around their sensibilities.
We used to have Cantinas and Bars, the Cantina was men only, so we went there to play, talk shit and swear like sailors, but the Wahmen cried until daddy government stepped in and now both are forced to allow women in because (equality and inclusivity and bullshit).
Of course wahmen only places are allowed to exist because those aren't excluding men somehow, and if they are it's a good thing.
I'm sick and tired of pretending it's not discriminatory, it is, and it should be allowed, why the fuck not?
Quote from: Armchair Gamer on April 17, 2024, 02:20:32 PMOverheard outside the C-Suite at WotC: "Look, I understand why it's good for the Brand and the Master Plan, I'm just not sure publicly coming out as a quadragendered paladin of Asmodeus fits my long term career plans. Maybe we should put someone else in this slot for now. I'm sure there's someone we can tap or rehabilitate ..."
Since Williams is now in as CEO of Funko, apparently she decided multiclassing into Idol-Maker was a better career move.