Cocks is the guy spearheading the "D&D as Lifestyle" for casual gamers.
I think he's doing really well. Given the fact that neutering what D&D was to being the McDonalds of TTRPGs is no small feat. But it also speaks precisely to what D&D is and will be going forward.
It should surprise *no one* here.
Thing is. So far all WOTC's "lifestyle" gig has been nothing but chirping a buzzword and essentially monetizing fan works. You know. Those things that have been around pretty much forever and well before RPG? Yeah, those.
So far WOTC has done less than TSR ever did.
At least two action figure lines.
At least one candy brand.
A few toys like Colorforms.
Colouringbooks.
Childrens books.
Mugs, pencils, and a few oddities.
And I am not counting actual game products like dice, minis, novels, wargames, board games or PC games.
WOTC has so far produced surprisingly little.
Colouring books (but only as obscure PDFs as of last check?)
Childrens books (also only as obscure PDFs only?)
Mugs, Pencils and alot of oddieties like plushes. A large majority of which turns out to be essentially fan crafting that WOTC is licensing somehow.
I am honestly surprised at the lack of action figures and toys.
They talk the talk but dont walk the walk.
Which is weird because they have access to Hasbro. Then again the longer they posture but dont act. The better.