Dungeons & Dragons — and possibly Wizards of the Coast — is reportedly up for sale by corporate owner Hasbro. The reason? Hasbro is BLEEDING OUT financially, and DnD is one of the few bright spots in their IP portfolio. The owner is rumored to be Tencent, with Larian Studios facilitating the deal. Of course, Larian made the wildly successful Baldur’s Gate 3 and Tencent owns a chunk of that studio. This, coupled with the inexplicable firing of many top Wizards of the Coast talent, is starting to make a whole lot more sense…
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Additional Context:
The gaming world is abuzz with the news that Hasbro, the corporate owner of Dungeons & Dragons and Wizards of the Coast, might be in negotiations to sell off the iconic D&D brand. The rumored suitor? None other than Chinese conglomerate Tencent, with reports suggesting that Larian Studios, the creators of the hit game Baldur’s Gate 3, could be playing a role in the deal.
According to a dungeonsanddragonsfan.com article, talks between Tencent and Hasbro are still in early stages, with Larian Studios acting as an intermediary. Larian, which holds a significant interest from Tencent, was initially interested in acquiring D&D but lacked the necessary capital. This move by Tencent is seen as part of its strategy to acquire major Western IPs, which are highly sought after but challenging to obtain for many Chinese companies.
Hasbro’s financial troubles are a key driver behind the potential sale. The company is experiencing a severe financial downturn, with an expected drop in total revenue by up to 15% and the entertainment branch suffering even more. This financial strain led to a significant round of layoffs in late 2023, affecting 20% of Hasbro’s global workforce. Despite these struggles, the D&D brand remains profitable, with Wizards of the Coast being one of Hasbro’s consistently well-performing units. This success is largely attributed to D&D and the lucrative licensing deal for Baldur’s Gate III.
Tencent, a major player in the video game industry with stakes in various gaming companies, is reportedly interested in acquiring the D&D IP from Hasbro. This could involve purchasing the IP outright or obtaining exclusive rights to develop D&D video games. The deal, if it materializes, could give Tencent control over a major North American brand with global popularity. Tencent’s portfolio includes ownership of Riot Games and significant shares in Epic Games, among others, highlighting its experience and interest in the gaming space.
It’s worth noting that despite Hasbro’s overall decline, Wizards of the Coast and its digital gaming segment have seen significant growth, largely thanks to the success of Baldur’s Gate 3 and other digital gaming ventures. In Q3 2023, this segment’s revenue was up by $120 million compared to the same period in 2022. This growth contrasts with the broader downward trend in Hasbro’s revenue.
However, it’s essential to approach this news with caution. As of now, there has been no official confirmation from Hasbro, Tencent, or Larian Studios, and the information primarily comes from reports and rumors. The potential impact of such a sale on existing licensing agreements and the future direction of the D&D brand in video games, TV, film, and print materials remains uncertain.
In the grand scheme of things, the fate of Dungeons & Dragons in the hands of a conglomerate like Tencent raises concerns among fans about the future direction of the franchise. Will it remain true to its tabletop role-playing game roots, or will it transform into something unrecognizable? Only time will tell, but for now, the D&D community watches with bated breath.
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