WOTC split from Hasbro

[lavendergengar]

WOTC were basically robbing Pokémon of older players, barring tournaments to anyone over 15 and encouraging them to play MtG. But to be fair,the fallout begun really early, when they decided to create Dark Raichu without consent from Japan. This, their forcing of players to migrate to MtG and the fact that they kept pushing the idea of making a Western-designed set (which was one of the canceled sets along Jamboree and Legendary Collection 2) were more than valid reasons for Nintendo to put their hand down on them

[rainbowgym]

@anon83099482

@seafoamarticuno

Does anyone know the story how WotC lost the Pokemon license after e-series? Given that they had a couple sets planned that were never printed, I’ve always assumed they weren’t anticipating losing the license.

One of the main reasons was WotC was actively trying to turn older players off Pokemon so they would play Magic.

For people who’ve never been involved in the players side of the TCG, there are three age divisions which at the time were: 10 and under, 11-14, 15+

For the last couple of years that WotC was in charge, they completely removed the 15+ age division from events, replacing it with a professor role, meaning players age 15 and over could judge events or play in smaller events without as much prize support, but would not be able to play in the biggest events. The only WotC ran World Championship in 2002 only officially has two World Champions for this reason (despite Alex Brosseau winning a 15+ event held in the same place at the same time).

In those days, Magic was aimed at players 15+.

People do have huge nostalgia over WotC, mainly due to the cards being the ones people remember from childhood, or people being unhappy with how things are run now. It leads to a lot of people saying that they wish WotC has kept control of the TCG, but speak to anyone who was actually playing around that time, WotC was killing the Pokemon TCG.

I was a (Master) Professor and a player from 2000 and WotC was indeed killing the TCG.
Nobody want that situation back.

Don’t forget the main target of Pokemon TCG is the agegroup 8-14 untill today, that never changed.

I have been fighting for equal worldwide Organised Play since 2000, most of all because Europe was set behind when TPCI took over.
I kept on pointing on the 15+ group (even more the adults/parents) are the ones with the money and making playing the TCG possible.

WotC also had the license of the Harry Potter TCG at that time, Harry Potter game died very fast. Mainly because they did target only boys in the age of 8-12.
Disclosing 50% of your customers isn’t a very smart move in my eyes.

[xileets]

@c0ll3ct0r

Interesting how the newly announced WOTC president, Cynthia W. Williams, and the new General Manager of Digital Gaming, Tim Fields, both have deep history with Microsoft’s Xbox department.

Also interesting how the former President and COO of WOTC and Digital Gaming, Chris Cocks, is now becoming the new Hasbro CEO.

Oh, I BELieve in Coincidences… They happen ALL the time.

[c0ll3ct0r]

@xileets

@c0ll3ct0r

Interesting how the newly announced WOTC president, Cynthia W. Williams, and the new General Manager of Digital Gaming, Tim Fields, both have deep history with Microsoft’s Xbox department.

Also interesting how the former President and COO of WOTC and Digital Gaming, Chris Cocks, is now becoming the new Hasbro CEO.

Oh, I BELieve in Coincidences… They happen ALL the time.

First one probably is. Quality top brass is hard to come by and Tim Fields has experience from everywhere.

As to the new CEO, the former did pass away, but it’s interesting how they announce him in January and then this investor move is publicized just a week before he takes office.