Wizards of the Coast President Envisions a New Dungeons & Dragons MMORPG

John Hight, the newly appointed president of Wizards of the Coast, has expressed his enthusiasm for creating a new Dungeons & Dragons MMORPG. In an interview, Hight discussed his vision for the company, which includes expanding the audience for Magic: The Gathering and developing new digital games based on the D&D franchise. Hight has had a long and successful career in the video game industry, with stints at Blizzard Entertainment, where he served as general manager of the Warcraft franchise. He believes that his experience in the digital side of the business will be beneficial in his new role at Wizards of the Coast. One of Hight's primary goals is to ensure that the digital and physical sides of the business are fully integrated. He wants to create a seamless experience for players, allowing them to move easily between in-person play and online play. To achieve this, he has reorganized the company into three main divisions: Magic, D&D, and Wizards Digital Ventures. The Magic division will focus on developing new digital games and expanding the audience for the popular trading card game. The D&D division will concentrate on creating new content for the tabletop game, including campaigns and adventures. Wizards Digital Ventures will be responsible for incubating new franchises and developing digital games based on existing IPs. Hight is also keen to explore the potential of artificial intelligence in game development. He believes that AI can be used to generate ideas, create audio performances, and even help with code development. However, he emphasizes that the final product should always be created by human beings, as they bring a unique touch and creativity to the game. When asked about the possibility of a new D&D MMORPG, Hight expressed his enthusiasm for the idea. He believes that the traditional MMORPG model needs to be updated and that technology can help make it easier to create a successful game. However, he also acknowledges that the modern online gaming landscape is highly competitive, and any new MMORPG would need to compete with established games like Fortnite and Minecraft. Despite the challenges, Hight is confident that D&D has the flexibility and creativity to adapt to different styles of play and distribution methods. He wants designers to pursue innovation and create something revolutionary, rather than evolutionary. With his experience and vision, Hight is poised to lead Wizards of the Coast into a new era of growth and success.