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[Last Hearth]

Hasbro Seeks to Sell IP "DND" and Has Had Preliminary Contact with Tencent

American toy company Hasbro is seeking to sell its well-known IP "Dungeons & Dragons", and Tencent is one of the potential buyers.

pandaily.com

I'm glad they are selling it but I wouldn't want Tencent to own it either.

Can some Mod change the title to "Hasbro to sell", my autocorrect messed up the title.

 

[Cyberpunkd]

Considering how shit all the future plans for One D&D are and the fact the only new news you get is about woke content I don't think the IP is doing super well.

 

[Punished Miku]

I don't really see a huge issue. It's mostly dead, and going crazy woke. China isn't woke. China has money to fund large projects. I don't see a downside really.

 

[Torrent of Pork]

Looks like my campaign is going to feature an organ-harvesting cult.

 

[Hudo]

I don't really see a huge issue. It's mostly dead, and going crazy woke. China isn't woke. China has money to fund large projects. I don't see a downside really.

I agree. And that right there says all you need to know about how Hasbro are treating D&D, if even fucking Tencent owning it can be considered an improvement.

 

[Guilty_AI]

I honestly still see this as a win.

Seems they actually wanted to sell it to Larian first, but they refused cause they didn't have funds for it and passed it on to tencent who has shares on their studio.

 

[jshackles]

Apparently (according to OPs article), this started because Hasbro wanted to sell the D&D IP to Larian, but Larian didn't have enough money, so they kicked it up to Tencent who is one of their investors.

I'd much rather have Larian be in charge of Dungeons and Dragons IP.

 

[Hudo]

Apparently (according to OPs article), this started because Hasbro wanted to sell the D&D IP to Larian, but Larian didn't have enough money, so they kicked it up to Tencent who is one of their investors.

I'd much rather have Larian be in charge of Dungeons and Dragons IP.

Does that also include Dark Sun? If so, I want Larian to make a new Dark Sun game. And yes, with slavery and racism and all. How fucking Dark Sun is supposed to be.

 

[SmokedMeat]

Western companies would sell their souls to the Chinese if they could.

 

[Fbh]

Ultimately though, whatever ensures Larian has continued access to it is the better choice.

 

[Gaelyon]

from the article :

"Last year, the release of "Baldur's Gate 3" by Larian Studios was both critically acclaimed and commercially successful. It not only won six TGA awards, including Game of the Year but also generated revenue of $657 million, surpassing the Harry Potter IP adaptation game "Hogwarts Legacy," making it the most profitable PC exclusive game last year."

 

[GHG]

Ultimately though, whatever ensures Larian has continued access to it is the better choice.

I pick going right.

I already know what selecting the left fork results in and I really don't like it, so I'll take my chances.

 

[NecrosaroIII]

How reliable is the TC's source? I've never heard of them before and I'm not seeing this anywhere else.

 

[Guilty_AI]

Apparently (according to OPs article), this started because Hasbro wanted to sell the D&D IP to Larian, but Larian didn't have enough money, so they kicked it up to Tencent who is one of their investors.

I'd much rather have Larian be in charge of Dungeons and Dragons IP.

Me too, but at least with Tencent it increases the chances of future D&D games by Larian.

 

[Mister Wolf]

Ultimately though, whatever ensures Larian has continued access to it is the better choice.

Easy choice.

 

[SmokedMeat]

Since when was China not about censorship?

Rainbow Six Siege review bombed amid China censorship backlash

Some angry fans believe Ubisoft is “bowing its head” to China by slightly altering some maps.

www.pcgamer.com

China’s PUBG replacement makes people wave goodbye after they die

A wholesome socialist alternative

www.polygon.com

 

[jshackles]

How reliable is the TC's source? I've never heard of them before and I'm not seeing this anywhere else.

It's starting to make the rounds into more traditional nerd media sites. Seems they all reference back to OPs article though, so difficult to say since there is no official word from either company yet.

Tencent Reportedly Seeking to Purchase Dungeons & Dragons Video Game Rights From Hasbro

Chinese company Tencent is reportedly looking to gain control of Dungeons & Dragons.

comicbook.com

Reports Suggest Tencent Wants to Buy Dungeons and Dragons from Hasbro

Chinese gaming juggernaut Tencent is reportedly showing interest in buying iconic tabletop gaming brand Dungeons and Dragons from Hasbro.

gamerant.com

 

[SlimeGooGoo]

 

[NecrosaroIII]

Seems like they're not so much selling the full IP (which would be stupid because DND is doing well as a brand), but rather selling adaptation rights to Tencent.

 

[IDKFA]

It's really sad that a big part of American culture is being sold to a foreign corporation.

 

[NecrosaroIII]

It's really sad that a big part of American culture is being sold to a foreign corporation.

Just adaptation rights, not the full game.

 

[BennyBlanco]

Hope they sell off WoTC to China as well

 

[phant0m]

D&D is doing poorly? What? Isn't it having a huge revival right now with BG3 and the successful movie last year?

 

[intbal]

Need someone to mockup this photo as a half-elf Bard staring down a bunch of red dragons.

 

[Guilty_AI]

D&D is doing poorly? What? Isn't it having a huge revival right now with BG3 and the successful movie last year?

Not D&D, Hasbro is the one with problems.

 

[phant0m]

Not D&D, Hasbro is the one with problems.

Oh, so selling off their IPs that are actually profitable/hot to save the sinking ship. Smart!

 

[Cyberpunkd]

Looks like my campaign is going to feature an organ-harvesting cult.

Fuck, wrong IP.

 

[Guilty_AI]

Oh, so selling off their IPs that are actually profitable/hot to save the sinking ship. Smart!

Considering its the only thing they have worth selling to pay off debts, it might be.

 

[vkbest]

from the article :

"Last year, the release of "Baldur's Gate 3" by Larian Studios was both critically acclaimed and commercially successful. It not only won six TGA awards, including Game of the Year but also generated revenue of $657 million, surpassing the Harry Potter IP adaptation game "Hogwarts Legacy," making it the most profitable PC exclusive game last year."

PC exclusive game?

 

[Cyberpunkd]

Need someone to mockup this photo as a half-elf Bard staring down a bunch of red dragons.

 

[Mownoc]

from the article :

"Last year, the release of "Baldur's Gate 3" by Larian Studios was both critically acclaimed and commercially successful. It not only won six TGA awards, including Game of the Year but also generated revenue of $657 million, surpassing the Harry Potter IP adaptation game "Hogwarts Legacy," making it the most profitable PC exclusive game last year."

This is based on this image and is VGinsights estimates of revenue on steam only for new games launched in 2023.

They have made some notable adjustments to their estimates since this was made. For example Starfield is now only estimated as $198.9 million with an extra month of sales.

 

[REMAINSILLY]

Ultimately though, whatever ensures Larian has continued access to it is the better choice.

Easiest of choices under the circumstances.

 

[bender]

 

[tkscz]

D&D should have had amazing success because of the pandemic and Critical Roll boosting it's attention, but unfortunately it got the attention of the REEEEEE crowd. People known for coming into hobbies, taking them over, forcing them into their taste, but then not buying anything even after the company shifts everything to meet their needs. Then these companies, out of desperation, will continue to bend to the people who won't buy their products, and shun the people who once did. When the REEEEEE crowd moves on, the company is left with nothing and usually sells to a Chinese company and that can go either way.

D&D sales have been steadily declining as the people their focus on tend to watch others play it, but not want to get into themselves. They want to have the exact same adventures and moments they see on Twitch without realizing most of that is setup and scripted. Then they want the game to change from being about adventure to being about slice of life, so many many books change to reflect that.

 

[DaciaJC]

Since when was China not about censorship?

Rainbow Six Siege review bombed amid China censorship backlash

Some angry fans believe Ubisoft is “bowing its head” to China by slightly altering some maps.

www.pcgamer.com

China’s PUBG replacement makes people wave goodbye after they die

A wholesome socialist alternative

www.polygon.com

Yeah, this is not really something to be excited about. But at the same time, the current owners have been hard at work making the property worse, so it's something of a "pick your poison" situation.

 

[Elbereth]

I would prefer Larian, but whoever gets it, just give my favorite fantasy character his just due

 

[OceanGaming]

Ultimately though, whatever ensures Larian has continued access to it is the better choice.

I'm not a westerner, this is an easy choice.

PC exclusive game?

It is spiritually a PC exclusive ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) (but yes they should fix that)

 

[Evil Calvin]

Why the fuck does China have to get their noses in everything??

 

[Meicyn]

I'd much rather have Larian be in charge of Dungeons and Dragons IP.

Yes, then they can make a modern Dragonlance game. Ansalon and Taladas are right there, ripe for new stories.

 

[Gordon Fearman]

Boy the headline is misleading.

A Tencent IEG (Interactive Entertainment Group) insider revealed that Tencent, represented by its overseas business department IEG Global, is in negotiations with the aim of acquiring a series of rights including the adaptation rights for electronic games such as DND.

 

[CosmicComet]

I'm 100% fine with China owning this IP.

Maybe they will roll back all shitty woke retcons to the lore and general direction that American owners have applied to it.

 

[NecrosaroIII]

Boy the headline is misleading.

That's what I've been posting. Op, change your title

 

[Mister Wolf]

I'm cool with China owning D&D and Sven overseeing it.

 

[Gaelyon]

This is based on this image and is VGinsights estimates of revenue on steam only for new games launched in 2023.

They have made some notable adjustments to their estimates since this was made. For example Starfield is now only estimated as $198.9 million with an extra month of sales.

Thanks for sharing, didn't known VGinsights.

If Sven Vincke gain some insight to the future of D&D I'm ok with it, Hasbro hasn't been good with this awesome IP. But Tencent ? who knows ?

 

[Pop]

Ultimately though, whatever ensures Larian has continued access to it is the better choice.

Easy

 

[Krappadizzle]

 

[cyberheater]

Ultimately though, whatever ensures Larian has continued access to it is the better choice.

You have a point.

 

[CosmicComet]

I would prefer Larian, but whoever gets it, just give my favorite fantasy character his just due

Drizzt eh?

Careful what you wish for.

If he becomes more than just a semi-obscure but beloved cult character you run the risk of 'modernizing' and ruining him with current year shit writing tropes and insertions.

 

[Elbereth]

Drizzt eh?

Careful what you wish for.

If he becomes more than just a semi-obscure but beloved cult character you run the risk of 'modernizing' and ruining him with current year shit writing tropes and insertions.

As long as Salvatore is writing the books, the character can't be ruined by other mediums. I actually met, and had a very in-depth discussion about the character with R.A…. It's safe to say that Drizzt will remain true, no matter what happens with WotC.

 

[FunkMiller]

Nah. Sell the whole damn thing to Games Workshop.