Wizards of the Coast and Larian Studios Dispel Rumors of Selling Dungeons & Dragons to Tencent

Wizards of the Coast swiftly addressed these rumors, debunking the entire debacle in a statement provided to Dicebreaker. While confirming ongoing discussions with Tencent regarding potential partnerships, WotC emphatically stated that the talks did not involve selling the Dungeons & Dragons intellectual property: We regularly talk to Tencent and enjoy multiple partnerships with them across a number of our IPs. We don't make a habit of commenting on internet rumors, but to be clear: we are not looking to sell our D&D IP. We will keep talking to partners about how we bring the best digital experiences to our fans. We won't comment any further on speculation or rumors about potential M&A or licensing deals. In essence, D&D remains firmly in the hands of Wizards of the Coast - and Hasbro. The more plausible scenario is that Tencent, given its successful collaboration on Baldur's Gate 3, may be considering investing in another D&D game. Such a move aligns with the current trend of expanding digital experiences within the realm of tabletop gaming.

And just to hammer home that the rumored purchase of D&D by Tencent is just some sort of illusion spell, Larian Studios CEO (and man who looks good in full plate armor) Swen Vincke denied being involved with a tweet on his official X (formerly Twitter) account:

However, the environment surrounding D&D is understandably tense. Hasbro's recent layoffs affected several senior staff members, including game designers, art directors, and Liz Schuch, the former Head of Publishing and Licensing with a remarkable 28-year tenure at Wizards of the Coast.

It is true that Wizards of the Coast had previously partnered with Tencent to publish the digital version of Magic: The Gathering Arena, their trading card game, within Chinese markets, which gives plausibility to the rumors that circulated.

Hasbro's strategy regarding digital media shifted in 2022, focusing on core IPs and licensing out to third-party companies where appropriate. The in-house project tied to D&D, Dark Alliance, did not meet sales expectations, prompting speculation that Hasbro is keen to replicate the success of Baldur's Gate 3 with future endeavors.

Despite robust performances from Magic: The Gathering and D&D, Hasbro experienced financial losses throughout the four fiscal quarters of 2023. To counter this, the company resorted to layoffs, affecting nearly 1,100 employees - just two weeks before Christmas, too.

Amidst this uncertain landscape, Dungeons & Dragons is poised to release three new core rulebooks later this year, laying the foundation for the next decade of creative development in the tabletop RPG space. Despite the challenges faced in 2023, including the OGL debacle, AI controversies, and product recalls, D&D stands at its zenith, more successful and robust as a brand than ever before.

While the Dungeons & Dragons community may be apprehensive about the uncertainties surrounding the franchise, Wizards of the Coast asserts control over the beloved tabletop RPG. So the worries about the Tencent "dragon" adding D&D to its hoard is dispelled… for now.