Image via Archetype Entertainment / Wizards of the Coast
John Hight, the former executive producer and vice president of World of Warcraft, is stepping down from his role as president of Magic: The Gathering maker Wizards of the Coast.
Announced via a US Securities and Exchange Commission filing reported yesterday, Hasbro, the parent company of Wizards of the Coast, entered into a transitional advisory services agreement with Hight. The veteran executive will remain as president until September 1.
After that, Hight will continue on as an advisor, where he will report to the CEO and have "such duties and responsibilities as are reasonably assigned by the CEO from time to time." This, according to the form, includes assisting with transitional efforts and the successful onboarding of a successor for his role.
It's worth noting that, during this term, Hight's base salary will remain at its current annualized rate of $800,000. He will also receive an annual cash bonus award for fiscal year 2026, but won't be eligible for any annual cash bonus award for fiscal year 2027 or any further grants of additional equity awards.
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"Mr Hight's outstanding long-term incentive awards will continue to vest in accordance with their terms," the form reads.
It's worth remembering that Hight joined the company merely two years ago after a 13 year-long tenure at Blizzard, where he served as executive producer and vice president of World of Warcraft, as well as general manager of the Warcraft franchise.
At Wizards of the Coast, Hight has overseen the Dungeons and Dragons and Magic: The Gathering franchises, as well as the digital gaming division. The latter is notable considering the barrage of project cancellations and studio shutterings in recent times.
Back in the beginning of 2023, Wizards of the Coast reportedly canceled five games in development. Then, during Hight's tenure, Hasbro laid off 1,100 employees through 2024. This year, the company shuttered internal video game studio Atomic Arcade, which had been developing a title based on the G.I. Joe franchise, and canceled a Dungeons & Dragons game led by Respawn veterans less than a year after announcing the partnership.
Last week, Hasbro recorded a $56 million write down after scrapping "several" video games. Aside from the Dungeons & Dragons project, CEO Chris Cocks didn't specify which other games were axed, but said the decision reflects the standard the company is applying to its digital portfolio.
"We are focusing our digital investment behind the franchises, platforms, and partners where we see the clearest upside and where Hasbro has the strongest right to win. Four priorities will guide our digital strategy: focus, cost discipline, ownable platforms and partnership," the CEO said.
Earlier this year, Wizards of the Coast declined to voluntarily recognize Magic: The Gathering Arena developers who were attempting to unionize. Reportedly, the company issued letters to employees in an effort to dissuade them from voting to unionize. The events culminated in the developers officially unionizing in late June.
Game Developer has contacted Wizards of the Coast for more information on the matter.
About the Author
Contributing Editor, News, GameDeveloper.com
Diego Nicolás Argüello is a freelance journalist and critic from Argentina. Video games helped him to learn English, so now he covers them for places like The New York Times, NPR, Rolling Stone, and more. He also runs Into the Spine, a site dedicated to fostering and supporting new writers, and co-hosted Turnabout Breakdown, a podcast about the Ace Attorney series. He’s most likely playing a rhythm game as you read this.
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