• RPG Industry News
• Hasbro Demands Gamemaker Stop Selling Ghettopoly Board Game
• Wizards sue Nintendo over Pokémon
• WizKids Layoffs and Statement
• Earthdawn Goes “Down Under”

WizKids Layoffs and Statement

GamingReport (22^nd Oct) Reports:
We heard last week that WizKids was to layoff 20plus folks from their workforce. We received a confirmation from Wizkids Public Relations that in fact WizKids had not renewed some contract labor. Today we received the below message from WizKids concerning “some” layoffs. We were assuming this was addressing the contractors let go earlier. However, we have also received word that Jeff Grubb was let go yesterday as well as a third of the Washington based staff. We tried to call the head of Public Relations, Dave Nieker, but learned he too was let go yesterday.

“WizKids has been and intends to remain, one of the industries fastest growing companies. We feel that one f the reasons we have been successful is that we listen to the players and the retailers. One of the messages that has come though to us loud and clear is that we should slow down the amount of product we are creating. In response we have adjusted our future release schedules to do so and in turn have adjusted our staffing levels as well. The tough decision to say goodbye to some hard working members of our team was totally internal and in no way affects WizKids ability to continue to design, sculpt, produce, or support our great games. Over our short history we have introduced several new gaming concepts to the industry we plan on continuing and deepening our support for our current large game lines as well as hopefully continuing to surprise everyone with some brand new directions in gaming. Thanks for your support and passion for our games,”

WizKids LLC

• Visit the WizKids website