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New at WotC
Renton, WA - Microsoft proudly announces the acquisition of Wizards of the Coast from Hasbro.
Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates was quoted as saying, "I believe the Wizards of the Coast properties are ideal for Xbox development." Tabletop card games and Pencil and Paper roleplaying games have steadily been declining over the past four years. Electronic development of these properties will renew interest in games like Magic: The Gathering and Dungeons & Dragons. We look forward to serving these communities through the Microsoft family of products."
With Microsoft's successful marketing and development of the Windows series of operating systems, gamers can look forward to continual upgrades and improvements, beginning with the launch of D&D 3.501 in Spring, 2006.
Rumours that Microsoft's intentions to integrate D&D into Windows as the default RPG would spark another monopoly inquiry caused stirs in the computing industry, and Microsoft's spokesman declined to comment, other than to say, "Look, nobody yelled "Monopoly!" when we integrated leading games such as Minesweeper, Pinball and Solitaire into the software. We believe that upgrading these games to something a little more complex is in the interests of the consumer." However, a rival RPG company was quoted as saying, "This is ridiculous. Making D&D the default Windows RPG is anti-competetive and unfair to all the other companies out there producing quality gaming rules." The European Commission is already making enquiries, following a recent fine imposed on Microsoft for similar practices involving its media player software.
In other news from WotC, details have emerged from anonymous sources about two upcoming products, both scheduled for early 2005:
- Complete Munchkin: A Player's Guide to Winning for All Classes, which is designed to "...even up the score between Dungeon Masters and players.." With the "Dungeon Master" prestige class (available to any player) and spells such as "Immunity to GM Ruling", this product looks likely to change the way in which the game is played.
- When Worlds Collide, the first in a series of "event modules" designed to introduce a major shake-up for both the Forgotten Realms and Eberron. Here's a snippet from the product blurb -- "The first in an fantastic new series, you will witness firsthand the results of this calamitous meeting. And remember... only one world shall stand!" Could this be the first step towards a consolidation of product lines and campaign worlds?
Thema: Microsoft kauft WotC von Hasbro (Gelesen 3609 mal)
