gaming

Wizards of the Coast president John Hight to leave; will advise CEO and retain $800K pay

John Hight, who became president of Wizards of the Coast two months after leaving Blizzard in June 2024, will step down after two years and transition to an advisory role. An SEC filing records a Transitional Advisory Services Agreement dated July 27 that keeps him as president until September 1 and then as an advisor to the CEO for up to one year. He will continue to receive an $800,000 salary in the advisory role but will no longer be eligible for his prior annual cash bonuses. His departure coincides with Hasbro taking a $56 million impairment tied to cancelled videogame projects and a company plan to cut digital spending by at least 25% by 2028.

• Transitional Advisory Services Agreement dated July 27 keeps Hight as president through Sept 1, then as advisor to the CEO for up to one year unless terminated earlier.
• Hight left Blizzard in June 2024 after nearly 13 years and became Wizards of the Coast president two months later with oversight of Magic: The Gathering, Dungeons & Dragons, and Hasbro Digital Gaming.
• In the advisory role Hight will continue to be paid an $800,000 salary but will no longer receive the unspecified annual cash bonuses he previously received.
• Hasbro recorded a $56 million impairment tied to cancellations of multiple videogame projects slated for 2028 and beyond, including a cancelled D&D game by Giant Skull, and plans to reduce digital spending by at least 25% by 2028.