John Hight, the former senior vice president and general manager of the Warcraft franchise, has been named the president of Wizards of the Coast. This veteran of the video game industry will now join the executive team at Wizards of the Coast, where he will contribute to the development of Dungeons and Dragons and Magic: The Gathering, as well as oversee Hasbro's video gaming initiatives. Hight recently announced his departure from Blizzard after a distinguished 12-year tenure.

 

During his time there, he worked on nearly half a dozen World of Warcraft expansions, contributed to Diablo 3: Reaper of Souls, and oversaw the development of both Hearthstone and Warcraft Rumble. Known for his optimistic demeanor and calm approach, Hight was a prominent voice in efforts to restore Blizzard's reputation following various controversies and unpopular design choices. Now, Hight embarks on a new journey with another major entertainment company.

 

 

According to a report from Business Wire, Hasbro has officially announced Hight's appointment as president of both Wizards of the Coast and the company's Digital Gaming division. In this new role, he will lead the development of Dungeons and Dragons and Magic: The Gathering, focusing on creating "new storytelling tabletop and digital experiences." He will also oversee all of Hasbro’s gaming studios and digital licensing agreements, marking his arrival as a significant step in Hasbro's strategic emphasis on digital experiences and video games. Prior to joining Blizzard, Hight served as a board member of the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences, taught game development courses at the USC School of Cinematic Arts, and contributed to the development of AAA titles such as Neverwinter Nights, God of War 3, and Command and Conquer. As a known fan of both Dungeons and Dragons and Magic: The Gathering, he is well-suited for his new position. Hight's arrival at Wizards of the Coast is likely to bring substantial changes to the company, particularly in the realm of video games. It is anticipated that he will leverage his game development experience to build on the success of Baldur’s Gate 3 with new digital initiatives for Dungeons and Dragons and Magic: The Gathering.