Ethical Review of Wizards of the Coast

Aug 1, 2024

Notes on Lecture: Ethical Considerations in Reviewing Wizards of the Coast Products

Introduction

  • NDA on 2024 Players Handbook ends tomorrow.
  • Received early access from Wizards of the Coast (WotC).
  • Raises questions about credibility as a reviewer and potential hypocrisy.

Key Questions

  • Am I a hypocrite for reviewing WotC products?
  • What are my criticisms of WotC?
  • Can influencers be trusted to review the PHB 2024 fairly?

Approach to Review

  • Will not earn money from WotC reviews; all ad revenue donated to charity.
  • Aim for independence and transparency in reviews.

Criticisms of Wizards of the Coast

  • Credible public evidence suggests mistreatment and discrimination against employees.
  • Will discuss public reviews from Glassdoor, focusing on:
    • Toxic workplace culture.
    • Poor management and accountability.
    • High levels of internal politics and discrimination.
    • Negative atmosphere with fear of layoffs.

Summary of Employee Reviews

  • Negative Feedback:

    • Toxic work environment, poor leadership, rampant discrimination.
    • Executives benefit while employees face layoffs and burnout.
    • Specific instances of bullying and misinformation about compensation.

  • Mixed Reviews:

    • Great team dynamics but marred by antagonistic management.

  • Positive Feedback:

    • Some employees express satisfaction with their roles despite systemic issues.

Comparison with Other Companies

  • Other companies (like Piso) have more balanced reviews, suggesting WotC issues might be unique.

Community Treatment

  • Evidence of WotC's poor treatment of customers and community leaders.
  • Reference to a viral email indicating management’s negative view of customers.
  • Pinkertons hired for intimidation; WotC's association with them raises concerns about labor rights.

Counterarguments to Boycotting WotC

  • Some argue boycotting doesn't help employees; buying products supports them.
  • Counterpoints:
    1. Employees rarely see benefits from purchase success.
    2. All employees deserve respect, not just designers.
    3. Consumers have power to influence corporate behavior; boycotts can lead to change.

Personal Perspective

  • Acknowledge positive experiences with individuals at WotC, but criticize overarching management.
  • Concern for the treatment of all employees, not just visible designers.

Acknowledging Positives

  • Celebrate WotC's achievements and the brave employees who fought for community rights.
  • Recognize positive community initiatives like D&D Beyond collaborating with third-party creators.

Conclusion

  • WotC's success should not be defined solely by profit but also by employee well-being and community satisfaction.
  • Importance of discussing ethical concerns when reviewing WotC products.
  • The full text of PHB 2024 will be available after the embargo ends.
  • Emphasize the value of informed decision-making in purchasing choices.

Call to Action

  • Encourage donations to charities linked in the video description.
  • Reminder about blood donation drive at Gen Con for charity support.