Cynthia Williams, the soon-to-be former president of Wizards of the Coast, is stepping down from her position, with her departure becoming effective on April 26. While no specific reason has been publicly provided for Williams’ exit, a new SEC filing has revealed her plans to leave the Hasbro-owned game company. Williams took over as president of Wizards of the Coast in February 2022 after holding positions with Microsoft’s Xbox team and Amazon’s finance and fulfillment departments.
During her two-year tenure as president, Williams oversaw significant successes for Wizards of the Coast’s flagship games, Dungeons & Dragons and Magic: The Gathering. The company released major projects such as the revival of the beloved settings Dragonlance and Planescape for D&D, the 100th expansion for Magic called Outlaws of Thunder Junction, and the official release of the D&D video game adaptation Baldur’s Gate 3, which won Game of the Year at five major award shows. However, Williams also faced controversy and challenges during her time as president, including incidents involving generative-art AI programs and layoffs that affected at least 20 employees.
Wizards of the Coast has a history of controversy, with the TTRPG business often attracting drama. As the industry leader, Wizards has experienced both highs and lows during Williams’ tenure. Despite the successes achieved under her leadership, including the release of several major projects and the commercial success of Wizards’ flagship games, there were incidents that drew negative attention to the company, such as disputes over the Open Gaming License for D&D. The company’s reputation as a leader in the industry has been challenged during this time.
The departure of Williams from Wizards of the Coast has not been officially announced by the company, and it is currently unclear who will succeed her as president. The search for the next president of Wizards of the Coast has already begun, as the company looks to fill the vacancy left by Williams. Hasbro, the parent company of Wizards of the Coast, has expressed gratitude for Williams’ contributions during her time with the company and wishes her the best in her future endeavors. The transition to a new president marks a significant change for Wizards of the Coast, and the company will be navigating this period of transition as it continues to operate and develop its popular games and projects in the gaming industry.
