Monopoly Go! and Baldur’s Gate III: The Hasbro Perspective
Aug 20, 2024
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David Taylor, from Hasbro, discusses the company's impressive transition into the digital gaming space, generating $3.25 billion in the last year. He highlights successful launches like Baldur's Gate III and Monopoly Go! and the innovative licensing strategies that fueled their growth. The conversation also delves into the revitalization of Dungeons & Dragons through digital tools, partnerships, and potential advancements in virtual reality. Taylor shares insights on balancing the toy and gaming profit margins while teasing exciting upcoming retro game releases.
Hasbro's licensing strategy has made it the largest entertainment IP licensor in video games, generating $3.25 billion in revenue last year.
The development of Monopoly Go highlights Hasbro's balance between innovation and brand fidelity, showcasing the importance of player feedback in game design.
Deep dives
Hasbro's Dominance in Licensing
Hasbro has emerged as the leading toys and entertainment licensor in video games, achieving a remarkable revenue of $3.25 billion from licensed games in the past year. This figure nearly doubles the revenue of Disney, which is known for its strong franchises like Marvel and Star Wars. Key successes such as Baldur's Gate 3 and Monopoly Go highlight Hasbro's strategic approach in the digital gaming space, as the company effectively transitions its iconic properties into engaging interactive experiences. The successful licensing strategy not only showcases Hasbro's rich portfolio but also strengthens its position as a major influence within the gaming industry.
The Role of Digital Strategy in Hasbro's Growth
Eugene Evans, Senior Vice President of Digital Strategy and Licensing at Hasbro, emphasizes collaboration and innovation as key components in managing relationships with development partners. Evans oversees the integration of digital gaming into Hasbro's broader portfolio, which encompasses iconic brands such as Dungeons and Dragons, Monopoly, and Transformers. The company's approach involves fostering strong relationships with developers, allowing them creative freedom while ensuring fidelity to the brand's core identity. This balance has enabled Hasbro to penetrate new digital markets effectively while sustaining its long-standing reputation and familiarity among fans.
Success and Challenges of Monopoly Go
The development of Monopoly Go demonstrates the intricate balance between innovation and fidelity to the original game's spirit. Initially starting as a project that drew inspiration from games like Clash Royale, it underwent significant revisions before achieving its current form. Both Hasbro and its partner Scopely exemplified patience and trust in navigating the challenges of game development, allowing for necessary iterations in response to player feedback. This commitment to ensuring that the final product resonated with fans led to impressive early retention metrics, showcasing the importance of understanding what makes a game engaging.
Expanding Digital Opportunities with D&D
Hasbro's acquisition of D&D Beyond has further amplified the accessibility and enjoyment of Dungeons and Dragons, integrating digital tools that enhance the playing experience. This move signifies Hasbro's acknowledgment of the evolving landscape of gaming, where digital tools can support traditional analog play, especially in light of contemporary challenges such as gathering friends for in-person sessions. The future development of a virtual tabletop experience aims to attract a broader audience to D&D, reinforcing its status as a leading tabletop RPG. By blending traditional gameplay with innovative digital experiences, Hasbro is positioned to meet the needs of both newcomers and veteran players alike.
Hasbro is known for iconic properties like Dungeons and Dragons and Monopoly, but is sometimes overlooked as the licensor of incredible video game successes such as Baldur's Gate III and Monopoly Go!
In the last 12 months, Hasbro's licensed games have generated a staggering $3.25 billion, making it the largest entertainment IP licensor in video games, and almost doubling the revenue of the next largest licensor, Disney, which includes powerhouse franchises like Marvel and Star Wars.
David Taylor sat down with Eugene Evans, the Senior Vice President of Digital Strategy and Licensing at Hasbro. In this episode we dive into Hasbro's approach to licensing IP to video game developers and how they’ve successfully transitioned their business from the physical playground to the virtual realm.
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