Wizards’ President Resigns Amid Magic’s Record-Breaking Success

Wizards of the Coast president John Hight will be stepping down from his position effective September 1, as revealed in a recent filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Hight joined the company in 2024, taking over from Cynthia Williams, and previously held the role of executive producer and general manager for the Warcraft franchise at Blizzard Entertainment.

During Hight’s tenure, Wizards saw remarkable financial growth. The Hasbro-owned company, known for its iconic tabletop games Magic: The Gathering and Dungeons & Dragons, reported its most successful fiscal year in 2025, boasting a 45% increase in revenue compared to the previous year. Magic: The Gathering stood out as the flagship title, achieving record annual revenues of $1.72 billion, a 59% rise from the prior year. Notably, the game surpassed $500 million in quarterly revenue for the first time, contributing around 48% of Hasbro’s total quarterly revenue.

In a statement regarding Hight’s departure, Wizards of the Coast expressed gratitude for his leadership and contributions over the past two years. They noted, “John will continue to support Wizards in an advisory capacity while pursuing other creative and professional opportunities he’s passionate about.”

The company reassured that the strength of its business remains intact, with both Magic: The Gathering and Dungeons & Dragons continuing to perform exceptionally well. They also confirmed that their upcoming video game lineup for 2027, including titles like Exodus and Warlock, is still on track.

This announcement comes as a surprise, especially following Magic’s recent revenue success and just days before the Dungeons & Dragons Vision Keynote at GenCon 2026, where significant product news is expected. Speculation suggests that Hight’s decision may have been influenced by a $56 million impairment charge related to the cancellation of several upcoming video games. Hight, who has a strong background in the gaming industry, was anticipated to drive Wizards of the Coast’s digital strategy. As of now, only one D&D video game, Warlock, remains confirmed in development.

After September 1, Hight will continue with Wizards of the Coast in a consulting role.