Hey y'all:

I just saw a thread on ENWorld where Scott Rouse says that he is leaving WotC as of today. I thought you might like to know so you can give him your best wishes.

Scott was a good friend to Paizo and he will be missed in this industry.

-Lisa

Hey y'all:

I just saw a thread on ENWorld where Scott Rouse says that he is leaving WotC as of today. I thought you might like to know so you can give him your best wishes.

Scott was a good friend to Paizo and he will be missed in this industry.

-Lisa

Edit:
Scotts's opening post on that thread:

Thank You

--------------------------------------------------------------------------- -----

Hey ENWorlders (is that what we call ourselves?),

I just wanted to let everyone know that after 9 1/2 years, today is my last day at Wizards of the Coast. As I leave Wizards, I am left with nothing but respect and admiration for the people and products that have made it such a great company to work for. I will be staying in the Seattle area to pursue new opportunities in the gaming industry.

Working on Dungeons & Dragons has been the height of my career and I have thoroughly enjoyed being a member of this community. Through these forums I have formed many friendships and look forward to continuing to particpate as a fan of D&D. Plus, thanks to ENworld I have a permanent nickname in "The Rouse". I will continue to be an active member although my post count and frequency is going to slow down in the short term (at least until I start up a new D&D game group ).

If you want to connect with me outside of this community here is my LinkedIn profile.

Cheers,
__________________
Scott Rouse

Wotc just had another light go out. Hopefully he joins the Paizo crew.

Hey y'all:

I just saw a thread on ENWorld where Scott Rouse says that he is leaving WotC as of today. I thought you might like to know so you can give him your best wishes.

Scott was a good friend to Paizo and he will be missed in this industry.

-Lisa

If I'm reading it wrong and he's just playing his new job close to the vest, well then, I don't feel so bad for him. ;)

<Wanders into thread trailing jellyfish and looking slightly singed.>
Grumble, mutter, mumble, flame-wars.
<Looks around.>
Oh good. He's not here yet.
[best Luna Lovegood conspiracy theory voice] I would just like to state, for the record, that it is blatantly clear that Scott Rouse was in fact the head of a consortium of Jelly Beaners who had infiltrated the US gaming industry and he was planning to open free casinos in every state, under the 'Dice with Death' brand name.
Furthermore, he had clones of four twentieth century dictators with moustaches in his basement whom he used to play 'Hogwarts: Who's the Best Wizard?' with, was taking backhanders from the secretary-general of the UN, and had bribed the swede-norwegian Malmsey conspirators to make sure that Barack Obama got a noble peace prize this year instead of Bono.
He also regularly smoked rifles filled with petrol, and as a secret identity was a lawyer who juggled kittens with chainsaws.
Oh, and he had a secret base on a ship in the pacific which controlled laser-satellites made from diamonds and had the capacity to fire nuclear submarines at missile bases. He may have had a slight limp, an eye-patch, and a tendency to say 'Gooodniight Mister Bond' in a sinister manner.
He was an atheist evolutionist who believed in god and was in league with the devil and intelligent design. He had a team of genetic scientists who were trying to breed an invincible army of dinosaurs from flies found in chewing gum at Jurassic Park, that could also be used to make special 'cheaty' baseballs from. [/best Luna Lovegood conspiracy theory voice]
Okay, I know I've forgotten some bits, but I hope that clears up the real reason why he had to go...
<Wanders off.>

I wish nothing but the best of luck to Scott Rouse.

From all that I have heard, he deserves nothing less.

(Blazej doesn't have an ENWorld forum account that he can recall)

In the CoT pocket dimension thread Lisa and James say they've hired a new editor.
In the enworld thread Scott says he's pursuing new opportunities in te Seattle area.

Am I putting 5 and 5 together and making 55 million?

In the CoT pocket dimension thread Lisa and James say they've hired a new editor.
In the enworld thread Scott says he's pursuing new opportunities in te Seattle area.

Am I putting 5 and 5 together and making 55 million?

More seriously, I have no ENWorld account, but would like to give him my best wishes for the future (if he passes through here). After having to stand out front at Wizards of the Coast during the edition change over, being the target for some heavy flaming, he's probably due a break.

Really interested to see what the Rouse gets up to after this. I wish him the best of luck in whatever he decides to tackle.

carborundum wrote:

In the CoT pocket dimension thread Lisa and James say they've hired a new editor.
In the enworld thread Scott says he's pursuing new opportunities in te Seattle area.

Am I putting 5 and 5 together and making 55 million?

I'm guessing 'yes'. Sorry.

Tarren Dei wrote:

carborundum wrote:

In the CoT pocket dimension thread Lisa and James say they've hired a new editor.
In the enworld thread Scott says he's pursuing new opportunities in te Seattle area.

Am I putting 5 and 5 together and making 55 million?

I'm guessing 'yes'. Sorry.

Lol, yeah, probably because Lisa said he'll be missed in the industry ;-)
Still, worth a brief "what if..."

-Lisa

If Scott got a new job (his background is marketing if I remember correctly), I wouldn't be surprised if it was in the video game industry as opposed to the RPG industry.

I wish Scott Rouse the best and success in whatever he choose to do next.

Too bad. The Rouse was the last person at WotC who had the game and it's fans at heart. At least that's the impression I always had of him. I'll have to stop by the ENWorld and wish the best of luck later tonight.

Scott is NOT the new editorial hire.
-Lisa

Is this a layoff - and if so, are there others?

Is this a layoff - and if so, are there others?

Current speculation is how he may have been picked up by one of the local big-name video game development houses. No one knows if this is the case, yet, but it's one of the more likely scenarios.

WotC is poorer for this. Wish him the best in what ever he does next.

And do not forget that Scott was a stalward defender of the OGL/GSL for 4th edition.
With him gone, we do not know if anyone will carry the torch or if this will be the beginning of the end of the GSL.

And do not forget that Scott was a stalward defender of the OGL/GSL for 4th edition.
With him gone, we do not know if anyone will carry the torch or if this will be the beginning of the end of the GSL.

With them gone, things could go in an even worse direction, such as the GSL becoming even more draconian than before or even outright revoked. In such a scenario, this could be the final nail in the coffin for whatever 4E 3PP market is left. (At least Goodman Games had an early presence of mind to do their 4E Dungeon Crawl Classics modules under the OGL, and not the GSL).

Too bad The Game Mechanics are in hibernation right now. They seemed to specialize in crunchy bits. He'd be a good balance and broaden their product selection.

Wow, definately a loss for WotC. Hope it was amicable.

(At least Goodman Games had an early presence of mind to do their 4E Dungeon Crawl Classics modules under the OGL, and not the GSL).

I thought Joesph Goodman was publishing under "Fair Use" laws of the USA. I don't pretend to understand all the nuances of copywrite law but I didn't think the OGL could be used with D&D editions other than 3E.

Nothing in the license that forbids a particular format or type of content.

ggroy wrote:

(At least Goodman Games had an early presence of mind to do their 4E Dungeon Crawl Classics modules under the OGL, and not the GSL).

I thought Joesph Goodman was publishing under "Fair Use" laws of the USA. I don't pretend to understand all the nuances of copywrite law but I didn't think the OGL could be used with D&D editions other than 3E.

Best wishes to Scott!

If he leaves the RPG industry, it surely is a loss for the industry. I wonder what that means for WOtC/D&D, though.

Stefan

Why am I not surprised (apart from the fact that I did expect it later on this year).

Best luck to you, Scott, you we're the last torch bearer of "our" D&D working for the wizards so I guess it has suddenly become very dark around there. Not that I care anymore.

And I'd really like to see him working for Paizo. So if he isn't the new editor, then what will you hire him for, Lisa? :D

Best luck to you, Scott, you we're the last torch bearer of "our" D&D working for the wizards so I guess it has suddenly become very dark around there. Not that I care anymore.

Yes, Rouse was the guy doing most of the interference-running. But there are others, too. Hopefully whoever replaces Rouse will also be doing a lot of communicating with the fanbase.

Okay - - - I am interested.

Can someone (anyone with accuracy) explain the top five (5) things I should know about Scott?

For example, I know that 9.5 years places him at the premier moment of Third Edition. This would mean he worked with Ryan Dancy, right? By extension, he would have also overseen Monte Cook's crew right? By extension, he would have had an employee named Lisa Stevens? And, overseen the years when Erik Mona was Editor in chief of Dungeon and Dragon magazines? (Just trying to get the context of his era? I think List still worked there in the early 2000s right?)

Would it also be fair to conclude that Scott was a leader the entire time?

At heart, I wish to know how/where to place Scott in the triangulation between third edition, and what it appears Bill Slavicsec has done with fourth edition and the GSL?

I am seeking to learn. If anyone can provide a short historical timeline of Scott's "perspective" on dnd over the past 9.5 years, that would be marvelous.

On a personal note, Scott has every reason to be proud of the products created under his leadership. I wish him the best in his endeavors. Given that he alludes to working in the Seattle area, I will be interested to learn what he turns to gold next.

Pax, Scott worked in PR which is why so many fans know him, but I don't believe he was personally involved in design or development of either 3.5 or 4e. I'm obviously not an insider here, but yes, he would have worked at WotC at the same time as many current Paizo employees did, but in a different capacity. So to say that he oversaw Monte Cook, Jonathan Tweet, Skip Williams, et al. is a bit much. He did field questions regarding the OGL, GSL and other WotC announcements over the years and was one of the most approachable staffers on the messageboards, ENworld, etc. His departure from WotC is certainly a loss for the company, but I don't think we should give him more credit than he deserves.

For example, I know that 9.5 years places him at the premier moment of Third Edition. This would mean he worked with Ryan Dancy, right? By extension, he would have also overseen Monte Cook's crew right? By extension, he would have had an employee named Lisa Stevens? And, overseen the years when Erik Mona was Editor in chief of Dungeon and Dragon magazines? (Just trying to get the context of his era? I think List still worked there in the early 2000s right?)

-Lisa

Thanks for the context. Good to know.

/threadjack

Lisa - could you let Erik know I used the advanced elite rust monster from Dragon Ecologies by PAIZO last night in my Pathfinder RPG game. What a big hit that was! Obscure comment, I know, but thanks for all the quality materials PAIZO has produced through the years!

/end threadjack

The first time met Scott Rouse was at D&D experience in early 2007. He struck me as a pretty typical marketing guy who also happened to play D&D, rather than as a game designer. Whatever is behind this change, I wish him well.

As far as things getting worse at WoTC with respect to the GSL, I don't think Scott's departure will matter to third-party 4E publishers at this point. Between the current GSL and the "lock-out" effect of the Character Builder, there IS no third party 4E industry, anyway.

Much luck to Scott in his new endeavors. It's a loss for WotC, for sure.

The first time met Scott Rouse was at D&D experience in early 2007. He struck me as a pretty typical marketing guy who also happened to play D&D, rather than as a game designer. Whatever is behind this change, I wish him well.

As far as things getting worse at WoTC with respect to the GSL, I don't think Scott's departure will matter to third-party 4E publishers at this point. Between the current GSL and the "lock-out" effect of the Character Builder, there IS no third party 4E industry, anyway.

Anyways, Good luck to you Rouse!

...I don't think Scott's departure will matter to third-party 4E publishers at this point.

Of course, that doesn't mean that his replacement—assuming there is one—won't also be a 3PP champion.

bugleyman wrote:

...I don't think Scott's departure will matter to third-party 4E publishers at this point.

Scott was certainly a champion for third-party publishers, and his ENWorld posts of the last few years suggest to me that a lot of the softening between the two revisions of the GSL was due largely to his influence.

Of course, that doesn't mean that his replacement—assuming there is one—won't also be a 3PP champion.

Scott was certainly a champion for third-party publishers, and his ENWorld posts of the last few years suggest to me that a lot of the softening between the two revisions of the GSL was due largely to his influence...

bugleyman wrote:

The first time met Scott Rouse was at D&D experience in early 2007. He struck me as a pretty typical marketing guy who also happened to play D&D, rather than as a game designer. Whatever is behind this change, I wish him well.

As far as things getting worse at WoTC with respect to the GSL, I don't think Scott's departure will matter to third-party 4E publishers at this point. Between the current GSL and the "lock-out" effect of the Character Builder, there IS no third party 4E industry, anyway.

All that is left is the untapped category of "Well Written Adventures"

On the level of "hack and slash" style 4E modules with some basic/simplistic storylines, Goodman Games has been doing a reasonable job.

ggroy, are you unfamiliar with Wolfgang Baur's open Design products? "Wrath of the River King", the 4th Edition version of "Halls of the Mountain King" and the new adventure dealing with the Faerie Courts, seem to be top-notch work.

Vic Wertz wrote:

bugleyman wrote:

...I don't think Scott's departure will matter to third-party 4E publishers at this point.

Scott was certainly a champion for third-party publishers, and his ENWorld posts of the last few years suggest to me that a lot of the softening between the two revisions of the GSL was due largely to his influence.

Of course, that doesn't mean that his replacement—assuming there is one—won't also be a 3PP champion.

I had the same feeling. Unfortunately for poor Scott, he became the Face of WotC for the GSL and 4e conversion. He became the scape goat for any one wanting to bash WotC over their (IMHO) badly handled switch over. He ought to go into politics as an online media guy for a politician. NOTHING phased that guy on the often contentious ENWorld forums. :)

Best wishes for Mr. Scott and whatever project he will be heading into!

-I hope he sees this thread :P

I don't recall him suffering any real abuse online. For the most part, flames were directed at WotC, not Rouse.

ggroy, are you unfamiliar with Wolfgang Baur's open Design products? "Wrath of the River King", the 4th Edition version of "Halls of the Mountain King" and the new adventure dealing with the Faerie Courts, seem to be top-notch work.

Unfortunately at this point in time, I don't have much additional funds to buy into such a luxury.

DaveMage wrote:

Is this a layoff - and if so, are there others?

Not that we've heard of.

Current speculation is how he may have been picked up by one of the local big-name video game development houses. No one knows if this is the case, yet, but it's one of the more likely scenarios.

I don't recall him suffering any real abuse online. For the most part, flames were directed at WotC, not Rouse.