How A Small Card Game Company Became A Billion Dollar Company in 2023

Since Hasbro, a multinational toy and board game company, acquired Wizards of the Coast in 1999, Wizards of the Coast has operated as a subsidiary of Hasbro, with its headquarters located in Renton, Washington.

Hasbro's acquisition of Wizards of the Coast was driven by the success of Magic: The Gathering, which had become a global phenomenon and a significant revenue generator.

Hasbro recognized the potential of Wizards of the Coast's gaming portfolio and saw the acquisition as an opportunity to expand its offerings and reach a wider audience.

The acquisition has been beneficial for both companies. Wizards of the Coast has been able to leverage Hasbro's resources and expertise in areas such as marketing, distribution, and manufacturing. This has helped the company expand its reach and bring its products to new markets.

Hasbro, on the other hand, has been able to diversify its offerings and tap into the growing gaming industry. The acquisition of Wizards of the Coast has allowed Hasbro to expand its portfolio beyond traditional board games and toys and establish itself as a major player in the gaming industry.

Despite being a subsidiary of Hasbro, Wizards of the Coast has maintained a high degree of autonomy and creative control. The company continues to develop and publish its own games, with Hasbro providing support and resources as needed.

How it all started

Before becoming a billion-dollar company in 2023 and attracting the interest of investors to Hasbro, Wizard of the Coast is a game publishing and development company that is primarily known for its popular trading card game, Magic: The Gathering.

Founded in 1990, the company has since expanded its offerings to include board games, role-playing games, and digital games.

Its early years in Asia were focused on introducing its popular game, Magic: The Gathering, to the region. The company saw potential in the Asian market due to the popularity of collectible card games in Japan, where many popular card games such as Yu-Gi-Oh and Pokemon originated.

In 1996, the company established a subsidiary in Japan to manage the distribution of its products in the region. To date, a big part of the manufacturing of its cards is still based in Japan and not in the traditionally cheaper manufacturing hubs like China or Vietnam.

Growth Strategy

Over the years, Wizard of the Coast has continued to expand its operations in Asia. In 2002, the company established a subsidiary in Hong Kong to manage the distribution of its products in the region.

In 2003, the company entered into a joint venture with parent Hasbro to expand its presence in Asia.

In 2005, Wizard of the Coast entered into a partnership with a Korean company called KDLAB to launch Magic: The Gathering Online in Korea. The game was a huge success and helped to increase the popularity of the game in the region.

In 2012, the company entered into a partnership with Tencent, one of China's largest technology companies, to launch Magic: The Gathering Online in China. This partnership helped to expand the game's presence in China, which is now one of the largest markets for collectible card games in the world.

In recent years, Wizard of the Coast has continued to focus on expanding its operations in Asia. In 2019, the company finally established a subsidiary in Singapore to manage the distribution of its products in the region. The company has also been actively participating in gaming events and conventions in Asia, such as the Tokyo Game Show and the Singapore Toy, Game & Comic Convention.

One of the core aspects of Wizard of the Coast's business strategy is its focus on product quality. The company is known for its high-quality games that are designed to be immersive and engaging.

This has helped the company build a loyal fan base that is willing to pay a premium for its products.

Innovation is another key aspect of Wizard of the Coast's business strategy.

The company has a reputation for developing new and innovative game mechanics that keep players engaged and interested.

This has helped the company stay ahead of its competitors and maintain its position as a leader in the gaming industry.

Changing with the times, Wizard of the Coast has also adopted a multi-platform approach to its business strategy. In 2020, the company launched a new online game called Magic: The Gathering Arena, which has been a huge success in Asia. The game has been praised for its accessibility and has helped to introduce new players to the world of Magic: The Gathering.

Riding on the wave of wide adoption of smartphones, it has expanded its offerings to include digital games, which has allowed it to reach a wider audience and tap into new markets.

This has helped the company remain relevant in an ever-changing gaming landscape.

Another important aspect of Wizard of the Coast's growth is how it has partnered with a number of well-known brands and franchises, including Dungeons & Dragons and Transformers, to develop new games and expand its offerings.

These partnerships have helped the company tap into new markets and reach a wider audience.

Unlike many other games that come and go, its longevity also counts a lot on how much it places a strong emphasis on community engagement. The company has a large and active community of players who are passionate about its games, and it works hard to engage with these players through events, tournaments, and online forums.

This has helped the company build a strong and loyal fan base that is dedicated to its products. The strong support system in the local game shops not only provides the means for fans to continue getting their hands on paper but helps to foster and grow the community through face-to-face interactions and engagements.

This O-to-O (offline-to-online-to-offline) approach has served Wizards of the Coast well and we expect the growth to continue even after it has reached the phenomenal milestone of its one-billion-dollar valuation.