Wizards Of The Coast

Wizards of the Coast ( WotC) is an American adventure and role playing game producer. The company designs games based in fantasy and science fiction, producing popular game titles such as: Dungeons & Dragons, Magic: The Gathering, and the Pokémon Trading Card Game.http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/Wizards-of-the-Coast-Inc-Company-History.html

In 1990, Boeing systems analyst, Peter Adkison, founded Wizards of the Coast near Seattle, Washington. Adkinson and his team of game creators, including Richard Garfield and Skaff Elias, set out to create a game that was portable and had a playing time of under an hour. Wizards of the Coast designers worked for the next few years in Adkinson's home basement developing Magic:The Gathering, that was released in August of 1993. This game, the first of its kind, enjoyed major success, with over 10 million cards being sold in the game's first weeks on the market, and attracting more than 5 million players from around the world. A bimonthly magazine, entitled the Duelist, was created offering tip, tricks, strategies, and event updates for Magic:The Gathering.http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/225439/understanding_magic_the_gathering_part.html

In 1994, WotC released RoboRally, a board game developed by Richard Garfield during his studies at the University of Pennsylvania. RoboRally players attempt to strategically maneuver their robots across a complicated factory floor. The company expanded that year, opening a U.S. office in Renton, Washington, and international offices in Antwerp, Milan, and Paris.http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/Wizards-of-the-Coast-Inc-Company-History.html

The Great Dalmuti, a medieval themed game designed by Garfield, was released by WotC in 1995. This game was the first from the company to be available through retail chains. The company also acquired trade show company Andon Unlimited, based in Ohio. Over the next several years, Wizards of the Coast continued to release a series of card games and expand upon the Magic: The Gathering franchise.http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/Wizards-of-the-Coast-Inc-Company-History.html

In 1997, WotC made a major acquisition with the purchase of the struggling TSR game company, and their Dungeons & Dragons title. That same year, the company began producing the Pokémon Trading Card Game The game was a success, selling millions of cards within its first year. WotC continued to produce the game until 2003.http://www.rpg.net/columns/briefhistory/briefhistory1.phtml

Wizards of the Coast was purchased by the Hasbro in September of 1999, for a reported $325 million. The company opened a chain of retail outlets that year, under the names "Game Keeper" and "Wizards of the Coast", which were all shut down by the spring of 2004.http://www.rpg.net/columns/briefhistory/briefhistory1.phtml

• Magic The Gathering
• Dungeons & Dragons
• Axis & Allies
• Heroscape
• Duel Masters
• Star Wars

• 1990 - Wizards of the Coast is founded by Peter Adkison http://www.wizards.com/Company/About.aspx<ref>

• 1993 - Magic The Gathering, the worlds first TCG is created, and premieres at the Origins Game Fair

• 2000 - Dungeons & Dragons (D&D), is released, alongside the Star Wars Roleplaying Gameintroducing the d20 system.

• 2002 - Duel Masters (TCG) is released.

• 2005 - Wizards of the Coast moves its head quarters move to 1600 Lind Ave.

• 2007 - Star Wars Roleplaying Game Saga Edition is released

• 2008 - Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) 4th Edition is released