Wizards of the Coast Shuts Down Hasbro’s Sigil Virtual Tabletop Project

Hasbro’s Sigil, a 3D virtual tabletop tool, recently made its debut as an early public playtest, albeit in an unfinished and messy state. However, after extensive development, reports indicate that the project is being dissolved and integrated into the existing D&D Beyond virtual tabletop system, known as Maps.

According to Rascal News, an internal communication to Wizards of the Coast employees confirmed that Sigil will transition into a feature within DDB, with plans to release existing content at no extra charge. Unfortunately, the majority of the Sigil team is set to be laid off this week.

“After several months of alpha testing, we’ve concluded that our aspirations for Sigil as a standalone game with a distinct monetization path will not be realized,” the internal message reportedly states. “Although we haven’t fully realized our vision for Sigil to scale, the team should be proud of their achievements.” As of the time of publication, Movies & TV has sought confirmation from Wizards of the Coast regarding the layoffs and the authenticity of this message but has yet to receive a reply. A LinkedIn post from Andy Collins, the design lead for Sigil, further details the layoffs, indicating that around 30 team members—approximately 90% of the current staff—will be affected.

Overview of Project Sigil

Wizards of the Coast initially introduced Project Sigil in the summer of 2024, showcasing a gamified VTT system developed in Unreal Engine 5. This system aimed to provide players and Dungeon Masters with customizable, fully 3D maps and environments, along with access to high-quality D&D character models, notably including characters from Baldur’s Gate 3. However, following its high-profile reveal, the project faced significant challenges, culminating in a public playtest that drew criticism for a multitude of bugs and user accessibility concerns, despite its appealing visuals.

Challenges and Internal Struggles with Sigil

Rascal’s further reporting highlights that the development of Sigil has faced significant hurdles, including a lack of clear vision and internal conflicts. Divisions between Hasbro’s upper management—which aimed to position Sigil more as a standalone video game utilizing various IP from the toy manufacturer—and its development team compounded these issues. Additionally, tensions arose between the Sigil developers and the D&D Beyond team, particularly regarding access to internal Beyond data essential for development.

The Future of Sigil

With only a skeleton crew remaining, the Sigil team will collaborate with the D&D Beyond team to integrate whatever aspects of Sigil are salvageable into the existing platform. As changes unfold, we will continue to monitor and report on Wizards of the Coast’s plans for Sigil.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What happened to Hasbro’s Sigil project?

Hasbro’s Sigil project has been officially canceled and will be incorporated into the existing D&D Beyond system as a new feature. The majority of the development team is facing layoffs.

Why was Project Sigil shut down?

Wizards of the Coast decided to shut down Project Sigil after concluding that its vision for a standalone game could not be accomplished, especially after several months of alpha testing revealed significant issues.

What are the implications of Sigil being integrated into D&D Beyond?

The integration means that while some of Sigil’s developed content will be available for free, the original vision for a comprehensive VTT experience will not be fully realized.

Will there be any future developments under the D&D Beyond brand?

While specific plans are still unclear, the remaining Sigil team will work with the D&D Beyond team to merge elements of Sigil into the Maps VTT system, indicating potential future enhancements to the platform.

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