Latest news with #WizardsoftheCoast
CNBC
a day ago
- Business
- CNBC
Goldman Sachs says fastest market recovery ever can continue for the next couple of weeks
The first half of the year was a historic one, and Goldman Sachs thinks there are more gains to be had in the next few weeks. The S & P 500 roared back to all-time highs in the last two sessions of June, surging more than 20% from an April low. That marked the benchmark's fastest recovery from a sell-off greater than 15%, Goldman said. "We think this rally will continue for the next couple weeks," Goldman traders said in a note to clients. Seasonality will likely drive some of the gains in the next few weeks. Goldman noted that the S & P 500 averages a 1.3% advance in July going back to 1928. The first half of the month is even better, with the benchmark averaging a 2.4% return between July 1 and July 15. The bank's trading desk expects the rally to lose momentum in August, recommending clients hedge their positions through options. Goldman also highlighted that small caps have not participated in the rebound to the same extent as large-cap stocks. .SPX YTD mountain SPX year to date "As SPX and [Nasdaq-100] have both retraced to the highs, we want to highlight the fact that Russell 2k is still trading 11.5% below its high print," the Goldman traders said. "To quote the 1993 iconic film of the summer [The Sandlot], 'You're killing me Smalls.'" Elsewhere Tuesday morning on Wall Street, Goldman upgraded Hasbro to buy from neutral, calling for more than 15% upside. "We believe that long-term execution opportunities in the [Wizards of the Coast] segment are underappreciated by the market, while near-term macro risks to profitability in the Consumer Products segment are overstated," Goldman's Stephen Laszczyk said. "As a result, we believe that shares currently offer investors an attractive risk-reward skew with a robust catalyst path over the next ~12 months."
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Magic: The Gathering teams up with Sonic the Hedgehog for Secret Lair crossover. All you need to know
Magic: The Gathering, a collectable card game from Hasbro, is all set to roll out three new card collections in collaboration with Sega's Sonic the Hedgehog. These will be based on the highly popular Sonic universe, Variety reported. This comes after Magic: The Gathering witnessed several Secret Lair crossovers in 2025, from popular ones like SpongeBob to Deadpool. Magic: The Gathering teams up with Sonic the Hedgehog for Secret Lair crossover As part of the latest partnership, fans will soon get to witness several of the Sonic the Hedgehog characters reimagined as Magic: The Gathering cards. The Secret Lair card sets will be one-off, limited-time offerings from the two brands. These remain different from the main cycle of Magic cards, which Wizards of the Coast has been releasing on a regular basis. Among these is the all-new Secret Lair x Sonic: Friends & Foes collection. A description for the same, according to Variety, stated that the drop will feature seven new designs in total. These will help bring the popular Sonic the Hedgehog characters to life. 'Wizards of the Coast paired the new card designs with original art, including some from fan-favourite Sonic artists doing their first-ever work for Magic: The Gathering cards,' it added. Among the Sonic the Hedgehog characters who have been featured in the seven cards under the Secret Lair collection are Sonic the Hedgehog, Super State and Shadow the Hedgehog. Other famous characters include Miles Prower, Dr. Eggman, Amy Rose and Knuckles the Echidna. Apart from Secret Lair x Sonic: Friends & Foes, the other two collections under Secret Lair include Secret Lair x Sonic: Turbo Gear and Secret Lair x Sonic: Chasing Adventure. How to get them? Fans will be able to get their hands on the Secret Lair collections from 9 AM PT on July 14. These will be made available at For Secret Lair x Sonic: Friends & Foes, people will have to pay $39.99 for the standard edition and $49.99 for the foil version. Similarly, the standard edition of Secret Lair x Sonic: Chasing Adventure can be purchased for $29.99, and $39.99 is set for the foil version. The same pricing applies to Secret Lair x Sonic: Turbo Gear -- $29.99 for standard and $39.99 for foil. FAQs: 1. Which Sonic the Hedgehog characters will be featured in the Secret Lair collection? These include Sonic the Hedgehog, Super State, Shadow the Hedgehog, Amy Rose, Knuckles the Echidna, Miles Prower and Dr. Eggman. 2. How to purchase the Secret Lair collection? Fans can buy the new cards from 3. What is Magic: The Gathering? It is a collectable and digital trading card game.
Time of India
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Wizards of the Coast unveils ‘Magic: The Gathering' and ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender' crossover at MagicCon Las Vegas 2025
Image credit: X/Twitter Wizards of the Coast gave fans a first look at its highly anticipated collaboration between 'Magic: The Gathering' (MTG) and 'Avatar: The Last Airbender' at MagicCon Las Vegas 2025 . The reveal included a sneak peek at the artwork and abilities for the Avatar Aang and Aang, Master of Elements cards. The introduction of Aang into the MTG universe was showcased with a time-lapse video detailing the creation of the new hand-drawn art. A detailed preview of the Magic: The Gathering and Avatar: The Last Airbender collaboration is scheduled for August 12, with the full release set for November 21. Magic The Gathering X Avatar The Last Airbender: Avatar Aang and other feature cards One of the featured cards, Avatar Aang, is a Legendary Creature – Human Avatar Ally that has the ability: "Whenever you waterbend, earthbend, firebend, or airbend, draw a card. Then, if you've done all four this turn, transform Avatar Aang." This mechanic hints at a dynamic gameplay experience that mirrors Aang's journey to master all four elements. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like God's people need you IFCJ | The Fellowship Donate Now Undo On the other hand, there's the space-themed Aang, Master of Elements, Legendary Creature – Avatar Ally card. Unlike Avatar Aang, which depicts the character in his all-powerful Avatar state, this version highlights Aang accessing his abilities differently. This card states, 'At the beginning of each upkeep, you may transform Aang, Master of Elements. If you do, you gain 4 life, draw four cards, put four +1/+1 counters on him, and he deals 4 damage to each opponent.' The latest collaboration follows a recent crossover that added a collection of Final Fantasy cards, featuring characters and locations from across the franchise, such as Cloud, Moogles, Tidus, Sephiroth, Noctis, and others. The release has been well-received, leading to notable price increases for many of the cards. 5 Must-Have Gadgets for Your Next Beach Holiday to Stay Safe, Cool & Connected
Los Angeles Times
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Why Dungeons & Dragons storytelling duo signed with Critical Role
Cartoons, comic books, video games and now tabletop games. The team at Critical Role Productions, the entertainment company that grew out of the web series 'Critical Role,' featuring voice actors playing Dungeons & Dragons, continues to expand its media footprint with its newest hires — former Wizards of the Coast game gurus Chris Perkins and Jeremy Crawford. Perkins and Crawford, who led the Dungeons & Dragons design team for decades, have literally helped write the books on the most popular role-playing game in history. Perkins was the creative director for Dungeons & Dragons, overseeing the story direction, while Crawford was the game director, overseeing the rules. Their departure from the game publisher Wizards of the Coast earlier this year had fans wondering what their next move would be. Now the news is out that they will be joining Critical Role's Darrington Press game division. 'I was committed to staying with Wizards until after D&D's 50th anniversary, which gave me lots of time to work on succession planning and exit strategies,' Perkins said. 'What brought me out of retirement was the chance to work with Jeremy and the brilliant folks at Critical Role on things that have a lasting, positive impact on the world.' 'Chris and I talked about his retirement plan for years, so his approaching departure was long on my mind. When we sent the new D&D rule books to the printer last year, I felt it was time to explore a new chapter for myself,' Crawford said. 'I love the game and its team, but 18 years is a long time. I was ready for a new adventure. The chapter that we've now opened feels like coming home — resuming work with Chris and returning to Southern California.' Darrington Press CEO Travis Willingham, also a voice actor, stressed the importance of landing the game masters and what it could mean for the growth of this side of the Critical Role company. 'They are two of the biggest names that we're certainly aware of and that have influenced TTRPGs and the games that we played,' said Willingham, using the acronym for tabletop role-playing games. 'When we first caught wind that they were thinking about taking time off from where they were at,' Willingham continued, 'we said, 'Hey, listen, we're over here making cool nerdy things. If it's ever of interest to come over to Critical Role and mess around with what we're doing, we would love to have a conversation.' When you look at the opportunity to bring in 15, 17 years of experience, pedigree, pipeline, timeline, management, all of those things from really the granddaddy system of them all, that is always extremely interesting. It's a chance to level up everyone around here as well.' That mutual respect and a longtime friendship is what drew Perkins and Crawford to Darrington Press. 'Critical Role creates wonderful entertainment that is deeply meaningful to the people who work there and to fans around the world,' Perkins said. 'What brought me out of retirement was the chance to work with Jeremy and the brilliant folks at Critical Role on things that have a lasting, positive impact on the world.' 'Chris and I have had the pleasure of working with and befriending members of Critical Role over the last 10 years, and we've long admired their work and spirit,' Crawford said. 'When they approached us about joining them, we happily said yes. It meant we could continue our creative partnership in a company whose mission and people we believe in.' Beyond the Monopoly generation, tabletop games have seen a rise in popularity with titles like Settlers of Catan (now just Catan) and others. To continue that rise, Perkins and Crawford believe there have to be more people involved in not only playing, but creating the games. 'First, we believe there's strength in diversity,' Perkins and Crawford said in a joint email response to follow-up questions about their plans. 'Diverse creators and diverse games help to create an industry that feels more inviting to everyone. The more people we welcome into the proverbial tent, the more powerful the industry becomes. 'Second, we think it's important for the industry to acknowledge that friendly, introductory experiences are important for onboarding new generations of gamers. Third, we hope the industry never loses the joy of play. So many of us became game designers, game masters and players because of the spark of joy we felt when we first tried a role-playing game. Let's continue to fan that spark into a flame that fills everything we do with infectious delight.' So, are there already ideas brewing for Darrington and the duo? 'Oh, heaven's yes!,' Perkins said. And that's about all they'd say about that.
Business Wire
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Wire
Hasbro Celebrates International Day of Play with Global Initiatives to Expand Access to Play
PAWTUCKET, R.I.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS), a leading games, IP and toy company, is proud to celebrate the second annual International Day of Play (IDOP) on June 11, 2025. Through an epic new family-friendly DUNGEONS & DRAGONS adventure and meaningful community partnerships, Hasbro is bringing more ways to play to children, fans and families around the world. Recognized globally as a day to elevate play to the world stage, IDOP advocates for increased time, space, and quality of play as a fundamental right for every child. 'This International Day of Play, we're calling on everyone to make more space for play,' said Theron Grim, Vice President, EHS, Sustainability, and Corporate Citizenship at Hasbro. 'In a world where loneliness is rising and access to play isn't equal, we know it has the power to build friendships, boost emotional well-being, and spark lifelong skills like problem-solving, collaboration, and empathy. Whether it's through roleplaying games like DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, hands-on creativity with PLAY-DOH, or programs in hospitals and schools, we're all in on expanding access to play for every child and every fan.' Hasbro's 2025 IDOP highlights: Join the party and embark on an all-new D&D quest Hasbro and Wizards of the Coast are dropping a brand-new, family-friendly D&D adventure, Borderlands Quest: Goblin Trouble —available to download at no cost for registered users on D&D Beyond, or at 300+ Wizards Play Network retail locations across the U.S. Designed for players of all ages and experience levels, it's the perfect introduction to the World's Greatest Roleplaying Game ®. To download the adventure, fans must first register here on D&D Beyond at no cost. For a list of participating WPN stores across North America, click here: Powering up play with Boys & Girls Clubs of America Hasbro's Wizards of the Coast is piloting official afterschool D&D clubs at 10 Boys & Girls Clubs nationwide, complete with mini libraries, game materials, and support to train the next generation of Dungeon Masters. To celebrate, Hasbro volunteers will be visiting a local Boys & Girls Club to bring the fun in person. Delivering joy to pediatric patients Together with Starlight Children's Foundation, Hasbro is offering D&D adventures to all Starlight U.S. partner hospitals (800+ locations) and toy deliveries to kids at six children's hospitals across the U.S., including in Providence, Seattle, Austin, Durham, and Los Angeles. Hasbro employees will be on-site in Seattle and Los Angeles to help lead gameplay and deliver joy. In London, Hasbro is partnering with Spread a Smile to host interactive play sessions at four London hospitals, bringing laughter and comfort to hospitalized children and their families. Play around the world From London to Singapore to Pawtucket, Hasbro teams are hosting office playdays and teaming up with local nonprofits to bring play to their communities, including Special Effect, City Year, and the Singapore Children's Museum. The International Day of Play (IDOP), adopted by the UN in March 2024, is a global advocacy day dedicated to recognizing play as a fundamental human right. Celebrated annually on June 11, IDOP calls on governments, organizations, and communities to ensure all children have time, space, and access to quality play. About Hasbro Hasbro is a leading games, IP, and toy company whose mission is to create joy and community through the magic of play. With over 100 years of expertise, Hasbro delivers engaging play and entertainment experiences across a broad portfolio of iconic brands, including MAGIC: THE GATHERING, MONOPOLY, NERF, PLAY-DOH, PEPPA PIG, and DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, as well as premier partner brands. Hasbro connects with fans through toys, games, digital gaming, consumer products, and entertainment. Through its franchise-first approach, Hasbro unlocks value from both new and legacy IP, powered by a portfolio of thousands of iconic marks and a diversified network of partners and subsidiary studios. For more information, visit
