Hasbro is best known for manufacturing decades worth of toys, but the North American multinational corporation also deals in electronic entertainment. As rights holder of the Dungeons & Dragons (D&D)—via its Wizards of the Coast subsidiary—Hasbro has enjoyed monumental success with a particular video game development partner. In 2023, Larian Studios released the full version of Baldur's Gate 3 (BG3) to widespread critical acclaim, quickly followed by impressive sales figures. Since then, the Belgian outfit has moved away from making licensed D&D content. In a curious turn of events, CRPG fans playing on Nintendo platforms have restarted chatter about BG3 potentially heading to current-gen hybrid hardware. Late last month, Doug Bowser retired from his President + COO positions chez Nintendo of America.

In a surprise move, the long-time computer game industry exec has just joined the Board of Directors at Hasbro. Earlier this week, Rich Stoddart (chairman) welcomed two new members: "we are delighted to have Doug (Bowser) and Carla (Vernón) join our seasoned and dynamic (Board)...Doug and Carla bring extensive leadership experience across consumer brands and franchise management. Their expertise and guidance will be invaluable as Hasbro continues to execute its long-term innovation and growth strategy." Before his ten-year-long spell at Nintendo's Seattle, WA area-based HQ, Bowser worked as VP of global demand planning at Electronic Arts. Half-jokingly, the computer gaming community believes that the former NoA boss could hold enough weight to convince Swen Vincke & Co. to port Baldur's Gate 3 over to Switch 2. After all, Larian managed to get a slightly diluted version of Divinity: Original Sin II to run on the original Switch console. A Switch 2 Edition launched last month; better hardware enabled higher resolutions and frame rates.Famously, Larian struggled to get BG3 fully unleashed on Microsoft's lowliest current-gen option: Xbox Series S—their software engineering department could face similar challenges elsewhere; exacerbated by Switch 2's much lower power profile. If Larian's multi-location setup has fully transitioned to Divinity development activities, Hasbro leadership—augmented with Doug Bowser's video game industry expertise—will likely be seeking more co-operations. Last summer, the entertainment giant unveiled a partnership with Stig Asmussen's Giant Skull studio. A brand-new single-player Dungeons & Dragons game is on the way, but Asmussen's multi-platform track record suggests more of an action adventure-type experience.

Larian Studios: "from the creators of Baldur's Gate 3, experience the world of Divinity in this epic adventure where your choices shape fate itself. Divinity: Original Sin 2 is now available on Nintendo Switch 2! Upgrade for free or begin your adventure today and prepare for what lies ahead."