Charles a Whosit, Now?

You’re visiting my web site, so you probably already know who I am. Or maybe you don’t. Or maybe you do, but you don’t really know all there is to know about me. Not that you’ll get all of that here, but at least I can fill you in a bit. So here you go.

Insofar as you care about me at all, you probably care about me because I care about games*. A lot. Probably more than you (though not necessarily). Probably more than is rational. Or wise.

I’m a partner, and the COO, at Monte Cook Games, where we make highly imaginative, beautifully crafted roleplaying games. (I’m talking about real games here, not your namby-pamby “computer games.” Kids these days.) I do the occasional design tidbit (an adventure here or there, as inspiration strikes or ideas from my home campaigns seem like they’d be good for publication). But mostly I help bring our games to market—a little bit of production work, a whole lot of marketing, and a side helping of general business plate-spinning.

I’ve been in the tabletop game business for several decades. Started with my own small publishing company, then worked for a couple of mid-tier publishers, then ended up at Wizards of the Coast, working mostly on D&D—a few years in R&D, and then a couple as Brand Manager. I then took a hard right (all the way across the Atlantic) and landed in the UK, where I worked for four years as the Marketing Manager for Esdevium Games, one of the world’s foremost distributors of tabletop games. My most visible roles there included running D&D in the UK, and serving as a sort of public spokesperson for tabletop games in the media. Its most influential aspect, for me as a creative, was doing a whole lot of cool stuff that’s vaguely game related, like visiting castles and ships and henges and tank museums and things.

I could go on about my career in gaming, but let’s just cut to the chase: over 30+ years, I’ve written, designed, edited, illustrated, cartographized, marketed, and brand managed games of almost all sorts. RPGs most of all, but also minis games, TCGs and conventional card games, and board games. Even game-related fiction. And a few games that defy categorization (here’s one for you: Star Trek: Red Alert). I’ve been indie, and big company, and everything in between.

Man, if you’re still reading, you must really find this fascinating. Just for the heck of it, and so there’s a record of it somewhere, I’m pasting a list of some of the game products I’ve contributed to at the bottom of this page. (I found this on the internet, years ago—I have no idea where—and recently added a few more modern accomplishments to it.)

* Don’t care about the whole “games” thing? (You should, though; games are awesome.) No problemo; ignore all that stuff above. Here’s the bit for you: I’m the dad of two great kids (who, incidentally, love games) who have recently joined the frightening and harried world of adults. I’m married to the fabulous Tammie of my life (also a gamer and industry professional). I live in the Kansasa City area, where I play a lot of games, do a lot of writing, and embark on the occasional fabulous trip to places with lots of sun and water, or rain and castles.

Want to reach me? You can catch me on social media, or by email, via those little icons in the upper right corner of this (and every) page.

Writing, Design, and Development

TitleGame LineYearPublisherCredit
Millenium’s EndMillennium’s End1991Chameleon EclecticAuthor
BlackEagle Operative’s KitMillennium’s End1992Chameleon EclecticAuthor
GM Screen and 1999 DatasourceMillennium’s End1992Chameleon EclecticAuthor
Nightwalker/The Villee AffairMillennium’s End1992Chameleon EclecticAuthor
“Identification: Friend or Foe”White Wolf Magazine #361993White WolfAuthor
Ultra Modern FirearmsMillennium’s End1993Chameleon EclecticAuthor
GMs CompanionMillennium’s End1994Chameleon EclecticAuthor
Miami SourcebookMillennium’s End1994Chameleon EclecticAuthor
Psychosis: Ship of FoolsPsychosis1994Chameleon EclecticAdditional Material
Psychosis: Ship of FoolsPsychosis1994Chameleon EclecticDesign
Babylon Project, TheBabylon Project, The1997Chameleon EclecticAdditional Material
Babylon Project, TheBabylon Project, The1997Chameleon EclecticDesign
Earthforce SourcebookBabylon Project, The1997Chameleon EclecticAuthor
The Medellin AgentMillennium’s End1997Chameleon EclecticAuthor
Deadlands: Hell on EarthDeadlands: Hell on Earth1998Pinnacle Entertainment GroupAdvice
InfestationsDeadlands: Hell on Earth1999Pinnacle Entertainment GroupAuthor
Monsters, Muties & MisfitsDeadlands: Hell on Earth1999Pinnacle Entertainment GroupDesign
Starfleet AcademyStar Trek1999Last Unicorn GamesContributor
Marshal’s Handbook, Revised Ed.Deadlands: The Weird West2001Pinnacle Entertainment GroupAdditional Development
Wheel of Time Roleplaying GameWheel of Time Roleplaying Game2001Wizards of the CoastDesign
Wheel of Time Roleplaying GameWheel of Time Roleplaying Game2001Wizards of the CoastDeveloper
d20 Modern Roleplaying Gamed20 Modern2002Wizards of the CoastDesign
Horrors of the Wasted WestDeadlands: Hell on Earth2002Pinnacle Entertainment GroupAdditional Material
Prophecies of the DragonWheel of Time2002Wizards of the CoastDesign
Prophecies of the DragonWheel of Time2002Wizards of the CoastDeveloper
Relics & Rituals II: Lost LoreScarred Lands2002Sword & Sorcery StudiosAuthor
Star Wars Roleplaying Game Revised Core RulebookStar Wars2002Wizards of the CoastAdditional Design
Ultramodern FirearmsOGL2002Green Ronin PublishingAuthor
Coruscant and the Core WorldsStar Wars2003Wizards of the CoastDeveloper
Dungeons & Dragons Dungeon Master’s Guide v.3.5Dungeons & Dragons2003Wizards of the CoastContributor
Dungeons & Dragons Monster Manual v.3.5Dungeons & Dragons2003Wizards of the CoastContributor
Dungeons & Dragons Player’s Handbook v.3.5Dungeons & Dragons2003Wizards of the CoastContributor
Modern Player’s Companiond20 Modern2003Game Mechanics, TheAdditional Design
Unearthed ArcanaDungeons & Dragons2004Wizards of the CoastAdditional Design
Dungeons & Dragons Player’s HandbookDungeons & Dragons2008Wizards of the CoastPlaytester
???AjinanPathfinder2010Super Genius GamesAuthor
Family Games: the 100 Best 2010Green Ronin PublishingContributor
Monster Manual 3Dungeons & Dragons2010Wizards of the CoastContributor
Strange Revelations: Ten Instant Adventures for The StrangeThe Strange2015Monte Cook GamesAdditional Writing
CastawayCypher System2019Monte Cook GamesWriter
The TakingsCypher System2022Monte Cook GamesDesigner
Shards of the Looking GlassNumenera2022Monte Cook GamesDesigner

Illustration

TitleGame LineYearPublisherCredit
Millenium’s EndMillennium’s End1991Chameleon EclecticCover Artist
Millenium’s EndMillennium’s End1991Chameleon EclecticIllustrator
BlackEagle Operative’s KitMillennium’s End1992Chameleon EclecticCover Artist
BlackEagle Operative’s KitMillennium’s End1992Chameleon EclecticIllustrator
GM Screen and 1999 DatasourceMillennium’s End1992Chameleon EclecticCover Artist
GM Screen and 1999 DatasourceMillennium’s End1992Chameleon EclecticIllustrator
Nightwalker/The Villee AffairMillennium’s End1992Chameleon EclecticCover Artist
Nightwalker/The Villee AffairMillennium’s End1992Chameleon EclecticIllustrator
Ultra Modern FirearmsMillennium’s End1993Chameleon EclecticCover Artist
Ultra Modern FirearmsMillennium’s End1993Chameleon EclecticIllustrator
GMs CompanionMillennium’s End1994Chameleon EclecticIllustrator
Miami SourcebookMillennium’s End1994Chameleon EclecticIllustrator
Babylon Project, TheBabylon Project, The1997Chameleon EclecticIllustrator
Toxic TalesDeadlands: Hell on Earth1998Pinnacle Entertainment GroupIllustrator
Vehicle SourcebookMillennium’s End1998Chameleon EclecticCover Artist
Wasted West, TheDeadlands: Hell on Earth1998Pinnacle Entertainment GroupIllustrator
Star Trek Roleplaying GameStar Trek1999Last Unicorn GamesIllustrator
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Roleplaying GameStar Trek1999Last Unicorn GamesIllustrator
Star Trek: The Next Generation Players’ GuideStar Trek1999Last Unicorn GamesIllustrator
Horrors o’ the Weird WestDeadlands: The Weird West2001Pinnacle Entertainment GroupIllustrator
Deadlands: Hell on Earth d20Deadlands: Hell on Earth2002Pinnacle Entertainment GroupIllustrator
Ultramodern FirearmsOGL2002Green Ronin PublishingIllustrator

Cartography

TitleGame LineYearPublisherCredit
Terror/Counterterror SourcebookMillennium’s End1996Chameleon EclecticCartographer
The Medellin AgentMillennium’s End1997Chameleon EclecticCartographer
Among The ClansStar Trek1999Last Unicorn GamesCartographer
Holodeck AdventuresStar Trek1999Last Unicorn GamesCartographer
Planetary Adventures 1Star Trek1999Last Unicorn GamesCartographer
Star Trek Roleplaying GameStar Trek1999Last Unicorn GamesCartographer
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Roleplaying GameStar Trek1999Last Unicorn GamesCartographer
Starfleet AcademyStar Trek1999Last Unicorn GamesCartographer
Way of D’era, TheStar Trek1999Last Unicorn GamesCartographer

Graphic Design and Layout

TitleGame LineYearPublisherCredit
Deadlands: The Weird WestDeadlands: The Weird West1996Pinnacle Entertainment GroupGraphic Design
Babylon Project, TheBabylon Project, The1997Chameleon EclecticGraphic Design
Earthforce SourcebookBabylon Project, The1997Chameleon EclecticGraphic Design
Babylon Project Gamemaster’s Resource Kit, TheBabylon Project, The1998Chameleon EclecticAdditional Graphic Design
BrainburnersDeadlands: Hell on Earth1998Pinnacle Entertainment GroupGraphic Design
BrainburnersDeadlands: Hell on Earth1998Pinnacle Entertainment GroupLogo Design
Children o’ the AtomDeadlands: Hell on Earth1998Pinnacle Entertainment GroupGraphic Design
Children o’ the AtomDeadlands: Hell on Earth1998Pinnacle Entertainment GroupLayout
Children o’ the AtomDeadlands: Hell on Earth1998Pinnacle Entertainment GroupLogo Design
Deadlands: Hell on EarthDeadlands: Hell on Earth1998Pinnacle Entertainment GroupGraphic Design
Deadlands: Hell on EarthDeadlands: Hell on Earth1998Pinnacle Entertainment GroupLogo Design
Deadlands: Hell on Earth Radiation ScreenDeadlands: Hell on Earth1998Pinnacle Entertainment GroupGraphic Design
Deadlands: Hell on Earth Radiation ScreenDeadlands: Hell on Earth1998Pinnacle Entertainment GroupLogo Design
Last Crusaders, TheDeadlands: Hell on Earth1998Pinnacle Entertainment GroupGraphic Design
Last Crusaders, TheDeadlands: Hell on Earth1998Pinnacle Entertainment GroupLayout
Last Crusaders, TheDeadlands: Hell on Earth1998Pinnacle Entertainment GroupLogo Design
Lost AngelsDeadlands: The Weird West1998Pinnacle Entertainment GroupLogo Design
River o’ BloodDeadlands: The Weird West1998Pinnacle Entertainment GroupLogo Design
Road WarriorsDeadlands: Hell on Earth1998Pinnacle Entertainment GroupGraphic Design
Road WarriorsDeadlands: Hell on Earth1998Pinnacle Entertainment GroupLayout
Road WarriorsDeadlands: Hell on Earth1998Pinnacle Entertainment GroupLogo Design
Tales o’ Terror: 1877Deadlands: The Weird West1998Pinnacle Entertainment GroupLogo Design
Toxic TalesDeadlands: Hell on Earth1998Pinnacle Entertainment GroupLogo Design
Wasted West, TheDeadlands: Hell on Earth1998Pinnacle Entertainment GroupGraphic Design
Wasted West, TheDeadlands: Hell on Earth1998Pinnacle Entertainment GroupLogo Design
Among The ClansStar Trek1999Last Unicorn GamesLayout
Back East: The NorthDeadlands: The Weird West1999Pinnacle Entertainment GroupLogo Design
Back East: The SouthDeadlands: The Weird West1999Pinnacle Entertainment GroupLogo Design
Bloody Ol’ MuddyDeadlands: The Weird West1999Pinnacle Entertainment GroupLayout
Bloody Ol’ MuddyDeadlands: The Weird West1999Pinnacle Entertainment GroupLogo Design
Boomtowns!Deadlands: The Weird West1999Pinnacle Entertainment GroupLogo Design
Brave New WorldBrave New World1999Pinnacle Entertainment GroupGraphic Design
Canyon o’ DoomDeadlands: The Weird West1999Pinnacle Entertainment GroupLogo Design
CyborgsDeadlands: Hell on Earth1999Pinnacle Entertainment GroupLogo Design
Doomtown or Bust!Deadlands: The Weird West1999Pinnacle Entertainment GroupLogo Design
HexarcanaDeadlands: The Weird West1999Pinnacle Entertainment GroupLogo Design
InfestationsDeadlands: Hell on Earth1999Pinnacle Entertainment GroupLayout
Iron OasisDeadlands: Hell on Earth1999Pinnacle Entertainment GroupLogo Design
Junkman Cometh, TheDeadlands: Hell on Earth1999Pinnacle Entertainment GroupGraphic Design
Junkman Cometh, TheDeadlands: Hell on Earth1999Pinnacle Entertainment GroupLayout
Junkman Cometh, TheDeadlands: Hell on Earth1999Pinnacle Entertainment GroupLogo Design
Killer ClownsDeadlands: Hell on Earth1999Pinnacle Entertainment GroupLogo Design
Marshal’s LogDeadlands: The Weird West1999Pinnacle Entertainment GroupLogo Design
Monsters, Muties & MisfitsDeadlands: Hell on Earth1999Pinnacle Entertainment GroupLogo Design
SkinnersDeadlands: The Weird West1999Pinnacle Entertainment GroupLayout
Something About A SwordDeadlands: Hell on Earth1999Pinnacle Entertainment GroupGraphic Design
Something About A SwordDeadlands: Hell on Earth1999Pinnacle Entertainment GroupLayout
Something About A SwordDeadlands: Hell on Earth1999Pinnacle Entertainment GroupLogo Design
South o’ the BorderDeadlands: The Weird West1999Pinnacle Entertainment GroupLogo Design
Star Trek Roleplaying Game Narrator’s ToolkitStar Trek1999Last Unicorn GamesGraphic Design
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Roleplaying GameStar Trek1999Last Unicorn GamesGraphic Design
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Roleplaying GameStar Trek1999Last Unicorn GamesLayout
Star Trek: The Next Generation Players’ GuideStar Trek1999Last Unicorn GamesProduction Coordinator
Starfleet AcademyStar Trek1999Last Unicorn GamesGraphic Design
Boise Horror, TheDeadlands: Hell on Earth2000Pinnacle Entertainment GroupLogo Design
Dune: Chronicles of the ImperiumDune: Chronicles of the Imperium2000Last Unicorn GamesGraphic Design
Ghost BustersDeadlands: The Weird West2000Pinnacle Entertainment GroupLogo Design
Rain o’ TerrorDeadlands: The Weird West2000Pinnacle Entertainment GroupLogo Design
Urban RenewalDeadlands: Hell on Earth2000Pinnacle Entertainment GroupLogo Design
City o’ SinDeadlands: Hell on Earth2001Pinnacle Entertainment GroupLogo Design
Dead PresidentsDeadlands: The Weird West2001Pinnacle Entertainment GroupLogo Design
DenverDeadlands: Hell on Earth2001Pinnacle Entertainment GroupLogo Design
Horrors o’ the Weird WestDeadlands: The Weird West2001Pinnacle Entertainment GroupLogo Design
Marshal’s Handbook, Revised Ed.Deadlands: The Weird West2001Pinnacle Entertainment GroupGraphic Design
Marshal’s Handbook, Revised Ed.Deadlands: The Weird West2001Pinnacle Entertainment GroupLogo Design

Editing

TitleGame LineYearPublisherCredit
Ultra Modern FirearmsMillennium’s End1993Chameleon EclecticEditor
Miami SourcebookMillennium’s End1994Chameleon EclecticEditor
Psychosis: Ship of FoolsPsychosis1994Chameleon EclecticEditor
Terror/Counterterror SourcebookMillennium’s End1996Chameleon EclecticEditor
Babylon Project, TheBabylon Project, The1997Chameleon EclecticEditor
Earthforce SourcebookBabylon Project, The1997Chameleon EclecticEditor
The Medellin AgentMillennium’s End1997Chameleon EclecticEditor
Babylon Project Gamemaster’s Resource Kit, TheBabylon Project, The1998Chameleon EclecticEditor
Children o’ the AtomDeadlands: Hell on Earth1998Pinnacle Entertainment GroupEditor
Last Crusaders, TheDeadlands: Hell on Earth1998Pinnacle Entertainment GroupEditor
Road WarriorsDeadlands: Hell on Earth1998Pinnacle Entertainment GroupEditor
Vehicle SourcebookMillennium’s End1998Chameleon EclecticEditor
Bloody Ol’ MuddyDeadlands: The Weird West1999Pinnacle Entertainment GroupEditor
Junkman Cometh, TheDeadlands: Hell on Earth1999Pinnacle Entertainment GroupEditor
Marshal’s LogDeadlands: The Weird West1999Pinnacle Entertainment GroupEditor
SkinnersDeadlands: The Weird West1999Pinnacle Entertainment GroupEditor
Something About A SwordDeadlands: Hell on Earth1999Pinnacle Entertainment GroupEditor
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Roleplaying GameStar Trek1999Last Unicorn GamesProofreader
Wheel of Time Roleplaying GameWheel of Time Roleplaying Game2001Wizards of the CoastEditor
d20 Modern Roleplaying Gamed20 Modern2002Wizards of the CoastEditor
Prophecies of the DragonWheel of Time2002Wizards of the CoastEditor
Star Wars Arms and Equipment GuideStar Wars2002Wizards of the CoastEditor
Ultramodern FirearmsOGL2002Green Ronin PublishingEditor
DraconomiconDungeons & Dragons2003Wizards of the CoastEditor
Dragonlance Campaign SettingDungeons & Dragons2003Wizards of the CoastEditor
Dungeons & Dragons Miniatures HandbookDungeons & Dragons2003Wizards of the CoastEditor
Modern Player’s Companiond20 Modern2003Game Mechanics, TheProofreader
Star Wars Hero’s GuideStar Wars2003Wizards of the CoastEditor
Unearthed ArcanaDungeons & Dragons2004Wizards of the CoastEditor

 

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