Not necessarily famous d20 game designers

[Ghostwind]

Whenever everyone's favorite lists of game designers pop up, you always see the names of the more popular and well-known people like Gary Gygax, Dave Arneson, Robin Laws, Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook, Mike Mearls, Steve Kenson, and so forth. But what about people that have been working hard and haven't gotten the publicity that these folks have? In short, they don't have 'name appeal' yet. Pick up your d20 gaming books and spend some time reading the credits page. You will start to see some folks' names popping up time and time again.

Here's a list of some designers that I feel are good and deserve some recognition and even kudos for their consistent level of quality work in the d20 field.

*Ari "Mousferatu" Marmell: http://www.pen-paper.net/rpgdb.php?op=showcreator&creatorid=2538
*Bret "Napftor" Boyd: http://www.pen-paper.net/rpgdb.php?op=showcreator&creatorid=6990
*Darrin "Whisperfoot" Drader: http://www.pen-paper.net/rpgdb.php?op=showcreator&creatorid=2742
*Eric Cagle: http://www.pen-paper.net/rpgdb.php?op=showcreator&creatorid=401
*James Malisewzski: http://www.pen-paper.net/rpgdb.php?op=showcreator&creatorid=783
*Jamie Chambers: http://www.pen-paper.net/rpgdb.php?op=showcreator&creatorid=870
*JD Wiker: http://www.pen-paper.net/rpgdb.php?op=showcreator&creatorid=97
*Kevin Ruesch: http://www.pen-paper.net/rpgdb.php?op=showcreator&creatorid=5255
*Michelle Lyons: http://www.pen-paper.net/rpgdb.php?op=showcreator&creatorid=2476
*Mike Tresca: http://www.pen-paper.net/rpgdb.php?op=showcreator&creatorid=6975
*Patrick Kapera: http://www.pen-paper.net/rpgdb.php?op=showcreator&creatorid=1985
*Phil Reed: http://www.pen-paper.net/rpgdb.php?op=showcreator&creatorid=1130
*Rob Schwalb: http://www.pen-paper.net/rpgdb.php?op=showcreator&creatorid=9102
*Scott Bennie: http://www.pen-paper.net/rpgdb.php?op=showcreator&creatorid=1910
*Tim Hitchcock: http://www.pen-paper.net/rpgdb.php?op=showcreator&creatorid=1857
*Tom "tfk360" Knauss: http://www.pen-paper.net/rpgdb.php?op=showcreator&creatorid=5262
*Wil "d20 Dwarf" Upchurch: http://www.pen-paper.net/rpgdb.php?op=showcreator&creatorid=5235

What other authors don't get the recognition or even respect they deserve? Include a link to Pen & Paper's database listing their credits if you want.

 

[Arcane Runes Press]

Gareth Hanrahan - but he's got a new one coming that will probably correct that.

Joseph Carrikker (I probably just butchered his last name) - the Scarred Lands developer, and a hell of a good writer.

Chris Aylott - He wrote Atlas' Dynasties & Demagogues, and that book is just amazing

Joe Goodman - sure, he's well known for starting Goodman Games, but he's got a knack for writing settings that remind me of my best, coolest ideas as a kid. And I mean that as an absolutely sincere compliment.

And, knowing this business as I do, I guarantee you there are 50 more names that I should also include here, but since it's impossible to know who wrote what in a given multi-author sourcebook, I can't give credit where it's due.

Patrick Y.

 

[MonsterMash]

From Necromancer Games:

Nathan Paul - writer of the Grey Citadel adventure

Patrick Lawinger

 

[drnuncheon]

Ben Durbin (ENWorld's own Wulf Ratbane) and Alejandro Melchor come to mind. I also like a lot of stuff Sam Witt has done.

And there's this Kulp fellow that really ought to put out another adventure someday.

 

[Napftor]

Good thread idea, Steve! I'm going to throw these folks onto the oft-overlooked pile:

David Chart: http://www.pen-paper.net/rpgdb.php?op=showcreator&creatorid=234
Charles Plemons III: http://www.pen-paper.net/rpgdb.php?op=showcreator&creatorid=2080
Steve Creech (since he can't nominate himself ): http://www.pen-paper.net/rpgdb.php?op=showcreator&creatorid=8295
Edit: Almost forgot John Tynes (if only for the great adventure "Three Days To Kill"): http://www.pen-paper.net/rpgdb.php?op=showcreator&creatorid=804

 

[PJ-Mason]

Edit: Almost forgot John Tynes (if only for the great adventure "Three Days To Kill")

Definitely John Tynes. Three Days to Kill is maybe the only store bought adventure that i ever liked. Its a shame that he has no real intentions of doing anymore D20 work (at least the last time i talked to him).
We're going to have to kidnap him and chain him to a desk to write for D20!

 

[Ranger REG]

Rodney H. Thompson (aka Moridin). Credits include d20 Future, Star Wars, Stargate SG-1. Webmaster of the SWRPGNetwork/Holonet web sites.

Rich Redman. Credits include d20 Modern, Dungeons & Dragons, Martial Arts Mayhem. Joined up with JD Wiker and Stan! to form The Game Mechanics.

 

[diaglo]

Scott Greene - Tome of Horrors
Ed Cha - Indie Press
Kevin Kulp - Of Sound Mind -- still waiting for the sequel.

 

[Warden]

Colin McComb from Planescape. His work seemed to bring a more modern twist to an AD&D setting.

 

[Nellisir]

Eric L. Boyd: http://www.pen-paper.net/rpgdb.php?op=showcreator&creatorid=3288