Who is the coolest game designer?

[Keeper of Secrets]

Kenson. Steve Kenson. He is personally responsible for helping me love Supers games again.

 

[DaveMage]

I voted "other", but I could just as easily have voted "all of the above".

All of those listed have authored (or co-authored) products that I've heartily enjoyed.

Also, Ed Greenwood & Mike Mearls should certainly be on that list, as should a host of others (such as those Steve Creech mentioned) that have added exceptional value to my gaming experience.

Honestly, I love them all.

 

[the Jester]

Bruce R. Cordell, any day of the week.

Throw some more Cthulhu in my dnd, please!

 

[elforcelf]

Mr.Goodman is the coolest followed by John K.of Dork Tower.elforcelf.

 

[Arcane Runes Press]

Well, in terms of "cool" on the Billy Dee Williams scale of things:

I'd hit the bar with Joe Carrikker, developer of Scarred Lands, any time.

Joe Goodman is about the nicest guy on planet Earth - no, really, he is.

My wife thinks Alex Fennel from Mongoose is "kinda hot".

James Ernest is on par with Bill Murray for unaffected cool.

And I think former TSR staffer Tim Beach is definitely cool.

EDIT: Oh yeah, I forgot Jim Pinto from AEG. He's a cool dude... for a man with a shaved head.


Now, if we're talking cool in terms of game design, then I'm gonna go with James Wyatt, and I'm gonna go with James Ernest.

James Wyatt because he wrote my favorite 3E book - Oriental adventures - and continues to do quality work.

James Ernest because he could take a booger, a piece of popcorn, a nail gun and the lid off a tuna fish can and turn it into a hit game.

An honorable mention here to James Wallace of Hogshead publishing, for sticking to his vision and his artistic principles, no matter what.

Patrick Y.

 

[RodneyThompson]

Clearly my family has access to this poll.

Thanks for the 4 votes, mom!

*dies*

Sense of humor alone gets this man a vote.

 

[grodog]

I voted other. For D&D, it would be Rob Kuntz. For non-D&D, it would probably be Jonathan Tweet....

 

[Ed Cha]

Jonathan Tweet
I'm patently amazed that no one has listed him. This man has developed some of my all-tme favorite games. Ars Magica, Over the Edge, Everway, and he was one of the main designers of the third edition! Give the man some props!!!

I can't believe Jonathan Tweet wasn't listed either, especially considering he played the pivotal role in its development and this is a primarily d20/D&D Web site.

 

[Mythtify]

I recently got to meet Monte and Sue cook here in Olympia. After talking with him, I have to say he is pretty cool. He got my vote.

Others that are real close:


Jonathan Tweet: I bought 3rd edtion just because it had his name on it. I turned away from d&d when 2nd editon came out. Ars Magica took D&D's place for me.

Shane Hensley: I have an entire self that is full of orange and green books. I have every classic Deadlands and HOE book except the las vegas book, cause I can't find it!

The crew at GoO. I only rpg books that are not deadlands or d20 in my collection are Sliver Age Sentinels books. The tri-stat rules are the best super heroes rules I have found. There love for both rpgs and comics shine through the entire series. If only they would do more SAS.

 

[dead]

define coolness?

Coolness could mean someone who is really innovative and comes up with creative new ideas. This could be someone in the present, or someone in the past.

Because OD&D had only 2 designers, Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, your choice is easy.

But you can only chose one. So think carefully!