For the past two decades, the Iron Kingdoms titles, especially Warmachine, have been popular among players and hobbyists for their rich lore and immersive gameplay. Moving forward, Steamforged and Privateer Press will work together on the design and development of these lines.

Steamforged is positioned to further develop Warmachine and the Iron Kingdoms. Celebrating its 10th anniversary, Steamforged has experienced continuous growth, with trading revenue increasing by 50% each year for the past three years.

“This project is a perfect, logical fit for us. Almost every aspect of Steamforged’s history can be traced back to Warmachine in some way or another,” said Rich Loxam, CEO and Founder of Steamforged. “Both Mat Hart and I are Warmachine players, and Warmachine was actually a key inspiration for us creating Guild Ball. We are excited to bring our experience and infrastructure to take Warmachine into its next era.”

Mat Hart, CCO and Founder of Steamforged, added: “There’s a real wealth of creative talent and passion for tabletop gaming in our team. We all share a special love for Warmachine and the Iron Kingdoms. Our expertise in creating beloved games makes us well-suited to collaborate with Privateer Press in shaping the future of this important franchise. We look forward to what’s to come for the players in this world.”

Matt Wilson, CCO and Founder of Privateer Press, stated: “We couldn’t have asked for better custodians than Steamforged. Their track record, history with the games, and genuine excitement about the future make them the perfect fit to lead Warmachine and the Iron Kingdoms into the future. We look forward to working with Steamforged in the years to come.”

As the games transition to their new home under the Steamforged banner, there will be a period of adjustment as the range moves from the Privateer Press website to Steamforged’s platform. For the latest updates, enthusiasts are encouraged to sign up for the Steamforged newsletter, join their Discord, and follow them on social media.

In this new chapter, Steamforged and Privateer Press are committed to making the gaming experience better than ever, with joint efforts in design and development. Steamforged’s 10-year track record of creating, developing, and delivering large-scale games is set to support Warmachine’s growth.

For those interested in staying informed, the Steamforged community channels, including a dedicated Iron Kingdoms section on Discord, will provide the latest news and updates. Additionally, Steamforged will manage the Warmachine Facebook group, ensuring continuous updates for the community.

As orders transition to the Steamforged website, the focus will initially be on Warmachine and the Iron Kingdoms RPG lines, with more information on Formula P3 Paint, Warcaster, Riot Quest, and other titles to follow. Existing orders placed with Privateer Press will be honored and dispatched as promised.

Steamforged’s plans for Guild Ball and Godtear remain unchanged, with ongoing support and updates for these titles. Warmachine joining the Steamforged family is expected to strengthen the miniature gaming community.

Scheduled Gen Con events for Warmachine and Warcaster will continue as planned. Additionally, the Iron Kingdoms RPG Kickstarter for Strangelight Workshop is set to launch at the end of the month.

The game, created by Myles Wallace, allows players to explore and claim land in a competitive environment where they must efficiently manage and deploy resources. “Crowded Frontier” incorporates elements of worker placement, area control, and resource management. The game is designed for 3-5 players and typically takes about 45 minutes to complete.

Judges of the award praised “Crowded Frontier” for its straightforward yet engaging mechanics. They noted that the game presents a challenging puzzle aspect and a resource collection system that creatively enhances gameplay. Additionally, the strategic use of resources to expand into new areas was recognized as a standout feature.

Myles Wallace, the designer of “Crowded Frontier,” is based in Austin, Texas, and serves as the president of the ATX Game Designers Club. His background includes working in community outreach for a nonprofit organization.

The 1st runner-up was “Snowy Peaks,” designed by Yuri Morroni & Gabriel Toschi, which features two players ascending cold mountains with a focus on strategic card play and thematic elements. The 2nd runner-up, “Cart’nage” by Loïc Lamy, offers a dynamic experience where players use dominoes to build structures and then attempt to knock down opponents’ buildings using various tokens.

The Cardboard Edison Award assesses games based on several criteria, including player engagement, originality of theme and mechanics, replayability, smooth gameplay, and suitability for the intended audience.

One of the notable highlights is the return of the Wrath and Glory Core Rulebook, now back in stock. Alongside this, the end of May will see the release of Redacted Records 2 for Wrath and Glory and A Stitch in Time for the Doctor Who RPG. The momentum continues into June with the arrival of Ubersreik Adventures III for Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay and the 13th Doctor Sourcebook for the Doctor Who role-playing game. Additionally, June will also bring A Life Well Lived, a new expansion for the 5e system, and Ulfenkarn for Age of Sigmar: Soulbound to stores.

Looking further ahead into the summer, the Wrath & Glory series will expand with titles such as Aeldari: Inheritance of Embers and Vow of Absolution. Another major release to look forward to is the Imperium Maledictum Starter Set, which will soon be available for pre-order.

Dom also shared updates on several projects in development that are stirring excitement. The Warhammer 40,000 Darktide card game, a cooperative card game with RPG elements, is currently in production. Additionally, there are updates on the Warhammer of the Old World Roleplaying game, with more detailed information expected to be released by the end of the year.

Among the Kickstarter campaigns, Victoriana is preparing for a second edition launch this summer, adapting to the 5e ruleset. This follows the recently concluded Kickstarter for The Laundry 2nd Edition, which is gearing up to distribute PDFs to backers in July.

Furthermore, Cubicle 7 is addressing fan anticipation by developing the Dwarf and Elf Players’ Guides for Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay, alongside a guide focusing on rogues and rangers. Dom assured fans that these are in the pipeline and will provide detailed settings and gameplay enhancements for these characters.

Scheduled for pre-order on June 18 and priced at $49.99 each, these 384-page books maintain compatibility with the 5th edition while incorporating extensive updates that reflect years of gameplay evolution and increased popularity.

The cover art of the new Player’s Handbook, crafted by Tyler Jacobson, who has been involved with D&D artwork since 2009, features legendary D&D characters and a benevolent gold dragon, commemorating the game’s golden anniversary. The imagery sets the tone for the new editions, indicating a blend of historical homage and forward-looking design.

Within the books, the artwork aims to represent the dual aspects of gameplay. The Player’s Handbook chapters begin with images of famous heroes, while the Dungeon Master’s Guide focuses on villains, illustrating the contrasting roles players may adopt. Josh Herman, Wizards of the Coast’s art director, explained that each book is designed to visually narrate different elements of the game, from heroic exploits to notorious antagonists.

Notably, the books will feature a red spine, differentiating them from previous editions, and early copies will include a D&D 50th anniversary seal. Additionally, exclusive alternate covers, including one with gold foil treatment, will be available at local game stores.

We got a huge amount of feedback on the articles covering Wonders of the First so we decided to do one last deep dive into Wonders of the First and its creators, before we lay the ball dead for now, as we are more interested in covering real games made by real people, rather than crypto drama.

This article contains sections from our previous articles and is meant to gather everything we’ve uncovered in one article and will be updated with new info as it becomes available.

The Creators

The project team, led by Jeff French and listed under his company Blokpax—a seemingly nearly defunct platform with a dubious reputation in the NFT space—raises red flags straight away. Most team members, including purported game designers Rider Tinsman and Cooper French, who are likely relatives of the leadership duo, have scant or non-existent online profiles. With none of the members of the team having any experience or interest in the world of card games from what we could gather, except for Brian Tinsman. In fact, several of the people on the team were listed with only a first name making it difficult to confirm if they are real humans at all or just pretty A.I.-generated images. The only thing we could confirm was that most of the people on the list seemingly work for Blokpax.

The CEO Jeff French’s social media activity is primarily focused on NFTs rather than any genuine interest in CCGs or tabletop games. In a Substack post from late 2022 it seems like French argues that using the TCG format is a way of inflating the value of the NFTs and the cards themselves.

After our first article, Jeff French reached out to us via Twitter with the following comment:

This is the level of “reporting” that comes from the tabletop game space anonymous gate keepers I suppose. It’s literally just fake. Made up. It’s a slap in the face to all of you who support the game. There was NEVER an “nft” game. Ever. Ever ever. That is a lie.

According to the official website, Wonders of The First is not just offering a physical card game but is also heavily promoting exclusive NFT-based benefits. Holders of the Booster Box NFTs are granted exclusive access to the playtesting beta, an advantage cloaked as an opportunity for community engagement but serving as a gateway for NFT sales. The site describes the project as “a groundbreaking collectible adventure franchise built on the blockchain,” emphasizing its reliance on Web3 technologies.

Brian Tinsman, the only team member with game design experience it seems, notably from his time with Magic: The Gathering over a decade ago, has more recently been involved in less successful ventures, including NFT projects and a stint with mobile games at Zynga where he worked on the mobile game flop War of the Fallen. His recent affiliations, including an advisory role at NFT startup Nemus, align closely with the blockchain-based strategy of Wonders of The First.

Nemus came under scrutiny in 2022 for its controversial activities in the Amazon region, particularly concerning the Apurinã Indigenous people and the handling of their ancestral lands. Nemus marketed itself as a venture to preserve the Amazon rainforest by selling NFTs linked to real plots of land, aiming to create a protective belt around the rainforest. However, their actions have sparked a significant backlash from the local Indigenous community.

Blokpax

In a previous article, we mentioned that Blokpax was seemingly defunct, something that the fans of Wonders of the First and its creators have tried to refute, claiming that the company is doing better than ever. We won’t go too much into detail on Blokpax, as there inst much info about the company to find online, but below you can see some stats.

• According to SEMRush, and other similar services the official Blokpax website gets about 2000 monthly visitors.
• The Blokpax Twitter page has 40.000 Followers but usually gets 1-2 comments on each post
• Their Instagram account has 4600 followers, and gets a few comments on each image, most by people calling the company a scam. (See image below).
• The Youtube account gets around 20-100 views on each video
• Blokpax has one review on Trustpilot (1 star) that calls the company a scam.

Giveaways for the Spam Army

After we first covered Wonders of the First we noticed a huge uptick in comments here on TGN and on social media, mostly from fake accounts and bots. These comments appear almost everywhere Wonders of the First is mentioned online.

We also noticed a strange pattern and an abnormal amount of comments on the Wonders of the First Kickstarter page, but didnt think much of it until we found out that Jeff French had been holding giveaways for fans in the Discord, rewarding users of the Discord channel for making positive comments about the gameplay. This is to “combat the anti-AI army” according to French.

That means that many of the comments about the gameplay you see are from people who have, in fact, not played the game.

During the second Kickstarter fans of Wonders of the First was once again asked to post on the comment section on Kickstarter and on Board Game Geek.

After an influx of negative comments towards the game on the Kickstarter page, the team encouraged posting on Kickstarter to drown out the criticism, while reporting negative comments.

Over on Board Game Geek a large number of New User accounts were registered around the same time with the aim of giving a high rating to Wonders of the First, it was flagged for coordinated ratings manipulation, and the rating was removed.

This prompted members of the Wonders of the First community to call Scott “Aldie” Alden on his home number, leaving voicemails and text messages complaining about the removed ratings.

Price and Restricting Reprints

Additionally, the price point of the game became a hot-button issue. Priced at $150 per box, which includes 9 cards per pack plus a bonus card, the game stands out as one of the most expensive on the market. This pricing strategy is especially controversial given that the game boasts over 400 cards in its Alpha set, suggesting that collectors might need to purchase an excessive number of boxes to obtain a complete set.

One backer articulated the community’s frustration, questioning the sustainability of a business model that seems designed more for profit than for fostering a player community: “First, the concept of not reprinting cards after the print cycle is already bad news… You want this to be community-driven… After printing, the prices are going to skyrocket. This is a red flag.”

Moreover, the game’s strategy of restricting reprints would create a speculative market where only the earliest and wealthiest backers benefit, potentially alienating new players and those unable to invest heavily from the outset. Such a model raises questions about the game’s commitment to inclusivity and its long-term viability in the competitive CCG landscape.

Suspicious Pledges

The Kickstarter campaign itself, which was funded in a mere 26 seconds, saw an unusually high number of backers opting for the most expensive tiers, which contributed suspiciously large amounts. 26 backers pledged the second highest tier of $4350, while 65 backers pledged at the highest tier at $8250, many coming in at the beginning of the campaign. This pattern is atypical for a brand-new game without an established fanbase and suggests pre-arranged backing to stimulate demand. Jeff French commented on the high number of “whales” on Twitter saying:

Our core community of believers unapologetically came in strong AF on a per person basis. Definitely. They have a level of belief and excitement fostered for YEARS. They were ready to enthusiastically support the game and it showed with record smashing early results. So jaw dropping as to make Mr. Reporter ask if they are even real.

While the names of backers are not available for anyone to see, we managed to find some of the backers in the two highest tiers by comparing their profile pictures to comments on the Kickstarter page and on the Discord channel.

One of the backers at the highest tiers was Shock’Em Comics, a company that is set to make comics based on Wonders of the First, while every other backer that we could verify was people active in the crypto space, or in the sports trading card world, in which Blokpax also operates, with three backers in the second highest tier and one in the highest that had direct ties to Blokpax or to Jeff French. Keep in mind that is only from the six available profile pictures on the Kickstarter page.

AI Art

The most widespread criticism of Wonders of the First has been the use of AI art. The Kickstarter did mention the use of AI art, but there is no information on the official website that the artwork is AI-generated.

This becomes even more suspicious when Wonders of the First have “artists” credited on the cards. These are not actually artists but the members of the team that has written the prompts. Romall Smith and Kristofer Kish are credited on most of the cards but are not credited as artists on the team page, but rather as Creative Director and Lead Narrative Designer. None of them has any experience with illustration, or fantasy art from what we can gather.

When asked on the Wonders of the First Discord channel what they think of AI taking jobs from real humans, a team member of Blokpax replied that “none of the illustrators on their team had lost their job due to AI” while referring to Romall Smith who was also actively taking part in the conversation.

Kickstarter Removal and Relaunch

The project first earned the coveted “Project We Love” status from Kickstarter but was later removed from the platform after they were given 48 hours to remove the project themselves.

The sticking point was the game’s “Character Proof Inserts”—50 unique cards redeemable for an NFT. Although these were part of the original campaign approved by Kickstarter according to an announcement on the Wonders of the first Discord channel, the platform has reversed its stance, citing a breach of its policies that prohibit the offer of “equity” or similar financial instruments, although its terms do not specifically address NFTs.

We contacted Kickstarter about the removal and got the following response:

Yesterday, we notified Wonders of The First that their project was in violation of one of our rules. The NFTs it offers as a reward are in violation of a rule that prohibits projects involving financial services, money processing, credit offerings, travel packages, phone services, and business marketing services. In accordance with our standard procedure, we alerted the creator, giving them a 48-hour window to voluntarily cancel their project. If the project is not canceled within that window, it will be suspended. The creator is allowed to relaunch the project without NFTs. 

Jeff French announced that the campaign would not be removed voluntarily, aiming to expose what he perceived as Kickstarter’s inconsistent policy enforcement influenced by external pressures.

French also hinted at potential legal action against Kickstarter for what he viewed as significant damages caused by “their sudden policy shift.”

Another Round of Suspicious Pledges

After the relaunch of the Kickstarter, we decided to keep an eye on the pledges. The pledges quickly shot up to almost $900k in the span of a few hours, successfully funding the campaign in seconds for a second time.

After the first day, the campaign stopped at around $884K with 1425 backers and now fluctuates between that number and $900K and around 1445 backers. At some point, 12 backers pull out within a short timeframe. Which is explained by a moderator on the Wonders of the First Discord channel like this:

The statement above is additionally a lie as the moderator is a backer at the second-highest tier unless he has pledged on a second account as well to inflate the backer numbers.

Over on Kicktraq, we can see that the campaign has actually lost money 4 out of the 8 days it has been active.

Short Deadline

One last point of contention is whether or not Wonders of the First will be able to meet its short deadline, with the project estimated to start shipping in November of this year.

At least by the end of the year, we will see if the card game community has a new hit game in their hands or if the project will be delayed.

22. Pathfinder The Adventure Card Game

• Players: 1-4
• Ages: 13+
• Play Time: 1-2 Hours
• Complexity: Medium

Pathfinder The Adventure Card Game is a cooperative adventure game that combines elements of a role-playing game with a card game.

Players take on the roles of characters from the Pathfinder universe and work together to overcome challenges and complete quests.

As a solo game, you can control multiple characters to build a well-rounded party. The game offers various adventures and expansions, ensuring that you’ll never run out of challenges to face.

21. Friday

• Players: 1
• Ages: 13+
• Play Time: 30 minutes
• Complexity: Medium

Friday is a solo deck-building game where you play as Robinson Crusoe’s companion, helping him survive on a deserted island. Your goal is to develop Robinson’s skills and abilities by acquiring cards that represent different actions. As the game progresses, the challenges become more difficult, forcing you to make strategic decisions. Friday’s quick gameplay and challenging decisions make it an engaging option for solo players.

20. Dinosaur Island

• Players: 1-4
• Ages: 8+
• Play Time: 1-2 Hours
• Complexity: Medium

In Dinosaur Island, players create their own dinosaur-themed amusement parks, complete with custom-built attractions and genetically engineered dinosaurs. The game combines worker placement, resource management, and set collection mechanics to provide a unique and engaging experience.

Although primarily designed for multiplayer, the game includes a solo mode with specific objectives to keep things interesting.

19. Too Many Bones

• Players: 1-4
• Ages: 12+
• Play Time: 60-120 minutes
• Complexity: High

Too Many Bones is a cooperative dice-building RPG where players control unique characters, each with their own set of custom dice and skill trees. As you battle your way through various encounters, your characters gain experience, unlock new abilities, and acquire better gear.

The game offers a high level of replayability with multiple characters, a variety of scenarios, and adjustable difficulty levels.

The solo mode provides a challenging and engaging experience for fans of tactical combat and character progression.

18. Aeon’s End

• Players: 1-4
• Ages: 14+
• Play Time: 1 Hour
• Complexity: Medium

Aeon’s End is a cooperative deck-building game set in a post-apocalyptic world where players defend the last remnants of humanity from monstrous creatures called The Nameless.

Players assume the roles of mages wielding unique powers and work together to build their decks and combine their abilities to defeat increasingly powerful enemies.

The solo mode offers the same engaging gameplay as the multiplayer experience, challenging players to manage resources and make strategic decisions to save humanity.

17. Marvel Champions

• Players: 1-4
• Ages: 14+
• Play Time: 1 Hour
• Complexity: Medium

Marvel Champions is a cooperative card game where players take on the roles of iconic Marvel superheroes, working together to thwart the schemes of infamous villains.

Each hero has a unique deck of cards that represents their powers and abilities, and players must balance their hero and alter-ego forms to manage resources and maintain their health.

The solo mode allows you to control multiple heroes and offers a challenging and thematic experience for fans of the Marvel universe.

16. Under Falling Skies

• Players: 1
• Ages: 12+
• Play Time: 45 minutes
• Complexity: Medium

Under Falling Skies is a solo game where you defend Earth from an alien invasion by managing a hidden underground base.

The game combines worker placement, dice rolling, and resource management mechanics to create a challenging and strategic experience. As you progress through the campaign, the story unfolds, and new challenges arise.

Under Falling Skies offers a tense and engaging solo experience that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

15. The Lord of the Rings: Journeys in Middle Earth

• Players: 1-5
• Ages: 14+
• Play Time: 1-2 Hours
• Complexity: Medium

Journeys in Middle Earth is a cooperative adventure game set in the world of J.R.R. Tolkien’s famous novels. Players control iconic characters from the books and embark on a series of quests, battling enemies and solving puzzles along the way.

The game features a companion app that manages the story, enemies, and game state, ensuring a dynamic and immersive experience.

The solo mode allows you to control multiple characters, providing a rich and engaging adventure in the world of Middle Earth.

14. Pandemic

• Players: 1-4
• Ages: 8+
• Play Time: 45-60 minutes
• Complexity: Medium

Pandemic is a cooperative game where players work together to prevent the spread of four deadly diseases across the globe. By managing resources and coordinating actions, players must find cures for each disease before it’s too late.

Although primarily designed for multiplayer, Pandemic has rules for solo play, allowing you to control multiple characters and face the challenge of saving the world on your own.

13. Cascadia

• Players: 1-4
• Ages: 10+
• Play Time: 45 minutes
• Complexity: Easy

Cascadia is a tile-laying and token-drafting game where players create their own Pacific Northwest ecosystem.

The goal is to strategically place tiles and wildlife tokens to create the most diverse and interconnected habitat possible.

The solo mode features unique objectives and challenges, providing a relaxing and engaging puzzle for solo players to enjoy.

12. Dune: Imperium

• Players: 1-4
• Ages: 14+
• Play Time: 1-2 Hours
• Complexity: Medium

Dune: Imperium combines deck-building and worker placement mechanics in a game set in the world of Frank Herbert’s famous science fiction novel, Dune.

Players take on the roles of noble houses competing for power and influence in the desert planet of Arrakis.

The game features a solo mode with a unique AI opponent, providing a challenging and thematic experience for fans of the Dune universe.

11. Nemesis

• Players: 1-5
• Ages: 12+
• Play Time: 2-3 Hours
• Complexity: High

Nemesis is a semi-cooperative, survival horror game where players navigate a spaceship infested with deadly alien creatures.

Each player has their own secret objective to complete while also working together to keep the ship functional and avoid being killed by the aliens.

The game features a solo mode with specific objectives and challenges, providing a tense and atmospheric experience for fans of the survival horror genre.

10. Robinson Crusoe: Adventures on the Cursed Island

• Players: 1-4
• Ages: 14+
• Play Time: 1-2 Hours
• Complexity: High

Robinson Crusoe is a cooperative survival game where players work together to overcome the challenges of a deserted island. With limited resources and ever-changing weather conditions, players must build shelter, gather food, and complete various objectives to survive.

The game offers a variety of scenarios, each with unique goals and challenges, ensuring a high replay value.

The solo mode allows you to control multiple characters, providing a deeply strategic and immersive experience in a harsh and unforgiving environment.

9. This War of Mine: The Board Game

• Players: 1-6
• Ages: 18+
• Play Time: 1-2 Hours
• Complexity: High

This War of Mine is a cooperative game based on the critically acclaimed video game, where players control a group of civilians trying to survive in a war-torn city.

The game features a unique day/night cycle, where players manage their shelter during the day and scavenge for supplies at night. The game offers a challenging and morally complex experience, as players must make difficult decisions to ensure their group’s survival.

The solo mode provides the same engaging and emotional gameplay as the multiplayer experience.

8. Arkham Horror: The Card Game

• Players: 1-2
• Ages: 14+
• Play Time: 1-2 Hours
• Complexity: High

Arkham Horror: The Card Game is a cooperative, narrative-driven card game set in the Lovecraftian universe.

Players take on the roles of investigators trying to uncover the secrets behind supernatural events in the town of Arkham. As the game progresses, players upgrade their decks and make choices that influence the story, offering a deep and engaging experience.

The solo mode allows you to control one or two investigators, providing a challenging and immersive adventure in a world of cosmic horror.

7. Spirit Island

• Players: 1-4
• Ages: 13+
• Play Time: 1-2 Hours
• Complexity: High

Spirit Island is a cooperative game where players take on the roles of powerful spirits defending their island from colonizers.

Players use their unique abilities to control the elements and influence the indigenous population to drive off the invaders. With a variety of spirits to choose from and an adjustable difficulty level, Spirit Island offers a highly replayable and challenging experience.

The solo mode provides the same strategic and thematic gameplay as the multiplayer version.

6. Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective

• Players: 1-8
• Ages: 13+
• Play Time: 1-2 Hours
• Complexity: Medium

Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective is a cooperative, narrative-driven game where players work together to solve a series of cases set in Victorian London.

By following leads, interviewing suspects, and piecing together clues, players attempt to solve each case as efficiently as possible. The game offers a unique and immersive experience that transports players into the world of Sherlock Holmes.

The solo mode allows you to take on the role of the famous detective and test your deductive skills against the game’s challenging mysteries.

5. Mage Knight

• Players: 1-4
• Ages: 14+
• Play Time: 2-3 Hours
• Complexity: High

Mage Knight is a highly strategic and complex game that combines elements of deck-building, RPG, and exploration. Players control powerful Mage Knights, who embark on a quest to conquer the Atlantean Empire.

As the game progresses, players acquire new spells, actions, and artifacts to enhance their abilities and overcome challenges.

Mage Knight offers a deep and rewarding solo experience, with multiple scenarios and adjustable difficulty levels to keep you engaged for hours.

4. Scythe

• Players: 1-5
• Ages: 14+
• Play Time: 1-2 Hours
• Complexity: High

Scythe is a strategic, alternate-history game set in a post-WWI world where players control factions vying for power and resources.

The game combines resource management, area control, and combat mechanics to create a deep and engaging experience. Scythe features beautiful artwork and high-quality components, immersing players in the game’s unique setting.

The solo mode, known as Automa, offers a challenging and satisfying experience, allowing you to enjoy the game’s strategic depth and replayability on your own.

3. Terraforming Mars

• Players: 1-5
• Ages: 12+
• Play Time: 2 Hours
• Complexity: High

Terraforming Mars is a strategic game where players take on the roles of corporations working together to make Mars habitable for human life.

By managing resources, playing project cards, and controlling territory, players work to raise the planet’s temperature, oxygen levels, and ocean coverage. With over 200 unique project cards and multiple ways to score points, Terraforming Mars offers a highly replayable and challenging experience.

The solo mode provides the same engaging gameplay as the multiplayer version, tasking you with terraforming Mars within a set number of generations.

2. Gloomhaven

• Players: 1-4
• Ages: 14+
• Play Time: 1-2 Hours
• Complexity: High

Gloomhaven is a cooperative, campaign-driven dungeon crawler that offers a deep and immersive experience in a persistent and evolving world.

Players control unique characters with their own abilities, goals, and storylines, working together to explore dungeons, battle enemies, and complete quests. The game features a branching narrative and a legacy-style system, where player choices impact the world and the game’s story.

Gloomhaven’s solo mode allows you to control multiple characters, providing a rich and engaging experience for fans of tactical combat and character progression.

1. The 7th Continent

• Players: 1-4
• Ages: 14+
• Play Time: 5+ Minutes
• Complexity: Medium

The 7th Continent is a cooperative exploration and survival game where players embark on a quest to lift a terrible curse that has befallen them. Set in the early 20th century, players explore a mysterious and vast continent, discovering new locations, facing challenges, and uncovering hidden secrets.

The game features a unique “choose-your-own-adventure” style system, offering a highly replayable and immersive experience.

This article delves into the lives of famous actors, musicians, and performers who love rolling the dice and immersing themselves in the fantastical realms of this beloved role-playing game. We also asked Midjourney what the celebs would look like as a Dungeons and Dragons character, we kind of regret it.

Vin Diesel

Action movie star Vin Diesel is perhaps the most well-known celebrity D&D enthusiast. A long-time fan of the game, Diesel has been playing since his childhood and even wrote the foreword to the book “30 Years of Adventure: A Celebration of Dungeons & Dragons.”

He’s known to play a half-drow named Melkor and even incorporated elements of D&D into his film, “The Last Witch Hunter,” a testament to his passion for the game.

Joe Manganiello

Actor Joe Manganiello, known for his roles in “True Blood” and “Magic Mike,” is another devoted D&D player. A fan since his youth, Manganiello has a dedicated game room in his house, filled with hand-painted miniatures and terrain.

He often shares his love for the game on social media. His character, Arkhan the Cruel, made an appearance in the official campaign book, “Explorer’s Guide to Wildemount.”

Stephen Colbert

Late-night television host and comedian Stephen Colbert is no stranger to the world of D&D. Colbert started playing in his youth and has spoken about his love for the game on multiple occasions.

He has participated in live-streamed charity D&D games, playing a half-elf bard named Capo, and has interviewed game creators on his show, demonstrating his continued enthusiasm for the role-playing phenomenon.

Felicia Day

Actress, writer, and producer Felicia Day, best known for her work in “The Guild” and “Supernatural,” is an avid D&D player. Day frequently plays in live-streamed D&D games, using a variety of characters, including a tiefling warlock named Nott.

Deborah Ann Woll

“True Blood” and “Daredevil” actress Deborah Ann Woll is another Hollywood celebrity who loves D&D. Woll has spoken about her passion for the game in interviews and hosts her own D&D show, “Relics and Rarities.” The show often features guest appearances by other celebrities, showcasing the broad appeal of the game.

Anderson Cooper

Acclaimed journalist and television personality Anderson Cooper is a more surprising addition to the list of D&D-loving celebrities. Cooper has revealed that he played the game throughout his childhood and has participated in charity D&D games alongside other celebrities.

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson

Former wrestler and blockbuster actor Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has admitted to having played Dungeons & Dragons in his younger years. Although not as publicly involved in the game as some of his fellow celebrities, Johnson has spoken fondly of his D&D experiences and the sense of adventure it provided.

Jon Favreau

Jon Favreau, the talented director and actor known for his work in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and “The Mandalorian,” is also a fan of D&D. Favreau has cited the game as an inspiration for his storytelling, particularly when it comes to creating immersive worlds and developing characters.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt

Actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt has expressed his love for D&D, particularly for its ability to bring people together and foster creativity. Gordon-Levitt has played the game with friends, and the experiences have helped him form strong bonds and create lasting memories.

Wil Wheaton

Actor and writer Wil Wheaton, best known for his role in “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” is an avid D&D player. Wheaton frequently participates in tabletop gaming events and even hosted his own web series, “TableTop,” which featured various role-playing and board games, including D&D.

Kevin Smith

Filmmaker and comic book writer Kevin Smith is another celebrity who enjoys playing D&D. Smith has spoken about his love for the game in interviews and podcasts and has participated in live-streamed games alongside other celebrities.

Patton Oswalt

Comedian and actor Patton Oswalt is a self-proclaimed D&D fan. Oswalt has participated in celebrity D&D games and often references the game in his stand-up routines, demonstrating his appreciation for the imaginative world of D&D.

Dan Harmon

“Community” and “Rick and Morty” creator Dan Harmon is known for his love of D&D. Harmon’s passion for the game is so strong that he even created a television show, “HarmonQuest,” which combines live-action role-playing with animated sequences, bringing D&D to a new medium.

Tim Duncan

Retired NBA star Tim Duncan is an unexpected D&D enthusiast. Duncan has been playing the game since his college days and continues to enjoy it in his retirement, citing its creative nature and camaraderie as key reasons for his love of the game.

Terry Crews

Actor and former NFL player Terry Crews is another surprising D&D fan. The actor is also a big fan of the MMORPG World of Warcraft, and has appeared on various shows promoting both games.

Mike Myers

Comedian and “Austin Powers” star Mike Myers is a long-time D&D player. Myers has spoken about playing the game during his time on “Saturday Night Live”.

Matthew Lillard

Actor Matthew Lillard, known for his roles in “Scream” and “Scooby-Doo,” is an avid D&D player. Lillard co-founded a company called Beadle & Grimm’s, which produces high-quality D&D adventure supplements, further demonstrating his passion for the game.

Ashley Johnson

Actress Ashley Johnson, known for her roles in “The Last of Us” and “Blindspot,” is a dedicated D&D player. Johnson is a regular cast member on the popular web series “Critical Role,” where she plays a gnome cleric named Pike Trickfoot.

Gerard Way

Musician and comic book writer Gerard Way, best known as the lead singer of My Chemical Romance, is a fan of D&D. Way has spoken about the influence of the game on his storytelling and world-building in both his music and comic book projects, such as “The Umbrella Academy.”

Paul Wight

Retired professional wrestler and actor Paul Wight, also known as Big Show, is a part of Joe Manganiello D&D group.

Vince Vaughn

Actor and producer Vince Vaughn is another surprising D&D enthusiast. Vaughn is yet another member of Joe Manganiello’s group.

Judi Dench

Acclaimed actress Dame Judi Dench might not be the first person you’d associate with D&D, but she too has dabbled in the game. Dench was introduced to D&D by Vin Diesel. The legendary actress’s foray into the world of D&D demonstrates the game’s wide-ranging appeal and ability to bring people together.

From action movie stars to late-night hosts, D&D has attracted a diverse range of A-list celebrities who love immersing themselves in its imaginative worlds. These famous faces not only enjoy playing the game but also use their platform to introduce it to a wider audience.