Learn about even more guests of the RPG Zone!

Jon Peterson is one of the most important roleplaying games researchers and an author of books on the beginnings of RPGs. He’s known for Playing at the World, The Elusive Shift, and Game Wizards, where he analyses the birth and development of the roleplaying culture.

Peterson helped bring to life ideas such as Dungeons & Dragons: Art & Arcana or the bestselling Heroes’ Feast: The Official Dungeons & Dragons Cookbook. He’s also worked on official D&D projects, including The Making of Original Dungeons & Dragons, the Dungeons & Dragons edition of Trivial Pursuit, and the upcoming Dungeons & Dragons Encyclopedia. He wrote for Wired, Polygon and BoingBoing. Currently he is a board member of Gen Con LLC – the organiser of one of the biggest tabletop gaming conventions in the world.

Jessica Lee Patterson, PhD, is an art historian with a doctorate from the University of California, Berkeley. For over a decade she taught at the University of San Diego, focusing on Asian art and Modern art of the 19th and 20th centuries, with additional courses on art historical writing and exhibition practices. She has published works on Asian and Buddhist art, and spoke at conferences and as a guest lecturer.

Since 2022 she’s been working with the Koder Collection, where she researches art and illustration connected to RPGs and fantasy literature. She has curated the Gateway to Adventure: 50 Years of D&D Art exhibition during the Italian Lucca festival—one of the most important expositions of the art of Dungeons & Dragons. Similarly to Jon Peterson, she’s worked on official projects, such as Dungeons & Dragons Trivial Pursuit and the upcoming D&D Encyclopedia.

Felix Isaacs is the creator and designer behind the amazing system—The Wildsea, as well as a minimalist PICO RPG system. He also co-created The Eternal Ruins RPG. His games are known for their unique worlds, narrative focus and unique atmosphere.

Isaacs splits his life between England and Canada, but most of his life he spends with his laptop: creating new stories and game mechanics. He prefers to write on balconies when he can, and really wishes he knew how to create a makeshift waterproof shelter – in fact, he wishes he knew how to do a lot more stuff but, luckily, he does seem to know how to put words on a page. Everyone interested in unconventional roleplaying systems should have him on their radar!

Ray Chou is a Los Angeles based writer, educator, and publisher. He co-created Mythworks, a publishing house responsible for projects such as Skies of Fire, Glow or the aforementioned The Wildsea. Mythworks is known for original worlds and stories that blend unique ideas with high quality publishing and a narrative focus.

Apart from publishing, Chou also builds community and supports creatives connected with RPGs and fantasy. When he isn’t working, he enjoys reading, exploring, dancing, and meeting new people.