Greg Stolze

Greg Stolze is an American game designer and author known for his work in tabletop roleplaying games and fiction. His most notable contributions include the One Roll Engine (ORE) gaming system and writing for major RPG properties like Unknown Armies, Delta Green, and Vampire: The Requiem. Since the late 1990s, Stolze has pioneered alternative publishing models in the gaming industry, including the ransom model he called "Ransom Model" where new content would be released once reader donations reached certain thresholds. His original games include REIGN, godlike, and A Dirty World, which have influenced modern game design approaches to mechanics and storytelling. Stolze's fiction work spans multiple genres, including the superhero novel Mask of the Other and the political thriller Sinner. His writing style frequently incorporates elements of horror and dark humor while exploring themes of power and human nature. Beyond game design and fiction, Stolze has contributed to gaming theory through essays and articles about the craft of game writing and storytelling. His work continues to influence both independent and mainstream tabletop gaming publications.

Readers appreciate Stolze's clear technical writing in RPG rulebooks, noting his ability to explain complex systems through examples and casual language. Reviews highlight his horror writing's psychological depth and dark humor, particularly in Unknown Armies and Delta Green materials. Liked: - Direct, conversational writing style in game rules - Creative mechanics that support storytelling - Integration of horror and humor - Original approaches to supernatural themes Disliked: - Dense rules explanations in some games - Character-focused sections can slow story pacing - Some find his horror too psychological vs action-oriented Ratings: Goodreads: - REIGN: 4.14/5 (56 ratings) - Mask of the Other: 3.89/5 (27 ratings) - Novels average 3.8-4.2/5 but with small sample sizes DriveThruRPG: - REIGN: 4.5/5 (32 reviews) - godlike: 4.5/5 (24 reviews) Multiple reviewers note Stolze excels at "showing complex ideas simply" (DriveThruRPG review) and "making mechanics serve the story" (RPG.net forum post).

A Hunger Like Fire - First novel in the Vampire: The Masquerade series, following a newly-turned vampire in Chicago navigating political intrigue among the undead.

Mask of the Other - Horror novel about military contractors investigating cosmic horrors and ancient artifacts across multiple countries.

REIGN - A fantasy roleplaying game rulebook detailing systems for managing kingdoms and organizations alongside personal combat.

Unknown Armies - Co-authored occult roleplaying game about modern magick users in an underground supernatural world.

Godwalker - Urban fantasy novel about a woman who becomes possessed by ancient deities while trying to solve her sister's murder.

SWITCHFLIPPED - Horror story told through social media posts about people gaining the ability to switch bodies with others.

Painted Birds & Dice - Collection of essays about game design and roleplaying game theory.

Sweet Dreams Are Made of Teeth - Dark fantasy novel about dream creatures who feed on human imagination.

Delta Green: Impossible Landscapes - Horror roleplaying campaign book connecting modern conspiracy with surrealist nightmare realms.

The Beast Must Die - Second novel in the Vampire: The Masquerade series continuing the political struggles of Chicago's vampires.

Kenneth Hite combines horror and occult elements with historical research in his RPG writing and fiction, similar to Stolze's blend of supernatural and real-world elements. His work includes Trail of Cthulhu and Night's Black Agents, showing expertise in both Lovecraftian horror and modern conspiracy themes.

Robin D. Laws creates game systems and fiction that emphasize character relationships and psychological elements, comparable to Stolze's approach in games like REIGN. His GUMSHOE system and Hillfolk demonstrate his focus on narrative mechanics and interpersonal drama.

Will Hindmarch works in both traditional publishing and indie game design, crossing genres while maintaining focus on system mechanics. His projects include Vampire and Dragon Age supplements, showing range across horror and fantasy genres.

Chad Underkoffler designs games that blend humor with dark themes and uses innovative mechanical systems. His PDQ system and Dead Inside RPG reflect similar interests to Stolze's Unknown Armies work.

Benjamin Baugh writes supernatural fiction and games with complex world-building and modern settings. His work on The Kerberos Club and Monster of the Week demonstrates parallels with Stolze's urban fantasy approach.