Brian R. James(born 1974) is agame designerandsoftware engineer.As a writer, Brian is best known for his online and print works for theDungeons & Dragonsfantasyrole-playing gamepublished byWizards of the Coast.In game design circles, Brian is highly regarded for his deep knowledge of theForgotten Realmscampaign setting and its extensive history. In 2012 Brian won a SilverENnie AwardforMonster Vault: Threats to the Nentir Valeand he has been nominated for otherENnie AwardsandOrigins Awards.
Brian R. James | |
|---|---|
 Brian James at the 2012 ENnie Awards | |
| Born | November 26, 1974 Philadelphia,Pennsylvania,United States |
| Occupation | Game designer, software engineer |
| Genre | Role-playing games,fantasy,sci-fi |
| Years active | 1996–present |
| Notable awards | ENnie Awards:Best Monster/Adversary [Silver] (2012)[1] |
Personal life
editBrian grew up inArapahoe County, Coloradoand attendedArapahoe High Schoolwhere he led the computer club and lettered in cross country his senior year.[citation needed]
Writing career
editJames got his first big break with the creation of his "Grand History of the Realms" timeline compilation that started in the late 90s. Utilizing his website at the time, he compiled lore from many disparate sources into easily referenced PDFs documents that allowed fans to reference each of his entries. This work eventually caught the eye of seniorWizards of the Coastdevelopers, was purchased by the company and then published as a print sourcebook:The Grand History of the Realms.[2]Since then, James has gone on to co-author (and contribute) to many 4th Edition D&D products, including the award-winning sourcebookMonster Vault: Threats to the Nentir Vale(2011).
He later led the design ofMenzoberranzan: City of Intrigue(2012), covering the sinister underdark metropolis famous for birthing the drowDrizzt Do'Urden.James continues to contribute toDragonandDungeonmagazines; focusing primarily on content for theForgotten RealmsandPlanescapefantasy settings.
In 2013 James teamed up with his younger brotherMatt Jamesto formVorpal Games.[3]Their first independent venture is theRED AEGIS Roleplaying Game.[4]A number of artists and designers have been linked to the project,[5]including industry legendEd Greenwood.[4]RED AEGIS was funded via aKickstartercampaign in August 2013 that raised $66,254 from 823 backers.[6]
In 2017 James transitioned from tabletop game design into electronic game design, compiling lore for theEverQuestfranchise,[7]and thePlanetSidefranchise.[8]
Honors
edit- 2013:Menzoberranzan: City of Intrigueis nominated for anENnie Awardin 3 categories:
- Best Setting,Best Supplement,andProduct of the Year.[9]
- 2013:Menzoberranzan: City of Intrigueis nominated forBest Roleplaying Supplementby the 39th AnnualOrigins Awards.[10]
- 2012:Monster Vault: Threats to the Nentir Valewins a SilverENnie AwardforBest Monster/Adversaryproduct.[11]
- 2012:Monster Vault: Threats to the Nentir Valeis nominated forBest Roleplaying Supplement or Adventureby the 38th AnnualOrigins Awards.[12]
- 2009: Brian's articlePlaying Dhampyr(Dragon Magazine#371) is selected to be published in the 2009Dragon Magazine Annual
- 2008:Grand History of the Realmsis nominated forNon-Fiction Publication of the Yearby the 34th AnnualOrigins Awards.[13]
Video games
edit| Year | Title | Role(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | PlanetSidefranchise | Loremaster / Narrative Designer |
| 2017-2018 | EverQuestfranchise | Loremaster |
Bibliography
editPathfinder sourcebooks, Paizo Publishing
edit- Pathfinder 2E Gamemastery Guide[14](2020), designer
- Pathfinder 2E Bestiary 2[15](2020), designer
- Giants Revisited[16](2012), designer
RED AEGIS sourcebooks, Vorpal Games
edit- RED AEGIS Roleplaying Game[17](2016), lead designer/publisher
Iron Kingdoms sourcebooks, Privateer Press
edit- Iron Kingdoms Unleashed: Wild Adventure[18](2016), designer
Dungeons & Dragons sourcebooks, Wizards of the Coast
edit- Menzoberranzan: City of Intrigue.[19](2012), lead designer
- Monster Vault: Threats to the Nentir Vale.[12](2011), designer -ENnie Awardwinner[11]
- Demonomicon.[20](2010), designer
- Underdark.[21](2010), contributor
- Dragon MagazineAnnual.[22](2009), contributor
- Open Grave: Secrets of the Undead.[23](2009), designer
- Forgotten Realms Campaign Guide.[24](2008), designer
- Grand History of the Realms.(2007), lead designer
Magazine articles
edit- Corvis Codex: Plagues and Pestilence,No Quarter#52 (2014)
- Ecology of the Modron,Dragon#414 (2012)
- Demonomicon of Iggwilv: Shemeshka the Marauder,Dungeon#205 (2012), co-author
- Chessenta,Dungeon#178 (2010)
- Deities & Demigods:Torog,Dungeon#177 (2010)
- Vaasa,Dungeon#177 (2010)
- Monument of the Ancients,Dungeon#170 (2010), co-author
- Sarifal,Dragon#376 (2009)
- Ecology of the Sharn,Dragon#373 (2009)
- Playing Dhampyr,Dragon#371 (2009)
- Hall of the Frostmaiden,Dragon#367 (2008)
- Cormyr,Dragon#365 (2008)
- Spellplague: The Wailing Years,Dragon#362 (2008)
- Grand History of the Realms: The Moonshaes,Dragon#362 (2008)
- Ironfang Keep,Dragon#361 (2007)
- Age of Sail, Part I,Candlekeep Compendium Volume IX (2007)
- Reign of Dragons,Candlekeep Compendium Volume IV (2005)
Patents
edit- Web-based visual development environment, co-inventor[25]
Podcasts
edit- The Tome Show 205Menzoberranzan: City of Intrigue (12/03/2012)
- The Tome Show 178Monster Vault - Threats to the Nentir Vale (06/30/2011)
- The Tome Show 143Demonomicon (07/28/2010)
References
edit- ^"Congratulations to the 2012 ENnie Award winners!".18 August 2012. Archived fromthe originalon 18 January 2019.Retrieved21 August2012.
- ^Baker, Richard;Grand History of the Realmsp.3 (Wizards of the Coast,2007)
- ^Vorpal Games([1])
- ^abVorpal Games(http://forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=17831)
- ^RED AEGISDesign Team (http://www.loremaster.org/content.php?298-red-aegis_1Archived2013-10-21 at theWayback Machine)
- ^"RED AEGIS Roleplaying Game".Retrieved23 August2013.
- ^Wolfshead (30 January 2020)."More Evidence that a New EverQuest Game is on the Horizon".Wolfshead Online.
- ^"Brian R. James Profile".LinkedIn.Retrieved5 June2020.
- ^2013 ENnie Awards Nominees (http://www.ennie-awards.com/blog/2013-ennie-awards-nominees/Archived2013-07-18 at theWayback Machine)
- ^Nominees for the 39th Origins Awards Announced!("Origins Awards".Archived fromthe originalon 2013-01-27.Retrieved2016-02-10.)
- ^ab"Congratulations to the 2012 ENnie Award winners! | ENnie Awards".Archived fromthe originalon 2019-01-18.
- ^abMonster Vault: Threats to the Nentir Vale([2][dead link])
- ^Nominees for the 34th Origins Awards Announced! (http://www.flamesrising.com/origins-awards-nominees/,April 29, 2008)
- ^Pathfinder 2E Gamemastery Guide(https://paizo.com/products/btq01zq7?Pathfinder-Gamemastery-Guide)
- ^Pathfinder 2E Bestiary 2(https://paizo.com/products/btq022yq?Pathfinder-Bestiary-2)
- ^Pathfinder Campaign Setting: Giants Revisited(http://paizo.com/products/btpy8rv4)
- ^RED AEGIS Roleplaying Game(http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/181184/RED-AEGIS-Roleplaying-Game)
- ^Iron Kingdoms Unleashed: Wild Adventure(http://privateerpress.com/iron-kingdoms/core-products/core-products/iron-kingdoms-unleashed-wild-adventureArchived2016-07-21 at theWayback Machine)
- ^Menzoberranzan: City of Intrigue([3][dead link])
- ^Demonomicon([4][dead link])
- ^Underdark([5][dead link])
- ^Dragon Magazine Annual 2009([6][dead link])
- ^Open Grave: Secrets of the Undead([7][dead link])
- ^Forgotten Realms Campaign Guide([8][dead link])
- ^US patent 7496053,Aaron W. Seabaugh, Brian R. James, Joaquin Jares, Martin H. Rosalin, "Web-based visual development environment", issued 2009-02-24, assigned to Teletech Holdings, Inc. (Englewood, CO)
External links
edit- [9]Spotlight Interview with Brian R. James regarding theGrand History of the Realms
- Questions for Brian R. Jamesmessage board thread hosted by Candlekeep.com
- Brian James profileon RPG Geek