What is 'Exploring Warhammer'?

A substack charting the writing of a book about early Warhammer 40,000

I’m currently writing a book about the early history of Warhammer 40,000 - focused around the release of Warhammer 40,000 Rogue Trader (1987) up until the release of the 2nd edition (1993). I am focused on how the game came together, what influenced it, what it influenced and - more importantly - what lessons other game designers/developers (be they physical or digital) can learn from this seminal title. What I'm interested in exploring is how that particular game managed to capture something special that, decades later, is still so popular while so many other wargames around the same time (and since!) didn't.

Then, as noted, looking at what lessons a game designer today can take from it to help them in their work. I also want to make the case for 40K being a culturally significant work in the same way other 'geeky' things like D&D are seen as.

Sign up here to get updates on the project and sneak peeks of the book!

Who am I? I started playing Warhammer 40,000 with Rogue Trader back in ‘87 and my love for the game, its lore and miniatures has continued to this day. That interest and love of gaming in general, with Warhammer 40,000 being such a formative title in my life, lead me to work in game development. Right now I’m a Vice President at Sumo Digital. I co-founded game studio Auroch Digital (which joined Sumo Group in Sept 2021).

I’m an experienced, award winning game designer who has worked on both original titles (such as Mars Horizon) and on IP titles, such as Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun and the multiple award winning Call of Cthulhu: The Wasted Land. I co-founded the online Digital Tabletop Fest event with Steam.

However, please note this book project is a personal one and not affiliated with any company I work or partner with.

(Image - a new Horus Heresy Space Marine next to an older RTB01 Space Marine)