One of the best parts of modern gaming is it has never been easier to interact with those creating the RPGs we love. We can read their thoughts on social media, see what they are building on crowdfunding platforms, and even help support them financially for bonus content through subscription platforms like Ko-Fi and Patreon. Plus with the wider popularity of RPGs, there has never been an easier time to find an in-person gaming convention near you! In short, we have more chances to interact with the game designers, videographers, actors, and costumers among us.

But what if I told you that you can actually sit at the same gaming table as one of your favorite creatives, professionals who blend their skills to create some of the best quality gaming experiences you can find? What if I told you that you could find a one-shot with them, or even enjoy one of their campaigns? The truth is MANY creatives in RPGs share their passion as professional gamemasters on Start Playing Games, and you can sign up in a game with them now. These gamemasters are top notch because they bring skills honed in other creative areas in the hobby to making your games better.

Honestly, I put out a call for creatives of all stripes when I decided to share this article, and the responses were so numerous I couldn’t include them all. If you want to learn about more of the gaming creatives in our community, comment below. I’m happy to share more talented folks for you to game with.

Format

Below are professional gamemasters on Start Playing Games who create content for RPGs outside of the platform. Each profile includes the following:

• Their name, with pseudonyms in parentheses.
• Social media contacts, including webpages. Consider following them on their socials to keep the conversation going. Plus, you can stay abreast of new projects they are working on and great new games they are starting on SPG.
• What content they create in games including work they are especially proud of. They could be authors, project leaders, cosplayers, YouTubers, actual players, conventioneers, and so much more.
• Games they run on Start Playing Games.
• A description of their gamemaster style. You will find a huge variety here, and you are bound to find somebody whose style matches your favorite way to play.
• Finally, a link to their gamemaster profile is shared so you can sign up for their games right now.

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And with that, let’s meet some wonderful creatives  you can play with!

Sean Foer

Social Media Contacts. Bluesky – @scenefour.bsky.social, TikTok – scene_four, Instagram – scene_four_rpg, Youtube – scene_four, Website – seanfoer.com

Areas of Content Creation. I make videos giving GM advice and promoting indie and small press RPGs that I like. I have one long-form video I'm proud of on the RPG player types and how to run games for each of them. I first went viral for my spotlight video for the game Wanderhome. And it could be said I specialize in Blades in the Dark.

Games Ran on Start Playing Games. On SPG I've run Blades in the Dark, Wanderhome,  Yazeba's Bed & Breakfast, Alien RPG, D&D, Avatar Legends, and I'm currently recruiting for Slugblaster and Triangle Agency. I've run many more as an independent professional GM as well, including Forbidden Lands, The Quiet Year, Quest, Masks, and several playtest games.

Gamemaster Style. Character-driven, with a focus on factions, intrigue, and the conflicting desires of strongly-motivated characters. I can't resist juicy drama! I strongly value player agency and pride myself on always offering gameable scenarios, actionable information, meaningful choices, and fun consequences!

Secure Your Spot Right Now! https://startplaying.games/gm/scene_four

Frankie (Mr. Slendy)

Social Media Contacts. Twitch – mrslendyplays, Youtube – @mrslendyplays9025

Areas of Content Creation. I make video game playthroughs. I’m proud of my Minhal campaign. It is completely homebrewed – the world, the deities, the lore are all 100% written by me.

Games Ran on Start Playing Games. D&D 5E, Coven and Crucible

Gamemaster Style. My games are story first and roleplay oriented. My games are immersive where combat supplements the story rather than campaigns that focus on combat.

Secure Your Spot Right Now! https://startplaying.games/gm/mrslendy/

VJ Harris

Social Media Contacts. Vjhcreations on TikTok, Twitter, YouTube, Tumblr, and Bluesky. Instagram – Vjh_creation

Areas of Content Creation. I’ve contributed to numerous D&D 5e products including An Elf and an Orc Had A Little Baby V 1-3, An Owl and a Bear Had a Little Baby, Flee Mortals, MCDM Arcadia,  and HuntRPG. I’m most proud of An Elf and an Orc Had A Little Baby V 1-3, and An Owl and a Bear Had a Little Baby

Games Ran on Start Playing Games. Scion of Oblivion: a mostly 17 level world saving campaign set in critical roles Exandria.

Gamemaster Style. I am open to fun things. Even if an ability or spell doesn’t quite work that way, I’m happy to have a convo on how to tweak something for player enjoyment and balance. I am eager to have new players. I love giving brand new players a fun and safe experience they can take for the rest of their playing career.

Secure Your Spot Right Now! http://startplaying.games/gm/vjhcreations

Nikki Johnson (The Goblin GM)

Social Media Contacts. Bluesky – @TheWiggedDm

Areas of Content Creation. I crochet and make YouTube videos of my games. My games that I run on StartPlaying are honestly some of my best work as of late. Not just the content, but the community it has fostered.

Games Ran on Start Playing Games. I run mostly Dungeons and Dragons 5E, But I’m currently branching out to Thirsty Sword Lesbians and other TTRPGs like Household, Call of Cthulhu, Passion De Las Passions, and many more this year.

Gamemaster Style. Very excitable, wanting to tell a collaborative story with the players. I run a lot of romance, fairies, and pirates, but lots of focus on the characters choices in the world and how that builds on the story at large. I like them to feel like their choices have weight in the world, in small and large ways.

Secure Your Spot Right Now! https://startplaying.games/gm/thegoblingm

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Alec Lachman (Alec the Bard)

Social Media Contacts. Webpage – https://aleclachmangm.com

Areas of Content Creation. I create actual Plays, TTRPG video, and homebrew 5e content. I particularly proud of our actual play show called: Heroes Of Bastion, which has been nominated and a finalist at several film festivals.

Games Ran on Start Playing Games. I run a d&d 5e game called "The Never Ending Dungeon" which is an MMORPG style game with 75 player drop in and drop out game.

Gamemaster Style. My gamemaster style is rule of cool at its core, I am always more focused on my players having a good time than following the rules.

Secure Your Spot Right Now! https://startplaying.games/gm/aleclachmangm

Jay Murphy

Social Media Contacts. Webpage – http://vanishingtower.blogspot.com 

Areas of Content Creation. I have published adventures, supplements, and game rules. I am especially proud of FB1 Freebooters: Treasure Island.

Games Ran on Start Playing Games. I share Basic Roleplaying, Gamma World, and B/X DnD.

Gamemaster Style. I run old school style games.

Secure Your Spot Right Now! https://startplaying.games/gm/vanishingtowerpress/ 

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Andrew Popowich (Fish)

Social Media Contacts. Facebook – FishXXIII 

Areas of Content Creation. I create game material on DriveThruRPG, write fiction (mostly romance) on Kindle, and produce art and illustrations on Etsy. PI published GRAM, a TTRPG I wrote for my friends and with their help!

Games Ran on Start Playing Games. I run D&D 5e, Thirsty Sword Lesbians, Pugmire, and Girl by Moonlight.

Gamemaster Style. I run games with an emphasis  on engagement and inclusion, prioritizing the narrative and role-playing over rules-lawyering.

Secure Your Spot Right Now! https://startplaying.games/gm/fishpopowich

Jonathan Connor Self-Gonzalez (The Healer DM)

Social Media Contacts. Bluesky – @TheHealerDM, webpage – http://thehealerdm.carrd.com/ 

Areas of Content Creation. I work in many areas of content creation and influencing. I have over 40 publications available in print and on DMs Guild, numerous expert interviews on mental health and gaming, and appearances as a guest of honor at large gaming conventions around the USA. I am also the President of D8 Summit Charities, a 501c3 gamer-facing charity that raises money for local causes and provides educational outreach to hobbyists at some of the top events in gaming. Finally, I am the Vice President of New Project Development at the Word Refinery. While I am very proud of my contributions to companies such as Wizards of the Coast, MCDM, One Bookshelf, and Monte Cook Games, I am most proud of the tens of thousands of dollars we’ve raised at gaming events to combat homelessness, hunger, mental illness, and suicide.

Games Ran on Start Playing Games. While my games are all D&D 5e at this time, I pine to run Star Trek Adventures and Monster of the Week again. Perhaps we can start a new campaign together?

Gamemaster Style. My focus is on community and friendship building first. My virtual tables are fertile ground for people to find friends and community, bolstering mental health while finding belonging. In games I run, I focus on creating an immersive world where the NPCs and situations feel real, and one where your character can live, breathe, and make a difference.

Secure Your Spot Right Now! https://startplaying.games/gm/thehealerdm

Friday Strout

Social Media Contacts. Bluesky – @isfriday

Areas of Content Creation. Game supplements and adventures for tabletop games, podcasting, and a blog. I’m especially proud of “How To GM Romance!”, available on BackerKit.

Games Ran on Start Playing Games. I run Pathfinder 2e, D&D, ALIEN, Coriolis, and HEART.

Gamemaster Style. I am very RP heavy and narrative focused, pursuing themes of oppression overcome by courageous heroes.

Secure Your Spot Right Now! https://startplaying.games/gm/isfriday

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About the Author

Jonathan Connor Self-Gonzalez (he/him) is “The Healer DM,” a therapist, gaming personality, and experienced TTRPG creative with over 30 years telling tales in the hobby. You can learn more about Connor on his webpage, http://thehealerdm.carrd.com/ . You can also play with Connor as your gamemaster here, https://startplaying.games/gm/thehealerdm .

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