This Is
My Work.
Ecotopia
Game designer and writer for a Facebook-based social game.
Designed game systems and wrote their specifications. Designed missions and wrote mission and system text. Collaborated to identify development priorities.
Horus Heresy
Producer and designer of a massive board game in the Warhammer 40,000 universe.
Designed and developed deep, engaging game mechanics. Wrote and laid out comprehensive rulebook and scenario guide. Managed licensor's approval process. Managed graphic design development and workflow. Quoted and assembled massive component roster including plastic models and printed, vacuum-formed terrain.
“I loved it. I can't wait to play it again… Every game feels like a different story.”
“The mechanics work beautifully… they come together great… I love it.”
—D6 Generation
“A beautifully balanced, fair, pretty complex, but fantastic game.”
—Downtown Time
Skullgirls
Writer (bible, story, and voiceover) for a 2D console fighter game.
Wrote world and character background. Developed story mode outlines. Wrote character biographies for marketing. Developed character voices and wrote voiceover dialogue.
Sora
Lead designer of a mobile, social MMO.
Designed system events. Designed equipment and outfits. Wrote event text and character dialogue. Managed system design tool improvements. Managed event designers.
“[Jeff] became responsible for all of the extensive writing, art creation, and game design elements of a massively multi-player role playing game, and our product improved significantly as a result.”
—Jason MacDowell, CEO, Tomo Software
Pieces of Eight
Designer of an award-winning, genre-defying game played with minted metal coins.
Conceived and designed unprecedented coin-in-hand combat game requiring no tabletop. Origins Vanguard Award for innovation in game design. Diana Jones Award nominee.
“[A] perfect example of a game that is simple to learn but fun to play for beginners and long-time gamers alike … offers layers of customization and strategy found in few games of any kind, as well as an elegance for which all great game designers strive.”
—Diana Jones Award Nomination Press Release
Additional Selected Publications…
Contributor, The Escapist. ¶ Writer, “The Rituals of the Order” serial fiction. ¶ Essayist, Hobby Games 100 and Family Games 100. ¶ Editor and publisher, Hamlet's Hit Points. ¶ Columnist, Games Quarterly Magazine. ¶ Designer, Cthulhu 500. ¶ Developer, Beowulf: The Movie Board Game. ¶ Producer, Chaos in the Old World. ¶ Developer, Dragon Age Roleplaying Game (tabletop). ¶ Developer, The Lord of the Rings Roleplaying Game.
“Jeff is a top-flight game designer, in an industry where very few people fly that high. … I go to Jeff when I have projects that no one else can help envision. … [H]e came back with a far better version than my team could do by itself.”
—Mike Selinker, President, Lone Shark Games
…And All the Rest
Writing, design, producing, development, editing, and layout on dozens of additional titles. Full CV and publication listing available on request.
Jeff Tidball is a writer and game designer.