About

My journey into the captivating world of gaming began in 1982 with a set of Advanced Dungeons & Dragons (AD&D) books—you know, the one with the red Efreet on the cover. That iconic image opened a gateway to a world I never knew existed. Until then, fantasy wasn’t something I paid much attention to, but the moment I immersed myself in those pages, I was hooked. Fantasy became more than just a genre; it became a passion.

This newfound love drove me to the bookstore again and again, where I devoured works by legendary authors like Robert Jordan, J.R.R. Tolkien, David Eddings, Terry Brooks, Glen Cook, Piers Anthony, and countless others. Each book deepened my appreciation for intricate worlds, compelling characters, and epic adventures. By the early 1990s, my passion for gaming and fantasy was firmly cemented.

During my time in the military, this passion flourished even further. Stationed at Keesler Air Force Base and later at Royal Air Force Upper Heyford in England, I found myself surrounded by a robust group of friends, all brimming with creativity. Together, we explored, played, and created entire worlds from scratch. Whether I was a player delving into the mysteries of a campaign or a Game Master orchestrating epic narratives, gaming became my outlet for imagination and storytelling.

In England, my tastes flourished into Science Fiction, Horror, and even Steampunk, which was just beginning then. New authors, such as Robert A. Heinlein, Isaac Asimov, Roger Zelazny, Michael Moorcock, and a dozen more, were added to my reading lists. By then, I had experienced nearly two dozen different gaming systems like Rolemaster, GURPS, White Wolf, Boot Hill, Flashing Blades, Call of Cthulhu, Champions, Stormbringer, Gamma World, James Bond, Marvel, MechWarrior, Palladium, and a dozen more I have forgotten.

Upon my return to the States, fantasy had begun its downward spiral into various successive editions—3.5, 4.0, etc. Packaging was new, but the content was bland, simplistic, focused on combat, and lacked creativity. The old artists like Larry Elmore, Clyde Caldwell, and Keith Parkinson were also starting to fade; the newer gaming art across the spectrum began to suffer.

The gaming industry became big business, and the passion gave way to productivity. That was when I decided to develop my own gaming system. It began in late 1997 and has never stopped. In the next ten years, I would become an author, though I never published my novel.  Marriage and two beautiful boys followed.  My wife, not a gamer, had a difficult time understanding my obsession until she read my novel.  Now, my two sons are teenagers, and I am eager to teach them the art of storytelling.  In a few more years, they will be functional GMs in their own right.  Now, time is my greatest enemy.  Halfway through my third novel, game on Wednesday nights, and consolidating the massive amount of documentation produced over the years (PSG) keeps me very busy. 

All gaming systems have strengths and weaknesses, and not one of them is perfect. It all boils down to what you like and what fits your gaming style best. I am hopeful that Point System Gaming is a good fit. Based on years of experience, passion, and desire to produce a system that reflects core beliefs, this has been a work spanning 26+ years. Many have contributed to the constant rewrites, fixes, and playtesting of the system, and without them, PSG would have perished long ago.

Over the years, I’ve honed my skills as a Game Master and creator, crafting intricate worlds, engaging campaigns, and memorable characters. After 42+ years, I am on the final version (v10.7.4) and ready to share.  The camaraderie and shared creativity of gaming have been constant sources of joy and inspiration in my life. I still remember my first character, a Ranger, who only progressed to the 4th level.    From rolling dice in the early days to exploring the ever-evolving landscape of tabletop and digital gaming, my journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. Gaming and fantasy aren’t just hobbies to me; they’re an integral part of who I am. They’ve shaped my imagination, forged lifelong friendships, and fueled my drive to explore and create. As I look back on my journey, I’m reminded of the magic that started it all—that red Efreet on the cover of those AD&D books—and I’m endlessly grateful for the worlds it opened to me.