MEET THE TEAM
James brings 30 years of experience as a lead designer, storyteller, and creative director at BioWare and Electronic Arts. His portfolio includes some of the most celebrated role playing games in modern history, shaping entire genres and inspiring millions of players worldwide. His leadership helped define the tone, worlds, and systems behind several landmark RPG franchises.
His work includes:
• Baldur’s Gate
• Baldur’s Gate II
• Neverwinter Nights
• Dragon Age: Origins
• Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
• Star Wars: The Old Republic
James continues that legacy through tabletop worldbuilding, narrative design, and creative direction, bringing the same level of depth, storytelling, and mythic ambition to Arcanum Worlds releases.
Jesse has 8 years of experience as a lead designer and creative director at BioWare and Electronic Arts. During his time there, he helped shape major expansions and story arcs for Star Wars The Old Republic before leaving in 2015 to pursue independent projects and original worldbuilding.
His contributions at BioWare include:
• Star Wars The Old Republic
• Galactic Strongholds
• Shadow of Revan
• Knights of the Fallen Empire
Jesse co-founded Arcanum Worlds and contributed to the early development of its creative direction and worldbuilding. He is currently working on Exodus, a new science fiction role playing project. Although no longer actively involved in Arcanum Worlds, his foundational contributions continue to influence its creative legacy.
Drew is a New York Times bestselling writer whose contributions shaped some of the most acclaimed role playing games of the modern era. His work is known for emotional stakes, philosophical depth, and large scale character arcs that have influenced fans for decades.
His writing credits include
• Baldur’s Gate II
• Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic
• Mass Effect
• Mass Effect 2
Drew has authored numerous novels across the fantasy and science fiction genres, and his storytelling continues to inspire new generations of fans who discovered roleplaying through the worlds he helped build.
Brent has more than fifteen years of experience as a lead designer, project director, and creative consultant at BioWare, Electronic Arts, and Beamdog. He has worked on several landmark role playing titles and is also an accomplished fiction writer with more than twenty published short stories and multiple articles in tabletop publications.
His contributions in games include:
• Neverwinter Nights
• Dragon Age Origins
• Jade Empire
• Baldur’s Gate II
• Axis and Allies 1942 Online
Brent is also the writer of Raiders of the Serpent Sea, bringing his worldbuilding and character driven storytelling to a new generation of tabletop players.
Michal is an experienced graphic designer and layout artist known for his work on visually distinctive tabletop roleplaying books. His design sensibilities emphasize readability, strong thematic style, and premium book presentation.
Notable credits include:
• Odyssey of the Dragonlords
• Heroes of Baldur’s Gate
• Odyssey of the Dragonlords: Remastered Edition
John is the principal cartographer behind Odyssey of the Dragonlords and the Remastered Edition. His maps bring ancient cities, unexplored islands, and mythic landscapes to life with a level of detail that enhances both storytelling and gameplay.
From sprawling regional world maps to intricate palace interiors and coastal settlements, John’s cartography has become a defining visual element of the Odyssey line.
John’s maps don’t just describe the world, they invite players to step into it.
CREATIVE COLLABORATORS
Artists, writers, and specialists who have contributed to Arcanum Worlds publications
Marc Simonetti — Cover Artist
World renowned illustrator known for Game of Thrones and Brandon Sanderson titles. Created the signature cover art for Odyssey of the Dragonlords.
Lius Lasahido — Character and Monster Illustrator
Known for work on Magic: The Gathering and Dungeons and Dragons. Painted many of the defining heroes and creatures within our worlds.
Sebastian Kowoll — Creature Illustrator
Brought larger than life mythic beings to the page, including monstrous Titans and legendary adversaries.
Chris Anderson — Character Illustrator
Designed many of the gods, Titans, and notable figures appearing in Arcanum Worlds titles.
Wadim Kashin — Environmental Illustrator
Painted major locations, cities, and landmarks central to our settings.
Erikas Perl — Landscape Illustrator
Rendered wilderness regions, coastal territories, and expansive landscapes across our worlds.
Sergei Sarichev – Video Producer
Directed and produced the marketing trailer for the Remastered Edition.
Julian Calle – Environment and Landscape Artist
Produced the new large-scale landscapes for the Remastered Edition.
Nicholas Spinelli — Dungeon Cartographer
Created detailed architectural maps and interior layouts for key locations.
Andreana Lozano — Writer
Contributed narrative development, content revisions, and supplemental writing across multiple books.
Juan Pablo – Illustrator
Created new art for Lutheria, Sydon, and the New Pantheon.
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