North Texas RPG 2025 was a hit!
Attending the heralded North Texas RPG Con in Dallas, Texas was a goal for me this year, and I can honestly say the reputation and hype around this event were well-deserved. I just got home to Houston yesterday, and I am worn out. Only had a few late nights — one particular night was a blast at the Westin bar with the guys from Black Lodge Games (“The Shucked Oyster”), Alchemic Raker the author of the massed combat rules “Hell March”, Todd Ritzema of “Horde Wars” fame, and Matt, Gary, and Brian from Lord Matteus Friday night live stream “The Second Watch”. We talked about game systems, mechanics, and solved RPG problems over cigars and a few libations.
However, most of my experience with the show took place from morning til early evening in the many dedicated gaming rooms and hallways. My friend and Monday night livestream partner, Paul Turner aka Flint Fireforge met up and caught up. That’s us in the main photo. So fun to see your buddies in person as opposed to only YouTube. I also had a great talk about life, RPGs, and his days with NYPD with Erik Tenkar @TenkarsTavern. He is another great guy to spend some time with and so knowledgeable about the history of D&D and games.
I visited briefly with Kelsey Dionne, the creator of Shadowdark RPG.. just a fantastic, warm, and approachable talent in the RPG hobby. I wish her continuing success. Kansan Jeff Jones of RPG Ramblings and I talked many times as he manned the booth in the vendor room. Jeff and his team created Dark Visions and Tower of Six, cult-focused supplements for Shadowdark, whom I knew by reputation before I arrived. If you watch YouTube you will see reviews and interviews with most of these creators.
Besides playing Dungeon Crawl Classics, War Pigs, and Horde Wars, which were all a ton of fun, I also visited with Greg Christopher aka Chubby Funster. Greg has been encouraging and very kind to me, talking about my new EruditeZINES written for Shadowdark. He offered some terrific technical advice. He has published many books for Shadowdark and other systems and seems to be everywhere. Greg always has solid insights about the games, but also the business of publishing games, adventures, and supplements for 3rd-party creators like me. Thanks Greg! There were many others I loved meeting and just talking with, including Gary Oliver, Make Badolato, Glen Hallstrom, Je Shields… really too many to mention. Sorry if I missed any noteworthy kudos.
This a great show if you love playing OSR games and talking about them with total strangers who become good friends in about five seconds. The GMs running games were talented and knew their stuff in the game sessions, which made it fun, and the other players at the tables became instant friends. It is a warm, welcoming group overall. I have no complaints. Thanks to everyone who worked so hard to put it on. Huzzah!
I will return for NTRPG in 2026. Wouldn’t miss it.
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