Celebrating a Titan: 50 Years of Ken St. Andre

 

Celebrating a Titan: 50 Years of Ken St. Andre

Here in Shreveport, as we dive into another season of gaming, it feels like the perfect time to reflect on the giants whose shoulders we stand on. This year marks a monumental occasion for the entire role-playing community, and we want to wish a very Happy Birthday to the one and only Ken St. Andre! His birthday on April 28th helps us kick off a year-long celebration for his 50th Anniversary of game design (1975-2025), a dual tribute to the man and his incredible legacy.

I have found memories of me and Ken at the gaming table how he taught me to always stay on the road in his games...........

From the Library to the Dungeon (1975-2025)
A Universe of Creation: The Ken St. Andre Bibliography
A New Era: The End of Troll World and the Escape to Zimrala
A Quest Fit for a God, A Tribute Fit for a Legend
Join the Celebration

• Send Him Your Thanks: Let him know what his work has meant to you.

• Explore His Worlds: Visit monstersmonsters.org or check out his massive catalog of work, including the new "Troll God's Skull Quest," at DriveThruRPG under Troll Godfather Press.

For those who may not know the origin story, it’s one of the most important in RPG history. Back in the mid-70s, Ken, then a librarian, encountered the original rules for Dungeons & Dragons. Finding them complex and geared towards established wargamers, he decided to create something different: a system that was more accessible, quicker to learn, and injected with a healthy dose of fun and freewheeling adventure. In 1975, he unleashed Tunnels & Trolls, the second role-playing game ever created, and the world of gaming was never the same.

To truly grasp Ken's fifty-year impact, you have to look at the sheer volume and variety of his work. What began with one game evolved into a universe of interconnected worlds, rulesets, and stories.

The Foundational RPGs: The pillars of his legacy are the games that broke new ground. Tunnels & Trolls has seen numerous editions since 1975, evolving with the times while keeping its soul, including the modern Deluxe Tunnels & Trolls. He followed it almost immediately with Monsters! Monsters! in 1976, the revolutionary game that let you play from the other side of the screen. Not content with just fantasy, he created the first interstellar RPG, Starfaring (1976), and the superhero variant Power Trip.

Expanding the Genres: Ken's creative reach extended into licensed worlds and new genres. He was a co-creator of the definitive RPG for Michael Moorcock's dark fantasy saga, Stormbringer (1981), and a contributor to the classic Thieves' World (1981) boxed set. More recently, he even created a minimalist RPG called Fours (2019).

A World of Adventure: Beyond the core rulebooks, Ken is arguably the most prolific author of solo and gamemaster adventures in the history of the hobby. For decades, he has penned classics like Deathtrap Equalizer Dungeon, Naked Doom, Arena of Khazan, and City of Terrors. His work continues to this day with a constant stream of new material for both T&T and M!M!, including the recent Humans! Humans! supplement, adventures like The Citadel of Serpents and Grimhold, and of course, the indispensable Ken St. Andre's Monsterary of Zimrala.

Beyond the Tabletop: His influence is felt profoundly in the digital realm as well. Ken was a key designer on the seminal computer RPG Wasteland (1988), creating the world map and encounters that would directly inspire the Fallout series. He has also authored dozens of novels and short stories, comic books, and even board and card games, proving that his storytelling talent knows no bounds.

For me, this celebration is deeply personal. I've had the distinct honor of working with Ken as a publisher and collaborator on his new world, the Monsterary of Zimrala. Our community is currently living through a pivotal moment in the history of his creations—an apocalyptic event we've titled "Escape to Zimrala."

We are saying farewell to the beloved Troll World, which is being consumed by the invading Star Spider Empire. This isn't just a storyline; it's a massive campaign event providing a framework for gamers everywhere to conclude their adventures on Troll World and begin anew in the vibrant, monster-filled lands of Zimrala.

Speaking of keeping the spirit alive, the accompanying image captures a recent moment at a convention in Arizona. Here I am, sharing a laugh and the traditional "Troll Greeting" with Ken himself. It's moments like these, connecting with fellow enthusiasts and the creators who inspire us, that truly make this community special.

As a perfect tribute to his 50th anniversary, Ken has penned a brand-new solo adventure that ties directly into this new era: "Troll God's Skull Quest."

This adventure allows players to experience the direct aftermath of the escape through the eyes of the Troll God Arreth Kennith as he arrives on Zimrala and begins to establish a foothold in this strange new world. The release of this quest isn't just another module; it's a living piece of the celebration, a testament to the fact that even after 50 years, Ken is still actively building the worlds that inspire us.

Ken St. Andre didn't just create games; he created entire universes and a more inclusive way to adventure in them. So, as we celebrate his 50-year milestone and his birthday, I encourage everyone to join in.

Here's to Ken, a true titan of the industry. Thank you for fifty years of trolls, monsters, and unforgettable adventures. And once more, a very Happy Birthday!

See you in Zimrala, Captain Hedges