Magpie Games
Magpie Games is a private Albuquerque-based tabletop roleplaying game publisher founded in 2011 by Mark Diaz Truman and Marissa Kelly, designing and distributing narrative-driven Powered by the Apocalypse RPGs under both original and licensed IPs (Avatar Legends, Root, Fallen London, Temeraire) to enthusiast consumers worldwide.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2011
- HeadquartersAlbuquerque, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Magpie Games does
Magpie Games is a privately held tabletop roleplaying game publisher headquartered in Albuquerque, New Mexico, co-founded in 2011 by Mark Diaz Truman and Marissa Kelly. The company designs, publishes, and distributes narrative-driven RPGs built primarily on the Powered by the Apocalypse (PbtA) framework, with a portfolio spanning original IPs — Urban Shadows, Masks: A New Generation, Defiant, Bluebeard's Bride, Cartel, Epyllion, Pasión de las Pasiones, Wizard Kittens, Zombie World, and Rapscallion — alongside licensed franchises including Avatar Legends (via Paramount Consumer Products), Root (via Leder Games), Fallen London (via Failbetter Games), and Temeraire (via Naomi Novik). They serve tabletop RPG enthusiasts, Game Masters, convention attendees, retailers, and a community-driven fanbase of 100,000+ crowdfunding backers.
The company monetizes through five revenue streams: (1) physical core books, starter sets, and supplements priced $24.99-$79.99, sold via a direct Shopify e-commerce storefront; (2) digital downloads via DriveThruRPG and the Demiplane NEXUS platform; (3) Kickstarter crowdfunding, from which Magpie has cumulatively raised over $12 million; (4) gaming accessories and merchandise including dice sets, plushies, journals, and apparel; and (5) premium bundles ranging from $89.99 to $499.99. Go-to-market is multi-channel — community-led through a 200+ member Discord and Curated Play Program, event-driven through Gen Con, PAX Unplugged, Origins, RinCon, and UK Games Expo, and product-led through the e-commerce site plus a verified retail network of 20+ friendly local game stores across the US, Canada, Netherlands, and Denmark.
The technology stack is non-AI: printed books via long-term partner Taylor Specialty Books, digital tools via Demiplane NEXUS and Role, and virtual tabletop integration via Foundry VTT. The organization is small (1-10 employees) and has grown organically without disclosed institutional investment or M&A. Mascots and brand extensions (Cinder plushie from Wizard Kittens) complement the core games. The Avatar Legends Kickstarter (August 2021) remains the defining commercial milestone — the second-most funded RPG Kickstarter of all time at over $10 million — and the company has subsequently replicated this playbook with Fallen London ($1M+ in 2025) and Temeraire (2026 Kickstarter).
Magpie Games firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Magpie Games
- Legal name
- Magpie Games
- Website
- https://magpiegames.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2011
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Magpie Games is a private Albuquerque-based tabletop roleplaying game publisher founded in 2011 by Mark Diaz Truman and Marissa Kelly, designing and distributing narrative-driven Powered by the Apocalypse RPGs under both original and licensed IPs (Avatar Legends, Root, Fallen London, Temeraire) to enthusiast consumers worldwide.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Magpie Games industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Tabletop Roleplaying Games
- NAICS
- Hobby, Toy, and Game Retailers (45912), Doll, Toy, and Game Manufacturing (339930), Doll, Toy, and Game Manufacturing (33993)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Hobby Games & Miniatures Retail (Tabletop RPGs, Wargaming) (CRALAFAH)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Miniature Gaming Accessories (Dice, Mats, Tokens, Measuring Tools) (CRALAKAL)
Keywords
Where Magpie Games is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Albuquerque
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Magpie Games business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Physical Game Sales: Direct sales of physical tabletop RPG core books, starter sets, supplements, and accessories through their e-commerce website and retail stores
- Digital Downloads: PDF sales through DriveThruRPG, NEXUS platform, and direct digital product downloads
- Crowdfunding: Kickstarter campaigns for new game launches with backer rewards, stretch goals, and late pledge periods. Over $12M raised from 100K+ backers
- Accessories and Merchandise: Dice sets, dice bags, dice trays, journals, pins, cloth maps, plushies (Cinder from Wizard Kittens), and other gaming accessories
- Premium Bundles: Deluxe, Standard, and Ultimate bundles offering multiple products at discounted prices for each game line
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Core Rulebooks |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Starter Sets |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Supplements |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Bundles |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Accessories |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Digital Downloads |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels7 records
Magpie Games product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Magpie Games is an independent tabletop roleplaying game publisher that designs, produces, and sells a portfolio of narrative-driven TTRPGs under both original and licensed IPs, including Avatar Legends, Root: The RPG, Masks: A New Generation, Urban Shadows, Defiant, Bluebeard's Bride, Cartel, Temeraire, Fallen London, and others. Offerings span hardcover core rulebooks, supplements/expansions, starter sets, quickstart PDFs, premium bundles, gaming accessories (dice, bags, trays, journals, plushies), and digital play tools via DriveThruRPG, Demiplane NEXUS, and Foundry VTT.
Product overview
Magpie Games is a tabletop roleplaying game publisher offering a portfolio of diverse RPG systems under both original IPs and licensed properties. The product lineup includes flagship titles like Avatar Legends: The Roleplaying Game (the second-most funded TTRPG Kickstarter at over $10 million), Root: The RPG, Masks: A New Generation, Urban Shadows (now in 2nd Edition), Defiant RPG, and Bluebeard's Bride. Additional products include licensed titles such as Temeraire: The Roleplaying Game and Fallen London: The Roleplaying Game. The company also publishes smaller titles including Epyllion, Pasión de las Pasiones, Cartel, Wizard Kittens, Zombie World, and Rapscallion. Products are available as core rulebooks, supplements, quickstart editions, digital versions (via DriveThruRPG), and virtual tabletop adaptations (Foundry VTT). Official digital toolsets are offered through partnerships with Demiplane (Avatar Legends NEXUS) and Role (online gaming platform).
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Avatar Legends: The Roleplaying Game Officially licensed tabletop RPG set in the world of Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra. Features 10 playbooks, five eras of the Avatarverse, and bundled free PDF via DriveThruRPG; intended for fans of the franchise and PbtA-style narrative players.
- Root: The RPG Tabletop RPG based on the Root board game by Leder Games, set in a woodland war between woodland creatures with multiple eras, faction-based gameplay, and deluxe editions with expanded content; for fans of the Root franchise and faction-driven PbtA play.
- Masks: A New Generation Teen superhero tabletop RPG where players take on the roles of young heroes growing up in Halcyon City, featuring playbooks that represent different hero archetypes; intended for narrative-driven superhero play and ENnie-recognized family play.
- Urban Shadows (2nd Edition) Urban fantasy tabletop RPG featuring a complicated web of factions, circles, communities, and conflicts; second edition adds deep character connections and faction-based storytelling. Intended for fans of faction-driven urban fantasy play.
- Defiant RPG Urban fantasy tabletop RPG about modern-day supernaturals who rebelled against their destiny and protect the world instead of destroying it; supported by supplements including Defiant Reign and Defiant Legacy.
- Bluebeard's Bride Horror tabletop RPG where players take on the role of aspects of a single character exploring a haunted mansion; unique art and storytelling designed by auteur creators.
- Cartel Mexican narcofiction tabletop RPG exploring stories of drug trade and violence through dramatic character-driven narratives.
- Epyllion: A Dragon Epic Dragon fantasy tabletop RPG inspired by Spyro, Lord of the Rings, and My Little Pony; features dragon armies, epic adventures, and the companion Encyclopedia Draconica supplement.
- Pasión de las Pasiones Dramatic tabletop RPG about life-changing passion, broken hearts, stolen moments, and scandalous reveals; designed for emotionally intense storytelling.
- Wizard Kittens Card-based tabletop game where players play curious kittens who accidentally caused havoc in a library; family-friendly adventure with plushie and expansion accessories available.
- Zombie World Card-based tabletop RPG of survivors fighting against the living and dead in a zombie apocalypse; designed for easy, quick, and intense play; rated Teen, 3-8 players, 2-4 hour sessions.
- Rapscallion Daring pirate fantasy tabletop RPG with swashbuckling and frightening sea magic, set in the World of Law and the vast Great Sea.
- Ruins & Expeditions (Root: The RPG) Expansion content for Root: The RPG that returns players to the woodland setting for new adventures and expeditions.
- Temeraire: The Roleplaying Game Upcoming tabletop RPG set in the Napoleonic wars with dragons, featuring duty, honor, and freedom themes; licensed adaptation of the Temeraire novel series; available via Kickstarter late pledge.
- Fallen London: The Roleplaying Game Tabletop roleplaying game set in the award-winning Fallen London universe; licensed from Failbetter Games; Kickstarter raised over $1 million.
- Avatar Legends NEXUS Official online digital toolset for Avatar Legends, powered by Demiplane; provides digital character sheets, rules references, and digital play tools for Avatar Legends.
- Avatar Legends Supplements (Uncle Iroh's Adventure Guide, Wan Shi Tong's Adventure Guide, Republic City) Avatar Legends setting supplements including Uncle Iroh's Adventure Guide (Jasmine Island adventures), Wan Shi Tong's Adventure Guide (Spirit World content), and Republic City (detailed setting material).
- Defiant RPG Supplements (Defiant Reign, Defiant Legacy, Dice Set, Character Creation Cards) Supplements and gaming accessories for Defiant RPG, including the Defiant Reign campaign book ($44.99), Defiant Legacy campaign book ($44.99), Defiant Dice Set ($24.99), and Defiant Character Creation Cards ($24.99).
- Premium Bundles (Standard / Deluxe / Ultimate / Everything bundles) Tiered retail bundles for major game lines (Avatar Legends, Root, Urban Shadows, Masks, Defiant, Cartel, etc.) that package multiple products at a discount. Standard bundles $89.99-$129.99; Deluxe bundles $149.99-$229.99; Ultimate bundles (e.g., Avatar Legends NEXUS Ultimate) $101.91; Everything bundles up to $499.99 (Root Everything Bundle).
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 100,000 crowdfunding backers across all campaigns
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Magpie Games
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Magpie Games technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
Feature5 records
Magpie Games partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor, major and core.
- Palestine Children's Relief Fund (PCRF)minorMagpie Games donates 10% of total funds raised for Urban Shadows: Algiers & Angels to PCRF to support humanitarian efforts in Gaza.
- Beadle & GrimmmsmajorCollaboration with Beadle & Grimmms on Voyage of the Unity, a premium Avatar Legends campaign experience launching May 20th, 2025.
- Humble BundleminorPartnership with Humble Bundle for 'Best of Magpie Games' bundle offering with redemption instructions provided on their blog.
- DemiplanecorePartnership with Demiplane as official online toolset provider for Avatar Legends: The Roleplaying Game. The Avatar Legends NEXUS provides digital character sheets, campaign management, and online tools for players and GMs.
- Paramount Consumer ProductscoreMulti-year licensing agreement with Paramount Consumer Products to produce tabletop RPGs set in the world of Nickelodeon's Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra. Resulted in Avatar Legends: The Roleplaying Game.
- Leder GamescoreMulti-year licensing agreement with Leder Games to produce tabletop RPG set in the world of Root: A Game of Woodland Might and Right. Root: The RPG launched via Kickstarter in 2019.
- Taylor Specialty BookscoreLong-term partnership with Taylor Specialty Books for printing tabletop RPGs. Marissa Kelly visited the printer facility to see production process.
- Indie Game Developer Network (IGDN)coreCo-founded IGDN in 2011 to support small publishers. Magpie Games actively participates in IGDN booth at conventions and industry initiatives.
- Foundry GamingmajorRoot: The RPG available on Foundry Virtual Tabletop with official digital game system integration.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Magpie Games competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Magpie Games social profiles
Digital presenceMagpie Games financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Magpie Games leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
Magpie Games funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Magpie Games M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Magpie Games
What does Magpie Games do?
Magpie Games is an independent tabletop roleplaying game publisher that designs, produces, and sells a portfolio of narrative-driven TTRPGs under both original and licensed IPs, including Avatar Legends, Root: The RPG, Masks: A New Generation, Urban Shadows, Defiant, Bluebeard's Bride, Cartel, Temeraire, Fallen London, and others. Offerings span hardcover core rulebooks, supplements/expansions, starter sets, quickstart PDFs, premium bundles, gaming accessories (dice, bags, trays, journals, plushies), and digital play tools via DriveThruRPG, Demiplane NEXUS, and Foundry VTT.
Is Magpie Games a public or private company?
Magpie Games is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Magpie Games founded?
Magpie Games was founded in 2011. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Magpie Games based?
Magpie Games is headquartered in Albuquerque, United States, in the North America region.
How does Magpie Games make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Physical Game Sales are the primary driver. The others are digital Downloads, crowdfunding, accessories and Merchandise and premium Bundles.
Does Magpie Games have an API?
No public API is recorded for Magpie Games.
What industry is Magpie Games in?
Magpie Games's product category is Tabletop Roleplaying Games. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRALAFAH, Hobby Games & Miniatures Retail (Tabletop RPGs, Wargaming), with a secondary code of CRALAKAL, Miniature Gaming Accessories (Dice, Mats, Tokens, Measuring Tools). Its NAICS code is 45912.