Magpie Games

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).

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

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

• Tabletop roleplaying games
• Narrative game publishing
• Licensed franchise RPGs
• Indie game publisher
• Crowdfunding game design

Headquarters

HQ city

Albuquerque

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Physical Game Sales: Direct sales of physical tabletop RPG core books, starter sets, supplements, and accessories through their e-commerce website and retail stores
2. Digital Downloads: PDF sales through DriveThruRPG, NEXUS platform, and direct digital product downloads
3. Crowdfunding: Kickstarter campaigns for new game launches with backer rewards, stretch goals, and late pledge periods. Over $12M raised from 100K+ backers
4. Accessories and Merchandise: Dice sets, dice bags, dice trays, journals, pins, cloth maps, plushies (Cinder from Wizard Kittens), and other gaming accessories
5. Premium Bundles: Deluxe, Standard, and Ultimate bundles offering multiple products at discounted prices for each game line

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core 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

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor, major and core.

• Palestine Children's Relief Fund (PCRF)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 October 2025Magpie Games donates 10% of total funds raised for Urban Shadows: Algiers & Angels to PCRF to support humanitarian efforts in Gaza.
• Beadle & GrimmmsmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 May 2025Collaboration with Beadle & Grimmms on Voyage of the Unity, a premium Avatar Legends campaign experience launching May 20th, 2025.
• Humble BundleminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 23 March 2024Partnership with Humble Bundle for 'Best of Magpie Games' bundle offering with redemption instructions provided on their blog.
• DemiplanecoreTechnology or Integration · 12 October 2022Partnership 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 ProductscoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 7 October 2022Multi-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 GamescoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 26 October 2018Multi-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 BookscoreOthers · 1 January 2013Long-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)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2011Co-founded IGDN in 2011 to support small publishers. Magpie Games actively participates in IGDN booth at conventions and industry initiatives.
• Foundry GamingmajorTechnology or IntegrationRoot: The RPG available on Foundry Virtual Tabletop with official digital game system integration.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/MagpieOfficial
• Facebookfacebook.com/MagpieGames
• Instagraminstagram.com/magpiegames
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/magpie-games-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Magpie Games