With the popularity of new media and live-play series like Critical Role and Dimension 20, table top RPGs have seen a meteoric rise in players. Basheer Ghouse has worked as a creator and consultant on several major settings and games, as well as creating his own.
Hayat spoke with Ghouse about his latest projects, the power of RPGs, and more.
Basheer Ghouse turns a hobby into a living
Ghouse is a freelance writer, game designer, and cultural consultant for TTRPGs (Table Top Role-Playing Games). In addition to his work developing settings and world-building, he often consults to make sure games have cultural sensitivity, particularly with regards to racism and mental health issues.
“I’ve been playing tabletop games since I was about 10. I saw the DnD starter set at Barnes & Noble and I wasn’t entirely sure what it was, but I knew it was a nerd thing, and that meant I wanted it.”
After many years of experience playing TTRPGs, Ghouse eventually set out to write his own. In 2017, he wrote a short adventure for DnD’s 5th Edition. From there, he developed a network and met a number of industry people and mentors who helped him land contracts and develop his skills.
Fantastic settings from Basheer Ghouse
Ghouse has written and created his own games, as well as consulted on many an adventure.
He recently announced his latest project, Guns Blazing!, on Kickstarter. This adventure is an “alternate history dieselpunk game set in the Islamic world in the 1920s.” Players might play as international volunteers or mercenaries, fighting colonial forces and monsters alike.
Artist: Malachai Peters for Guns Blazing!
Artist: T Shirley for Guns Blazing!
Artist: Mohammed Aadhil for Guns Blazing!
Recently, Ghouse also worked on Wizard of the Coast’s recently released Journeys Through the Radiant Citadel. Other notable credits include: Critical Role’s Tal’Dorei Reborn, and Spire: SIN, among many others.
“My favorite part is designing worlds that I know other people will get to play in, and seeing reactions to various things I’ve created,” Ghouse says. Check out his work, and keep an eye out for Guns Blazing! here.
