COOPERATIVE GAMING

Cooperation is the centre of Modiphius Entertainment’s plans

Interview by Charlie Pettit

Competitions and board games can go hand in hand. After all, from the earliest games we’ve found to the modern marvels, we’ve been declaring someone victorious. The element of winning at the end is one of the first questions we ask of a new game. But what about when you try to make games where the competition isn’t always the focus?

I sat down with Chris Birch, who is the co-founder of Modiphius Entertainment, for whom competition doesn’t have the same drive. As well as co-founder, he’s also the Chief Creative Officer, which he describes as meaning he comes up with the mad ideas. Those ideas started with roleplaying games, from Mutant Chronicles to Conan, John Carter to Dune, and now Fallout. They evolved into board games, like Thunderbirds and The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim – The Adventure Game, but Chris says his biggest move was into miniatures, where Fallout: Wasteland Warfare doubled the size of the company.

The company just keeps growing, with recent announcements including Mass Effect and Discworld licenses. “We’re probably, I’d say about one third miniatures, and two thirds roleplaying games and board games.” He says of the company at the moment. “But I grew up as a wargamer and playing D&D, so I think we just love them equally.”