Meet the Team - the writers
27 days ago – Mon, Oct 21, 2024 at 01:57:54 AM

 We've learned about the talented artists behind High School Cthulhu. Now, let's explore the twisted minds that created the stories and gameplay! These are the shadowy figures who conjured the cosmic horrors and adolescent angst that haunt the halls of High School Cthulhu. Dare to delve into the minds of the creators who brought this twisted tale to life.



Cristian Piovano, a 1976 baby, dodged a bullet when it came to a Computer Engineering degree and has been freelancing ever since. He's done it all: writer, game designer, playwright, director, you name it. Economic stability? Not his thing. He's the mastermind behind the board game Telendar and a co-creator of Shark Room. Since 1991, he's been conjuring up Lovecraftian nightmares, which has led to some...interesting encounters. With High School Cthulhu, he's finally found the perfect outlet for his twisted imagination.

Marco Daeron Ventura is a writer, screenwriter, letterer, and book designer, as well as a terrible humorist. With over 12 years of experience in the publishing industry, he has published about a dozen comic books and numerous short stories in magazines and anthologies. In addition to his literary work, he has created over 10,000 pages of comics.
His most famous character is the black cat "Norby," the protagonist of numerous stories (for adults and children) published in Italy since 2014.
Among his recent works, we can also mention "The Pirates of Marecupo" (Eli-La Spiga), "Tales of Vulcania" (Scout Comics), "The Three Basketball Players" (Colber Edizioni), and the board game "Cat Sushi Masters."
As a letterer and graphic designer, he collaborates with important Italian and international companies such as Il Castoro, Tunuè, Gigaciao, Book on a Tree, Scout Comics, Gear Games, Magic Press, and many others.
He can't resist basketball, cats, tuna pizza, and rewatching the Walt Disney film Robin Hood.

Marco Daeron Ventura, a creative force from the very beginning, has been an integral part of Gear Games. As the writer of Audrey’s Diary – the first High School Cthulhu comic – he has set a high bar for storytelling within the franchise. His expertise in design and publishing has been invaluable in bringing the world of High School Cthulhu to life.




Born in Florence and living near Genoa (brother does like his floods, apparently...), the team's translator claims to have a degree in game design, but so far nobody seems to have believed him.
In addition to the obvious Gear Games, he has worked with Mana Project, Aces Games, and even Marco Ventura and some of his comic books.  However, none of them seems to be convinced he is a game designer, either.
Maybe his cat, but he translates to and from English, not Cat

Federico was our go-to guy for all things translation at Gear Games. He did more than just translate stuff—he actually helped us make the game better with his awesome ideas for game design and worldbuilding.

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And now, for the grand finale... the puppet masters who have been lurking in the shadows, pulling the strings of your nightmares.  Meet the final piece of the puzzle: the Gear Games duo who brought this cosmic horror to life. Without them, this game would simply be a dream.

Dave Thaumavore reviewed our quickstart
28 days ago – Sat, Oct 19, 2024 at 11:48:42 PM

We're excited to share that one of the biggest names in the RPG community has reviewed the High School Cthulhu quickstart! In his review, Dave delves into the game's mechanics, theme, and overall experience. Whether you're a long-time fan of Lovecraftian horror or new to role-playing games, we think you'll find his insights valuable.



Thanks to your incredible support, we have been able to fulfill two of the wishes expressed by Dave Thaumavore in his review.  The new Gangsta and Daddy's boy/girl styles are ready to wreak havoc in Insmouth, and each Style will have 3 Journeys to further customize your character! 
Additionally, the section on skills and attributes will be more detailed than ever, with plenty of practical examples!
Finally, Dave had a great suggestion: what if each character had a secret? We love this idea and will be implementing it in High School Cthulhu! Secrets will add depth and mystery to your characters and could even lead to exciting new adventures!

It's time for Early Love!
29 days ago – Sat, Oct 19, 2024 at 12:43:32 AM

We're thrilled to announce that we've reached our latest stretch goal! A new adventure, Early Loves, will now be included in Extra Curricular Horrors. Get ready to delve deeper into the dark and twisted high school world, filled with new terrors and embarrassing secrets.



Ready to upgrade your gaming experience? Our next stretch goal is to give the High School Cthulhu rulebook a soft touch cover. Imagine holding a high-quality, luxurious manual filled with cosmic horror and teenage angst. 

Meet the Team - the artists
30 days ago – Fri, Oct 18, 2024 at 03:19:40 AM

Behind every great horror story is a talented artist. Our team is working hard to create the perfect blend of the familiar and the frightening, bringing the dark secrets of High School Cthulhu to light. Prepare to be disturbed.


Born in 1985 and raised on a diet of '90s manga and video games, Jacopo Tagliasacchi is a seasoned illustrator, comic book artist, and drawing teacher. After graduating from the International School of Comics, he has collaborated with renowned publishers like Manfont (Carlo Lorenzini) and Elledici (Mondo Erre). His talent has also graced numerous role-playing games, including Stranger Tales, The Maniac, Dragondale, and Vulcania. 

As a core member of the team, he continues to contribute fresh ideas and creative energy to the project.



Matteo Cecchi, a 2000-born artist, was immersed in a world of drawing, video games, and the enriching influence of his sister's cultural insights. His passion for illustration ignited early on, leading him to pursue studies at Lucca's "Passaglia" art high school and Florence's Nemo Academy.

Breaking into the professional scene, Matteo secured his first gig with GearGames, working on the intriguing High School Cthulhu project. As Jacopo's assistant, Matteo showcased his artistic talent by contributing to various illustrations and skillfully coloring the characters.




Lodovico Sartirana is a talented Italian illustrator and concept artist who has been crafting captivating worlds through his art since childhood. His lifelong passion for drawing and the fantasy genre has led him to pursue a career in the realm of role-playing games and publishing.

Lodovico Sartirana played a pivotal role in the artistic development of High School Cthulhu: for Extra Curricular Horrors, he was solely responsible for creating all the captivating adventure presentation boards, immersing players in the eerie and mysterious atmosphere of the game. Lodovico was also involved in making the illustration for the Ancient Screen.


Virginia Salucci, a 1994-born artist, rose to fame with her hilarious "Hitchhiker's Guide to Dogsitting" series. Her work spans from dark horror (The Wolf of Arkham) to character design and illustration for various publishers, including TEA and Scout Comics. 

She has made significant contributions to the world of cosmic horror with her work on "Audrey's Diary," the first comic set in the beloved High School Cthulhu universe.


Francesco Antonelli, born in 1986, began his career as a graphic designer before transitioning to social media management. In his thirties, he pursued his passion for comics by attending the Scuola Internazionale di Comics in Rome. His first notable publication was with Tatai Lab on the pages of The Last Game vol.1. Since then, he has worked on various independent projects and is currently collaborating with Disney Italia on Spiderman Magazine, published by Panini UK.

 

Gianluca Papi's color work elevates Jacopo Tagliasacchi's intricate line art, transforming the covers of High School Cthulhu and Extra Curricular Horrors into visually stunning and atmospheric pieces. His use of vibrant hues and deep shadows creates a sense of dread and wonder that draws readers into the macabre worlds depicted within.


Since childhood, Fabio Porfidia has been captivated by the world of fantasy. Inspired by the works of Poe, Tolkien, and especially Lovecraft, Porfidia's artistic journey began in 2006 when he embarked on formal illustration studies. He quickly found his niche in creating art for role-playing games, and in 2011, he began venturing into the realm of cartography. Today, mapmaking constitutes a significant portion of his work. Porfidia's passion for fantasy is evident in his ability to craft detailed and immersive maps that guide readers and players through fantastical landscapes.

🎉 WE HAVE REACHED € 40,000 - MYSTERIOUS STRETCH GOAL REVEALED! 🎉
about 1 month ago – Wed, Oct 16, 2024 at 10:42:01 AM

Thanks to your incredible support, the High School Cthulhu campaign has just reached an EPIC milestone! And do you know what that means? It's time to reveal the Mysterious Stretch Goal... and it's something special: the Saint John's Yearbook is officially UNLOCKED! 

This booklet will be included as a reward for all backers who have chosen the Senior pledge level. It will be a collection of images from various Saint John's High School classes, focusing on students who have excelled in academics, sports, or the arts. In addition to providing inspiration for your adventures, the yearbook will be a valuable tool for your investigations into the events described in Extra Curricular Horrors.

BUT THAT'S NOT ALL! Alongside the Yearbook, we're introducing a new add-on: Notable Pupil. Choose this add-on to become a part of the yearbook with your own custom student, inspired by a photo of yourself! Not only will your character appear in the yearbook, but they'll also be included in the Polaroid Deck. In addition, a print of your portrait will be included in your reward. 

You can choose to either share an old photo from your high school days or provide a current one. If you opt for the latter, you'll become part of the school staff rather than a student. And if you're still in high school? Well, consider yourself lucky! You're already a student! 

The Notable Pupil add-on is already included for backers who selected the Prom Queen pledge level.