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Rich BurlewAmerican writer, game designer and artist
Date of Birth: 01.09.1974
Country:  USA |
Content:
- Richard Burlew: American Author, Game Designer, and Illustrator
- Dungeons & Dragons and Game Design
- The Order of the Stick
- Giant in the Playground
- Success and Recognition
- Magazine Appearances and Other Works
Richard Burlew: American Author, Game Designer, and Illustrator
Early Life and EducationRichard Burlew, renowned for his webcomic "The Order of the Stick," began his artistic journey at the tender age of 12, creating "Mr. Demon" for his friends. His passion for art led him to pursue a degree in illustration at Pratt Institute in New York City, where he credits his knowledge of color and comic composition.
Dungeons & Dragons and Game Design
Burlew's interest in "Dungeons & Dragons" (D&D) sparked in high school and intensified with the release of the third edition rules in 2000. To enhance his gameplay, he created simple stick figures instead of purchasing lead miniatures. These stick figures became the inspiration for his webcomic and eventually launched his career in the gaming industry.
The Order of the Stick
In 2003, Burlew entered a "D&D" campaign competition and progressed to the finals. Though he did not win, the experience opened doors for him. The following year, he was hired to design monsters for the "D&D" bestiary. However, the details of his unpublished competition submission remain confidential.
Giant in the Playground
In June 2003, Burlew launched GiantlTP.com, aiming to gain visibility. To attract visitors, he created "The Order of the Stick," a webcomic based on his stick figure characters. The comic quickly garnered popularity, prompting Burlew to leave his day job as an illustrator to pursue a full-time career in comics and game design.
Success and Recognition
"The Order of the Stick" reached new heights in 2004, leaving Burlew overwhelmed by positive feedback. He announced the first collected volume of the comic in December and later quit his day job due to overwhelming preorders. The comic has since spawned four collected editions and two black-and-white prequels.
Magazine Appearances and Other Works
In November 2005, "The Order of the Stick" began appearing in "Dragon" magazine, a major milestone in Burlew's career. He also authored "Five Foot Staps," a short comic strip about a group of role-players at Rollmoore College. However, its run was cut short due to undisclosed reasons.
