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Forbes
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
An Interview With Jason Carl About The Rebirth Of White Wolf
In 1991, White Wolf Game Studio released Vampire: The Masquerade which took the tabletop gaming world by storm. This game, about vampires hidden in a dark reflection of our modern world, eventually grew to be part of the World of Darkness. Now, World of Darkness has announced a return home by rebranding itself White Wolf once again. This interview has been edited for clarity and combines quotes from multiple interview sessions. "Around eight months ago, I think,' said Jason Carl, Brand Marketing Manager at White Wolf, 'when Marco [Behrmann] World of Darkness is a setting much like our own, except supernatural monsters are real. Vampires engage in bloody political battles in the shadows of the cities while werewolves stalk the countryside fighting a losing battle against the end of world. What launched the game into the imaginations of millions was the chance to play those creatures as they fight to control their monstrous side with their human feelings. 'You are the monster,' said Carl. 'That has been at the core of the World of Darkness ever since its inception. It remains a core today. You are playing in a game of very personal struggle and you're the monster. You're not necessarily the antagonist or the bad guy but you are the monster. That was a revolutionary idea when it came out and it stood the role playing games hobby on its ear. Now, it's not as revolutionary of an idea but the way the World of Darkness presents it and the way in which it invites you to engage with that idea is still unique.' As a mirror to the real world, fans want to know what's going on in their neck of the woods and how to experience it. The original games had a sprawling interconnected metaplot that the current edition moved back into shadow not unlike what happened with IP like Star Wars or Marvel. Moving forward, they want to rebuild World of Darkness in a similar manner by taking stuff from the past that works while also not being afraid to explore new ideas that resonate more with modern day players. 'We've reached a point now where the demand for the IP is so strong and so high and where our players, our fans, our partners are expecting consolidation and centralization of that IP development,' said Carl. 'They want to go to one place to learn who is the Prince of Milan tonight, right? What really happened in Minneapolis/St. Paul when that stuff went down in the Winter's Teeth comic book series? Are the events of Night Road canon? Are those characters available to us to put in a video game? How should we stat them for our tabletop games? All that is perfectly valid. I think our fans and partners should expect that from us. But the best way for us to do it, at least with the maximum efficiency, is to bring it all inhouse and have that IP development run centrally.' The tabletop roleplaying games side of the World of Darkness has been handled recently by Renegade Game Studios. They took over publication of Vampire The Masquerade while also bringing two other classic game lines to life: Hunter: The Reckoning and Werewolf: The Apocalypse. For the time being, the company will still be producing those games with White Wolf as a partner. 'No immediate change,' said Carl. 'There's no reflection on Renegade at all. They've been a fantastic partner with World of Darkness. As a publishing business we need to work more directly with developing tabletop RPGs. The demand for the IP is growing. It's really significant already and it's only growing. We need to do more with it. That means we've got to bring more people on board. We've got to build out our creative team. We have to build out our publishing. We have to build out our distribution. We need to be able to manage that business centrally now top to bottom. What is it the British say? Soup to nuts.' Vampire: The Masquerade: Fifth Edition was released in 2018. Seven years into a gameline is often when publishers consider an undated corebook if not an entirely new edition. As White Wolf settles into its new role as steward of the World of Darkness, there are lots of ways the company could go. 'We're going to bring on more people into the core team inside the White Wolf organization,' said Carl. 'we're going to take a really thorough look at the environment. We're going to pay a lot of attention to what our TTRPG players and storytellers are telling us that they want. I do see the interest in a combined set of V5 or condensed set of V5 books that combine all the recent changes, all the updates that are in the Players Guide, all the new information across a number of source books. It makes sense that we should at least look at consolidating some of that material in a different format. Maybe they're different. Maybe they're prestige versions. Maybe they're softcover versions. Maybe they're PDF and soft cover together with a hardcover omnibus that follows later. I don't think that we've made any decision about that yet. We owe it to our players and our storytellers to listen to what they're telling us about that. And if it's possible and it makes sense for the business, that's exactly what we should give them.' The first game published under the revived banner of White Wolf will be the long awaited Vampire: The Masquerade Bloodlines 2 video game currently slated for an October 2025 release.
Geek Girl Authority
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Girl Authority
How to Master Bluffing Tactics in Popular Tabletop Games
Bluffing is one of the most entertaining mechanics in tabletop gaming. Whether you're trying to outwit your friends in a tense round of The Resistance , baiting an opponent in Coup , or trying not to smile during a game of Skull , the art of deception often means the difference between winning and losing. While strategy and planning play a big role in tabletop gaming, bluffing adds another layer of complexity, one that leans into social cues, timing, and sometimes outright lying. A good bluff creates tension. It shifts suspicion, confuses opponents, and forces others at the table to second-guess their choices. Unlike in traditional games of skill, bluffing hinges not just on what cards or resources you hold, but on what others think you might be hiding. Mastering this skill requires a mix of boldness, restraint, and psychological awareness. The Poker Parallel: Where Bluffing Began Many of the best bluffing strategies used in modern tabletop games have their roots in classic card games, most notably poker. In poker, bluffing is a key tactic in which players bet and raise when they have strong hands, but also when they're attempting to force opponents to fold. Bluffing well in poker involves controlling body language, managing betting patterns, and understanding player tendencies. The same principles can be applied when bluffing in various tabletop games. This skill isn't limited to the casino floor. Online poker has become a global phenomenon, and every serious player knows the value of well-timed deception. While playing at a general iGaming platform or in an online poker room , players rely less on physical cues and more on timing, betting behavior, and opponent history. These sites usually also offer added benefits like fast payouts, bonuses, and other perks that can be used to augment betting strategies. Platforms like these also show how digital poker has evolved, allowing for strategic bluffing even without face-to-face interaction. Players learn to pick up on hesitation in bet timing or on sudden aggression as telltale signs of a bluff or a trap. Learning these cues is essential to the game. Know the Rules Before You Bend Them Before attempting to bluff in a tabletop game, it's important to understand the rules inside and out. Bluffing only works when others believe you're playing within the rules. In Sheriff of Nottingham , for instance, the whole game revolves around lying about what's in your bag of goods. You can declare you're transporting cheese when you're smuggling crossbows, but if the Sheriff knows how the rules work and sees you getting too confident, they may decide to inspect. Knowing the rules allows you to fake certainty or feign ignorance depending on what the situation requires. In games like Secret Hitler or Blood on the Clocktower , knowledge is power. Players who seem unsure of the rules become easier targets for suspicion, while those who are confident can manipulate the table with ease. Control Your Reactions In games where bluffing is allowed or expected, your face is part of the game board. Facial expressions, hesitation, eye contact, and tone of voice all communicate more than you might intend. If you're someone who cracks under pressure, practice saying lies out loud with a steady tone and neutral body language. A successful bluff doesn't look like a bluff. In games such as The Resistance : Avalon , players are often forced to lie outright about their loyalty. Someone who fidgets too much, avoids eye contact, or nervously defends themselves might seem suspicious, even when they're telling the truth. On the other hand, players who remain too quiet or neutral can attract suspicion for different reasons. For this reason, striking a balance between participation and restraint is key. Use Information as a Weapon In social deduction games, information is currency. How you share or withhold it can shape perceptions around the table. In Codenames , the spymaster has to give clues without giving away too much. While not a bluffing game per se, the psychology is similar: one must carefully choose what others know and guess how it might be interpreted. In bluffing-heavy games like Coup , it's all about claiming power roles you may not actually have. Knowing what roles are still in play and understanding what opponents are likely to do helps craft believable bluffs. If you know someone is likely holding a Contessa, claiming to have one yourself might be riskier. However, if several have been revealed already, it becomes more believable. Timing is Everything Bluffing too often makes it predictable. The best deceivers pick their moments. If you're always bluffing, opponents will eventually catch on. In Bang! , claiming to be the renegade every game gets old fast. Vary your behavior and give others a chance to question what's real and what's a trick. There are also moments in games where bluffing can change the tide dramatically. Late-game rounds in Skull become tense because one wrong call can cost you the game. That's the perfect time to raise a bet and bluff hard, when it's all or nothing. A calm demeanor, even when you're bluffing big, will unsettle players who are second-guessing their own moves. Understand Your Group Every gaming group has different social dynamics. Some players are more confrontational, some more passive, and others enjoy causing chaos. Bluffing in a group of first-time players may call for more subtlety. In contrast, seasoned gamers might expect double-bluffs or calculated risks. If your group is more logic-based, craft bluffs with game mechanics in mind. For social groups that thrive on chaos and conversation, focus more on emotional manipulation and storytelling. Being able to read your group and adjust your approach is a skill that will serve you across all games that include deception. Learn From Each Game One of the best ways to get better at bluffing is through experience. Win or lose, think about what worked and what didn't. Did someone call your bluff too quickly? Did you get away with a bold move? Keeping mental notes or journaling your strategies can help you become more unpredictable in future sessions. Sometimes the bluff isn't about you. It's about planting seeds of doubt in someone else's mind or letting two other players clash while you fly under the radar. Bluffing is as much about guiding the narrative as it is about hiding your own intentions. The next time you sit down at the table, pay attention to more than just your cards. Watch your friends, time your moves, and remember: the truth is only powerful if no one knows it's real. In the world of tabletop games, a good bluff is worth far more than a good hand. DOCTOR WHO: 'The Interstellar Song Contest' Ending, Explained RELATED: TV Review: Doctor Who Season 2 Episode 4, 'Lucky Day'
