Q&A with Suzanne Wallace from Roll20
Suzanne Wallace does branding and marketing at Roll20. Roll20 is a virtual tabletop that makes it easy to play tabletop roleplaying games like Dungeons & Dragons and Pathfinder online. The company was launched via Kickstarter in 2012 and has since grown to over 2.4 million users. Since the platform is browser-based and free to use, it's both the easiest and most popular way to play tabletop games online.
Get ready to spice up your tabletop RPG!
What brought you to Roll20?
Although I got my start in book publishing, I've always been a gamer and I was interested in shifting into the game industry. I particularly admired Roll20's dedication to making games accessible to as many people as possible. When they began looking for someone to do branding and marketing work, it seemed like a perfect fit!
Do you have a favorite tabletop RPG? If so, what is it and why do you love it?
Too many! My current favorite RPG is Night Witches from Bully Pulpit Games, in which all the players roleplay as female Russian fighter pilots during WWII. It's punishing and harrowing and wonderful.
When I play with people new to tabletop RPGs, I like to go one of two routes. We either play my favorite GM-less game, Microscope, because it's a lovely introduction to theatre-of-the-mind gameplay while having fun with worldbuilding.
Alternatively, there's always D&D 5E. 5th edition is a great way to dive right into the best-known RPG because it's more streamlined and has my favorite character creation process of all previous editions.
[Movie still from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1, Warner Bros.]
If you could invite three fictional characters to dinner, who would they be?
Lyra Silvertongue from The Golden Compass, to entertain us with wild tales. Ella from Ella Enchanted, to tickle us with her wit. Hermione Granger, to dazzle us with her brilliance.
Roll20 offers an incredible selection of digital tools to enhance gameplay. What would you tell someone who is interested in tabletop gaming but has no idea where to begin?
Definitely check out Roll20's Looking for Group tool! When you're searching the options, you can check the box for games that welcome new players, so there's no reason to feel bad about being a noob — we've all been there!
If you're having trouble finding someone to be the Game Master to lead the game, nominate a friend and have your group chip in to thank them with pizza, cookies, books, coffee — it's easier to try something new and scary if your friends are with you, and if you tackle it together!
If you were to offer one piece of advice to Quirk's Geek E. Girls, what would it be?
Sometimes the world seems determined to ignore our existence. Don't be afraid to state your presence and interests as loudly as you can. Be yourself, as fiercely as you want to be.
Roll20 is a prize sponsor for our Book Pop! Challenge! Enter to win the grand prize, which includes a Roll20 6-month pro membership, along with two gaming modules. Other prizes sponsors include Loot Crate, Cards Against Humanity, Out of Print, and more. And stay tuned for Last Call at the Nightshade Lounge author Paul Krueger's blog post tomorrow—there might just be some Roll20 giveaways to go along with it.
