James Ohlen

Studio Head, Archetype Entertainment. Creative Director/Lead Designer of Baldur's Gate 1+2, Neverwinter Nights, Dragon Age. Founder - Arcanum Worlds.

[James Ohlen @JamesOhlen]

Stepping Back from Archetype Leadership

There has been some speculation about me stepping down as Studio Head of Archetype. That decision was one I made last summer. While Hasbro would have preferred I stay, the departure was amicable and fully supported, and I remain on good terms with everyone involved.

After more than six years building Archetype and leading a AAA project while balancing both creative and business responsibilities, I reached a point where stepping back made sense. Burnout is not unusual in this industry, and it felt like the right moment for new leadership to guide the project forward.

Exodus is in a good place, guided by creative leaders I have worked with and trusted for decades, including Jesse Sky, with whom I originally founded Archetype.

Right now, I am focusing on what I enjoy most: story and world building. I am developing new worlds through my own company, Arcanum Worlds, and I also have a couple of upcoming books funded by Hasbro that I am excited to share soon.

[James Ohlen @JamesOhlen]

Another preview. This book will have four double page spreads that detail the interior of starships.

[James Ohlen @JamesOhlen]

Today marks the beginning of previews for the third Exodus TTRPG book, Exodus: Chronicles of Melayu. This volume offers game masters a new setting, and a fully realized adventure to bring it to life.

[James Ohlen @JamesOhlen]

The Odyssey of the Dragonlords Remastered Kickstarter is now live. You can find it here: https://t.co/GxKwzSlXqL

[James Ohlen @JamesOhlen]

Today, I’m putting up a teaser for Stygian Passage. It includes the Prologue, along with Chapters 1 and 2 (and the new monsters found there). If you have feedback, please message me directly or respond to this post.

https://t.co/esGem3o5ZR

[James Ohlen @JamesOhlen]

Many monsters from Chains of Asmodeus have returned and are fully updated to match the 2024 Monster Manual format.

[James Ohlen @JamesOhlen]

The Nine Hells tempt with treasure. The Stygian Passage includes 20+ new infernal magic items, and stunning new art for the relics first seen in Chains of Asmodeus.

[James Ohlen @JamesOhlen]

Adrian Tchaikovsky’s work laid the atmospheric groundwork for nine unique locations in the Nine Hells. The Stygian Passage builds on that by turning each location into a living, breathing adventure.

[James Ohlen @JamesOhlen]

We created Stygian Passage because we wanted to offer what Chains of Asmodeus couldn’t: A full hellbound campaign that starts at level 1 with a dozen terrifying dungeons. Every map is hand-crafted by cartographer John Stevenson, with layers of infernal detail.

[James Ohlen @JamesOhlen]

One of the biggest complaints about Chains was its lack of dungeons. Plus, most people don’t reach high level play. I want more people to see the incredible artwork and amazing ideas from Adrian Tchaikovsky. It’s a completely new story, but there will be familiar faces and places from Chains.

[James Ohlen @JamesOhlen]

Stygian Passage is a 285-page reimagining of the Nine Hells. It’s an infernal adventure that takes your players heroes from level 1 to 13 through a gauntlet of temptation and evil.

[James Ohlen @JamesOhlen]

Pulled from the pages of the Exodus Encyclopedia: the Risitch. If they survive a dangerous rite of passage and present proof of their kill... they go on to live a nomadic lifestyle, following the migration patterns of the allomoose.

[James Ohlen @JamesOhlen]

More from the Exodus Encyclopedia! The Uranic Gene gives humans the neural induction ability possessed by many Celestials.

[James Ohlen @JamesOhlen]

For today's look inside the Exodus Encyclopedia, it's all about the ghosts: Ghost Familiars and Ghost Gloves. Careful, your Ghost Gloves might sense your inner urges and slap someone -- or worse...

[James Ohlen @JamesOhlen]

As promised, an inside look at the Cormorant ship from EXODUS:

[James Ohlen @JamesOhlen]

Here's a preview of the Cormorant, a "Prospector" class space research vessel from EXODUS. Check back on Thursday -- I'll peel it open and reveal the inside...

[James Ohlen @JamesOhlen]

More from the Exodus Encyclopedia: Constructs. Things get tricky when your enemy doesn't need to breathe.

[James Ohlen @JamesOhlen]

The Exodus Encyclopedia delves into the rich lore of Celestials, including the Deva -- rare Celestials best described as "The Wandering Mystics."

[James Ohlen @JamesOhlen]

Another reveal from the Exodus Encyclopedia: the Itinkasi. These "overseer" Changelings can contort their putty-like visages and bodies to mimic human appearance, speech, and movement.

[James Ohlen @JamesOhlen]

The Exodus Encyclopedia is rife with details about how people function in the world and the technology available: