Author and Game Designer, will be at Play 2026
Matthijs Holter (1972) is a Norwegian writer and game designer known for his extraordinary contributions to the field of role-playing games. Over the past twenty years, he has created a series of masterless narrative games that have influenced game designers worldwide with their innovative spirit. Among his most famous titles are Archipelago, The Society of Dreamers, Draug, and Love in the Time of Seið (in collaboration with Jason Morningstar), as well as contributions to the cult surreal game Itras By, published in Italy by NessunDove.
Holter's games are appreciated for their focus on collaborative storytelling, improvisation, and emotional depth, transcending the boundaries of theater, literature, and gaming. His titles have inspired countless hacks, variations, and adaptations, cementing his prominent position in the Nordic role-playing game scene.
At Play, Holter will present and demonstrate the game he is developing in collaboration with the Italian game design workshop NessunDove: The Roots of Soledad, a spectral masterless role-playing game that explores themes such as memory, isolation, and resilience. Another way to push the boundaries of what role-playing can be: from a pastime to an art form capable of telling deep, intimate, and revolutionary stories.
