After seven formative years at the helm of the company he built from the ground up, Umut Çomak has announced he is stepping down as the head of DRS Publishing. The Turkish founder, who established the company once known as Dream Realm Storytellers, leaves behind a significant legacy in the tabletop roleplaying games industry.
The journey began with a simple, ambitious idea. “I was 22 when I told my friends, ‘Let’s create tabletop games together!'” Çomak recalled in his announcement. Their foundational philosophy was clear from the start: “If there’s no story to tell, then what’s the point?” This ethos would define their work and set them apart.
Their debut project, Svilland, was a bold entry into the market. A gritty, low-magic Viking fantasy setting for 5e, it prioritised narrative depth over simple dungeon-crawling. A 2019 review noted, “It’s the setting that really matters here, not what you’re fighting in a dungeon.” This focus on story resonated with players, and what began as a single book expanded into a rich world with over 1,000 pages of content.
From these Norse-inspired roots, DRS Publishing flourished, demonstrating a versatile and creative spirit. They went on to create the Corpus Collection, a deep dive into the dualities of good and evil, and Bloodpunk, which uniquely fused dark fantasy with magitech themes. Their commitment was never to create “just another ordinary world,” but to craft unforgettable experiences.
Perhaps their most profound achievement was a cultural one. “Together, we achieved something rare: becoming the first global TTRPG company based in Turkey,” Çomak stated. “Our success inspired other creatives in a country where it’s not always easy to dream big, and I couldn’t be prouder.” This pioneering spirit was recently exemplified by the announcement of a partnership with fellow Turkish studio Hero Concept to develop a Svilland deck-building video game, a testament to the enduring appeal of their first creation.
Now, Çomak feels the time is right to move on. His departure is a poignant moment, filled with both sadness and anticipation. “To be honest, leaving this company and my friends is incredibly difficult,” he admitted. “DRS was born from my initiative, and choosing to move on is both painful and exciting. Exploring new paths, maybe even outside this industry, is thrilling.”
As he steps away, Umut Çomak leaves a company that has produced several successful roleplaying games and a team he describes as “some of the most brilliant and delightfully weird souls in the universe.” His final words to his colleagues and the community were heartfelt and emotional, reflecting on a photograph from a Kickstarter launch five years prior.
Thinking about all of this honestly breaks my heart. I love you all, and I love DRS. Wishing you the very best.”
