Every month, the Geek Native community votes for an indie publisher to step into the spotlight. For January 2026, you chose d20play.
At first glance, d20play appears to be a relic of a different era. Their website is quiet, with a schedule that hasn’t been updated in some time. But if you look a little deeper, specifically, if you click over to YouTube, then you find a thriving digital hub that perfectly encapsulates the modern RPG landscape.
Tom Christy, the creative force behind d20play, hasn’t stopped creating; he has just moved where the audience is.
The Draw Steel Authority
Nothing illustrates d20play’s relevance better than their coverage of Draw Steel, the new tactical RPG from MCDM. While many publishers are scrambling to release compatible PDFs, d20play has positioned itself as a community pillar.
The channel features deep-dive analyses of the mechanics and, crucially, interviews with the designers themselves. Hosting James Introcaso, the lead designer of Draw Steel, to discuss the game’s release and future demonstrates a level of access and insight that few indie outlets possess. This isn’t just a publisher making a quick reference sheet; it is a creator deeply embedded in the ecosystem.
Bridging the Eras
The true strength of d20play is the ability to span the entire history of the hobby. On the same channel where they dissect the newest mechanics of 2026, you will find actual plays of classic AD&D modules like Hall of the Fire Giant King.
This “Bridge Between Eras” philosophy is reflected in their product catalogue. On one hand, you have the Draw Steel Quick Reference, a tool for the newest game on the block. On the other hand, you have the “d20play RPG” system itself, a stripped-down, speed-focused evolution of the 3.5E engine that powers many of their actual plays.
For Game Masters, the channel is also a goldmine of technical knowledge, offering extensive tutorials on mastering Roll20, creating token macros, and setting up dynamic lighting.
The World of Toren
Underpinning all this modern content is the World of Toren, the studio’s foundational setting. Available as a free gazetteer, it is a love letter to the encyclopaedic world-building of the 90s.
Toren is a high-gravity world dominated by three moons: Lunix, Odrock, and the rare Blueglow. It is a setting defined by the clash of distinct cultures:
- The Crundoric Empire: A Lawful Good bastion of military discipline, constantly holding the line against dragons.
- The Alhiid Caliphate: A dangerous empire of pirates and slave-takers, whose ancient cities hold “fantastic wares” for the brave.
- Hobgoblin Hold: A province where hobgoblins serve as disciplined auxiliaries rather than cannon fodder.
It offers a “lived-in” sandbox that feels distinct from the generic fantasy often found in 5E supplements.
Latest d20play Products
You can find d20play’s work on DriveThruRPG.
- Draw Steel Quick Reference: A handy tool for MCDM’s new system.
- Tomb on the Borderlands: A classic adventure site by Thomas Christy.
d20play is a reminder that in 2026, a publisher isn’t just someone who sells PDFs. They are streamers, teachers, and archivists, keeping the history of the game alive while helping us learn the future.
