Common questions about Chris Perkins (game designer)

Short answers, pulled from the story.

When was Chris Perkins born and what is special about his birthday?

Chris Perkins was born on the 29th of February 1968, a date that occurs only once every four years. This rare birthday mirrors the unique trajectory of his career in tabletop gaming.

What alias did Chris Perkins use for his first published work in 1988?

Chris Perkins wrote the adventure Wards of Witching Ways for Dungeon magazine issue 11 in 1988 under the alias Christopher Zarathustra. This early work laid the foundation for his decades-long tenure in the industry.

When did Chris Perkins announce his retirement from Wizards of the Coast?

Chris Perkins announced his retirement from Wizards of the Coast in April 2025 after 28 years of service. He had committed to staying until after the 50th anniversary of Dungeons and Dragons to focus on succession planning.

What role did Chris Perkins hold during the development of the fourth edition of Dungeons and Dragons in 2007?

Chris Perkins served as the story manager for the fourth edition of Dungeons and Dragons in 2007. He led the SCRAMJET team which included industry heavyweights like Richard Baker and James Wyatt to update the game setting and cosmology.

When did Chris Perkins transition to his new role as Creative Director at Darrington Press?

Chris Perkins transitioned to a new role as Creative Director at Darrington Press in June 2025. This move was part of a larger partnership with Critical Role Productions where he works alongside Jeremy Crawford.

During which years did Chris Perkins serve as the Dungeon Master for the Twitch show Dice Camera Action?

Chris Perkins served as the Dungeon Master for the Twitch show Dice Camera Action from 2016 to 2019. The show was a livestream play-through of Dungeons and Dragons story lines that expanded his presence in the actual play community.