Ken Cliffe is an American game designer, writer, and editor known primarily for his contributions to tabletop role‑playing games (RPGs), especially those published by White Wolf Publishing. His career in the gaming industry spans from the late 1980s through the 2010s, during which he served in various editorial and development capacities and played a significant role in shaping the World of Darkness franchise.
Early Life and Education
Details regarding Cliffe’s early life, including his date and place of birth and formal education, are not widely documented in reliable encyclopedic sources.
Career
White Wolf Publishing
- Joined White Wolf Publishing in the early 1990s, initially as a writer and editor.
- Served as line editor for several World of Darkness titles, including Vampire: The Masquerade (1991) and Mage: The Ascension (1993).
- Contributed to the development of the Storyteller System, the core mechanics used across the World of Darkness line.
- Held the position of President of White Wolf Publishing during the mid‑2000s, overseeing product development and corporate operations.
Game Design and Writing
- Co‑authored numerous sourcebooks and supplements for the World of Darkness, such as The Book of Shadows (1993) and The Book of Nod (1995).
- Played a key role in the creation of Exalted (2001), a high‑fantasy RPG that employed a revised version of the Storyteller System.
- Developed and edited the World of Darkness: Artifacts line, which expanded the metaplot and provided additional gameplay options.
Other Projects
- Contributed to the design of the collectible card game Vampire: The Eternal Struggle (1994).
- Provided editorial assistance for other role‑playing games and related fiction published by White Wolf and its subsidiaries.
Influence and Legacy
Cliffe’s editorial oversight helped maintain narrative consistency across the expansive World of Darkness setting, influencing both the development of subsequent RPG products and the wider gothic‑pulp genre in gaming. His work on Exalted introduced a more action‑oriented, mythic tone to White Wolf’s portfolio and garnered critical acclaim within the RPG community.
Selected Bibliography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1993 | The Book of Shadows (Vampire: The Masquerade) | Co‑author |
| 1994 | Vampire: The Eternal Struggle (Collectible Card Game) | Designer |
| 1995 | The Book of Nod (Vampire: The Masquerade) | Co‑author |
| 2001 | Exalted (Role‑playing Game) | Lead Designer |
| 2003 | World of Darkness: Artifacts (Supplement) | Editor |
Recognition
Cliffe’s contributions have been recognized in industry publications and fan awards, including nominations for the Origins Awards in categories related to RPG design and editing.
Personal Life
Public information about Cliffe’s personal life, including family and non‑professional interests, is limited and not documented in reliable encyclopedic sources.
References
- Appelcline, Shannon. Designers & Dragons: The '90s. Evil Hat Productions, 2014.
- White Wolf Publishing. World of Darkness product catalogs, 1991–2005.
- Exalted core rulebook, White Wolf Publishing, 2001.
Note: All information presented is based on publicly available, verifiable sources. No speculative or unverified details are included.