Thalassophobia
A Noir-Lovecraftian Tabletop RPG
(Written/Designed by Max Cronce)
(Title Art by Lukas Cronce)
(Graphic Design contributions from Jake O’Neill and Jihong Min)
Thalassophobia is a pen and paper tabletop RPG where the GM takes on the role of an otherworldly creature known as The Suit.
The presence of monsters, traitors, and personalized sealed envelopes creates a mysterious, tense atmosphere that keeps the players wondering who or what they can trust.
This game is for (4-5) people including the GM. You need at least (6) D6s, paper/pencils, (4) envelopes, and a pair of scissors.
If this sounds interesting to you, feel free to download it and play it with your friends! It requires a little set-up, so I’d recommend reading through the rules ahead of time.
Complete Rules:
Download RulesScenario Guide used at PixelPop 2019, Dreamhack Anaheim 2020, & BostonFIG 2021 Demos:
Download OutlineIn-depth Explanation:
Portfolio
Here’s some examples of my work. Some of it was done for class projects, some was done on my own, and some are a combination of the two.
Thalassophobia
Physical | Solo
Thalassophobia is an experimental, one-shot tabletop RPG where the GM takes on the role of an otherworldly creature known as The Suit.
Can a small party of unlikely allies triumph over The Suit or will paranoia tear them asunder?
It’s free to download & play.
Color Schemers
Digital | Group
Color Schemers is a frantic party game for 2 - 4 players developed in Unity for a capstone project by a small group of UCSC students.
I worked as design lead, level designer, SFX creator, and Co-producer on the project.
Scofflaws!
Physical | Group
A unique 4-6 player party card game about deception, anonymity, and cheating.
Each player assumes the role of a particular criminal, each with their own abilities and goals.
Use your abilities to turn the game in your favor!
Luck is for chumps!
Max’s Minigames
Digital | Solo
Two minigames that I created. They both have the same minimalist style, but play differently.
DodgeBomb is a grid-based infinite runner that I created for a game jam.
Color Castle is a versus multiplayer game that is played using an alternative controller that I built.
CTRu
Digital | Group
Crash Team Rumble™ takes Crash Bandicoot™ in a brand new direction, placing the series’ iconic heroes and villains into a 4v4 team-based competition.
Players will duke it out across diverse and dangerous maps as both teams race to be the first team to collect and bank enough Wumpa fruit to claim victory!
Camp Laughter
Digital | Group
Camp Laughter is a low-poly, first-person, horror-comedy game built in UE4.
Can you evade all the colorful killers, solve the campground's puzzles, and manage to escape in one piece?