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Learn more about who we are, what we believe,
and what we strive to accomplish.

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Facilitate roleplaying games for fun, learning, exploration, and inclusion.

We run collaborative roleplaying games for kids 8 to 18, and adults of any age! Our expert game facilitators have 10+ years of experience in making stories come alive, tailoring our tales to the group, and building on our core values of Fun, Learning, Exploration, and Inclusion.

Why roleplaying games?

Aside from just being fun, roleplaying games have a variety of benefits as well! For youth, roleplaying games strengthen skills such as critical thinking, collaboration, puzzle solving, and empathy. For both youth and adults it provides a realm for people to explore aspects of their identity, form social bonds, and exercise their creativity.

“Games like D&D involve what Horne calls theater of the mind. “They are conjured in the imagination of the players, and ensue in a collaborative, cooperative atmosphere,” he says. “That has no limits.””
— Liz Krieger, National Geographic

games we run

  • Dungeons & Dragons

  • Pathfinder Roleplaying Game

  • Shadowrun (18+ only)

  • Lancer by Massif Press

  • Ryuutama: Natural Fantasy RPG

  • MouseGuard by David Petersen

  • No Thank You Evil

  • D20 Modern

INTERESTED IN PLAYING A GAME OR EDITION NOT LISTED? LET US KNOW! WE'RE HAPPY TO RUN OTHER SYSTEMS THROUGH OUR CUSTOM GAMES

“Having this outlet for [my son] during the shutdown has been a lifeline of normalcy and creativity in what has been a very stressful time. He is so engaged in his characters and adventures and can’t wait to explain to me what has happened and what might happen next.

I have been playing role playing games for almost forty years and I can say without reservation that the people at Games Unbound are masters in their craft. They are witty, engaging story tellers and most importantly they know how to manage the children playing the game to give them an entertaining, rich experience.”
— Steve Spencer, parent

Who We Are

We are a group of highly experienced educators, actors, and storytellers committed to building community through collaborative storytelling games. Whether playing for fun, for learning, or for personal growth, we believe roleplaying games (such as D&D) have the power to build bonds, strengthen skills, and make memories!

Here at Games Unbound, we tell stories that are dynamic, collaborative, and designed for the group in front of us. We love being able to share our adventures with everyone, and actively work to include people of all ages, backgrounds, gender identities and sexualities, and disabilities/neurodivergencies.

 

Our Values

 

Fun

Through collaborative storytelling, we create a world together. This builds friendships, exercises creativity, and gives everybody an avenue to make their mark on a world. Our games encourage self-discovery and personal growth, but always in an atmosphere of entertainment and enjoyment. Our best memories are made in good company, with good friends, and we think you can find both in these games.

Learning

Our roleplaying games give participants a chance to set goals and accomplish them through a structured story. Participants build social and personal skills such as critical thinking, teamwork, and creative puzzle solving! Our players improve a wide array of academic skills as well—all through the medium of games and their connected experiences in wondrous worlds. Our games help players learn how to apply lessons learned in-game to their real-world challenges.

Exploration

Aside from the magic and monsters, our roleplaying games are also a chance to explore ourselves! The stories we tell promote empathy, give space for players to try new things or test new aspects of their identity, build confidence, and set and achieve goals for personal growth, all in a safe and low-risk environment.

Inclusion

We believe everyone has a place at the table, and there is important work to be done tearing down the gates that have kept out far too many for far too long. In the pursuit of that work we seek to promote and support underrepresented creators, players, facilitators, and community members. The gaming space has a history of racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, and more, which it has only recently begun to overcome. In order to do our part in making this space better, we will hold ourselves accountable and be willing to listen more than we speak. This is a never ending work in progress to better ourselves and the spaces we inhabit, and we are committed to moving it forward.

 
“One cool aspect of D&D is that the grown up who invents the adventure can put in elements that are of particular interest to the kids. I’ve seen the game leader throw in math puzzles, riddles, and even thought provoking philosophical issues for the kids to discuss together. ”
— Jane Hsiao, parent
“I have been playing in games run by Tommy and Dee since I was only 12 years old and seven years later they are still the first people I would contact to run any Dungeons and Dragons Game. In the last seven years of playing with them there has never been a campaign that I didn’t love. They are both phenomenal storytellers who always deliver adventures full of fun and surprises that can appeal to people of all ages. In addition, they are both wonderfully kind and respectful and having their games to look forward to at the end of every school week helped get me through both middle school and high school. ”
— Audrian F, game participant
 

Our Team

 
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Sam horne

President, Director of Outreach, and Games Facilitator

He / They

Sam earned a Master’s of Education from the University of Maryland, College Park. He taught middle school social studies for several years, and has been working with kids for much longer. He found his voice in roleplaying and over two decades he’s seen how the game can help players understand academics, build confidence, and develop social skills. During downtime he enjoys writing songs, and that music often finds its way into adventures!

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dee harris

Director of Operations and Finance, and Games Facilitator

They / Them

Dee has a Master’s of Education from the University of Maryland. They formerly taught middle school social studies, but made the transition to being a full time game facilitator in 2020. Dee has been playing roleplaying games for 15 years, has been running groups since 2008, and is a cofounder of Games Unbound. They value games as a fun and flexible way of learning. In their free time, they also make art, tell stories, and write games!

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Thomas Vorhies

Director of Program Development and Games Facilitator

He / Him

Tommy first began playing roleplaying games when he was eight years old. He has been running groups for 19 years, and has been playing roleplaying games for 25! He has played in and run an assortment of different games, including Dungeons & Dragons, D20 modern, and Dark Heresy. These games have reinforced his belief that the core of gaming is growth and fun, no matter what game you play!

 
 
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Carmen horne

Director of Communications

She / Her

Carmen brings with her over seven years of experience in communications strategy and development, community management, and social media marketing. She leads the Games Unbound communications across all departments and can often be found curled up in a comfy chair reviewing analytic data for fun. Although not a game facilitator herself, Carmen has been playing and enjoying roleplaying games for over 15 years!

 
 

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