John Zinser

John Zinser is the CEO of Alderac Entertainment Group (AEG), a position he has held since June 1993.1 With over 31 years of experience in this role, Zinser has been a significant figure in the tabletop gaming industry, particularly in the realm of collectible card games (CCGs) and role-playing games (RPGs).2

Career Highlights

• Game Design: Zinser is an American game designer who has made substantial contributions to the CCG and RPG genres.2 He played a crucial role in developing "Legend of the Five Rings," a popular CCG that began as an original concept in 1994.2

• Business Development: Prior to his tenure at AEG, Zinser gained experience in various business ventures. He was a Managing Partner at Tee Off Productions Golf Marketing from 1990 to 1994 and a Managing Owner of John's of California from 1987 to 1991.1

• Industry Influence: Zinser has been instrumental in shaping the direction of AEG and has been involved in key decisions regarding game development and publishing.3

Background

• Education: Zinser attended Southeast Missouri State University from 1986 to 1988, studying General Studies. He also attended Apple Valley High School from 1980 to 1983, where he played tennis.1

• Location: Currently based in Murrieta, California, United States.1

Notable Achievements

• Zinser was part of the team that formed Five Rings Publishing Group in 1996, where he served as VP of Sales.2
• He has been credited for providing advice on other game projects, such as "Deadlands: Hell on Earth" (1998) from Pinnacle Entertainment Group.2

John Zinser is known for his business acumen, game design expertise, and his ability to navigate the evolving landscape of the tabletop gaming industry. His long-standing leadership at AEG has helped establish the company as a significant player in the field of tabletop gaming.3