By whom is Aces Games formed? By gamers, enthusiasts and professionals who have worked hard to help create and grow a small independent company. A house, as I like to call it, made by gamers and for gamers. All began in 2011, when me (Simone Morini) and a friend of mine (Francesco Falaschi) decided to finally put on paper one of the ideas we had since childhood: create a role-playing game.  

A rather common beginning: after all, who, as a GdR aficionado, has never had such an idea? So, with no knowledge, a strategy or particular background in the publishing industry (we both worked in a leather factory), we decided to invest a capital, small enough to cover the costs of printing, drawings and advertising, in order to create our first product.

I said “first”, but we actually had no plans to do more. It was enough for us to see our project published and, perhaps, to return the costs. If I’m writing these words, it’s because things have evolved in a totally unexpected way. Anyway, as lovers of Mad Max and Fallout, we didn’t even have to think about the setting: post-apocalyptic. 

So Nameless Land was born, presented for the first at Lucca Comics & Games 2013 under the name of the Eleven Aces, and exhibited in a 1-meter by 1-meter table. The fair was a riot of excitement that culminated in the distribution by Raven Distribution. From there until 2018, Nameless Land saw two expansions per year. 

Meantime, me and Francesco took separate ways, and other friends joined me on this path, including Vincenzo Pratticò, an artist we met in Lucca in 2016 and who has been by my side ever since, and Gregorio Taddei, an unfailing ally during fairs, a master and a shipper. And then many, many more, such as editor Lorenzo Fanelli and graphic designer Antonio Lo Muzio. Too many to list them all, but all of them led me to the publication of the second game, Heavy Sugar, italian game of the year nominee in 2019.

The nomination was not the only notable event of 2019, as in March, after months of internal changes, readjustments, and tensions, Eleven Aces was closed and Aces Games was born in its place. 

Since that time I’ve always pursued my projects, gaining passion, experience, and a desire to learn and improve, offering at the same time game experiences that can keep up with those offered by the big names in this industry. 

All of this led to the publication of the third-born Unglorious, which led to the birth of other ideas and the publication of other projects. It’s been a long time since that 2011, but I still haven’t finished putting my ideas on paper and more importantly, contributing to this wonderful world made of books, sheets and pencils. 

So, who is Aces Games made up of? Proud gamers! And if you have also been part of this journey in one way or another (even if only if there is one of our games on your shelf), I want to thank you personally, because it is also thanks to you that Aces Games now lives and breathes.