Ryan Costello
Creative writing multitool and project manager
Ryan's Thoughts
Sharing what's on my mind.
Ryan Costello:
G.I. JOE Consultant
Why I Gave Up On Google
The days of "don't be evil" are done.
I don't swear much. I've never felt the need. But even I appreciate that "enshittification" caught on as the word for the gradual decline of the online experience. It's a word that makes a statement. It doesn't even roll off the tongue, which is that much more impressive that enough people heard it and said "yes!" This is a word that captures the feelings of the moment.
Writing & Design
My biggest successes as lead writer at Laughing Dragon Studios and as a freelance writer and game designer.
Essence20 TTRPG System
Renegade Game Studios' house TTRPG System.
I co-designed the Essence20 System, and wrote on three of the system's first four Core Rulebooks.
In the four years since, Renegade published 25+ Essence20 books based on licensed properties, for which I've written over 300 000 words.
Coal
Coal is a sentimental short film that asks what happens when a naughty child gets coal for Christmas?
I pitched this concept, earning me a Story By credit.
My story treatment led to Laughing Dragon Studios' first original property to go into production, funded by a grant from Netflix.
Looking For Group
One of the original webcomics, LFG satirizes fantasy fiction and popular culture, all while telling an epic story with amazing artwork.
I took over as the comic's writer, only the second person to every write for LFG in its 15 years. When the comic went on hiatus a year later, Lar deSouza, the comic's artist for the entire run, told me "You’re an amazing fun collaborator and a thorough and thoughtful writer."
Management & Development
Projects I've helped bring to life.
Voltron Social Media
The official Facebook and Instagram pages of Voltron, WEP's IP that's been adapted into four animated series and currently has a live action feature film in post-production with Amazon MGM Studios.
In the year I managed Voltron's content, the pages archived over 25 million impressions, and engagement grew from 0.72% to 2100%.
Richard The Warlock Action Figure
An action figure based on Looking For Group's breakout character, Richard the Warlock.
Raised $20,794 in 7 days on a $10,000 goal.
I coordinated with an action figure designer and a toy manufacturer to create an action figure in line with the quality, articulation, accessories, and price of leading collector's action figures on the market at the time.
Field Guide to Action and Adventure
The ENnie Award winning Essence 20 Roleplaying System crossover sourcebook.
I served as project lead on multiple Essence20 books, The Field Guide to Action & Adventure being the first. Not only is it the first award-winning Essence20 product, it is the first official media in which Power Rangers, one of Hasbro's biggest brands, crossed over with either Transformers or G.I. JOE.
Odds And Ends
Older and odder projects I've worked on.
Board Game Bento
A box of board games at your door every month.
I managed and curated the first and longest running board games subscription box for three years. We worked with some of the biggest board game publishers, including Brotherwise Games, Iello, and Gamewright.
GTFO
Get out of the city before it's destroyed by meteorites. You have the best chance of surviving this apocalypse since you, y'know, caused the meteorite shower.
An unproduced freemium mobile game that I served as creative lead on, designing levels and developing a monetization plan.
Book of Wisdom
Loveable loser Danny Brown thinks he's turned his life around after finding a magical self-help book, until the book tries to take over.
I wrote and co-produced this short film, which played as part of the Tupelo International Film Festival and aired on Movieola.
Canadian G.I. JOE Convention Comics
In 2009, Hasbro recognized the Canadian G.I. JOE Meet as the official Canadian G.I. JOE Convention
I wrote the main stories in the 2010, 2011, and 2012 Canadian G.I. JOE Convention Set comics, with artist Jason Loo.