Matthew J. Finch

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Matthew J. Finch is an American writer, game designer, and artist, best known for his contributions to the Old School Renaissance movement. His work has been instrumental in reviving and popularizing a style of role-playing that emulates the early editions of Dungeons & Dragons (D&D).

Finch co-created OSRIC, a retro-clone of the first edition of Advanced Dungeons & Dragons (AD&D). OSRIC serves as a rule set that emulates the mechanics of AD&D, allowing publishers to create new content compatible with the original rules. OSRIC is highly regarded as a cornerstone of the OSR movement, making it easier for new players and publishers to access and build upon classic RPG material.

Finch is also the creator of Swords & Wizardry, another significant retro-clone that simplifies the rules of the original 1974 edition of Dungeons & Dragons. The game captures the spirit of early D&D while offering streamlined mechanics, making it accessible to both new and veteran players. Swords & Wizardry has become one of the flagship games of the OSR movement, known for its flexibility and ease of use.