The Monochrome RPG
Visual Director, Producer & Community Manager
Overview:
The Monochrome RPG began as a client project and quickly evolved into something much bigger. After initially developing a Unity prototype, our team acquired the IP and set out to build a turn-based, narrative-driven RPG inspired by classic cartoons and modern storytelling. At the heart of the project was an inclusive development model that invited a global creative community to contribute to the game's creation.
Building the Foundation
Our first goal was to secure funding and platform support. We developed a polished pitch deck, gameplay demo, and production plan to present to publishers. Along the way, we formalized a partnership with NonPareil Institute, a nonprofit focused on helping neurodiverse individuals build careers in game development. This relationship added purpose and visibility to our work, while reinforcing the importance of inclusive creative pipelines.
Creating The Monochrome Workshop
We launched Monochrome Workshop—a crowdsourced development hub that grew into a thriving online community. The Workshop served as both a production studio and a social space, especially during the isolation of early COVID. Weekly livestreams, design feedback sessions, and creative challenges helped the community grow to over 2,000 active members.
Scaling Production
With a clear creative vision and community momentum, we scaled our game pipeline to include over 200 creatives. The art team alone featured more than 60 traditional 2D animators producing frame-by-frame animation. The game’s production process included open calls for artists, writers, musicians, and designers, each contributing to a unified visual and narrative style.
Platform Success & Community Growth
We secured publishing support from Microsoft via the ID@Xbox program, as well as additional platform deals for Steam, Nintendo Switch, and PlayStation. These wins validated our approach and gave the project long-term potential.
Social media played a key role in building visibility. I personally led our TikTok strategy, which, along with our Twitter (X) presence, helped grow our following to over 40,000 fans. Community engagement translated into financial support, with our Kickstarter campaign successfully raising $17,000 to fund the next stage of development.
Community Engagement & Representation
Despite early success, funding eventually ran dry. While Monochrome RPG remains on hold, the lessons we learned in community management, scalable pipelines, and creative collaboration directly influenced DVNC Tech LLC’s eventual transition into tech education and consulting. The project continues to serve as a touchstone for what’s possible when creativity, community, and purpose align.