Fantasy Worlds Collide: ProgCore & Gungnir Forge New Press

ProgCore, LLC, led by Todd Shastwick and David Nett, has established a significant fantasy imprint named ProgCore Press in collaboration with Gungnir. This new entity will concentrate on fantasy and roleplaying games, operating under Gungnir's existing publishing umbrella.

The alliance aims to broaden Gungnir's portfolio, which currently includes superheroes, science fiction, and fantasy, by introducing dark fantasy and sword and sorcery intellectual properties. ProgCore will benefit from Gungnir's established distribution network, notably its agreement with Macmillan Publishers.

Initial ventures from ProgCore Press are ambitious, including a fantasy roleplaying game-themed cocktail book, a graphic novel, and a short story collection set in 'Theer'. Several adventure modules for table-top roleplaying games like Dungeons & Dragons and Shadowdark are also in development.

The flagship release, "ProgCore Fantasy: Dark Age of Theer," is a 300-page resource for roleplaying gamers. It offers advice, a detailed world description, and over 20 short stories featuring contributions from notable figures. This edition, designed by Nett and featuring over 150 original artworks, saw its limited signed editions sell out in March 2026, with initial distribution commencing this fall and a wider retail release planned for spring 2027.

Beyond print, ProgCore is actively developing multimedia projects. A proof-of-concept for an animated series titled "Passing Shimmer" is underway, featuring voice talent like Stashwick and Anjali Bhimani. Additionally, the company is finalizing a ten-part documentary-style RPG actual play series called "ProgCore Fantasy: City of Sorrow."

ProgCore's founders bring substantial experience from TV and film. Stashwick is an actor and writer, known for "Star Trek: Picard" and upcoming roles in Marvel projects, with a deep connection to the TTRPG community. Nett has a history of creating indie TV series and streaming content, alongside running an L.A. theater company for 15 years.

David Nett highlighted the partnership's value in overcoming discovery challenges for independent art. "The partnership with Gungnir gives us the marketing and distribution reach to get our books in front of audiences everywhere," he stated.

Gungnir CEO Matt Medney expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, emphasizing shared values of bold creativity and a desire to "make some noise together."