Amberstar

Dieter Rottermund is a German illustrator known for his work in the fields of fantasy and science fiction. He gained prominence particularly through his contributions to the German gaming scene in the 1990s for the developer Thalion.

Rottermund’s illustrations also often graced the covers and interior pages of various fantasy and science fiction books, as well as role-playing game manuals and supplements. His art style typically features detailed and imaginative depictions of fantastical landscapes, creatures, and characters, contributing to the immersive worlds of the games and literature he illustrated.

Besides Rottermund’s notable contributions to the Thalion games were his work for the German role-playing game publisher Schmidt Spiele, where he provided illustrations for games such as “Das Schwarze Auge” (The Dark Eye), one of the most popular RPG systems in Germany.

While specific details about Rottermund’s life and career are limited, his artwork continues to be celebrated by fans of fantasy and role-playing games for its evocative and imaginative qualities.

Thalion Software was a pioneering German video game developer and publisher founded in 1988 by Erik and Holger Simon, along with Jochen Hippel and other former members of the Delta Force demogroup. Their mission was to create visually stunning and innovative games, which they successfully achieved with titles like “Wings of Death” and “Leander,” known for their technical excellence.

The company’s diverse portfolio spanned various genres, including shooters, platformers, and role-playing games. Notable highlights include the acclaimed RPGs “Amberstar” and “Ambermoon,” along with the fantasy action-adventure game “Lionheart.”

Thalion’s reputation rested on their ability to push the technical boundaries of the hardware platforms they developed for, often being among the first to exploit advanced graphics and sound capabilities. However, despite their critical success, financial difficulties led to the company’s closure in 1994.