A note on Cosmic Horror and real world horrors

At Spectre Miniatures, our Cosmic Horror game and range draws inspiration from the imaginative worlds and themes pioneered by H. P. Lovecraft. At the same time, we acknowledge, plainly and without qualification, that Lovecraft held racist views which were harmful, wrong, and have no place in the modern world. These views are expressed in parts of his personal correspondence, essays, and fiction, and we do not excuse, endorse, or minimize them.

We believe it is possible, and necessary, to engage critically with the past. Lovecraft’s contributions to horror and science fiction, particularly his ideas of cosmic horror and ancient mystery, have had a profound influence on the genre. However, admiration for those creative ideas does not require acceptance of the man’s racial, political, or sociological beliefs. We explicitly reject those beliefs. Our approach is to recontextualise and reinterpret the elements of Lovecraft’s work that speak to imagination, atmosphere, and storytelling, while rejecting the prejudice that accompanied them. We strive to ensure that our own creations are inclusive, respectful, and welcoming to everyone.

While some of our games and miniatures may be set in historical or historically inspired contexts, we do not and will not gamify racism, systemic oppression, or dehumanisation. Our design choices are intentional: our games are about storytelling, atmosphere, and player agency, not about reenacting or rewarding real-world injustice. Monsters in Cosmic Horror are not an allegory for prejudicial thinking; they are monsters. Where history includes prejudice or inequality, we choose not to replicate those harms through mechanics, narratives, or gameplay incentives.

Spectre Miniatures believes in racial equality, social justice, and the dignity of all people. While we cannot change the past, we can choose how we engage with it, and how we help shape the future. We are committed to evaluating history honestly, acknowledging harm where it exists, and contributing to a creative community that reflects fairness, justice, and respect for all.

Thank you for reading.