From devoted family man to convicted killer, the third character reveal introduces a man whose life was destroyed by betrayal
CONTENT WARNING: This character reveal contains themes of domestic violence, abuse and murder.
London, United Kingdom – August 17, 2026. Indie developer Buzzin’ Games continues The Damned Files, its character reveal series for Rock, Paper, Severed, introducing Edward Mullen (aka Metal ‘Ed), the third of four playable characters brought together by The Old Sire.
A psychological horror tabletop strategy game that puts a dark, horror-infused twist on the classic hand game Rock, Paper, Scissors, Rock, Paper, Severed challenges players to outwit their opponents in a deadly game where every throw you lose costs you a finger. Each character arrives at The Old Sire’s table carrying their own secrets, guilt and reasons for being there.
THE DAMNED FILES // 003 Edward Mullen (aka Metal Ed)
Edward Mullen was never considered particularly clever. A scaffolding yard worker from Dagenham, Ed was a simple man who took pride in the life he had built with his wife Linda and their daughter Zoe. After long shifts, the three would gather around the kitchen table playing parlour games late into the evening, ordinary family moments that Ed treasured.
But behind the happy home, whispers about Linda had been circulating for years. Ed chose to ignore them, trusting his wife because he needed to believe in the life they had built together.
Until one night, he came home early.
Ed discovered Linda with another man. What followed was a brutal loss of control that would destroy his family forever. When the two lovers regained consciousness, Ed had tied them to chairs and laid out a collection of tools across the kitchen table.
Then he explained the rules.
Rock. Paper. Scissors.
The game ended with both Linda and her lover dead, while Ed himself was left with catastrophic injuries after Linda fought back. Their daughter Zoe would discover the aftermath the following day.
Ed survived and was fitted with a steel plate to replace part of his shattered skull. A court ultimately convicted him of the killings, though his sentence was reduced on the grounds of diminished responsibility. After serving two years, he was released on licence and began a lonely existence in a bedsit in Romford.
Zoe was placed into care, and Ed is now forbidden from contacting her. Yet he still watches from a distance, following her life from across the street and wondering whether she sometimes recognises the father she lost.
Known as Metal ‘Ed, the steel plate beneath his scalp is a permanent reminder of the night that changed everything. But it is not the only thing he carries with him. Guilt, obsession and the memory of his family have followed him to The Old Sire’s table.
The Rules Are Simple. The Tools Are Not.
At the heart of Rock, Paper, Severed is the classic hand game of Rock, Paper, Scissors, with one horrifying difference: every throw you lose costs you a finger. Players must read their opponents, manage the risks and make every decision count as the game becomes increasingly desperate.
A collection of items gives players another way to shift the odds, allowing them to bend the flow of the game, outmanoeuvre their opponents and survive a little longer. Use them wisely.
Across the single-player and multiplayer experiences, players encounter the game’s cast in different configurations, gradually learning more about the people sitting around The Old Sire’s table. Their stories are seeded throughout the experience for those willing to look deeper, but the focus remains firmly on the strategic gameplay, risk and survival at the heart of every game.
Rock, Paper, Severed will be playable for the first time at gamescom 2026, with members of the development team on hand throughout the show to walk media and players through the game, discuss its characters and offer hands-on sessions.
NEXT FILE: Eleanor “Nellie” Ashford – Opening soon
Rock, Paper, Severed is currently in development for PC via Steam. Wishlist today.
