R. Talsorian Games. R. Talsorian Games, based in Renton, WA (until 1997 in Berkeley, California), is a publisher of role-playing game books and accessories. Their titles include the Cyberpunk 2020 series and for anime-related titles such as Dragonball Z. Their major product line today is the Fuzion system. The company's chairman is Mike Pondsmith, usually known as "Maximum Mike" by players, R.
Talsorian Games, and members of their online bulletin board. History[edit] Founded in 1985, R. After an eight-year hiatus that began with its withdrawal from GenCon in 1998 over a conflict regarding floor space and dealer space, the company began a semi-regular publishing schedule again in 2006. On January 4, 2006 R. External links[edit] Official website of R. Big Eyes, Small Mouth. Big Eyes, Small Mouth is a roleplaying game that was designed to simulate the action of anime and manga. It is frequently referred to by the acronym BESM.
The title alludes to the common anime drawing style of characters with huge, expressive eyes and comparatively small mouths. BESM uses a point-based character creation system. Characters are evaluated based on three "Stats", against which all action checks are made. Publications[edit] Core books[edit] Big Eyes, Small Mouth Second EditionBig Eyes, Small Mouth Revised Second EditionBig Eyes, Small Mouth Third Edition Supplementals[edit] Big Eyes, Small Mouth Fast Play Rules: A free guide for Tri-Stat System RPG.Hot Rods and Gun Bunnies: Action-adventure guide.Big Robots, Cool StarshipsCentauri Knights: A hard science future campaign.BESM GM ScreenCute and Fuzzy Seizure Monsters/Cute and Fuzzy Cockfighting Seizure Monsters: Guide for Pet Monster Trainers and Pet Monster. BESM d20[edit] It is a series for the d20 System with BESM theme. Cyberpunk 2020.
Cyberpunk, mainly known by its second edition title Cyberpunk 2020, is a cyberpunk role-playing game written by Mike Pondsmith and published by R. Talsorian Games as of 1988. Because of the release in 1990 of the second edition, set in a fictional 2020, the first edition is often now referred to as Cyberpunk 2013, following the fictional year, 2013, in which the game was set when it was first released in 1988. The third edition, published by R. Talsorian Games in 2005, is referred to as Cyberpunk V3.0 and is set in the same fictional timeline of all the former editions, but during the fictional 2030's. Overview[edit] This role-playing game is based on the works of William Gibson, Bruce Sterling, and other authors of the "Mirrorshades group".
The game includes a number of elements now associated with the 1980s,[citation needed] such as the idea of "style over substance" and glam rock. The game tends to emphasize some aspects of the source material more than others. Cyberpunk 2013[edit] Mekton. Mekton is a role-playing game which centers on the conventions of mecha anime and science fiction (although it can easily enough be adapted to other genres like police drama or high fantasy). It has seen several editions since its introduction in 1984, the most recent, Mekton Zeta (メクトン Z; a reference to the seminal mecha anime series Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam) being first published in 1994.
The first edition of Mekton was the first anime role-playing game available in North America; the anime influence was muted compared to later editions, but this is in parallel with North America's growing exposure to and awareness of anime in general. The use of katakana to represent the title of the game begins with the "Zeta" edition and may or may not be carried over into future editions.
Within the context of the RPG, mecha are referred to as "mektons," abbreviated as "meks" and sometimes alternately called "suits" (as in "power suits" or power armor). Editions of Mekton[edit] External links[edit] Castle Falkenstein (role-playing game) Rules and setting are presented in the form of diaries of a number of characters within the game, the main being the author's alter-ego "Tom Olam", a game designer from our world magically transported in New Europa.
Best Roleplaying Rules of 1994 Origins Award, Castle Falkenstein, R. Talsorian Games, Mike Pondsmith[1]Best Role-Playing Product of 1995 Nigel D. Findley Memorial Award, Castle Falkenstein[2] The game's system uses playing cards instead of dice to simulate action. The system is geared towards live action role-playing, and players are required to keep an in-character diary instead of using a character sheet. The system is fairly unusual and has been praised for its ease of use and utility within the game. Castle Falkenstein came out in time when many games were focusing on storytelling rules, fewer mechanics and more focus on an interactive story, but also when most of these games were dark dystopian futures (e.g.
Castle Falkenstein at the R. Mike Pondsmith. Steampunk. "Maison tournante aérienne" (aerial rotating house) by Albert Robida for his book Le Vingtième Siècle, a 19th-century conception of life in the 20th century Steampunk also refers to any of the artistic styles, clothing fashions, or subcultures, that have developed from the aesthetics of steampunk fiction, Victorian-era fiction, art nouveau design, and films from the mid-20th century.[3] Various modern utilitarian objects have been modded by individual artisans into a pseudo-Victorian mechanical "steampunk" style, and a number of visual and musical artists have been described as steampunk. History[edit] Precursors[edit] Origin of the term[edit] Dear Locus,Enclosed is a copy of my 1979 novel Morlock Night; I'd appreciate your being so good as to route it Faren Miller, as it's a prime piece of evidence in the great debate as to who in "the Powers/Blaylock/Jeter fantasy triumvirate" was writing in the "gonzo-historical manner" first.
Modern steampunk[edit] steampunk cafe in Cape Town. Iron Crown Enterprises. Iron Crown Enterprises has produced role playing, board, miniature, and collectible card games for 30 years. Many of ICE’s better-known products were related to J. R. R. Tolkien’s world of Middle-earth, but the Rolemaster rules system, and its science-fiction equivalent, Spacemaster, have been the foundation of ICE’s business. History[edit] Solo Gaming[edit] Iron Crown branched out into the solo gaming books under the Tolkien Quest (later called Middle-earth Quest) and Sherlock Holmes Solo Mysteries book lines.[1] ICE signed in 1986 a publication contract to take over Hero Games' production and distribution. Middle-earth Quest violated ICE and Tolkien Enterprises' contract with Tolkien's book publishing licensee George Allen & Unwin, forcing ICE to recall and destroy the whole line of books. Financial Decline[edit] ICE's logo since relaunch Iron Crown Resurgence[edit] Publications[edit] Board games[edit] Solo gaming books[edit] Role-playing games[edit] Miniatures games[edit] External links[edit]
Rolemaster. Rolemaster is a role-playing game published by Iron Crown Enterprises. Rolemaster has come in four separate editions. The third edition, first published in 1995, is also known as the Rolemaster Standard System (or RMSS for short). There are two editions currently in production. Rolemaster Fantasy Roleplaying (or RMFRP) was first published in 1999 as a reorganized edition of RMSS, and is largely compatible with that edition.
The most recent publication of the Rolemaster rule set is Rolemaster Classic (RMC), a republished set of the second edition rules.[1] Basic game mechanics[edit] Rolemaster uses two ten-sided dice Rolemaster uses a percentile dice system and employs both classes (called "Professions" in Rolemaster) and levels to describe character capabilities and advancement. Task resolution is done by rolling percentile dice, applying relevant modifiers, and looking the result up on the appropriate chart to determine the result. Combat[edit] Character creation and development[edit] Shadow World. Shadow World is a high-fantasy campaign setting situated on the fictional planet of Kulthea. Originally produced for the Rolemaster role-playing game system, the game setting is owned by Iron Crown Enterprises (often referred to as I.C.E.).
It is currently maintained by the primary author of the setting, Terry K. Amthor of Eidolon Studio (who also holds the trademark for Shadow World, and copyrights for non-gaming fiction related to the world). Themes[edit] Shadow World deals with a number of topics, including the path of the hero, relatively normal people being caught up in events much larger than themselves, and the interplay of religion, racism, sexism, and homophobia as tools of social control.
Development History[edit] The World[edit] The focus of the Shadow World setting is the Kulthea's Western Hemisphere. The Universe[edit] A handful of light years from Earth, Kulthea is the seventh planet (of 13) in its solar system, with a solar orbit of 350 days. Five moons orbit Kulthea. Cyberspace (role-playing game) Cyberspace is a cyberpunk role-playing game published by Iron Crown Enterprises and using a somewhat modified version of their Spacemaster ruleset. The primary setting of Cyberspace is the urban sprawl around San Francisco in the year 2090. The game was out of print and unavailable for a number of years around the turn of the millennium, but is now available, with all of its supplements, from the publisher's homepage in a PDF format. Character classes for Cyberspace include: Jockey, a jack-of-all-tradesKiller, a combat specialistNet Junkie, a computer hackerSleaze, a specialist in social skillsTech Rat, technical wizard.
Spacemaster. Space Master is a science fiction role-playing game produced by Iron Crown Enterprises, written by Kevin Barrett, developed by Kevin Barrett and Terry K. Amthor. It is an adaptation of, and mostly compatible with, the Rolemaster Fantasy Roleplaying system, and as such any perceived failings/strengths of the latter also apply to Space Master. Spacemaster is available in two editions, namely Spacemaster 2nd Edition (analogous and broadly compatible with Rolemaster 2nd Edition and Rolemaster Classic) and Spacemaster Privateers (analogous and compatible with Rolemaster Standard System and Rolemaster Fantasy Role Playing). Iron Crown Enterprises has published several expansions, including Space Master Companion I, Space Master Companion II and Aliens & Artifacts, as well as numerous adventure modules and setting sourcebooks.
Spacemaster 2 Spacemaster has 17 professions dozens of sub-professions, over 120 skills and a rich selection of background options. Middle-earth Role Playing. Middle-earth Role Playing (MERP) is a 1984 role-playing game based on the writings of J.R.R. Tolkien (specifically The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit) under license from Tolkien Enterprises.
Iron Crown Enterprises (I.C.E.) published the game until they lost the license on 22 Sep 1999.[1] System[edit] MERP uses 2 ten-sided dice The rules system of the game is a streamlined version of I.C.E.' Characters possess Attributes and Skills rated between 0 and 100. Spell casters learn lists of ten spells as a unit. [edit] The game's early editions were later printed in many countries, including Brazil, Argentina, Spain and France. History[edit] I.C.E. published a First and a Second Edition of the MERP ruleset, and was working on the third edition[5] that was not published, along with many adventure and campaign modules, until Tolkien Enterprises revoked the license for games based on The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings in 1999. A UK edition was published by Games Workshop in 1985.
References[edit] High Adventure Role Playing. High Adventure Role Playing (HARP) is a fantasy role-playing game, designed by Tim Dugger & Heike A. Kubasch, and published by Iron Crown Enterprises (ICE). Background[edit] HARP is produced by Iron Crown Enterprises, the same company that produces Rolemaster, but the mechanics of the system are very much simplified in comparison. The system also takes cues from the d20 system. The HARP HQ website illustrates their simplified philosophy regarding gameplay, "Are you tired of restricting rules and boring combat? Tired of characters that are tied to a rigid caste or alignment system? Are you ready for some action, excitement and adventure?! " System[edit] The HARP book is 15 chapters long, with the first nine devoted to character generation. Professions[edit] HARP has Professions that determine which sets of skills are favoured or not, many also provide level bonuses to skills, spell spheres and/or talents.
Statistics[edit] Statistics are generated during character creation one of three ways: - Steve Jackson Games. Steve Jackson (US game designer) Steve Jackson (born c. 1953) is an American game designer. Jackson went to the UT Law School, but left to pursue a career in game design.[1]:102 On March 1, 1990, the United States Secret Service raided the offices of Steve Jackson Games based on suspicion of illegal hacker activity by game designer Loyd Blankenship, and seized (among other materials and media) his manuscript for GURPS Cyberpunk; when Jackson went to Secret Service headquarters the next day to retrieve his book drafts, he was told that GURPS Cyberpunk was a "handbook for computer crime", despite his protestations that it was just a game. SJG filed a successful lawsuit against the government, which went to trial in 1993 as Steve Jackson Games, Inc. v.
United States Secret Service, which was made possible through the newly created civil-rights organization Electronic Frontier Foundation.[1]:108–109 Jackson is an avid collector of pirate-themed Lego sets. Jackson has received over a dozen Origins Awards. Car Wars. Transhuman Space. Transhuman Space is a role-playing game published by Steve Jackson Games as parts of the "Powered by GURPS" (Generic Universal Role-Playing System) line. Set in the year 2100, humanity has begun to colonize the Solar System. The pursuit of transhumanism is now in full swing, as more and more people struggle to reach a fully posthuman state. Transhuman Space was one of the first role-playing games to tackle postcyberpunk and transhumanist themes.
[citation needed] In 2002, the Transhuman Space adventure "Orbital Decay" received an Origins Award nomination for Best Role-Playing Game Adventure. Setting[edit] The game assumes that no cataclysm — natural or human-induced — swept Earth in the 21st century. Human genetic engineering has advanced to the point that anyone—single individuals, same-sex couples, groups of three or more—can reproduce.
Political map of Earth in the Transhuman Space setting. People can "upload" by recording the contents of their brains on computer disks. Reception[edit] List of GURPS books. Munchkin (card game) GURPS. Assassin (game) Toon (role-playing game) In Nomine (role-playing game) Pyramid (magazine) Valley of the Pharaohs. Role-playing game. History of role-playing games. Tabletop role-playing game. Dungeons & Dragons controversies. Patricia Pulling. Sword and sorcery. Fantasy wargame. J. R. R. Tolkien.
The Lord of the Rings. Middle-earth. The Silmarillion. The Hobbit. Unfinished Tales. Society for Creative Anachronism. Wizards of the Coast. Talislanta. Star Wars Roleplaying Game (Wizards of the Coast) TSR, Inc. Gary Gygax. Metamorphosis Alpha. Dave Arneson. Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. Lorraine Williams. Brian Blume. Dangerous Journeys. Gamma World.
Top Secret (role-playing game) Alternity. Star Frontiers. Gangbusters (role-playing game) Boot Hill (role-playing game) Indiana Jones (role-playing game) Amazing Engine. Star*Drive. Alternity. DragonQuest. Marvel Super Heroes (role-playing game) Lejendary Adventure. Game Designers' Workshop. Rich Banner. Loren Wiseman. Frank Chadwick. Marc W. Miller. Traveller (role-playing game) Twilight 2000. 2300 AD. Traveller (role-playing game) Traveller (role-playing game) Dark Conspiracy.
Twilight 2000. Space: 1889.