I stumbled across this brilliant "Gamma World" article on IO9 a couple weeks ago. What a glorious, dorked-out blast from the past.
But...being in a total, lame writer slump, I bookmarked it and moved on. Then I forgot to post about it. Then I avoided writing for a couple of days.
But I'm feeling brave this evening and feel some obligation to propagate the Gamma World good word. It was a great game and made a huge impact on my pimply, preteen science fiction loving self. Plus, I'm certain I would never have develop my great fondness for RIFTS had Gamma World not come first.
What I can't recall exactly is who introduced me to Gamma Word. I think it was my childhood best friend Kyle. I half hope so, cause that gives it a special something or other. On the other hand, I hope that it wasn't Kyle, 'cause I haven't talked to him in ten years and that would make it *weep* even fucking sadder.
From the article:
"Gamma World was role-playing game company TSR's attempt at a post-apocalyptic role-playing system. TSR hit the big time with the mega-successful Dungeons and Dragons franchise, but the company's history is littered with non-starters. Still, when it came out, Gamma World felt like a winner - edgy post-apocalypse adventuring humans, robots and mutated bunnies contend in the ruins of a future Earth. The rules themselves are more or less D&D lite - character stats, melee rounds, and randomized combat mechanics. You can play as a Pure Strain Human, of untainted genome, but the fun is in mutated humans, and even mutated animals with human intelligence - if you want to be a panda toting a Mark VII Blaster Rifle, you've got it."
"Gamma World was role-playing game company TSR's attempt at a post-apocalyptic role-playing system. TSR hit the big time with the mega-successful Dungeons and Dragons franchise, but the company's history is littered with non-starters. Still, when it came out, Gamma World felt like a winner - edgy post-apocalypse adventuring humans, robots and mutated bunnies contend in the ruins of a future Earth. The rules themselves are more or less D&D lite - character stats, melee rounds, and randomized combat mechanics. You can play as a Pure Strain Human, of untainted genome, but the fun is in mutated humans, and even mutated animals with human intelligence - if you want to be a panda toting a Mark VII Blaster Rifle, you've got it."
The swell Wikipedia article (with spectacularly bad 2nd edition cover!) is here. More Gamma World goodness here and here. Download content here and here. GURPS Gamma World?!?! Discuss it here and maybe Steve Jackson will come around. Don't even get me started on Car Wars or Paranoia.