List of Products for Metamorphosis Alpha

[Finarvyn]

Metamorphosis Alpha products.

In support of MA I thought it would be neat to have a list of products which are MA-based. One thing that I find really cool is that James Ward has retained ownership of the Metamorphosis Alpha game line, unlike Arneson’s Blackmoor, Krebbs’ Gangbusters, and other TSR RPGs discussed on these boards.

The intent of this list is to focus on Metamorphosis Alpha and not Gamma World. The list isn't complete yet, but I thought I'd get the ball rolling...

Rulebooks:

Metamorphosis Alpha 1E (Jim Ward; 1976)
The original rulebook, available in PDF from RPGNow and from Drive Thru RPG.

Metamorphosis Alpha to Omega (TSR; 1994)
This version was written for the Amazing Engine game line and includes a lot more background information.

Metamorphosis Alpha: 25th Anniversary Edition (Jim Ward, 2002)
This version was published by Fast Forward games and uses Jim’s “3d6” game mechanic. This one can be found on e-bay at a decent price.

Metamorphosis Alpha 4E (James Ward with Craig Brain, 2006)
The newest version of MA, published by Mudpuppy games, expands the game as done in the 25th Anniversary Edition, with similar dice mechanic but a lot more material.

There is also a MA4E GM Screen which can be bought in PDF format. It’s supposed to also be available in print format but I haven’t seen it anywhere yet.

Metamorphosis Alpha for D&D4E (Signal Fire Studios, TBA)
This soon-to-be released RPG updates the MA universe to the Dungeons & Dragons 4E rules. It’s still in development and playtest at the moment, and it will be interesting to see how it compares to WotC’s Gamma World.


Modules:

S3 Expedition to the Barrier Peaks (Gary Gygax, 1976)
While technically not a Metamorphosis Alpha adventure, this module was written by Gary to introduce D&D players to a Metamorphosis Alpha adventure. The current module was printed in 1980, but its roots trace back to the Origins II game convention in 1976.

Dire Straits (Kerry Jordan, 2008)
A 1E adventure that is also a free download. Loads of fun to play!

House on the Hill (Craig Brain; 2010)
This module can be bought in print or PDF versions.

[tavis]

I volunteered to be a playtester for the Signal Fire update, in the desire to see its conversion to 4e not suck, and after one message from the publisher nothing else ever happened. I strongly suspect that it will never come out in this form, and might look to Eldrich Entertainment to bring out a new edition instead since Jim Ward is one of their members.

[Finarvyn]

Jun 14, 2011 12:42:34 GMT -6 tavis said:

I volunteered to be a playtester for the Signal Fire update, in the desire to see its conversion to 4e not suck, and after one message from the publisher nothing else ever happened. I strongly suspect that it will never come out in this form, and might look to Eldrich Entertainment to bring out a new edition instead since Jim Ward is one of their members.

Interesting. I got the "thumbs up" about being a playtester in March of 2010 and then nothing since then. Craig has a lot of faith in Signal Fire and he knows them better than I do.

I'm actually more excited about a 1E revival than a D&D4E-based game, but would at least love to see MA active in some form somewhere.

[Zenopus]

Some info reported on the Acaeum regarding Ward's MA game at NTRPGcon:

grodog wrote:
Jim Ward's 10am Metamorphosis Alpha game (suitably christened "The Outpost of Doom"!) ---easily one of the best convention games I've ever played.

Kingofpain89 wrote:
Saturday morning was the not-to-be-missed Metamorphosis Alpha game with Jim Ward. Our team's job was to take a shuttle from the Warden to an orbital outpost to find out why no communications were being replied to. Suffice to say the entire station was a deathtrap. The A.I. on the station was "corrupted". The previous research and rescue group had become something less than human. And even though our entire team of seasoned vets were armed to the teeth with all manner of weapons, defenses, and unthinkable technology, we were no match for the imagination and wicked humor of Jim Ward.

[grodog]

Indeed: the game was huge fun---Jim is a fabulous DM, and easily one of the best I've ever played under at a convention

[Zenopus]

Some more info on upcoming MA releases by EE, courtesy Frank Mentzer on the Acaeum:

"we do hope to reissue certain vintage game systems, beginning with Jim Ward's Metamorphosis Alpha. One of the early releases in that line may be the original deck plans of the Starship Warden, circa 1975 but updated to reflect 35 years of RPG history".

[Deleted]

I think that WardCo has some mouse pads and coffee mugs for sale. You might add those.

I wish they had t-shirts. I don't drink coffee.

[Craig J. Brain]

We also have the Stein of Many Deaths and the "Jim Ward Killed My Character and All I Got Was This Lousy Badge" Badge.

Craig J. Brain

[Craig J. Brain]

We have just recently released Jim's latest adventure, The Long Hard Mile for the game at RPGNow and I'll be making it available in print shortly.

Craig J. Brain

[angelicdoctor]

Nov 1, 2013 6:04:58 GMT -6 Craig J. Brain said:

We have just recently released Jim's latest adventure, The Long Hard Mile for the game at RPGNow and I'll be making it available in print shortly.

Craig J. Brain

I picked up a hard copy of this module shortly after my participation at this year's North Texas RPG Con.  I was blessed to play with the master himself, James Ward, in his Metamorphosis Alpha game.  It was a great time.  This event inspired me to introduce the game to my kids.  We are now regular players.

[Craig J. Brain]

Has anyone got a complete list of the Goodman Games' material these days?

Craig J. Brain