''Ex Machina'' is a cyberpunk

role-playing game A role-playing game (sometimes spelled roleplaying game, RPG) is a game in which players assume the roles of player character, characters in a fictional Setting (narrative), setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within ...

book published by Guardians of Order covering a range from classic cyberpunk to postcyberpunk. It exists under both the cinematic '' Tri-Stat dX'' and '' d20 RPG'' systems.

Setting

''Ex Machina'' includes a detailed retrospective on the cyberpunk genre, as well as lengthy advice on how to convey that genre in a role-playing environment without losing touch with its core themes. In addition to information on setting design and genre handling, ''Ex Machina'' also includes four complete game settings for gamers to choose from, each of which takes the Cyberpunk genre in its own unique direction. The settings are named ''Heaven Over Mountain'', ''Underworld'', ''IOSHI'' and ''Daedalus''.

System

There are two variants of the system for ''Ex Machina''; ''Tri-Stat d8'' and the ''d20 System''.

''Tri-Stat d8''

Under ''Tri-Stat'' the game uses point-based character design and a two-die task resolution system. The game engine focuses on story over rules, and is known for its flexibility.

''d20 System''

The ''d20 System'' variation combines the points-based special abilities of ''Tri-Stat'' with the classes and levels of ''d20'', and uses a hybrid task system mostly built from the '' d20'''s single-die high-roll method. The ''d20'' variant is based on the ''

Big Eyes, Small Mouth ''Big Eyes, Small Mouth'' (''BESM'') is a tabletop role-playing game originally produced by Guardians of Order in 1997 that was designed to simulate the action of anime and manga. The title alludes to the common anime drawing style of character ...

'' game system. This variant is solely a fan-based production, and not endorsed by "Guardians of Order".

Current status

According to the Guardians of Order website, the company went out of business in 2006. The "Guardians" staff have not released any information regarding the Tri-8 system or ''Ex Machina'' licensing.

Reviews

*'' Pyramid''

References

External links

''Ex Machina'' Mailing List
{{Webarchive, url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060301041146/http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/ExMachinav2/ , date=2006-03-01 BESM/dX Canadian role-playing games Cyberpunk role-playing games Guardians of Order games Role-playing games introduced in 2004