Metamorphosis Alpha

''Metamorphosis Alpha'' is a science fiction role-playing game. It was created by James M. Ward and originally produced by TSR, the publisher of ''Dungeons & Dragons''. It was the first science fiction role-playing game, published in July 1976.

Description

The original edition is set on a generation spaceship, the starship ''Warden'' that has been struck by an unknown cataclysmic event that killed many of the colonists and crew. The characters must survive their missions in this ship (which they believe to be a world) where they no longer understand the technology around them, and they encounter numerous mutated creatures.

Players can portray a human, a mutated human, a mutated plant, or a mutated creature. Articles in '' Dragon'' expanded these options to include clones and robots as well as adding rules for cybernetics. Players have five characteristics: radiation resistance, mental resistance, dexterity, strength, and constitution. Humans have a sixth characteristic, leadership potential, while mutated humans and creatures add a random number of mutations, both physical and mental. ''Metamorphosis Alpha's'' combat rules resemble those in the original edition of ''Dungeons & Dragons'' (''D&D'').

''Metamorphosis Alpha'' is the intellectual precursor to ''Gamma World'' (1978), also produced by TSR.

Science fiction or science fantasy?

''Metamorphosis Alpha'' has an emphasis on super science and an element of science fantasy (as confirmed by creator James M. Ward in 2006). Ward has stated that the game is not "hard sci-fi".

In 1980, TSR released ''AD&D'' module S3: ''Expedition to the Barrier Peaks''. The module was based on the idea that a starship such as the ''Warden'' (though not the ''Warden'' itself, according to TSR founder Gary Gygax) becomes marooned in a ''D&D'' universe. In the module's foreword, Gygax writes that the module was written to introduce ''Metamorphosis Alpha'' to the wider ''D&D'' audience and to demonstrate how one might undertake science fiction/fantasy crossover.

Inspiration

James M. Ward, the game's author, stated that the original inspiration for the game was Brian Aldiss's science fiction novel '' Non-Stop'' (also known as ''Starship'', 1958). In the British RPG magazine ''White Dwarf'', issue 1, Ian Livingstone wrote a review of the game and published his own additional rules for playing ''Metamorphosis Alpha'' on Aldiss's ship. However, it is often suggested that the game was inspired by Robert A. Heinlein's 1941 novel ''Orphans of the Sky''. James M. Ward has stated that he was not familiar with the 1973 Canadian TV series '' The Starlost'', a show with a similar concept, and that ''Metamorphosis Alpha'' is not based upon that series.

Ownership and rights

The rights to ''Metamorphosis Alpha'' are owned by James M. Ward. Ward also owns the rights to all ''Metamorphosis Alpha'' material previously published in ''Dragon''. WardCo. (Ward's publishing business) has been granted permission by Steve Jackson Games and by Judges Guild (the estate of Bob Bledsaw Sr.) to host and republish some material. In 2008, Ward requested via public forums that sites hosting unlicensed copies of his original rules and the material previously published in ''Dragon'' magazine remove them, as they were a breach of his copyright and directly competed with products that he is selling. All permissions to host the ''Metamorphosis Alpha'' rules and the ''Metamorphosis Alpha'' articles in ''Dragon'' magazine, other than those being sold on behalf of WardCo., at sites other than at the official homepage have been rescinded.
In 2010, Signal Fire Studios acquired the rights to produce a new edition of the game based upon Hasbro's 4th edition ''D&D''.
In 2011, Ward announced that he had negotiated a deal to produce a graphic novel of ''Metamorphosis Alpha''.

Editions and supplements

''Metamorphosis Alpha'' was first published in 1976 by TSR. It was written by James M. Ward and illustrated by Dave Sutherland III.

In 1981, Ward announced plans to rewrite the game as ''Metamorphosis Alpha to Omega'', a supplement for the 1st edition ''Gamma World'' rules (Anon 1981). The ''Gamma World'' supplement was never completed, but in 1994, TSR used the title ''Metamorphosis Alpha to Omega'' for an ''Amazing Engine'' supplement () written by Slade Henson.

In 2002, Ward's company, Fast Forward Entertainment, published a new version of the game, entitled ''Metamorphosis Alpha: 25th Anniversary Edition''. It was designed by Ward himself.

In 2006, ''Metamorphosis Alpha 4th Edition'' was released by Mudpuppy Games (). This edition contained original material by Ward and additional new material and photography by Craig J. Brain. The book cover and interior illustrations were painted and drawn by Jim Holloway with most of the cartography by Ryan Wolfe.

In 2007, WardCo. released an official errata sheet for ''Metamorphosis Alpha First Edition'', which is available from the official website and released a revised edition of the first-edition rules through OneBookShelf as a PDF.

In 2010, WardCo. released ''The House On The Hill'' adventure module () for ''Metamorphosis Alpha'' (1st edition) as a PDF through OneBookshelf and the printed edition through Amazon. The adventure was written by Craig J. Brain, with bonus content by James M. Ward. The illustrations for the adventure were by Lee Smith and Dave Sutherland III.

In 2012, WardCo. released a reprint of the original edition of the game via Lulu with the addition of a new adventure and a number of corrections.

In 2014, WardCo and Goodman Games. released a hardbound deluxe edition of the original 1st edition via kickstarter including new adventures and consolidated other content from magazines and new content.

Reception

Robert R. Taylor reviewed ''Metamorphosis Alpha'' in ''The Space Gamer'' No. 10. Taylor concluded that "The game is definitely first rate and quite excellent. ''MA'' is highly recommended to someone interested in buying their first role-playing game since the rules are rich with guidelines to help the player in constructing his own ship."

In the inaugural issue of '' Ares'', game designer Eric Goldberg thought the game too limited in scope, saying, "''Metamorphosis: Alpha'' is ''Dungeons and Dragons'' in space. Regrettably, one can only stretch a great idea so far; this offering is far too contrived to gain acceptance in the minds of most players." Goldberg concluded by giving the game a very poor rating of only 3 out of 9.

In the 1980 book ''The Complete Book of Wargames'', game designer Jon Freeman commented, "James Ward's ''Metamorphosis Alpha'' is an attempt ... by the people who brought you ''Dungeons & Dragons'', and predictably, it shares many of the parent game's flaws. The rules are better constructed but the game takes itself too seriously." Freeman gave this game an Overall Evaluation of "Fair", concluding , "The game is ''Dungeons & Dragons'' in disguise; it could as easily been called ''Missiles & Mutants''. As an honest fantasy, it would be no worse than most. As 'science fiction', it comes out looking like ''Gorgo Meets Star Wars''."

David M. Ewalt, in his book ''Of Dice and Men'', commented that ''Metamorphosis Alpha'' was "notable as the first role-playing game with a science-fiction setting. The game takes place on the starship ''Warden'', a vast spaceship built by the player characters' ancestors; in the aftermath of some unknown disaster, their progeny survive on the ship but don't understand its technology and must fight mutated creatures to ensure their survival."

''Metamorphosis Alpha'' was chosen for inclusion in the 2007 book '' Hobby Games: The 100 Best''. Game designer Gary Gygax explained: "''Metamorphosis Alpha'' is a game that breaks the typical level-progression reward mold but nevertheless offers a rich, if sometimes difficult to gain, array of player rewards — from the knowledge of the environment to beneficial character mutations, learned skills to the acquisition of tech items and other equipment. Furthermore it blends fantasy with weird and super science in a unique manner that is captivating to players with imaginations suited to such a startling mixture. ''Metamorphosis Alpha'' — in any edition — stimulates the imagination, encourages keen thinking, and breaks the mold of typical fantasy and science fiction roleplaying games. If that doesn't make it one of the best hobby games ever, I don't know what would."

See also

*''Gamma World''
*'' Non-Stop'', a novel by ''Brian Aldiss'' with a similar plot
*''Orphans of the Sky'', a novel by ''Robert A. Heinlein'' with a similar plot
*'' The Starlost'', a Canada/US TV series from 1973 has a similar premise
*'' Hull Zero Three'', a 2010 novel by ''Greg Bear'' with a similar plot
*''Pandorum'', a 2009 film which shares similar plot elements

Notes

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References

*Anon 1981. 'RPGA Interview with... Jim Ward.' ''RPGA News'', 3:6-12 (Winter 1981-82).

External links

Paul Madison's ''Metamorphosis Alpha'' homepage

Hard bound collectors edition kickstarter

Role-playing games introduced in 1976
Science fiction role-playing games
TSR, Inc. games
Science fantasy role-playing games