''Metamorphosis Alpha'' is a
science fiction
Science fiction (sometimes shortened to Sci-Fi or SF) is a genre of speculative fiction which typically deals with imaginative and futuristic concepts such as advanced science and technology, space exploration, time travel, parallel uni ...
role-playing game. It was created by
James M. Ward and originally produced by
TSR, the publisher of ''
Dungeons & Dragons
''Dungeons & Dragons'' (commonly abbreviated as ''D&D'' or ''DnD'') is a fantasy tabletop role-playing game (RPG) originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson. The game was first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. (TS ...
''. 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
''Dungeons & Dragons'' (commonly abbreviated as ''D&D'' or ''DnD'') is a fantasy tabletop role-playing game (RPG) originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson. The game was first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. (TS ...
'' (''D&D'').
''Metamorphosis Alpha'' is the intellectual precursor to ''
Gamma World
''Gamma World'' is a science fantasy role-playing game, originally designed by James M. Ward and Gary Jaquet, and first published by TSR in 1978. It borrowed heavily from Ward's earlier game, ''Metamorphosis Alpha''.
Setting
''Gamma World'' t ...
'' (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
In insurance, accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) is a policy that pays benefits to the beneficiary if the cause of death is an accident. This is a limited form of life insurance which is generally less expensive, or in some cases is an add ...
'' module S3: ''
Expedition to the Barrier Peaks
''Expedition to the Barrier Peaks'' is a 1980 adventure module for the ''Dungeons & Dragons'' role-playing game written by Gary Gygax. While ''Dungeons & Dragons'' (''D&D'') is typically a fantasy game, the adventure includes elements of science ...
''. 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
Ernest Gary Gygax ( ; July 27, 1938 – March 4, 2008) was an American game designer and author best known for co-creating the pioneering role-playing game ''Dungeons & Dragons'' (''D&D'') with Dave Arneson.
In the 1960s, Gygax created an ...
) 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
Brian Wilson Aldiss (; 18 August 1925 – 19 August 2017) was an English writer, artist, and anthology editor, best known for science fiction novels and short stories. His byline reads either Brian W. Aldiss or simply Brian Aldiss, except for o ...
's science fiction novel ''
Non-Stop'' (also known as ''Starship'', 1958). In the British RPG magazine ''
White Dwarf
A white dwarf is a stellar core remnant composed mostly of electron-degenerate matter. A white dwarf is very dense: its mass is comparable to the Sun's, while its volume is comparable to the Earth's. A white dwarf's faint luminosity comes ...
'', issue 1,
Ian Livingstone
Sir Ian Livingstone (born 29 December 1949) is an English fantasy author and entrepreneur. Along with Steve Jackson, he is the co-founder of a series of role-playing gamebooks, ''Fighting Fantasy'', and the author of many books within that s ...
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
Robert Anson Heinlein (; July 7, 1907 – May 8, 1988) was an American science fiction author, aeronautical engineer, and naval officer. Sometimes called the "dean of science fiction writers", he was among the first to emphasize scientific accu ...
's 1941 novel ''
Orphans of the Sky
''Orphans of the Sky'' is a science fiction novel by American writer Robert A. Heinlein, consisting of two parts: "Universe" (''Astounding Science Fiction'', May 1941) and its sequel, "Common Sense" (''Astounding Science Fiction'', October 1941). ...
''.
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
''Amazing Engine'' was a series of tabletop role-playing game books that was published by TSR, Inc. from 1993 until 1994. It was a generic role-playing game system -
each publication employed the same minimalist generic rules, as described in th ...
'' supplement () written by
Slade Henson.
In 2002, Ward's company,
Fast Forward Entertainment
Fast or FAST may refer to:
* Fast (noun), high speed or velocity
* Fast (noun, verb), to practice fasting, abstaining from food and/or water for a certain period of time
Acronyms and coded Computing and software
* ''Faceted Application of Subje ...
, 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
OneBookShelf is a digital marketplace company for both major and indie games, fiction and comics. OneBookShelf was formed by the merger of RPGNow and DriveThruRPG. The company's e-commerce platforms host content from individual sellers, indie cre ...
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
''The Space Gamer'' was a magazine dedicated to the subject of science fiction and fantasy board games and tabletop role-playing games. It quickly grew in importance and was an important and influential magazine in its subject matter from the ...
'' 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
''The Complete Book of Wargames'' by Jon Freeman and the editors of Consumer Guide was published in 1980 by Simon & Schuster under the Fireside imprint.
Contents
This book comes in both a 285-page hardcover edition and a paperback version. In ...
'', 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
Ernest Gary Gygax ( ; July 27, 1938 – March 4, 2008) was an American game designer and author best known for co-creating the pioneering role-playing game ''Dungeons & Dragons'' (''D&D'') with Dave Arneson.
In the 1960s, Gygax created an ...
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
''Gamma World'' is a science fantasy role-playing game, originally designed by James M. Ward and Gary Jaquet, and first published by TSR in 1978. It borrowed heavily from Ward's earlier game, ''Metamorphosis Alpha''.
Setting
''Gamma World'' t ...
''
*''
Non-Stop'', a novel by ''
Brian Aldiss
Brian Wilson Aldiss (; 18 August 1925 – 19 August 2017) was an English writer, artist, and anthology editor, best known for science fiction novels and short stories. His byline reads either Brian W. Aldiss or simply Brian Aldiss, except for o ...
'' with a similar plot
*''
Orphans of the Sky
''Orphans of the Sky'' is a science fiction novel by American writer Robert A. Heinlein, consisting of two parts: "Universe" (''Astounding Science Fiction'', May 1941) and its sequel, "Common Sense" (''Astounding Science Fiction'', October 1941). ...
'', a novel by ''
Robert A. Heinlein
Robert Anson Heinlein (; July 7, 1907 – May 8, 1988) was an American science fiction author, aeronautical engineer, and naval officer. Sometimes called the "dean of science fiction writers", he was among the first to emphasize scientific accu ...
'' 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
Gregory Dale Bear (August 20, 1951 – November 19, 2022) was an American writer and illustrator best known for science fiction. His work covered themes of galactic conflict ('' Forge of God'' books), parallel universes ('' The Way'' series), c ...
'' with a similar plot
*''
Pandorum
''Pandorum'' is a 2009 German/British science fiction horror film, with elements of Lovecraftian horror and survival adventure. The film was directed by Christian Alvart and produced by Robert Kulzer, Jeremy Bolt and Paul W. S. Anderson, t ...
'', a 2009 film which shares similar plot elements
Notes
{{reflist
References
*Anon 1981. 'RPGA Interview with... Jim Ward.'
''RPGA News'', 3:6-12 (Winter 1981-82).
External links
Paul Madison's ''Metamorphosis Alpha'' homepageHard bound collectors edition kickstarter
Role-playing games introduced in 1976
Science fiction role-playing games
TSR, Inc. games
Science fantasy role-playing games