Save for Half Episode #2: "Gamma World"

[DMMike]

Save for Half Episode #2: "Gamma World"

   In our second outing of “Save For Half,” the DMigoes look at a seminal old school classic — 1st edition Gamma World. James M. Ward and Gary Jaquet’s over-the-top combination of super-science and deadly, earnest danger set the bar for early science fiction and post-apocalyptic role playing games, and its influence is still felt in gaming 38 years later.

It's all here at: http://saveordie.info

Links mentioned in this show:

Gamma World Playtest rules 1977 found:
https://forum.rpg.net/showthread.php?778584-Could-someone-help-me-verify-if-a-find-is-real

Grognard Files
http://armchairadventurerblog.com/


Don't forget to drop us an email at saveforhalfpodcast(at)gmail.com to give your opinions of the show!

[Dizzy]

Awesome, downloaded, hopefully will get to it on my run this weekend.

[angelicdoctor]

I truly enjoyed the discussion on the Gamma World game.  I have been a longtime fan of the system since at least third edition and recently discovered the 1st and 2nd editions of the game just in the past few years.  Since then, I have played it a handful of times switching between Gamma World and Metamorphosis Alpha.  Inspired by your show this past weekend, the kids and I gathered around the 1st edition rule book and proceeded to have a session zero about our next post-apocalyptic campaign.  Drawing upon their interests in Pokemon and my interest in The Terminator, we collaborated on an idea that could only have been supported by the flexibility and solid framework of the 1st edition of Gamma World:   A post-apocalyptic earth visited by alien cyborgs bent on its subjugation.  The earth’s last line of defense?  Mutant plants and animals trained for combat allied with their human counterparts sent out from their respective tribes to find the ancient technologies of their ancestors that would aid in their struggle against an implacable foe.  We had great fun creating these creatures using the Gamma World system for instance, the all too familiar over-sized yellow mouse with the electrical generation mutation. 

Keep up the good work!

If you ever feel inclined to have another discussion on Gamma World, I would certainly welcome it!

UPDATE:  It appears that the email address is not working.  Please advise.

[DMMike]

Thanks for the kind words, and glad to hear we've inspired the use of GW 1E!

Hmmm. Dunno about the email addy; I'll have to check on that.

DM (Good at checking his email, eventually) Mike

[DMMike]

Weird... I'd set up the SoH email last year when we first mentioned the show. However, when I tried to find it just now it no longer existed?

I've set up a "new" one with the correct name so it should be working now.

DM (Good at wondering what happened?) Mike

[longfoot]

YAY! SO excited for this. I will be listening this week.

[DMMike]

I look forward to your opinions Longfoot!

DM (Good at anticipation) Mike

[Fjw70]

I will check it out. Even though I have owned several versions of Gamma World I have never played any of them.

We did import a few Gamma World items into our AD&D game. I recall frying a dragon with a radiation rifle or something like that.

[Dizzy]

Finally got to listen on my run yesterday. Was definitely interesting. Not sure if I'll go all the way and pick up Gamma World 1e, but it made me pull out my mutant future and think about running it again soon. Nice work.

As I saw mentioned elsewhere, e-mails eat up a lot of SoD, I can't imagine you'll have time to make these half the length and still go through emails?

[outlander78]

This was a fun listen.

What are the 1E- and 2E-compatible Gamma World editions?  1st and 4th?  Are PDFs for sale anywhere?

[RobertFisher]

I’ve managed to never play Gamma World, but I’m convinced I need to now.

Now to decide whether to get by with Mutant Future or pick up the real deal.


http://web.fisher.cx/robert/rpg/
http://malirath.blogspot.com/search/label/rpg

[outlander78]

Is Mutant Future an accurate clone?

[longfoot]

DM Mike,
I thought it was an excellent show. Thanks much. Glad you guys took some time to mention the game mechanics, at least a little bit.
This was a game that I've always wanted to play, but I never knew anyone who played it or had the boxed set, so i was interested in how it all worked.
It is unfortunate that the first edition rules set isn't in RPGnow or DriveThru. I would pick it up as I don't have the books.
Also, love the outtro music. Don't know if DM Jim posts here or not, but I thought it was pretty hilarious.
I was listening to a few of the early early episodes of SoD this week, too. They are still enjoyable to listen to, but it is obvious that the production quality has vastly developed. Great Job!

[DMMike]

Thanks all!

Outlander, as far as we know GW 1E/2E is not for sale as a pdf....which is a pity.

Yeah, emails are something we'll have to discuss. Perhaps as a "sub-sub show" or some such. We want to stay with the 45 minute format so we'll have to ponder this more.

Regarding the outro music, that was Liz and my suggestion. We've been fans of the Austin Lounge Lizards for years!

DM (Good at above-ground nuclear tests) Mike

[Dizzy]

Mutant future is not a true clone as the ogl doesn't cover non-d&d mechanics. I've never played gamma world, but it seems like a good mix of D&D mechanics we know and love with gamma world. There is a free no-art pdf to check out. There is alsoa section in the back of how to play it like more traditional D&D where you grow in power as you level up.