Action-Adventure Science Fiction Returns with Metamorphosis Alpha
Signal Fire Studios LLC is proud to announce that 2010 will see the publication of the newest incarnation of the very first science fiction role playing game, Metamorphosis Alpha! Using the Dungeons & Dragons 4th Edition game rules, players take on the role of mutated humans, plants, and animals and experience sci-fi action-adventure.
“The chance to work on Metamorphosis Alpha is really exciting,” says Jamie Chambers, President of Signal Fire Studios. “It’s a fun mix of nostalgia for those who’ve followed MA over the years, new rules for fans of D&D4e, and a chance to really embrace the ‘dungeon in space’ concept that the original game was created with.” The story of Metamorphosis Alpha centers on the Starship Warden, a massive generation ship stricken by a catastrophe. Its population of humans, plants, and animals are left mutated and unaware that the world they live on is actually a huge vessel traveling among the stars.
The Metamorphosis Alpha Player’s Guide is the first product in the series, and offers many new options for D&D players. It includes new races, from genetically-altered humans to self-aware plants. Four brand-new character classes, one for each of the game’s tactical roles, draw on the Mutant power source. Each is supplemented by paragon paths, epic destinies, and feats. The book also expands upon the skill system, adding the Tech skill and rules for discovering and understanding high-tech items. The book is tentatively set for publication in January 2010.
The Starship Warden sourcebook offers a comprehensive campaign setting for the 4th edition D&D rules. It gives the Dungeon Master an array of mutant creatures, androids, and other threats to challenge the heroes. In addition, this second book includes suggestions for ways to integrate the new rules with other settings or the creation of original campaigns that mix the science fiction and fantasy elements in exciting new ways.
James M. Ward, the creator and author of Metamorphosis Alpha for TSR, Inc. in the 1970s and designer of the classic MA’s own Fourth Edition, looks forward to this newest version of his creation. “D&D 4th Edition is bringing a lot of people back to the exploration, discovery, and tactical fun of the old days of the game,” says Ward. “In the early years of Dragon Magazine I wrote an article about how to combine MA with D&D. These new products will be the first time that idea is fully explored.” Ward is working with the MA design team to offer his insight and vision to the new products.
It’s important to lead designer and writer, Cam Banks, that this iteration of Metamorphosis Alpha offers the best of both worlds. “I want our MA books to be fully compatible and interchangeable with existing D&D4e and GSL products,” says Banks. “If someone wants to play a Mutant Feline Enforcer in a traditional fantasy world, the rules will support that. If a wormhole opens up and drops a Warlock into the middle of the Warden, that won’t be a huge problem, either. There’s a lot of great options, so each gaming group can make use of the new Metamorphosis Alpha products in whatever way they want. It’s fantasy meeting science-fiction head on.”
The Metamorphosis Alpha product line for D&D 4th Edition is being produced under the terms of the Game System License from Wizards of the Coast. Full details and release dates for the first two products, as well as news regarding adventures, sourcebooks, and online support materials will be announced soon.
www.metamorphosisalpha.net
www.signalfirestudios.com
Contact:
Jamie Chambers
jamie@signalfirestudios.com
Artwork by Dan Bryce
Signal Fire Studios and the SF logo are trademarks owned by Signal Fire Studios LLC. All rights reserved. Metamorphosis Alpha and its logo are trademarks owned by James M. Ward. Used with permission. The use of another company’s trademarks is for reference only. No violation of copyright or trademark ownership is intended.
Excellent news, good luck with this guys !
P.S. Are you looking for any playtesters yet ?
Cheers,
Rog.
Can’t wait! The original Metamorphosis Alpha was my very first introduction to RPG’ng in the early 80’s and am anxious to see what’s next in the series. Thanks Signal Fire!!
Yes, shoot me an e-mail with your gaming experience and familiarity with both D&D 4th Edition and previous versions of Metamorphosis Alpha. (“None” is a perfectly acceptable answer for either of those, by the way!)
I hope you enjoy the direction we’re going. This is a “relaunch” of the franchise in some ways and is very exciting!
I’m so excited by this! MA was my favorite world when I was young and Always held my interest over other sci-fi worlds (Gamma World, Star Frontiers, Alternity, etc).
Congrats guys! I know you’ll do a great job on this.
~Joe
We’ve gone global! Check it out, the news has spread to Italy. http://is.gd/1FfXr
That’s very cool. The signal fire is being seen all over.
I think that MA has needed this sort of exposure for years. I think that the previous editions have been of great quality, but they haven’t gotten enough support and nobody seems to know that they exist. Hopefully the 4E model will draw in more newcomers to the game!
I’m incredibly excited about the idea of MA using the 4E D&D rules. I’ve been toying with the idea of converting MA’s child, Gamma World, into the 4E ruleset, and now I’m happy to see I won’t have to!
When/where can this be pre-ordered?