In this episode, Don and Rob are joined again by their friend Chad to discuss Post-Apocalyptic (Tabletop) Role Playing Games. The three discuss the different ways in which an RPG can be Post-Apocalyptic, the importance of post-apocalyptic hygiene, and then go through the history of the Post-Apocalyptic gaming genre with side trips into movies, anime and pop-culture. All this, and why The Flintstones is a post-apocalyptic setting, is waiting for you in this episode of the Department of Nerdly Affairs.
- Closing Music:
Ode to Joy performed by Oliver Eckelt
Things Discussed:
A History of Post Apocalyptic RPGs
The Oregon Trail
The Road
Mad Max
The Fist of the North Star
Future Shock
The Planet of the Apes
Panic in Year Zero!
Metamorphosis Alpha
Expedition to the Barrier Peaks
The Starlost
Endless Quest- Light On Quests Mountain
Gamma World
Thundarr the Barbarian
Radioactive Dreams
Aftermath FGU
The Late Great Planet Earth
The Morrow Project
Fallout video game
Tri-Tac Games
TMNT RPG
After the Bomb
Road Hogs
Twlight 2000
Traveller
Traveller 2300
Battletech
Robotech
Macross
Southern Cross
Invid Invasion
Mospeda
RIFTS
Logan’s Run
The Omega Man
Beyond the Supernatural
Car Wars
Mutant Year Zero
The End of the World
This is the End (movie)
Apocalypse World
Deadworld
Samurai Jack
World of Darkness
Really enjoyed this one too, back in the mid-1980s, Twilight 2000 was played by my crowd as much, possibly more, than D&D or anything else. We skipped some of the combat crunch, though the healing process still bogged the group down such that our campaign had reached 2005 when GDW was just getting around to publishing scenarios set in August 2000! (the “Good luck, you’re on your own” campaign starts in June 2000)
As I recall though, Twilight 2000 was part of the Travelle 2300 timeline, classic Traveller was pretty skimpy that far back in Earth’s history for its purposes.
Couple of other RPGs from that period were GURPS Reign of Steel (Terminator more or less), Cyborg Commando, and Price of Freedom, though I guess the latter two are sort of happening during the apocalypse. I have, and like the look of, Earth 2 AD for a modern PA gaming experience, though as I’ve mentioned in another comment I’m more into miniatures nowadays and there are some good tabletop options now too.
Chris
>As I recall though, Twilight 2000 was part of the Travelle 2300 timeline, classic Traveller was pretty skimpy that far back in Earth’s history for its purposes.
Yeah…. I THINK that was something of an afterthought though. Both games were separate entities until someone decided to join them…. more or less…. together. Possibly ‘cos by the late 80’s most companies had house rules and would tie their games together one way or another.
>Price of Freedom
Oh man; THAT’S a deep delve into gaming history. Not a really popular game…. I suspect ‘cos nobody was quite sure if it was a parody or not.
Don C.