Alma Mater (role-playing game)
Alma Mater is a role-playing game published by Oracle Games in 1982.
Description[edit]
Alma Mater is a humorous and anarchic system of role-playing high school students.[1] Character classes include types like Brain, Cheerleader, Criminal, Jock, and Loser; other sections cover social rules, chemistry (explosives, etc.), alcohol and drugs, combat, and a section on academics.[1] The game includes an introductory scenario.[1]
Publication history[edit]
Alma Mater was designed by Steve Davis and Andrew Warden, with art by Erol Otus, and published by Oracle Games in 1982 as a 48-page book with a color poster.[1]
Reception[edit]
J. David George reviewed Alma Mater in The Space Gamer No. 58.[2] George commented that "Despite the fact that Alma Mater is built on a workable and innovative set of rules, its subject matter is likely to prevent most campaigns from lasting more than a session or two."[2]
Lawrence Schick comments that "The illustrations (by the notorious Erol Otus) are in such poor taste that the game was actually banned at GenCon!"[1]
In a retrospective review of Alma Mater in Black Gate, John ONeill said "As for all the controversy, well.. if you’re going to make a role playing game out of high school, does it makes sense to tone it down any?"[3]
Reviews[edit]
- Different Worlds (Issue 26 - Jan 1983)[4]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d e Schick, Lawrence (1991). Heroic Worlds: A History and Guide to Role-Playing Games. Prometheus Books. p. 250. ISBN 0-87975-653-5.
- ^ a b George, J. David (December 1982). "Capsule Reviews". The Space Gamer (58). Steve Jackson Games: 42.
- ^ "Classic Horror Games of the 1980s: Alma Mater – Black Gate".
- ^ "Different Worlds Magazine".