''Domination'' is a near-future science-fiction

role-playing game A role-playing game (sometimes spelled roleplaying game, or abbreviated as RPG) is a game in which players assume the roles of player character, characters in a fictional Setting (narrative), setting. Players take responsibility for acting out ...

published by StarChilde Publications in 1989.

Description

''Domination'' is a science fiction system set in a near-future in which the Earth has been conquered by the alien Kalotions. The

player character A player character (also known as a playable character or PC) is a fictional Character (arts), character in a video game or tabletop role-playing game whose actions are controlled by a player rather than the rules of the game. The characters tha ...

s are members of the human resistance. Players select character classes (commando, intelligence agent, pilot, etc.) that determine which skills the character has. The game briefly describes the Kalotions, their technology, and the alien subject races they employ in oppressing the Earthlings. It also covers the major resistance groups, their key leaders, and common modern weapons.

Publication history

''Domination'' was designed by Blaine Pardoe, and published by StarChilde Publications in 1989 as a digest-sized 100-page book.

Reception

In his 1990 book ''

The Complete Guide to Role-Playing Games ''The Complete Guide to Role-Playing Games'' is a book written by Rick Swan and published by St. Martin's Press in 1990 that explains role-playing games and provides reviews of those that were on the market at the time. Contents ''The Complete G ...

'', game critic

Rick Swan Rick Swan is a game designer and author who worked for TSR. His work for TSR, mostly for ''Advanced Dungeons & Dragons'', appeared from 1989 to 1995. Swan also wrote '' The Complete Guide to Role-Playing Games'' (1990), published by St. Martin' ...

found the character generation rules simple, but thought that "the resulting PCs don't always make sense." Swan noted that the game concentrated on combat over role-playing, writing, "there's little help for the referee on setting up an adventure." Swan concluded by giving the game a rating of 2.5 out of 4, saying, "Though designer Blaine Pardoe includes a lengthy background section describing the history and ramifications of the Kalotian invasion, it's hard to tell how it all fits in with the role-playing rules." In his 1991 book, ''Heroic Worlds: A History and Guide to Role-Playing Games'',

Lawrence Schick Lawrence Schick is a game designer and writer associated with role-playing games. Early life and education Schick attended Kent State University in Ohio. Career Schick, as the head of design and development at TSR, brought aboard Tom Moldvay ...

noted that the "combat rules are simple", but thought that there was not much role-playing material in the game, commenting that the book only included "A brief set of rules by current standards, with the mere outline of a campaign setting."

References

{{reflist Role-playing games introduced in 1989 Science fiction role-playing games