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Fantasy Games Unlimited
Fantasy Games Unlimited (FGU) is a publishing house for tabletop and role-playing games. The company has no in-house design teams and relies on submitted material from outside talent. History Founded in the summer of 1975 in Jericho, New York by Scott Bizar, the company's first publications were the wargames ''Gladiators'' and ''Royal Armies of the Hyborean Age''. Upon the appearance and popularity of ''Dungeons & Dragons'' from TSR, the company turned its attentions to role-playing games, seeking and producing systems from amateurs and freelancers, paying them 10% of the gross receipts. FGU also copyrighted their games in the name of the designer so that the designer would receive any additional royalties for licensed figurines and other uses. Rather than focusing on one line and supporting it with supplements, FGU produced a stream of new games. Because of the disparate authors, the rules systems were incompatible. FGU Incorporated published dozens of role-playing games. Fant ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Scott Bizar
Scott B. Bizar is the founder of Fantasy Games Unlimited, a game publisher which contracts writers and artists that work primarily on role-playing games. Career Scott Bizar, dissatisfied with TSR (company), TSR's ''Dungeons & Dragons'' (1974) and ''Warriors of Mars (game), Warriors of Mars'' (1974), founded his own company, Fantasy Games Unlimited (FGU). The company's first two products were Hugh McGowan's ''Gladiators (wargame), Gladiators'' (1975), a man-to-man miniatures combat system, and ''Royal Armies of the Hyborean Age'' (1975), a first-of-its kind wargame set in the world of Conan, was co-designed by Bizar's roommate, Lin Carter. At Gen Con IX in 1976, Edward E. Simbalist and Wilf K. Backhaus met Bizar, who was interested in their role-playing game ''Chevalier'' they had brought with them but decided not to sell to TSR; Bizar helped guide the game to print over the next year as ''Chivalry & Sorcery'', the first RPG from FGU. In the late 1970s, Bizar was looking for a new ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Down Styphon!
''Down Styphon!'' is a miniatures wargame published by Fantasy Games Unlimited in 1977. Description The '' Musket & Pike'' rules for simulating battles of the 16th and 17th centuries with 15mm miniature soldiers had originally been published in 1973 by Simulations Publications Inc. (SPI). Using modified ''Musket & Pike'' rules, Mike Gilbert designed ''Down Styphon!'', a miniatures wargame that is based the battles described in H. Beam Piper's novel ''Lord Kalvan of Otherwhen''. Reception In the November-December 1977 edition of ''The Space Gamer ''The Space Gamer'' was a magazine dedicated to the subject of science fiction and fantasy board games and tabletop role-playing games. It quickly grew in importance and was an important and influential magazine in its subject matter from the la ...'' (Issue No. 14), Tony Watson thought the game, although well-written, was just okay, saying, "The rules themselves are good, faithful to their inspiration. They are not very innovative, bu ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Psi World (role-playing Game)
''Psi World'' is a role-playing game published by Fantasy Games Unlimited in 1984. Description ''Psi World'' is a science-fiction system set approximately in the 21st century and featuring the widespread use of psionic powers. Psionic characters (like the PCs) are oppressed by an intolerant society and the government. The rules cover character creation, skills, psionic powers, combat, and "the World." The game includes two introductory scenarios and a GM's screen. Publication history ''Psi World'' was designed by Del Carr and Cheron, with art by Bill Willingham and Matt Wagner, and was published in 1984 by Fantasy Games Unlimited as a boxed set with a 32-page book, a 30-page book, a cardstock screen, a sample character sheet, and dice. In 1985, William H. Keith, Jr. and J. Andrew Keith expanded into Fantasy Games Unlimited's game lines including ''Psi World''. Reception Chris Baylis reviewed ''Psi World'' for '' Imagine'' magazine, and stated that "I would suggest that this ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Privateers & Gentlemen
''Privateers and Gentlemen'' is a role-playing game by author Walter Jon Williams, published by Fantasy Games Unlimited in 1983. Williams based this game on his own historical nautical adventure novels set in the late 18th century "Age of Fighting Sail", and he also incorporated his previously published miniatures game ''Heart of Oak'' with a new role-playing system where the player characters are naval officers. The game received positive reviews in game periodicals including '' Dragon'', ''White Dwarf'', and ''Different Worlds''. Description ''Privateers and Gentlemen'' is a historical naval game system set in the late 18th century during the days of Admiral Horatio Nelson and C.S. Forrester's fictional Captain Horatio Hornblower, sometimes called the "Age of Fighting Sail". The system describes both a role-playing system where players take the roles of naval officers, and a naval miniatures combat system. The game components are: *''Heart of Oak'', a 48-page booklet containin ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Other Suns
''Other Suns'' is a science-fiction role-playing game published by Fantasy Games Unlimited (FGU) in 1983. Description ''Other Suns'' is a science-fiction space-adventure system of medium complexity.The game includes a dozen alien races that resemble humanoid Earth animals such as cats, foxes, and bears. Character creation requires the calculation of two dozen attributes and abilities. Combat covers many options for offense and defense, but is complex. Other rules cover skills, psionics, careers, experience, and other technology. Game critic Rick Swan found the section of spaceship design "difficult to use." The section on world-building goes into great detail on some physical aspects of planets. Publication history ''Other Suns'' was designed by Niall C. Shapero, and was published in 1983 by FGU as a boxed set with a 72-page book, a 64-page book, a cardstock gamemaster's screen, and a sample character sheet. An additional article entitled "''Luna, The Empire and the Stars''" b ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Oregon Trail (board Game)
''Oregon Trail'' is a 1981 board game published by Fantasy Games Unlimited. Gameplay ''Oregon Trail'' is a game in which pioneers move to the American West in covered wagons along the Oregon Trail. Reception David Ladyman reviewed ''Oregon Trail'' in ''The Space Gamer'' No. 47. Ladyman commented that "''Oregon Trail'' can't really be cited for historical accuracy because you don't know what parts are accurate and what have been dramatized. In sum, a nice try, but I can't think of a good reason to buy the game." Reviews 1981 Games 100in ''Games'' *1982 Games 100 in ''Games A game is a structured form of play, usually undertaken for entertainment or fun, and sometimes used as an educational tool. Many games are also considered to be work (such as professional players of spectator sports or games) or art (su ...'' *'' Moves'' #60, p22https://strategyandtacticspress.com/library-files/Moves%20Issue60.pdf References {{reflist Board games introduced in 1981 Fantasy Gam ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Odysseus (role-playing Game)
''Odysseus'' is a role-playing game published by Fantasy Games Unlimited in 1980. Description ''Odysseus '' is a legendary/historical system, mixing the heroic and classical ages of ancient Greece. The game includes rules for character creation, combat, warship movement and combat, plus guidelines for campaigns and interference by the gods. Publication history ''Odysseus'' was designed by Marshall T. Rose and published by Fantasy Games Unlimited Fantasy Games Unlimited (FGU) is a publishing house for tabletop and role-playing games. The company has no in-house design teams and relies on submitted material from outside talent. History Founded in the summer of 1975 in Jericho, New York b ... in 1980 as a 32-page book and four cardstock sheets. Reception Elisabeth Barrington reviewed ''Odysseus'' in '' The Space Gamer'' No. 31. Barrington commented that "As new RP systems go, this one is above average. Only one book, and it is well-designed. Historical gamers specializing i ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Middle Sea (game)
''Middle Sea'', subtitled "Empires of the Feudal Age", is a board game published by Fantasy Games Unlimited (FGU) in 1979 that simulates the rise of medieval empires in the Mediterranean basin. The game started as a play by mail game before being converted into a board game. Description ''Middle Sea'' is a game for 2–12 players set in the Mediterranean circa 1200 where players utilize warfare, navies, economics, and diplomacy to maximize their empire. The map is divided into Christian, Muslim, and pagan provinces, and each province is ruled by a leader who can control a certain number of armies. Components The game box contains: * 2-piece 64.5 cm x 28 cm mounted map of Mediterranean basin * 266 die-cut counters * 384 cards * 16-page rule booklet Gameplay Each game turn represents one year and is divided into four seasons. In Spring, Summer, and Fall, armies and navies move simultaneously according to written orders; in Winter, players are confined to "at home" activi ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Merc (role-playing Game)
''Merc'' is a modern combat role-playing game published by Fantasy Games Unlimited (FGU) in 1981. Description ''Merc'' is a military role-playing system in which the players assume the roles of modern mercenaries engaged in counter-insurgency. The rules cover character creation, specialties (e.g. map expert, medic, escape artist, etc.), action success tests, movement, combat, and vehicles. The boxed set contains: *a 36-page book *four cardstock reference sheets *a plastic transparency *dice A short sample adventure set in Rhodesia is included. Publication history ''Merc'' was published by FGU in 1981 as a boxed set designed by Paul D. Baader, Lawrence Sangee, and Walter Mark, with interior art by Baader, and cover design by Robert Charrette. Two years later, in 1983, FGU published '' Merc Supplement 1: In Country'', which provided more rules for things like vehicles and airborne operations. In 1984, FGU published a second supplement, ''Campaign Book 1: Rhodesia''. No standal ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Lands Of Adventure
''Lands of Adventure'' is a role-playing game published by Fantasy Games Unlimited in 1983. Description ''Lands of Adventure'' is a fantasy system designed for use in historical settings rather than fantasy worlds. The emphasis is on human player characters, who advance by improving in their chosen skill areas. Magic is divided into types that correspond to character abilities. A priest must attract his deity's attention if he wants to perform a miracle. The game includes a 32-page rulebook and a 28-page book that describes medieval Britain and mythical Greece. ''Lands of Adventure'' (1983) featured a system intended to run historical fantasy games. Publication history ''Lands of Adventure'' was designed by Lee Gold, with a cover by Bill Willingham, and was published by Fantasy Games Unlimited as a boxed set with a 32-page book, a 28-page book, a sample character record sheet, and dice. Reception Richard Clyne reviewed ''Lands of Adventure'' for ''White Dwarf (magazine), White ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Land Of The Rising Sun (role-playing Game)
''Land of the Rising Sun'' is a role-playing game published by Fantasy Games Unlimited in 1980. Description ''Land of the Rising Sun'' is a samurai system set in feudal Japan. The game is a class-and-level system descended from ''Chivalry & Sorcery'', with rules covering honor, martial arts, aerial and water combat, the astral plane, spirits, demons, and ninjas. Publication history ''Land of the Rising Sun'' was designed by Lee Gold and published by Fantasy Games Unlimited in 1980 as a boxed set A box set or (its original name) boxed set is a set of items (for example, a compilation of books, musical recordings, films or television programs) traditionally packaged in a box and offered for sale as a single unit. Music Artists and bands ... with a 152-page book and five cardstock reference sheets. Reception Forrest Johnson reviewed ''Land of the Rising Sun'' in '' The Space Gamer'' No. 36. Johnson commented that "LOTRS is a beautiful treasure in an unopenable package. R ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Gangster!
''Gangster!'' is a role-playing game published by Fantasy Games Unlimited in 1979. Gameplay ''Gangster!'' is a cops-and-mobsters role-playing game system set in the period 1900 to the present. Players can choose to be on the side of the law as police (city or federal), or they can roleplay a criminal, either as loner or as part of a syndicate. The combat covers many sorts of firearms. The game rules include sections on crimes and corruption, gang wars, police methods, forensic medicine, FBI labs, and SWAT teams, with guidelines on the laws of the land, criminal law, conviction, and penalties. As with most role-playing games, one player is the game master, while the other players roleplay characters that can either be lawmakers or lawbreakers. To start a game, the players roll up their character's abilities using three six-sided dice. They also use the dice to determine the number of crime-busting or criminal skills the character has. Low dice rolls may leave a character with no s ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |