Alma Mater (role-playing game)

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Alma Mater is a role-playing game published by Oracle Games in 1982.

Description

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

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

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

References