Okay, let's talk about Darwin's World

[Biohazard]

Dudes, we've had some pretty good discussion of the new S&S Gamma World PHB. I was hoping we could chat a bit about Darwin's World. I have some specific questions...

1. When is the new hardcover out? Am I correct in my assumption that it is "Darwin's World 2"? If so, how is it different from the original?

2. How does the Darwin's World setting compare to the Gamma World setting? How similar are they? I've heard it said that Darwin's World is Gamma World with the serial numbers filed off...true?

3. As to point #3, how soon after the apocalypse does the Darwin's World setting take place (mangled grammar, but you know what I mean )? A buddy of mine told me that Darwin's World is closer to the old Aftermath game than it is to Gamma World. But this buddy also regularly has his head up his arse, so I don't take anything he says at face value. Come to think of it, he really isn't much of a buddy...

4. Is Darwin's World a d20 Modern expansion, or a self-contained d20 game? If one were to play Darwin's World, would it make any sense to use d20 Modern core classes, feats, etc., in an attempt at amalgamating (sic) the two, or does Darwin's World work better on its own?

5. How "serious" is Darwin's World? Does it have more of the science-gone-mad feel of earlier Gamma World, or is it closer to "hard science"?

Discuss.

 

[C. Baize]

1. Hardcover is out. Yep, it's DW2, it's different from the original in that it was made for D20 Modern.

2. I don't know how similar it is to the new Gamma World (I haven't gotten the new Gamma World, yet). Darwin's World has some of the feel of old Gamma World without a lot of the "Wahoo" aspects... it's more serious, and gritty.

3. It can take place one generation after the apocalypse, or 1,000 years after the apocalypse... It's really up to the GM... the main setting is set a couple of hundred years after The Fall. Conversely, the mechanics are separate from the setting, so you can use them whenever, really.

4. DW2 is written for D20 Modern, so you can use the D20 Modern base classes, or the DW2 base class that was created for the 2nd Edition (Post Apocalyptic Hero). It's made to blend right in.

5. It's ... "CLOSER" to hard science, but only really insomuch as it's a grittier feel, and all looks like it's really lost for humanity, barring some sort of miracle. It appears as though true humans are a dying breed, and mutants are the next race.

It's certainly worth getting.

 

[PosterBoy]

I'll lend some official answers and let others take it from there.

Dudes, we've had some pretty good discussion of the new S&S Gamma World PHB. I was hoping we could chat a bit about Darwin's World. I have some specific questions...

1. When is the new hardcover out? Am I correct in my assumption that it is "Darwin's World 2"? If so, how is it different from the original?

It's back from the printer and on its way to stores. You can buy it online, but if have a gamestore near you, support them and buy it there.

http://www.rpgmall.com/product_info.php?products_id=32731&

It will be at the enworld rpgshop Monday.

2. How does the Darwin's World setting compare to the Gamma World setting? How similar are they? I've heard it said that Darwin's World is Gamma World with the serial numbers filed off...true?

A lot of people don't believe me, but it s NOT an unofficial GW. I didn't create the setting, but co designed it with Dominic Covey (who created the setting). I have never played GW but I know he has.

Granted, there are tons similarities, but that goes for many PA games. A lot is taken from books, movies, computer games, etc… Many times people will point out an element of DW that is similar to GW, and its often something that is also in a half dozen PA books or movies.

I’ll stick with what I say all the time; it’s a cross between GW and Fallout (computer game). You have mutants, but it’s a darker tone.

In a recent “Knights of the Dinner Table magazine”, they talked about DW & GW and they said. “Darwin’s World is a game that isn’t based on GW but is close enough to server as a useful substitute.”

3. As to point #3, how soon after the apocalypse does the Darwin's World setting take place (mangled grammar, but you know what I mean )? A buddy of mine told me that Darwin's World is closer to the old Aftermath game than it is to Gamma World. But this buddy also regularly has his head up his arse, so I don't take anything he says at face value. Come to think of it, he really isn't much of a buddy...

Again I don't know the timeline of GW, but DW is a few hundred years after the Fall. The Fall happens in an alternative timeline after the cold war.

http://www.darwinrpg.com/index.php?page=articles&article_id=17

But that’s completely optional. We dedicated a whole section of the new edition to discussing all the various ways the Fall might of happened. We tried hard to separate setting from mechanics, with the Twisted Earth as the default.

4. Is Darwin's World a d20 Modern expansion, or a self-contained d20 game? If one were to play Darwin's World, would it make any sense to use d20 Modern core classes, feats, etc., in an attempt at amalgamating (sic) the two, or does Darwin's World work better on its own?

d20 Modern. But we added a new base class, the Post Apocalyptic Hero, which people can use if they want something with a little more flavor.

5. How "serious" is Darwin's World? Does it have more of the science-gone-mad feel of earlier Gamma World, or is it closer to "hard science"?
Discuss.

I would say it has a more serious or darker tone. In someways is also has a satirical tone like the Fallout computer game.

Of course, I’m 100% bias, so hopefully some other people will respond to these questions.

-chris

 

[Wraith Form]

Thanks, Chris! I was on the fence about D'sW until I read that you were coming out with the d20 Modern re-tooling of it a few months ago.

After reading your above comments...well, let's just say you metaphorically have my money.

Feh. Here! (manically thrusts wallet at you--and it's bulging with bills showing impressive dead presidents)

 

[PosterBoy]

Thanks, Chris! I was on the fence about D'sW until I read that you were coming out with the d20 Modern re-tooling of it a few months ago.

After reading your above comments...well, let's just say you metaphorically have my money. [/i])

Thanks!

A retooling is putting it mildly. We reworked and expanded nearly every aspect of the game from 1st edition.

Darwin’s World 1 and Terrors of the Twisted Earth = 184 pages

Darwin’s World 2nd Edition = 384 pages

 

[Wraith Form]

Thanks!

A retooling is putting it mildly. We reworked and expanded nearly every aspect of the game from 1st edition.

Darwin’s World 1 and Terrors of the Twisted Earth = 184 pages

Darwin’s World 2nd Edition = 384 pages

Oh crap. Did you plan this around me not having a lot of money right now? (I mean I just blew $55 on Bioware's KotOR for PC. Drooooooool.) Oy....I must have this product ASAP.