War of the Worlds

[talien]

Methinks a game based in modern times, but in a timeline in which the events of either Wells' novel or the 1953 version happened, along with recovery of Martian technology and weaponry, would be rather nifty. Maybe with genetically engineered critters made from preserved Martians mentioned in Wells' book.

Alternately, a D20 past game (when it comes out) set back during the invasion would be cool, too.

This has been done a few times in various TV shows. To add to the list:

• Justice League (Secret Origins): http://dvdmg.com/justiceleague.shtml. Astronauts land on Mars, wake up Martians, commence Wellsian invasion.
• War of the Worlds (The Second Invasion): http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094578/plotsummary. At the end of the 1953 film "War of the World", earth is saved from alien invaders when they are apparently killed by common bacteria. However, what if the aliens weren't really dead? In "War of the Worlds" the aliens from the 1953 invasion are brought out of suspended animation when radiation kills the infecting bacteria. Now the aliens launch a genocidal war against an unsuspecting Earth, using their ability to take over human bodies to allow them to move freely. Dr. Harrison Blackwood teams up with microbiologist Suzanne McCullough, computer programmer Norton Drake, and army Lt. Colonel Paul Ironhorse to save the world from this alien menace. In the second season, Harrison and Suzanne are joined by mercenary John Kincaid, who help them fight in a post-apocalyptic urban wasteland against a second wave of invaders dedicated to the death of all life on earth.

 

[Ranger REG]

There is a TV series called "Roswell", about this whole subject only?

If it's about the three alien teens, it is set in the modern time period, mixed with destiny, royalty, government conspiracy, and teen angst.

You should also include Dark Skies, a short-lived NBC TV series that came out to compete with The X-Files. It starred Eric Close (now in CBS Without a Trace).

 

[Andrew D. Gable]

[*]War of the Worlds (The Second Invasion)

In fact, memories of that series were what got me started on this idea. That, and rereading the novel.

Personally I think it would be kinda cool to set it in the early 20th century of an earth where the martians invaded the indsutrial centers of earth in the late 19th century. London and most of Europe fell but the US survives with only a few pockets of martian control. The germs that killed them off in various scenarios might not have wiped them out, but instead slowed there advnace and gave earth a chance to regroup. The game could be set in a retro-futuristic New York of the 1930s, with Tesla-Edison Retro Engineered weapons and walkers, where the heroes are part of an elliete martian Responce Team. Use tech from d20 Future, but give it retro names and feel.

A friend of mine suggested that as well: I'm kinda wondering how WWII would've gone with a concurrent Martian invasion.

 

[Jeremy757]

In fact, memories of that series were what got me started on this idea. That, and rereading the novel.


A friend of mine suggested that as well: I'm kinda wondering how WWII would've gone with a concurrent Martian invasion.

Harry Turtledove's Worldwar and Colonization novel series deal with what would happen if WWII was interrupted by an alien invasion.

 

[Ranger REG]

A friend of mine suggested that as well: I'm kinda wondering how WWII would've gone with a concurrent Martian invasion.

Hmm. Could the invaders have been working with the Nazi? Or were they just observing the war, waiting for their right moment to strike?

 

[Stormborn]

The Martians had contacted nazi occult scientists in the late 30s, sharing with them a vision for a earth subjugated by a single rule, where humans were bred into a super-race. Beliving they were gods Hitler was spurred on to new levels of insanity, taking risks at there instigation that he wouldn't have otherwise. However, in the late days of the war, as nazi experiments struggle to impliment the super-science weapons the transmissions from mars have given them, the Martians invade. Fortunately for the allies the US has the atom bomb, shame they had to drop them on the occupied New Jersy and London.
The Martians were honest about their desire to breed a race of super-humans...as slaves. That just what they are doing in their fortresses in the heart of Nazi Germany.
It is now 1959, the War of the Worlds has been over for 10 years, and the Martians are ready to launch phase 2...

Sorry, I get carried away.

 

[Andrew D. Gable]

Very nice.

 

[praetorius3]

Go with the fifties-sabrejets&migs, era of the big gun tank, battlerifles and submachineguns, really big computors(the size of your garage). For the cars alone-for miniatures,you just need a HO scale catalog(they did a fifties style saucer). For roleplaying you have npc's like Marilyn Monroe and Bette Page-not to mention Elvis in a tank!(he was in the army in Germany). This era isn't utilised-break some new ground with it.

 

[Jeremy757]

Go with the fifties-sabrejets&migs, era of the big gun tank, battlerifles and submachineguns, really big computors(the size of your garage). For the cars alone-for miniatures,you just need a HO scale catalog(they did a fifties style saucer). For roleplaying you have npc's like Marilyn Monroe and Bette Page-not to mention Elvis in a tank!(he was in the army in Germany). This era isn't utilised-break some new ground with it.

GURPS has a pretty good source book called Atomic Horror that covers this period and includes information on personalities and running an alien invasion in the 1950's

 

[Stormborn]

DCs recent book New Frontiers (I think, monday morning memory and all) is set in the 50s and would make a perfect source for secret gov't agencies, martians, invasions and what not.