Editing Alternity

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'''The last [[RPG]] from [[TSR]].'''

In 1998, after TSR had been bought out by [[WotC]], but before it was dropped as a separate brand, it released a generic rules set for science fiction role playing game. It was written by Bill Slavicsek and Richard Baker. Characters would be created by a points system for six statistics (Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence, Will, and Personality) and take on one of five classes (Combat Specialist, Tech Operator, Free Agent, Diplomat, and Mindwalker).  Using a dual dice mechanic of rolling a control die (d20) and situation dice (such as d4) for resolving tasks but the dice size and number rolled could change due to circumstantial modifiers. The aim being to succeed by [[rolling under|roll low]] under a target number (such as a skill) then working out what degree of success or failure occurred.  Classes were rather weakly defined with each class having an innate benefit and a discount on their appropriate skills, and except for psionic skills any character could eventually excel at anything they wanted to spend points on.  

Despite being a nicely-illustrated book, having good reviews and a well presented rule book, it had little in the way of actual sales. There were a few campaign settings sold for it, notably a pen and paper version of Blizzard's PC game [[Starcraft]]. The product line was discontinued but settings such as [[Dark Matter]] survived into [[D20 Modern]].  [[Wizards of the Coast]] axed the product line and instead focused on [[Dungeons & Dragons 3rd Edition]]. 

==[[Star*Drive]]==

The main far-future setting of the Alternity line.  [[Star*Drive]] is set at the dawn of the 26th century, and humanity has spread out across the Orion Arm. 

==[[Dark Matter]]==

''The X-Files'' except they couldn't call it that.  Dark Matter is a present-day conspiracy setting where secretive state and corporate entities are keeping the paranormal under wraps.  

==[[Gamma World]]==

A re-release of TSR's old [[Gamma World]].  Alternity included mutations in the core rulebook so it's likely a Gamma World redux was on the list from day one.  

==Starcraft==

Literally Starcraft.  It was a licensed tie-in.  

[[Category:Roleplaying]]