Jim Ward (game designer)
James M. Ward (born May 23, 1951), is an American game designer and fantasy author. He is most famous for his game development and writing work for TSR, Inc., where he worked for more than 20 years. In 1989 he was inducted into the Academy of Adventure Gaming Arts & Design Hall of Fame. From 2000 - 2005, he was President of Fast Forward Entertainment, an independent game development company.
The Dungeons & Dragons character Drawmij was named after him; "Drawmij" is simply "Jim Ward" spelled backwards. Ward can be glimpsed early in the Dragon Strike tutorial video playing the man who is slapped in the face at the king's party.[1]
Ward, with David Cook, Steve Winter, and Mike Breault, co-wrote the adventure scenario that was adapted into the game Pool of Radiance.[2]
In 2010, Ward was diagnosed with a serious neurological disorder that required treatment at the Mayo Clinic. His friend Tim Kask has helped to establish a fund to help Ward offset some of these medical bills.[3]
Contents |
[edit] Selected works
[edit] Fiction
- Dragonsword of Lankhmar (TSR, 1986), a pair of gamebooks starring Fritz Leiber's Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser characters.
- Pool of Radiance, with Jane Cooper Hong, (TSR, 1989), a Forgotten Realms novel derived from the Pool of Radiance computer game.
- Pools of Darkness, with Anne K. Brown (TSR, 1992), the sequel to Pool of Radiance
- Pool of Twilight, with Anne K. Brown (TSR, 1993), the third book in the Pool series.
- Midshipwizard Halcyon Blithe (Tor Books, 2005).
- Sete-Ka's Dream Quest (Margaret Weis Productions, 2006).
- Dragonfrigate Wizard Halcyon Blithe (Tor Books, 2006).
- Time Twisters Anthology (Daw Books, 2006).
- The Curse of Time (Margaret Weis Productions, 2007).
[edit] Role-playing games
- Metamorphosis Alpha (TSR, 1976), the first science fiction role-playing game.
- Gods, Demi-Gods & Heroes, with Robert J. Kuntz (TSR, 1976), one of the four rules supplements to the original edition of Dungeons & Dragons.
- Gamma World, with Gary Jaquet (TSR, 1978), the first role-playing game in the post-apocalyptic subgenre.
- Deities & Demigods, with Robert J. Kuntz (TSR, 1980), a core rulebook for the 1st Edition of Advanced Dungeons & Dragons presenting similar material to that of Gods, Demi-Gods & Heroes. This work introduced a number of now iconic Dungeons & Dragons deities, such as Corellon Larethian, Garl Glittergold, Gruumsh, Moradin, and Yondalla.
- Greyhawk Adventures (TSR, 1988), a hardcover sourcebook for the World of Greyhawk campaign setting.
- Metamorphosis Alpha 4th Edition (Mudpuppy Games, 2006).
- Towers of Adventure (Troll Lord Games, 2008), a digest box set for the Castles & Crusades game.[4]
- Tainted Lands (Troll Lord Games, 2010), a dark themed box set expansion for the Castles & Crusades game.
[edit] Other
- Dragon Ball Z collectible card game.
- Westeros GAME OF THRONES Miniatures rules (2007).
- Astrobirdz Concept card game, RPG, board game, coin game, YA novels.
- My Precious Presents card game
- Dragon Lairds board game, created by Ward and Tom Wham was published in 2008 by Margaret Weis Productions, Ltd.[5]
- In 2008, Ward became the Managing Editor of and a contributor to, The Crusader magazine published by Troll Lord Games.[6]
[edit] References
- ^ Moore, Roger E. (October 1993). "Editorial". Dragon (Lake Geneva, Wisconsin: TSR, Inc.) (#198): 14.
- ^ The Dragon editors. "The Envelope, Please!". Dragon (149 September 1989): 20–21.
- ^ Friends of Starship Warden: the James M. Ward Relief Fund
- ^ Ward, James M. (August 2008). ISBN 978-1-929474-19-6.
- ^ Ward, James M.; Tom Wham (2008). ISBN 978-1-931567-60-2.
- ^ Troll Lord Games (March 2008). The Crusader 4 (8).
