Amazing Engine
Encyclopedia
Amazing Engine was a series of role-playing game
books that was published by TSR, Inc.
from 1993 until 1994.
Each publication employed the same minimalist generic rules, as described in the Amazing Engine System Guide, but each world book had an entirely different setting or genre. David "Zeb" Cook
was credited with the design of the game rules.
In Amazing Engine, player characters are generated with a set of four core statistics
. The core stats were intended to be migrated from book to book, keeping a general character design concept. These stats were then used to build random ability scores
, basic characteristics, and skills. The skills have prerequisites which must first be learned. Skill checks are made using percentile dice.
Bughunters: A near future
worldbook where the players are clones forced to fight the aliens
. Recycled for d20 Future
.
For Faerie, Queen, and Country: Magical Victorian England with a twist. Magic
and Faeries are real. Includes poster map.
The Galactos Barrier: Space opera ala Star Wars
(except that instead of "The Force
" it's called music
).
Kromosome: Biopunk
using both traditional cyberware
and genetic materials from animals.
Magitech: D&D meets Earth
. Fantasy
mixed with the contemporary world. Basically, how the world would be different if magic were real and elves, dwarves
, etc. were around.
Metamorphosis Alpha to Omega: Post-apocalyptic science fiction with high technology and mutants - based on Metamorphosis Alpha
.
Once and Future King: King Arthur
lives in 4485 AD. Space flight, combat armor.
Tabloid!: A spoof comedy world where you are reporters for a sensationalist newspaper like the ones referenced in the film 'Men In Black'. Also like the film, it's all true. The Loch Ness monster is an alien, Elvis is alive and well etc.
Role-playing game
A role-playing game is a game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within a narrative, either through literal acting, or through a process of structured decision-making or character development...
books that was published by TSR, Inc.
TSR, Inc.
Blume and Gygax, the remaining owners, incorporated a new company called TSR Hobbies, Inc., with Blume and his father, Melvin Blume, owning the larger share. The former assets of the partnership were transferred to TSR Hobbies, Inc....
from 1993 until 1994.
Each publication employed the same minimalist generic rules, as described in the Amazing Engine System Guide, but each world book had an entirely different setting or genre. David "Zeb" Cook
David Cook (game designer)
David "Zeb" Cook is an American game designer best known for his work at TSR, Inc., where he was employed for over fifteen years.-Early life:...
was credited with the design of the game rules.
In Amazing Engine, player characters are generated with a set of four core statistics
Statistic (role-playing games)
A statistic in role-playing games is a piece of data which represents a particular aspect of a fictional character. That piece of data is usually a integer or, in some cases, a set of dice....
. The core stats were intended to be migrated from book to book, keeping a general character design concept. These stats were then used to build random ability scores
Attribute (role-playing games)
An attribute is a piece of data that describes to what extent a fictional character in a role-playing game possesses a specific natural, in-born characteristic common to all characters in the game. That piece of data is usually an abstract number or, in some cases, a set of dice...
, basic characteristics, and skills. The skills have prerequisites which must first be learned. Skill checks are made using percentile dice.
Campaign settings
Below you'll find summary information for the published worldbooks.Bughunters: A near future
Future
The future is the indefinite time period after the present. Its arrival is considered inevitable due to the existence of time and the laws of physics. Due to the nature of the reality and the unavoidability of the future, everything that currently exists and will exist is temporary and will come...
worldbook where the players are clones forced to fight the aliens
Extraterrestrial life
Extraterrestrial life is defined as life that does not originate from Earth...
. Recycled for d20 Future
D20 Future
d20 Future is an accessory for the d20 Modern role-playing game written by Christopher Perkins, Rodney Thompson, and JD Wiker. It facilitates the playing of campaigns in the far future, using elements such as cybernetics, mecha, mutations, robotics, space travel, starships, and xenobiology...
.
For Faerie, Queen, and Country: Magical Victorian England with a twist. Magic
Magic (paranormal)
Magic is the claimed art of manipulating aspects of reality either by supernatural means or through knowledge of occult laws unknown to science. It is in contrast to science, in that science does not accept anything not subject to either direct or indirect observation, and subject to logical...
and Faeries are real. Includes poster map.
The Galactos Barrier: Space opera ala Star Wars
Star Wars
Star Wars is an American epic space opera film series created by George Lucas. The first film in the series was originally released on May 25, 1977, under the title Star Wars, by 20th Century Fox, and became a worldwide pop culture phenomenon, followed by two sequels, released at three-year...
(except that instead of "The Force
Force (Star Wars)
The Force is a binding, metaphysical and ubiquitous power in the fictional universe of the Star Wars galaxy created by George Lucas. Mentioned in the first film in the series, it is integral to all subsequent incarnations of Star Wars, including the expanded universe of comic books, novels, and...
" it's called music
Music
Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...
).
Kromosome: Biopunk
Biopunk
Biopunk is a term used to describe:# A hobbyist who experiments with DNA and other aspects of genetics.# A technoprogressive movement advocating open access to genetic information....
using both traditional cyberware
Cyberware
For other uses; see Cyberware Cyberware is a relatively new and unknown field...
and genetic materials from animals.
Magitech: D&D meets Earth
Earth
Earth is the third planet from the Sun, and the densest and fifth-largest of the eight planets in the Solar System. It is also the largest of the Solar System's four terrestrial planets...
. Fantasy
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
mixed with the contemporary world. Basically, how the world would be different if magic were real and elves, dwarves
Dwarf (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, dwarves are a humanoid race, one of the primary races available for play as player characters...
, etc. were around.
Metamorphosis Alpha to Omega: Post-apocalyptic science fiction with high technology and mutants - based on Metamorphosis Alpha
Metamorphosis Alpha
Metamorphosis Alpha is a science fiction role-playing game. It was created by James M. Ward and originally produced by TSR, the publisher of Dungeons & Dragons...
.
Once and Future King: King Arthur
King Arthur
King Arthur is a legendary British leader of the late 5th and early 6th centuries, who, according to Medieval histories and romances, led the defence of Britain against Saxon invaders in the early 6th century. The details of Arthur's story are mainly composed of folklore and literary invention, and...
lives in 4485 AD. Space flight, combat armor.
Tabloid!: A spoof comedy world where you are reporters for a sensationalist newspaper like the ones referenced in the film 'Men In Black'. Also like the film, it's all true. The Loch Ness monster is an alien, Elvis is alive and well etc.