Jim Ward (game designer)
Encyclopedia
James M. Ward 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.
Ward, with David Cook
, Steve Winter
, and Mike Breault, co-wrote the adventure scenario that was adapted into the game Pool of Radiance
.
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.
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...
author. He is most famous for his game development and writing work for 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....
, 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
Drawmij
In the World of Greyhawk campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, Drawmij is an archmage. A founding member of the sorcerous conclave known as the Circle of Eight, Drawmij is reputed to live in an underwater fortress beneath the Azure Sea...
was named after him; "Drawmij" is simply "Jim Ward" spelled backwards. Ward can be glimpsed early in the Dragon Strike
DragonStrike (board game)
DragonStrike was a 1993 adventure board game from TSR, Inc. based on the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game.-Details:The DragonStrike Entertainment product, which included a 30-minute video explaining the concept of role-playing, was intended as an approach to gain new players, serving as...
tutorial video playing the man who is slapped in the face at the king's party.
Ward, with David 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:...
, Steve Winter
Steve Winter
Steve Winter is a game designer who has worked on numerous products for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game from TSR and later Wizards of the Coast.-Early life:Steve Winter was born in Dubuque, Iowa on December 8, 1957...
, and Mike Breault, co-wrote the adventure scenario that was adapted into the game Pool of Radiance
Pool of Radiance
Pool of Radiance is a computer role-playing game developed and published by Strategic Simulations, Inc in 1988. It was the first adaptation of TSR's Advanced Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game for home computers. It is the first in a four-part series of D&D computer adventure games...
.
In 2010, Ward was diagnosed with a serious neurological disorder that required treatment at the Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic is a not-for-profit medical practice and medical research group specializing in treating difficult patients . Patients are referred to Mayo Clinic from across the U.S. and the world, and it is known for innovative and effective treatments. Mayo Clinic is known for being at the top of...
. His friend Tim Kask
Tim Kask
Timothy James Kask is an American editor and writer in the role-playing game industry. Kask became interested in board games in his childhood, and later turned to miniatures wargames...
has helped to establish a fund to help Ward offset some of these medical bills.
Fiction
- Dragonsword of Lankhmar (TSR, 1986), a pair of gamebooks starring Fritz LeiberFritz LeiberFritz Reuter Leiber, Jr. was an American writer of fantasy, horror and science fiction. He was also a poet, actor in theatre and films, playwright, expert chess player and a champion fencer. Possibly his greatest chess accomplishment was winning clear first in the 1958 Santa Monica Open.. With...
's Fafhrd and the Gray MouserFafhrd and the Gray MouserFafhrd and the Gray Mouser are two seminal sword-and-sorcery heroes appearing in stories written by Fritz Leiber . They are the protagonists of what are probably Leiber's best-known stories....
characters. - Pool of RadiancePool of Radiance (novel)Pool of Radiance is a novel based on the Pool of Radiance computer role-playing game. It was written by James Ward and Jane Cooper Hong, and published by TSR in November 1989. The novel is set in the Forgotten Realms setting based on the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game...
, with Jane Cooper Hong, (TSR, 1989), a Forgotten RealmsForgotten RealmsThe Forgotten Realms is a campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. Commonly referred to by players and game designers alike as "The Realms", it was created by game designer Ed Greenwood around 1967 as a setting for his childhood stories...
novel derived from the Pool of RadiancePool of RadiancePool of Radiance is a computer role-playing game developed and published by Strategic Simulations, Inc in 1988. It was the first adaptation of TSR's Advanced Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game for home computers. It is the first in a four-part series of D&D computer adventure games...
computer game. - Pools of DarknessPools of Darkness (novel)Pools of Darkness is a novel based on the Pools of Darkness computer role-playing game. It was written by James Ward and Anne K. Brown, and published by TSR in February 1992. The novel is set in the Forgotten Realms setting based on the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game...
, with Anne K. Brown (TSR, 1992), the sequel to Pool of Radiance - Pool of TwilightPool of Twilight (novel)Pools of Twilight is a fantasy novel published by TSR, Inc. in November 1993. It is the third and final novel in the Heroes of Phlan novel trilogy, set in the Forgotten Realms setting for based on the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game....
, with Anne K. Brown (TSR, 1993), the third book in the Pool series. - Midshipwizard Halcyon Blithe (Tor BooksTor BooksTor Books is one of two imprints of Tom Doherty Associates LLC, based in New York City. It is noted for its science fiction and fantasy titles. Tom Doherty Associates also publishes mainstream fiction, mystery, and occasional military history titles under its Forge imprint. The company was founded...
, 2005). - Sete-Ka's Dream Quest (Margaret Weis Productions, 2006).
- Dragonfrigate Wizard Halcyon Blithe (Tor BooksTor BooksTor Books is one of two imprints of Tom Doherty Associates LLC, based in New York City. It is noted for its science fiction and fantasy titles. Tom Doherty Associates also publishes mainstream fiction, mystery, and occasional military history titles under its Forge imprint. The company was founded...
, 2006). - Time Twisters Anthology (Daw BooksDAW BooksDAW Books is an American science fiction and fantasy publisher, founded by Donald A. Wollheim following his departure from Ace Books in 1971. The company therefore claims to be "the first publishing company ever devoted exclusively to science fiction and fantasy." The first DAW Book published was...
, 2006). - The Curse of Time (Margaret Weis Productions, 2007).
Role-playing games
- Metamorphosis AlphaMetamorphosis AlphaMetamorphosis 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...
(TSR, 1976), the first science fictionScience fictionScience fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
role-playing gameRole-playing gameA 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...
. - Gods, Demi-Gods & HeroesGods, Demi-gods & HeroesGods, Demi-Gods & Heroes is a supplementary rulebook for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game.-Contents:The work provides information on the pantheons and constructs of the Egyptian, Hindu, Greek, Celtic, Norse, Finnish, Aztec, Mayan, Chinese, and Japanese mythologies, as well as...
, with Robert J. KuntzRobert J. KuntzRobert J. Kuntz is a game designer and author of role-playing game publications. He is most famous for his contributions to various Dungeons & Dragons-related materials.-Works:...
(TSR, 1976), one of the four rules supplements to the original edition of Dungeons & DragonsDungeons & DragonsDungeons & Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. . The game has been published by Wizards of the Coast since 1997...
. - Gamma WorldGamma WorldGamma World is a science fantasy role-playing game, originally designed by James M. Ward and Gary Jaquet, and first published by TSR in 1978. It borrowed heavily from James M. Ward's earlier product, Metamorphosis Alpha.-Setting:...
, with Gary Jaquet (TSR, 1978), the first role-playing game in the post-apocalyptic subgenre. - Deities & DemigodsDeities & DemigodsDeities & Demigods , alternatively known as Legends & Lore , is a reference book for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game . The book provides descriptions and game statistics of gods and legendary creatures from various sources in mythology and fiction...
, with Robert J. KuntzRobert J. KuntzRobert J. Kuntz is a game designer and author of role-playing game publications. He is most famous for his contributions to various Dungeons & Dragons-related materials.-Works:...
(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 LarethianCorellon LarethianIn the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Corellon Larethian is the leader of the elven pantheon, and the god of Magic, Music, Arts, Crafts, Poetry, and Warfare. Corellon is also considered a member of the default D&D pantheon. He is the creator and preserver of the elven race, and governs those...
, Garl GlittergoldGarl GlittergoldGarl Glittergold is the patron deity of gnomes in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, and a member of the game's default pantheon of deities. His symbol is a gold nugget.-Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 1st edition :...
, GruumshGruumshIn the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Gruumsh, also known as Gruumsh One-Eye, is the patron deity of orcs, who regard him as the god of Conquest, Survival, Strength, and Territory. He is also considered a member of the default D&D pantheon of deities...
, MoradinMoradinMoradin is the chief deity in the dwarven pantheon in the Dungeons & Dragons game and is a member of the default D&D pantheon. Moradin's domains are Creation, Earth, Good, Law, and Protection. His titles include Soul Forger, Dwarffather, the All-Father, and the Creator...
, and YondallaYondallaIn the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, Yondalla is the chief halfling goddess and a member of the game's 3rd edition "core pantheon". Her symbol is a shield with a cornucopia motif....
. - Greyhawk AdventuresGreyhawk AdventuresGreyhawk Adventures is an accessory for the Dungeons & Dragons World of Greyhawk campaign setting.-Contents:Greyhawk Adventures contains information about Greyhawk deities and clerics, major non-player characters, monsters, geography, spells of the setting's famous magic-users , magic items of the...
(TSR, 1988), a hardcover sourcebook for the World of Greyhawk campaign setting. - Metamorphosis Alpha 4th Edition (Mudpuppy Games, 2006).
- Towers of Adventure (Troll Lord GamesTroll Lord GamesTroll Lord Games is an American publisher of role-playing games , The Crusader magazine and other board/dice/card games....
, 2008), a digest box set for the Castles & CrusadesCastles & CrusadesCastles & Crusades is a role-playing game published by Troll Lord Games in 2004. It was conceived as a reimagining of classic Dungeons & Dragons using streamlined mechanics from third edition Dungeons & Dragons. The game uses many of the d20 System mechanics, but eliminates skills and feats and...
game. - Tainted Lands (Troll Lord GamesTroll Lord GamesTroll Lord Games is an American publisher of role-playing games , The Crusader magazine and other board/dice/card games....
, 2010), a dark themed box set expansion for the Castles & CrusadesCastles & CrusadesCastles & Crusades is a role-playing game published by Troll Lord Games in 2004. It was conceived as a reimagining of classic Dungeons & Dragons using streamlined mechanics from third edition Dungeons & Dragons. The game uses many of the d20 System mechanics, but eliminates skills and feats and...
game.
Other
- Dragon Ball Z collectible card gameCollectible card gamethumb|Players and their decksA collectible card game , also called a trading card game or customizable card game, is a game played using specially designed sets of playing cards...
. - 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 WhamTom WhamTom Wham is a designer of board games who has also produced artwork, including that for his own games.Wham worked a variety of odd jobs during his early adult life. After serving four years in the U.S. Navy, he worked for the Guidon Games hobby shop in Maine where he got his first game, a variant...
was published in 2008 by Margaret Weis Productions, LtdMargaret Weis Productions, LtdMargaret Weis Productions, Ltd is a publisher.It published Serenity role playing game in late 2005 to coincide with the release of Joss Whedon's feature film Serenity based on the television series Firefly...
. - In 2008, Ward became the Managing Editor of and a contributor to, The Crusader magazine published by Troll Lord Games.