Editing Gamma World (section)

==History==
===First Edition (1978)===
The original ''Gamma World'' boxed set (containing a 56-page rulebook, a map of a devastated North America, and dice) was released in 1978.  TSR went on to publish three accessories for the 1st edition of the game:

*GW1, ''[[Legion of Gold]]'' by [[Gary Gygax]], [[Luke Gygax]], and [[Paul Reiche III]]
*GW2, ''Famine in Far-Go'' by Michael Price
*''Gamma World [[Gamemaster's screen|Referee's Screen]]''

[[Grenadier Miniatures]] also supported the game, with a line of licensed [[Miniature figure (gaming)|miniatures]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Grenadier Models: Gamma World |url=https://www.cs.cmu.edu/~tpope/sol/grenadier/gamma-world.html |last=Pope |first=Tom |website=Cs.cmu.edu |access-date=7 November 2017}}</ref>

At least one other TSR product was announced -- ''Metamorphosis Alpha to Omega'', an adaptation of ''Metamorphosis Alpha's'' campaign setting to ''Gamma World's'' rules (Anon 1981). Work on the adaptation was halted when a 2nd edition of ''Gamma World'' was announced. This was later released as ''Metamorphosis Alpha to Omega'' using the ''Amazing Engine'' Rules.

===Second Edition (1983)===
The second edition ''Gamma World'' boxed set (with rules designed by Ward, Jaquet, and [[David James Ritchie]]) was released in 1983. Two modules and two accessories were released for this version:

*GW3, ''[[The Cleansing War of Garik Blackhand]]'' by Michael Pierre Price and Garry Spiegle
*GW4, ''[[The Mind Masters]]'' by Philip Taterczynski
*GWAC1, ''[[Gamma World Referee's Screen and Mini-Module]]''
*GWAC2, ''Gamma World Character Sheets''

TSR also produced four packs of ''Gamma World'' miniatures.<ref>{{Cite web |title=TSR: Gamma World |url=https://www.cs.cmu.edu/~tpope/sol/tsr/gamma-world.html |last=Pope |first=Tom |website=Cs.cmu.edu |access-date=7 November 2017}}</ref> TSR started production on a third adventure module, which was to be assigned the identification code GW5 and had the working title ''Rapture of the Deep''. This module was not published.  However, a 'ghost' Second Edition GW5 ''Rapture of the Deep'' module was produced in 2007.

===Third Edition (1986)===
The 3rd edition of ''Gamma World'' was another boxed set, credited to James M. Ward. It introduced the Action Control Table, a color-coded table used to resolve nearly all actions in the game. (Color-coded tables were something of a trend at TSR in the mid-1980s. After 1984's ''[[Marvel Super Heroes (role-playing game)|Marvel Super Heroes]]'' proved the viability of the concept, TSR revised ''Gamma World'', ''[[Star Frontiers]]'', and ''[[Top Secret (role-playing game)|Top Secret]]'' to use similar tables.) Unfortunately for TSR, this version of the rules became notorious for the number of editorial mistakes, including cross-references to rules that didn't appear in the boxed set. The errors were serious enough that TSR published a ''Gamma World Rules Supplement'' containing the "missing" rules. The ''Rules Supplement'' was sent to gamers who requested it by mail, and included in reprintings of the boxed set.

The five modules TSR published for ''Gamma World's'' 3rd edition introduced the setting's first multi-module [[metaplot]], which involved rebuilding an ancient 'sky chariot':

*GW6, ''Alpha Factor'' by [[Kim Eastland]]
*GW7, ''Beta Principle'' by [[Bruce Nesmith]]
*GW8, ''Gamma Base'' by [[Kim Eastland]]
*GW9, ''Delta Fragment'' by [[Kim Eastland]]
*GW10, ''Epsilon Cyborgs'' by [[Kim Eastland]]

TSR dropped the 3rd edition of ''Gamma World'' from its product line before the multi-module storyline could be completed. In 2003 an unofficial conclusion to the series was published under the title GW11 ''Omega Project''.

Despite its editorial issues, the 3rd edition rules were well-received enough to win the 1986/1987 Gamer's Choice Award for "Best Science-Fiction Roleplaying Game".

Scott Taylor of ''[[Black Gate (magazine)|Black Gate]]'' in 2015 rated the GW6-GW10 series as #7 in "The Top 10 Campaign Adventure Module Series of All Time, saying "if you are ever in the mood to crack out ''Gamma World'', or just have a great campaign setting for any post-apocalyptic campaign, this super series could be for you."<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.blackgate.com/2015/03/31/art-of-the-genre-the-top-10-campaign-module-series-of-all-time/ | title=Art of the Genre: The Top 10 Campaign Adventure Module Series of All Time – Black Gate | date=31 March 2015 }}</ref>

===Fourth Edition (1992)===
The 4th edition of ''Gamma World'' was a 192-page softcover book, written by [[Bruce Nesmith]] and [[James M. Ward]], published in May 1992 by TSR.  This version of the game abandoned the 3rd edition's Action Control Table for mechanics resembling ''2nd Edition Advanced Dungeons & Dragons''.  TSR published five accessories for the 4th edition:

*GWA1, ''[[Treasures of the Ancients]]'' by [[Dale "Slade" Henson]] ({{ISBN|1-56076-577-1}})
*GWA2, ''[[The Overlord of Bonparr]]'' by Jack A. Barker ({{ISBN|1-56076-599-2}})
*GWQ1, ''[[Mutant Master (Gamma World)|Mutant Master]]'' by [[Bruce Nesmith]] ({{ISBN|1-56076-411-2}})
*GWQ2, ''[[All Animals Are Equal]]'' by [[Dale "Slade" Henson]] ({{ISBN|1-56076-638-7}})
*GWQ3, ''Home Before the Sky Falls'' by  Tim Beach, Paul Riegel, Drew Bittner, and [[Kim Eastland]] ({{ISBN|1-56076-674-3}})

TSR's ''Gamma World'' development team announced at [[Gen Con]] 1993 that no further products would be released for the 4th edition.  They also announced that TSR had restarted development of ''[[Metamorphosis Alpha|Metamorphosis Alpha to Omega]]'', but that the manuscript would be completed using the ''[[Amazing Engine]]'' rules.

===Fifth Edition (2000)===
The 5th version of ''Gamma World'' was a supplement for the science-fiction game ''[[Alternity]]''. (In a nod to ''Gamma World'''s reputation for being repeatedly revised, the book's back cover states "That's right, it's the return of the ''Gamma World''".) The ''Gamma World Campaign Setting'' ({{ISBN|0-7869-1629-X}}) was a 192-page softcover book written by Andy Collins and [[Jeff Grubb]], published in 2000 by [[Wizards of the Coast]] (WOTC), only a month after WOTC announced its cancellation of the ''Alternity'' line.  This version of ''Gamma World'' is unique as the only one not to have accessories or supplements.

===''Omega World'' (2002)===
In September 2002, ''Omega World'', a ''[[d20 System]]'' mini-game based on ''Gamma World'' and written by [[Jonathan Tweet]], was published in  ''[[Dungeon magazine|Dungeon]]'' 94/''[[Polyhedron magazine|Polyhedron]]'' 153.  Tweet does not plan any expansions for the game,<ref>{{Cite web |title=JoT Game OW-FAQ |url=http://www.jonathantweet.com/jotgameow-faq.html |website=Jonathantweet.com |access-date=7 November 2017}}</ref> although it received a warm reception from ''Gamma World'' fans and players new to the concept alike.

===Sixth Edition (2003)===
In November 2002, [[Sword & Sorcery Studios]] (SSS) announced that it had licensed the ''Gamma World'' setting from WOTC in order to produce a sixth version of the game.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ci siamo spostati! |url=http://www.gamingreport.com/article.php?sid=6207 |website=Gamingreport.com |access-date=7 November 2017 |archive-date=9 October 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071009065616/http://www.gamingreport.com/article.php?sid=6207 |url-status=dead }}</ref> SSS's version of the game, which reached the market in 2003, used the ''[[d20 Modern]]'' system, and mimicked ''D&D'''s "three core book" model with three hardcover manuals:

*''Gamma World Player's Handbook'' by [[Bruce Baugh]], Ian Eller, Mikko Rautalahti, and Geoff Skellams
*''Gamma World Game Master's Guide'' by Bruce Baugh, Werner Hager, Lizard, and Doug Oglesby
*''Gamma World Machines and Mutants'' by David Bolack, [[Gareth Hanrahan]], Patrick O'Duffy, and [[Chuck Wendig]]

Sword & Sorcery Studios also published three paperback supplements for the d20 version of ''Gamma World'':

*''Gamma World Beyond the Horizon'' by Ellen Kiley
*''Gamma World Cryptic Alliances and Unknown Enemies'' by [[Owen K.C. Stephens]], Alejandro Melchor, and Geoff Skellams
*''Gamma World Out of the Vaults'' by James Maliszewski, [[John Snead]], and Ellen P. Kiley

This new version of the game presented a more sober and serious approach to the concept of a post-nuclear world, at odds with the more light-hearted and adventurous approach taken by previous editions; it was also the first edition of the game to include fantastical [[nanotechnology]] on a large scale. In August 2005, White Wolf announced that it was reverting the rights to publish ''Gamma World'' products back to Wizards of the Coast, putting the game out of print again.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sword & Sorcery Online |url=http://www.white-wolf.com/swordsorcery/index.php?articleid=276 |date=30 September 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930022249/http://www.white-wolf.com/swordsorcery/index.php?articleid=276 |archive-date=30 September 2007 |access-date=7 November 2017}}</ref> Several critics and fans considered Tweet's ''Omega World'' to be a superior d20 System treatment of the ''Gamma World'' concept.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Review of Gamma World Player's Handbook - RPGnet d20 RPG Game Index |url=http://www.rpg.net/reviews/archive/9/9821.phtml |website=Rpg.net |access-date=7 November 2017}}</ref>

===''[[Mutant Future]]'' (2008 and 2010)===
An unofficial [[open gaming]] version published in 2008 and in revised form in 2010.

===Seventh Edition (2010)===
At the Dungeons & Dragons Experience fan convention in early 2010, Wizards of the Coast announced a new version titled ''D&D Gamma World'', eventually released in October of that year. The game is compatible with the D&D 4th Edition rules and the [[System Reference Document]], but is not considered a separate D&D setting.<ref>''D&D Gamma World Roleplaying Game: A D&D Genre Setting'' by Wizards RPG Team ({{ISBN|978-0786955084}})</ref>

The basic box included 80 non-random cards. In addition, random "boosters" of "Alpha Mutation" and "Omega Tech" cards for players are sold separately in packs of eight.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gamma World, Part 1 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MICziPncpU | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/_MICziPncpU| archive-date=2021-12-11 | url-status=live|date=4 October 2010 |via=YouTube |access-date=7 November 2017}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

This edition of ''Gamma World'' includes the following three boxed sets (one core set and two expansion kits):
*''D&D Gamma World Roleplaying Game'' by [[Richard Baker (game designer)|Richard Baker]] and [[Bruce R. Cordell]]
*''D&D Gamma World Expansion Kit: Famine in Far-go'' by [[Robert J. Schwalb]]
*''D&D Gamma World Expansion Kit: Legion of Gold'' by [[Richard Baker (game designer)|Richard Baker]] and [[Bruce Cordell]]

Additional content was released for the 7th Edition of ''Gamma World'' at Game Day 2010 and at the 2010 [[Penny Arcade Expo]], Trouble in Freesboro and Pax Extraterrestria respectively.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Trouble in Freesboro |url=http://rpggeek.com/rpgitem/86019/trouble-in-freesboro |website=RPGGeek |access-date=7 November 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Pax Extraterrestria |url=http://rpggeek.com/rpgitem/110586/pax-extraterrestria |website=RPGGeek |access-date=7 November 2017}}</ref> In addition, a Christmas themed adventure and vehicular combat rules were released online.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Factory of Misfit Omega Tech |url=http://www.wizards.com/dnd/article.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20131031071227/http://www.wizards.com/dnd/article.aspx?x=dnd%2Fduad%2F20101222 |archive-date=October 31, 2013 |access-date=May 30, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Pedal to the Metal! |url=http://www.wizards.com/dnd/article.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20131031071250/http://www.wizards.com/dnd/article.aspx?x=dnd%2F4dnd%2F20110317 |archive-date=October 31, 2013 |access-date=May 30, 2020}}</ref>

Additionally, two novels were published in the setting. ''Sooner Dead'' by Mel Odom was published February 1, 2011, and ''Red Sails in the Fallout'' by [[Pauli Kidd]], published July 5, 2011.{{cn|date=October 2024}}

===''[[Goodman_Games#Mutant_Crawl_Classics_role_playing_game|Mutant Crawl Classics]]'' (2018)===
A [[open gaming]] unofficial release from [[Goodman Games]].