Genre Talk: Gaming and Planetary Romance...

Good Evening, All:

I have to admit that my favorite literary genre is Planetary Romance, and sadly, there are very few games that build on that genre. Certainly, Adamant came out with their Mars setting, first under D20 Modern and then re-released under Savage Worlds. Bad Axe Games released Slavelords of Cydonia, the only Planetary Romance campaign I've ever seen under their fantastic Grim Tales rules set. (It'll take you from 1st to 20th level and never let up on the pulse-pounding Sword & Planet excitement.) Last year (or was it early this year?), I picked up Savage Swords of Athanor, another excellent Planetary Romance setting for the Swords & Wizardry game. Iron Lords of Jupiter was an awesome mini-game in the old Polyhedron magazine. I think there were a few other minor efforts, but as a whole, my favorite genre is sorely lacking in gaming love. Let's face it; if I can only name less than five great products for the genre in almost forty years of gaming history, it's a genre that is not very well represented.

Now, there are a few products that are supposed to be released soon that will help fill that void. Warriors of the Red Planet is a Planetary Romance setting using an Old School engine. Chaosium's BRP Interplanetary has been in development for over three years now, but supposedly the author gave the final manuscript to the publisher at the end of June this year. Hollow Earth Expedition is going to release Revelations of Mars, their own contribution to the planetary romance genre, in 2011. I'm definitely looking forward to these releases, and these companies will find an enthusiastic buyer in this Sword & Planet fan.

Are any of the readers of this blog fans of the Planetary Romance genre? If so, please feel free to post a comment in the blogs and share some of your thoughts on roleplaying in this genre.

With Regards,
Flynn