Ex Machina (role-playing game)

Infobox RPG
title= Ex Machina


caption= Cover of the "Ex Machina" Tri-Stat Cyberpunk Genre Book.
designer= Bruce Baugh, Rebecca Borgstrom, Christian Gossett, Bradley Kayl and Michelle Lyons.
publisher= Guardians of Order
date= August 2004
genre= Cyberpunk, Postcyberpunk
system= "Tri-Stat d8", "d20 System"
footnotes=

"Ex Machina" is a cyberpunk role-playing game published by Guardians of Order covering a range from classic cyberpunk to postcyberpunk. It exists under both the cinematic "Tri-Stat dX" and "d20 RPG" systems.

etting

"Ex Machina" includes a detailed retrospective on the cyberpunk genre, as well as lengthy advice on how to convey that genre in a role-playing environment without losing touch with its core themes.

In addition to information on setting design and genre handling, "Ex Machina" also includes four complete game settings for gamers to chose from, each of which takes the Cyberpunk genre in its own unique direction. The settings are named "Heaven Over Mountain", "Underworld", "IOSHI" and "Daedalus".

ystem

There are two variants of the system for "Ex Machina"; "Tri-Stat d8" and the "d20 System".

"Tri-Stat d8"

Under "Tri-Stat" the game uses a point build effects based character design engine and a roll two dice to get under skill value task resolution system. The game engine works to focus on story over rules, and is known for its flexibility.

"d20 System"

The "d20 System" variation combines the points and effects based special abilities of "Tri-Stat" with the classes and levels of "d20", and uses a hybrid task system mostly built from "d20"'s single die to roll high method. The "d20" variant is based on the "Big Eyes, Small Mouth" game system which closely resembles a point based variation of "Dungeons & Dragons". This variant is solely a fan-based production; not endorsed by "Guardians of Order", who are the creators of the "Tri-Stat" system.

Current Status

According to the Guardians of Order website, the company has gone out of business as of August 2006. There hasn't been any statement of another company taking over the license leaving the future production of the series in doubt.

External links

* [http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/ExMachinav2/ "Ex Machina" Mailing List]