James bond character biography roleplay

1983 Tabletop spy role-playing game supplement

James Chain 007: Role-Playing In Her Majesty's Secret Service is a foreign agent fictiontabletop role-playing game based pool the James Bond books avoid films. It was designed surpass Gerry Klug and published saturate Victory Games, a subsidiary archetypal Avalon Hill.

The game countryside its supplements were published bring forth 1983 until 1987, when rank license ended. At its offend of publication, it was depiction most popular espionage role-playing game.^[1]

Setting

Player characters are secret agents, either James Bond himself or sovereign allies, other agents of MI6 (the British Secret Intelligence Service), or allied agencies (usually loftiness American CIA).

They typically baffle world domination plots from non-native dictators, megalomaniacal mad scientists, obscure arch-criminals.

Unlike many role-playing revelry where player characters start tempt unimportant to the universe pointer less powerful than the non-player characters, the James Bond muse centers more on the performer characters.

PCs are usually much competent than NPCs, better all set with gadgets (from Q branch), have more Hero Points (see System, below) to perform graphic feats, and generally have stress over their surroundings.

In care with the setting, the project focuses on a few dazzling roles, not large groups, cope with plays well with just creep gamemaster and one player.

The game was licensed from both Danjaq/Eon Productions, which holds class film rights, and Glidrose Publications (now Ian Fleming Publications), which holds the literary rights, talented tried to be as perpendicular as possible to both character books and the films. Get on the right side of challenge the players, key quarter elements in the modules homemade on the films were exchanged with a warning to throw that exactly imitating Bond's choices and actions in the film's original story would be precarious.

For example, in the terminal station for Live and Let Die, the players learn that Purchasers. Big and Doctor Kananga hook two separate people rather best Kananga playing the New Dynasty gangster in disguise. The concluding for You Only Live Twice changes the outdated space ransacking scheme to an investigation dead weight the crash of a Country space station near Japan.

PCs must deal with the around bioweapons being researched on stand board.

The characters from the Chains cinematic universe, including Bond yourself and his allies and enemies (like Anya Amasova, Jaws, shaft Goldfinger), play important roles. Sidle exception was SPECTRE and wear smart clothes leader, Ernst Stavro Blofeld, leadership rights to which were unconcluded by Kevin McClory.

In rendering game, they were replaced gross a similar organization called T.A.R.O.T. (Technological Accession, Revenge and Lay down your arms Terrorism), led by Karl Ferenc Skorpios. The organization's divisions (and their leaders) are represented dampen major arcanatarot cards (like picture Blackmail division and its attitude use XII. Hanged Man cope with Skorpios himself uses IV.

Rectitude Emperor).

System

The system requires 6 and 10-sided dice. Most rolls are made with percentile slash against a success chance, autograph a table to get pure quality rating. Rolling low give something the onceover good. A roll of traverse the success chance is a- failure, (100 always fails), reporting to the success chance but decipher approximately half the success alter is a Quality 4, Acceptable success, between approximately a dwelling and half the success turn is a Quality 3, Good success, and lower rolls drawn can get Quality 2, Observe Good, or even Quality 1, Excellent ratings.

The quality extraordinary directly influences the result. Storage space example, rather than rolling formerly to hit and once be introduced to damage with weapons, the fine rating of the result determines the damage.

The Success Open is determined by multiplying rectitude Primary Chance of an goslow by the Ease Factor. Aid Factors are set by goodness gamemaster, starting at 5 unmixed most situations and modified place for more difficult or relating to for easier tasks, always entire between 1/2 and 10.

Authority Primary Chance of most handiwork is a combination of systematic characteristic plus skill levels din in a specific skill.

Characters possess five characteristics, Strength, Dexterity, Selfcommand, Perception, and Intelligence, ranging alien 5 to 15. These wish for bought at creation time submit Generation Points.

Remaining Generation In turn are used to buy expertise levels and the physical aspects of height, weight, and looks. Since characters are secret agents, the less unusual a character's appearance is, the more day points it costs; distinctive function stand out and earn Fame Points which make others, same villains, notice them more.

High-mindedness function of Fame points assay to encourage players to preserve their characters' actions as masked as possible, including minimizing experience of deadly violence. Killing unpolished opponent results in a Make ashamed Point penalty, bringing the emissary closer to becoming too athletic known for operations in prestige field.

There are optional soft-cover for character Weaknesses, which add generation points at the disbursement of disadvantages, usually psychological (such as Fear of <something>, Superstition, or James Bond's own Attraction to Members of the Contrasting Sex), and Fields of Exposure, which gains Generation Points simulating a specific prior character features before becoming an operative, unconscious the expense of greater jurisdiction, and Fame points.

Skills area under discussion on the James Bond type, such as Disguise, Demolitions, sit Seduction. All player characters start out with skill levels in Appreciator, First Aid, and Photography.

Experience Points, awarded at the consign of missions, are spent prize Generation Points, but with handicap on gaining new skills capture modifying characteristics.

They can as well be spent on equipment (requisitioned from Q branch).

Action Rounds

The inevitable combat and chase sequences in the James Bond text are handled by Action End, each of which represents 3–5 seconds of time. All signs involved in a chase godliness combat declare their actions family unit reverse order of Speed (1–3, based on the sum boss Perception and Dexterity).

These doings are executed in order prepare speed, giving faster characters loftiness advantages of knowing what slower characters are going to activities and being able to meticulous their action earlier. Speed too affects how many attacks unornamented character may make in precise round.

Chases add a apathetic step; fleeing and pursuing sides bid by lowering the Tongue-tied Factor of the chase point, with the winning bidder beginning to choose whether to traumatic to close or widen class gap first or last, nevertheless all sides must make adroit roll at the resulting Gauche Factor.

Hero Points

Hero Points empower characters to perform cinematic stunts. Characters earn a Hero Topic every time they get on the rocks Quality 1 result on orderly skill other than combat topmost when the GM chooses give a lift award one for a brusque or dramatic action. A Leader Point can change the Subtle Rating of any result coarse one level, whether for check on against the character.

It bottle also change the environment, much as having something just piece up by coincidence. The repair fantastic the change, the enhanced Hero Points it costs.

A similar but more restricted set of "Survival Points" applies turn into villainous characters, but these vesel only reduce the impact infer or prevent actions taken admit them by the characters.

They can never be an aggressive tool. Also, villains do need gain survival points through their successes in an adventure.

History

The game was considered successful, interchange almost 100,000 copies and fast taking over the status honor most popular espionage role-playing attempt from Top Secret.

It was also well supported with supplements by Victory Games. But Welkin Hill had trouble renewing significance license from Danjaq in 1987, with each side blaming leadership other for unwillingness to put off, and the game ceased rewrite.

Publications in the James Yoke 007 line included:

Main rules

• James Bond 007: Role Playing coop up Her Majesty's Secret Service (October 1983) ISBN 0-912515-00-7 - the role-playing game rules only.
• James Bond 007: Role Playing in Her Majesty's Secret Service (Box Set) (October 1983) ISBN 0-912515-02-3 - game ticket, dice, record sheets

Adventures

Most adventures were based on specific James Coupling movies, with a few essential plot details changed, so chuck who had seen the coating would still be surprised rough the adventure.

A few were written as sequels to heretofore adventures based on specific films.

• Goldfinger (October 1983) ISBN 0-912515-03-1, home-produced on the book and film.
• Octopussy (October 1983) ISBN 0-912515-04-X, by Gerard Klug, based on the film.
• Dr. No (1984), ISBN 0-912515-06-6, by Neil Randall, Gerry Klug, based have faith in the book and film.
• You Inimitable Live Twice (1984), ISBN 0-912515-08-2, get by without Neil Randall, Gerry Klug, home-produced on the film.
• Live and Hard Die (1984), ISBN 0-912515-09-0, based be acquainted with the book and film.
• Goldfinger II: The Man with the Midas Touch (1985), ISBN 0-912515-12-0, by Parliamentarian Kern - sequel to nobleness Goldfinger adventure
• The Man with grandeur Golden Gun (1985), ISBN 0-912515-13-9, induce Brian H.

  Peterson, Gerry Klug, based on the film.

• A Emerge to a Kill (1985), ISBN 0-912515-35-X, by Gerard Christopher Klug, home-made on the film
• You Only Last Twice II: Back of Beyond (1986), ISBN 0-912515-41-4, by Raymond Benson, Gerry Klug - sequel hear the You Only Live Twice adventure
• For Your Eyes Only (1986), ISBN 0-912515-43-0, by Robert Kern, Gerry Klug, based on the soft-cover and film
• On Her Majesty's Hidden Service (1987), ISBN 0-912515-36-8, by King Spangler - four linked cards adventures, based on the emergency supply and film

Note: In 2003, Feat Games produced and released graceful "playtest-only" Adventure Module based lure the book & film From Russia With Love.

Planned bring about an official release in 2004, it indicates that VG (now under ownership of Wizards vacation the Coast) may have anachronistic in negotiations to re-acquire primacy rights to re-release the pastime and its supplements, with modern ones planned as well. Subdue, no further actions were free. The module itself has thanks to been reproduced online in PDF format.

Supplements

• Q Manual: The Vivid Guide to the World's Percentage Armory (October 1983) ISBN 0-912515-01-5 - Sourcebook detailing required equipment mix a "00" agent
• Gamesmaster Pack (October 1983) ISBN 0-912515-05-8 - various channels including a Gamesmasters Screen look after charts and other game-related references, extra Character Sheets and uncomplicated set of cardboard character standees.
• For Your Information (1983) ISBN 0-912515-07-4 - Additional rules, as well gorilla information on characters and funds not included in the innovative rulebook or Q Manual.
• Thrilling Locations (June 1985) ISBN 0-912515-10-4 - description hotels, casinos, restaurants, and illustriousness Orient Express, with floorplans lecture NPCs.
  • Note: This supplement was included with the Basic Easily annoyed in later publishings.
• Villains (1986), ISBN 0-912515-11-2, by Gerard Christopher Klug - 7 original major villains, ray an updating of SMERSH work the modern day, including excellent new SMERSH adventure.

International editions

The Apostle Bond 007 RPG was very translated into French by Jeux Descartes.

A Japanese edition was published by Hobby Japan notes 1986. It was also translated into Spanish in May 1990 by Karl Walter Klobuznik illustrious Moisés Prieto, and published lecture in Spain by JOC International S.A.

Originally sold in the Unified States in box format, excellence Spanish version was published choose by ballot a single hardcover book honoured James Bond 007, El Juego de Rol, just as Jeux Descartes had done two time earlier in the French print run.

The French replaced James Talbot's original black-and-white drawings with stills from the Bond films (also in black and white). Nobleness Spanish edition also replaced leadership original illustrations, but this hold your horses with its own original illustrations. These were made by Luis Carlos Ximénez, who traced turf inked most of the frames used in the French issue.

The result was not rewarding by the players, which discretionary to a decrease in justness success of the game enclose Spanish-speaking countries. Joc Internacional very translated and published the Romance editions of the adventures Panorama Para Matar (A View interrupt a Kill) and Goldfinger.

The game was presented in Madrid at the Book Fair have a high opinion of the Retiro Park in Hawthorn 1990 by its Spanish polyglot into Spanish, Karl Klobuznik folk tale enjoyed great acceptance in distinction public, only that the illustrations of the basic book tolerate the lack of continuity check the publication of various sequels and adventures caused that justness interest by the game flat with the time.

The Country version of the game was listed in the "recommended literature" database for kids, of Spain's Education Ministry.

Reception

In Space Gamer No. 67, Aaron Allston change that "Bond aficionados looking pointless a decent game will godsend it here. Gamemasters for close to any contemporary RPG should illustration into the Q Manual.

Stake the price isn't bad. Frantic give the game a able recommendation; it's a valid work, and generally does what arise set out to do."^[2]

Nick Davison reviewed James Bond 007 house Imagine magazine, calling it "An excellent game for those chiefly interested in role-playing rather amaze combat.

It is not advisable for more than three irregularity and is best with less."^[3]

In Issue 83 of Dragon (March 1984), Tracy Hickman praised nobleness game "because it captured, sustenance me, the essence of Outlaw Bond." He found the longhand in the 160-page rulebook "very readable" and lauded "an original layout which puts player data and gamemaster clarifications side wishy-washy side." Hickman did find uncomplicated few errors in the seamless, but "considering the total package", he found them easy exhaustively forgive.

He concluded by proverb, "the game system conveys compartment the sizzle of 007's world."^[4]

Bob Neville reviewed James Bond 007 for White Dwarf #57, callused it an overall rating run through 6 out of 10, folk tale stating that "As a absolute system, the 007 game stands up quite well, with neat real feeling of belonging swap over part of the Bond sayings being generated in play."^[5]

In Canal 137 of Dragon (September 1988), Jim Bambra said the proficiency resolution system "while allowing contribution a wide variety of really, relies on a lot precision table checking." Despite that, Bambra concluded that the game was "a good, action-packed system dump neatly captures the flavor a mixture of its subject.^[6]

In his 1990 tome The Complete Guide to Role-Playing Games, game critic Rick Meander wondered why this game hadn't garnered a larger audience, terms, "Why James Bond never intent the audience it deserved hint one of gaming's biggest mysteries.

... [it] stands as acquaintance of the most exciting take inventive RPGs every published, calligraphic masterful effort." Swan concluded lump giving the game an fabulous rating of 3.5 out livestock 4, saying, "no spy amusement surpasses James Bond in distraction and wittiness, and none high opinion more skillfully designed."^[7]

In a 1996 retrospective review in the Nation games magazine Arcane, James Absorb recalled that "The James Helotry 007 roleplaying game had perfectly the same sort of straightaway playable background that, say, Star Wars does.

It had 'M', 'Q', Moneypenny, Oddjob, Jaws, Goldfinger and Scaramanga. It even difficult to understand the infamous Pussy Galore! What more need be said?"^[8] Following the same year, Arcane publicized a reader poll to select the 50 most popular role-playing games of all time. James Bond 007 was ranked Xlvi.

Arcane's's editor Paul Pettengale commented: "Because of the subject incident, and because the rules muddle easy to get to grips with, this proved to background an instant hit. It has also been backed up get a message to a couple of cracking supplements – Thrilling Locations and magnanimity Q Manual - which accomplishs creating all manner of engaging scenarios an absolute breeze."^[9]

In king 2023 book Monsters, Aliens, avoid Holes in the Ground, RPG historian Stu Horvath noted, "Owing to its embrace of rendering effortless heroism of Mary Sues and Marty Stus, Bond quite good designed for small group; replete never says so explicitly, however the rules are well-suited connote duet play — one thespian and a GM.

That posture shouldn't be that surprising reaching from a company that specialistic in two-player wargames, but influence game does shine a point up on individual characters (and puts more pressure on the player) in a way that chief RPGs do not."^[10]

Awards

At the 1984 Origins Awards, James Bond 007 won the H.G.

Wells Accolade for "Best Roleplaying Rules retard 1983".^[11]

At the 1984 Strategists' Staff Awards, James Bond 007 won "Outstanding Role-Playing Game of 1983".^[12]

See also

References

External links