James M. Ward
aka:
Jim Ward,
James Ward
Moby ID: 25762
Biography edit · view history
James M. Ward was born an May 23, 1951. He started out reading Hardy Boys and Tom Swift books and has since become a huge fan of science fiction and fantasy.
Gaming industry guru Jim Ward is an icon in the field of role-playing. He has been successful author and game designer since 1974. He created the first science fiction role playing game in Metamorphosis Alpha. He's written for Marvel, DC Comics, Random House, Del Rey, Bantam, and Western Publishing. In 1989 he was inducted into the Academy of Adventure Gaming Arts & Design Hall of Fame.
Ward is a 20-year veteran of TSR and was formerly in charge of all product development. He has also done work with Freelance and SSI, among others. Ward, who was the former licensing director and world builder for TSR, is also co-author of The Paladins and The Heroes of Phlan trilogy in Forgotten Realms. He has just recently added the design of the Dragonball Z collectible card game to his long list of accomplishments.
Jim got his start in role-playing with the design of Metamorphosis Alpha, the first science-fiction role-playing game. He has been designing games and helping others to design them ever since. Jim Ward wrote the first post-apocalyptic roleplaying game: the award-winning Gamma World. After Gary Gygax left TSR in the '90s, Jim filled his shoes as the director of creative development, steering the company's game designs for over a decade. When Wizards of the Coast bought TSR, Jim opted to remain in Wisconsin and work as a consultant in the gaming industry.
In 2002 James Ward became President of Fast Forward Entertainment, a position he still holds in 2005.
Credited on 21 games
Displaying most recent · View all
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons: Collectors Edition Vol.2 (2015, Macintosh) | Based on an Original Story by |
Guardians of Graxia (2010, Windows) | Design Consultant |
Panzer General: Allied Assault (2009, Xbox 360) | Design Consultant |
Star Wars: Empire at War - Forces of Corruption (2006, Windows) | Additional Writing, Dialogue |
Dragon Ball Z Collectible Card Game (2002, Game Boy Advance) | Original Card Game Design |
Pool of Radiance: Ruins of Myth Drannor (2001, Windows) | Story Consultant |
Blood & Magic (1996, DOS) | TSR (Head Honcho) |
Birthright: The Gorgon's Alliance (1996, Windows) | Vice President of Creative Services |
AD&D Dark Sun Online: Crimson Sands (1996, Windows) | Special thanks to |
Ravenloft: Stone Prophet (1995, DOS) | Special Thanks to |
Dark Sun: Wake of the Ravager (1994, DOS) | Special Thanks To |
Eye of the Beholder (1994, SEGA CD) | Voices |
Al-Qadim: The Genie's Curse (1994, DOS) | Special Thanks To |
Menzoberranzan (1994, DOS) | Special Thanks To |
Slayer (1994, 3DO) | Thanks Also to |
Dark Sun: Shattered Lands (1993, DOS) | Special Thanks To |
Eye of the Beholder III: Assault on Myth Drannor (1993, DOS) | Special Thanks to |
Dungeons & Dragons: Warriors of the Eternal Sun (1992, Genesis) | Special Thanks To |
Spelljammer: Pirates of Realmspace (1992, DOS) | Special Thanks To |
Champions of Krynn (1990, Amiga) | Based on an original story by |
[ full credits ]
Frequent Collaborators
People- 9 games with David Boudreau
- 9 games with Charles J. Kroegel Jr.
- 8 games with Eileen Matsumi
- 7 games with Nicholas Beliaeff
- 7 games with André Vrignaud
- 7 games with Tom Wahl
- 7 games with Bret Berry
- 7 games with Cyrus G. Harris
- 7 games with Glen A. Cureton
- 7 games with Jeffrey Shotwell
Companies
- 14 games with TSR, Inc.
- 12 games with Strategic Simulations, Inc.
- 4 games with Westwood Studios, Inc.
- 4 games with Softgold Computerspiele GmbH
- 3 games with Top Star Computer Services
- 3 games with Mindscape International Ltd.
- 3 games with Ubisoft Entertainment SA
- 3 games with U.S. Gold Ltd.
- 2 games with Cyberlore Studios, Inc.
- 2 games with DreamForge Intertainment, Inc.
Contribute
Add your expertise to help preserve video game history! You can submit a correction or add the following: