James M. Ward

James Michael Ward III (May 23, 1951 – March 18, 2024) was an American game designer and fantasy author who worked for TSR, Inc. for more than 20 years, most notably on the role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons. He wrote various books relating to Dungeons & Dragons, including guidebooks such as Deities & Demigods, and novels including Pool of Radiance, based on the computer game of the same name.

Early life and education Jim Ward was born in Elkhorn, Wisconsin to James Ward Jr. and Orabelle Ward. He attended University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, where he earned a double major in English and History. and taught for five years at West Grant High School in Patch Grove, Wisconsin.

Dungeons & Dragons and TSR In 1974, Gygax and Don Kaye formed Tactical Studies Rules (TSR) in order to publish Dungeons & Dragons. When sales of the new game took off in 1975, TSR rapidly expanded its product line, and Ward started to design games and write material for them. In 1976, Ward worked with Rob Kuntz to produce Gods, Demi-Gods & Heroes that expanded the original D&D game by introducing gods. and published as TSR's fourth role-playing game.

When TSR produced a second edition of AD&D (1989), Ward instituted changes such as removing assassins and half-orcs as player character options from the game, explaining this decision in Dragon #154 (February 1990) that "voiding the Angry Mother Syndrome has become a good, basic guideline for all of the designers and editors at TSR, Inc"; Ward printed many replies from upset players in Dragon #158.

Ward designed the Spellfire collectible card game.

Ward wrote for Gygax Magazine beginning in 2013, including a new Metamorphosis Alpha adventure "They All Died at the International Space Station," which was also released as a standalone product. Ward was co-author of GiantLands by Wonderfilled, which was announced on Kickstarter in 2019 and shipped in 2022.

Personal life In 1973, Ward married his high school sweetheart Janean M. Bray, and they had three sons together, James, Theon and Breck.

In 2010, Ward was diagnosed with a serious neurological disorder that required treatment at the Mayo Clinic. His friend Tim Kask helped to establish a fund to help Ward offset some of the medical bills.

Ward died on March 18, 2024, at the age of 72.

Legacy In 1989, Ward was inducted into the Academy of Adventure Gaming Arts & Design Hall of Fame.

Selected works Fiction Dragonsword of Lankhmar (TSR, 1986), a pair of gamebooks starring Fritz Leiber's Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser characters. Pool of Radiance, with Jane Cooper Hong, (TSR, 1989), a Forgotten Realms novel derived from the Pool of Radiance computer game. Pools of Darkness, with Anne K. Brown (TSR, 1992), the sequel to Pool of Radiance. Pool of Twilight, with Anne K. Brown (TSR, 1993), the third book in the Pool series. Midshipwizard Halcyon Blithe (Tor Books, 2005). Sete-Ka's Dream Quest (Margaret Weis Productions, 2006). Dragonfrigate Wizard Halcyon Blithe (Tor Books, 2006). Time Twisters Anthology (Daw Books, 2006). The Curse of Time (Margaret Weis Productions, 2007).

Role-playing games Metamorphosis Alpha (TSR, 1976), Metamorphosis Alpha 4th Edition (Mudpuppy Games, 2006). Towers of Adventure (Troll Lord Games, 2008), a digest box set for the Castles & Crusades game. Tainted Lands (Troll Lord Games, 2010), a dark horror themed box set expansion for the Castles & Crusades game. Beneath the Dome (Troll Lord Games, 2013), a serial adventure for the Castles & Crusades game. Gods and Monsters (Troll Lord Games, 2014), a book on gods and monsters from various mythologies for the Castles & Crusades game. 77 Worlds RPG (http://Firesidecreations.com, 2014), a science fiction post apocalyptic role-playing game and campaign setting using the Ward Card System (WCS). The 77 Lost Worlds RPG is part of the Apocalyptic Space series of RPGs. The Starship Warden (Troll Lord Games, 2021)

Television G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero (1985)

Other Dragon Ball Z Collectible Card Game. Westeros GAME OF THRONES Miniatures rules (2007). Astrobirdz Concept card game, RPG, board game, coin game, YA novels. My Precious Presents card game Dragon Lairds board game, created by Ward and Tom Wham, was published in 2008 by Margaret Weis Productions, Ltd. In 2008, Ward became the Managing Editor of and a contributor to The Crusader magazine published by Troll Lord Games.