Over the Edge, first edition
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Designer(s) | Robin Laws, Jonathan Tweet |
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Publisher(s) | Atlas Games |
Publication date | 1992 (1st edition) 1997 (2nd edition) |
Genre(s) | Surreal conspiracy |
System(s) | Custom (dice pool-based) |
Over the Edge is a surreal role-playing game of secrets and conspiracies, taking place on the mysterious Island of Al Amarja. It was created by Jonathan Tweet with Robin Laws, and published by Atlas Games. Over The Edge departed from the model of predefined character attributes and skills, in favour of player-chosen traits; and was among the first to be based on the dice pool, where the number of dice rolled, rather than how they are interpreted, is determined by the characters' abilities.
Both Over the Edge and Vampire: The Masquerade were based upon a project between Jonathan Tweet and Mark Rein·Hagen which followed their development of Ars Magica for Lion Rampant. They share the concept of a dice pool, which they presumably inherit from that initial design. This game mechanic had previously been seen in West End Games' Ghostbusters and Star Wars roleplaying games.
While Vampire has achieved far more popularity, Over the Edge has distinguished itself with critical acclaim and has been acknowledged as a major source for the indie role-playing game movement.
Over the Edge was also the basis of the On the Edge collectible card game.