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Teenagers from Outer Space (role-playing game)

Teenagers from Outer Space
RTalsorian-TFOS-2E.png
Teenagers from Outer Space 2nd edition
Designer(s) Michael A. Pondsmith
Publisher(s) R. Talsorian Games
Publication date 1987 (1st edition, 84 pages)
1989 (2nd edition, 96 pages)
1997 (3rd edition, 128 pages)
Genre(s) Science fiction, comedy
System(s) custom

Teenagers from Outer Space (often abbreviated TFOS) is a rules-light comedy role-playing game written by Michael A. Pondsmith and published by R. Talsorian Games. It was inspired by gag anime such as Urusei Yatsura and Ranma ½. The game was first released in 1987, when anime was still mostly an underground sensation. The game is currently in its third edition, published in 1997. This edition was retooled to play up the anime inspirations after anime had become more mainstream.

At least two modules were published for the original edition. The first was "Field Trip" written by Dave Friedland and published by R. Talsorian Games. The second was "TFOS does Winterfest", written by Douglas Garrett, Paul Lidberg and Michael MacDonald and published under license by Crunchy Frog Enterprises.

In 2001, A2 Press published a TFOS universe expansion book named "The Landing" which was written by Michael Cox. More expansions were supposed to follow.

The basic setting of Teenagers from Outer Space revolves around aliens making contact with Earth and becoming infatuated with Earth's "teen culture". So much, in fact, that many aliens move to Earth, and enroll their children in Earth schools. This set the stage for a variety of comedic situations.

The 1986 Chris Columbus created CBS Saturday morning cartoon Galaxy High embodied this concept, but in reverse, where humans attended high school on an asteroid.

Players take on the role of either (somewhat) ordinary Earth teens (Humans) trying to cope with the "new neighbors", or Alien teens trying to fit in on Earth. There are eight stats, ranging from the relatively normal Bod (overall physical strength and agility) and Smarts (intelligence), to stats like Relationship With Parents (how well the character deals with their parents and other authority figures) and Driving. Skills, or "Knacks", are made up by players, with oddly descriptive names like "Drive Like a Maniac", "Fire Raygun", or "Avoid Being Harassed by Authority Figures" recommended.


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