Optimus Design Systems
Encyclopedia
Optimus Design Systems was a small publisher of role-playing game
s (RPGs), based in Buffalo, New York
. The company produced two products, the Battlelords of the 23rd Century
science-fiction role-playing game, and the Blood Dawn
post-apocalyptic RPG. ODS produced the first of several editions of Battlelords of the 23rd Century
in 1990, followed by several supplements. In addition, it opened two game stores, one in Buffalo, New York
and one in Williamsville, New York
. ODS was primarily run by its founder, Lawrence R. Sims, who was also the primary author of its products. The company eventually succumbed to financial difficulties. SSDC, Inc.
acquired the licenses to these products in 1999.
Role-playing game
A role-playing game is a game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within a narrative, either through literal acting, or through a process of structured decision-making or character development...
s (RPGs), based in Buffalo, New York
Buffalo, New York
Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
. The company produced two products, the Battlelords of the 23rd Century
Battlelords of the 23rd Century
Battlelords of the Twenty-Third Century is a paper and pencil science fiction role-playing game designed by Lawrence R. Sims and first published in 1990. The game's tagline is Roleplaying in a dangerous future. The Battlelords of the Twenty-Third Century license was later sold by Optimus Design...
science-fiction role-playing game, and the Blood Dawn
Blood Dawn
Blood Dawn is a role-playing game designed by Lawrence R. Sims and first published in 1996. The game's tagline is Roleplaying in Earth's Second Dark Age. The Blood Dawn license was later sold by Optimus Design Systems to SSDC, Inc. in September 1999.-Setting:Blood Dawn is set in an alternate 21st...
post-apocalyptic RPG. ODS produced the first of several editions of Battlelords of the 23rd Century
Battlelords of the 23rd Century
Battlelords of the Twenty-Third Century is a paper and pencil science fiction role-playing game designed by Lawrence R. Sims and first published in 1990. The game's tagline is Roleplaying in a dangerous future. The Battlelords of the Twenty-Third Century license was later sold by Optimus Design...
in 1990, followed by several supplements. In addition, it opened two game stores, one in Buffalo, New York
Buffalo, New York
Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
and one in Williamsville, New York
Williamsville, New York
Williamsville is a village in Erie County, New York in the United States. The population was 5,573 at the 2000 census. The village is named after Jonas Williams, an early settler...
. ODS was primarily run by its founder, Lawrence R. Sims, who was also the primary author of its products. The company eventually succumbed to financial difficulties. SSDC, Inc.
SSDC, Inc.
SSDC, Inc. is a small publisher of role-playing games and poetry collections, based in Rochester, New York. Their two product lines are the Battlelords of the 23rd Century science-fiction role-playing game, and the Blood Dawn post-apocalyptic RPG. SSDC was formed by Michael Osadciw and Aaron Thies,...
acquired the licenses to these products in 1999.