View source for Shadow World Master Atlas

{{Short description|Tabletop role-playing game supplement}}
{{italic title}}
[[File:Cover_of_Shadow_World_Master_Atlas_1989.jpg|thumb|right|Cover art by Terry Roberts, 1989]]
'''''Shadow World Master Atlas''''' is a supplement published by [[Iron Crown Enterprises]] (I.C.E.) in 1989 for the fantasy role-playing game ''[[Rolemaster]]''.
==Contents==
''Shadow World Master Atlas'' is a [[campaign setting]] detailing the world of Kulthea, the [[Shadow World (role playing game)|Shadow World]].<ref name="HW"/> The [[boxed set]] contains
* 64-page book, "Master Atlas, Volume I", containing maps and details of various places
* 64-page book, "Master Atlas, Volume II", containing details of the main races of Kulthea
* 32-page book, "Atlas Addendum", containing information about monsters, and notes on how to convert these to other games systems
* 36" x 48" full-color map of the western hemisphere of Kulthea<ref>{{cite web | url =https://rpggeek.com/rpgitem/46971/shadow-world-master-atlas-boxed-set | title =Shadow World Master Atlas (Boxed Set) (1989) | website =RPG Geek | access-date =2020-08-20}}</ref>
==Publication history==
''Shadow World Master Atlas'' was written by [[Terry K. Amthor]], with a cover by [[Tony Roberts (artist)|Tony Roberts]], and illustrations by [[Jennell Jaquays]]{{efn|name=Credited|Credited as ''Paul Jaquays''.}}, and was published by [[Iron Crown Enterprises]] in 1989 as [[boxed set]] containing two 64-page books, a 32-page book, and a large color map.<ref name="HW">{{cite book|last=Schick |first=Lawrence|title=Heroic Worlds: A History and Guide to Role-Playing Games|publisher=Prometheus Books |year=1991|isbn=0-87975-653-5 |page=206-207}}</ref>
A number of different editions were produced, including a second edition by I.C.E. in 1992, a third edition by Eidolon Studios in 2001, and a 4th edition by I.C.E. in 2008.
==Reception==
In the August 1989 edition of ''[[Games International]]'' (Issue #8), Steve Jones admired the production quality of the boxed set, including the "beautiful cover art" by Terry Roberts. However Jones pointed out several errors in layout as well as illegible tables and missing information, saying, "The whole product shows signs of having been rushed into production." He also mentioned that "Various pieces have been taken from previous I.C.E. publications, which may leave those who already have them feeling cheated." Jones concluded by giving the product an average rating of 3 out of 5, and questioned the necessity of this product, saying, "It is useful for monsters, but a ''Rolemaster'' referee with [the previously published] ''Creatures and Treasures'' could just as well go straight to the [separately published] adventures packs instead."<ref name=gi>{{cite magazine|last=Jones|first=Steve| date=August 1989 |title=Shadow World Master Atlas|journal=[[Games International]]| issue=8|pages=39–40}}</ref>
Thomas M. Kane reviewed ''Shadow World Atlas'' in ''[[White Wolf (magazine)|White Wolf]]'' #17 (1989), rating it a 4 out of 5 and stated that "Gamers experimenting with a new fantasy campaign should consider the Shadow World. Of course, those who already have worlds may find the Master Atlas superfluous. Like certain 'generic' products, it begs the question of why customers could not just invent this material themselves. However, the presentation and ideas are fascinating."<ref name="WW17">{{Cite magazine |last=Kane|first=Thomas M.|date=1989 |title= Review: Shadow World Atlas |magazine= [[White Wolf Magazine]] |number=17 |page= 46-47 |url=https://imgur.com/a/zR59GoO}}</ref>
==Other reviews==
*''[[Pyramid (magazine)|Pyramid]]'' - Third Edition<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.sjgames.com/pyramid/sample.html?id=2377 | title=Pyramid: Pyramid Review: Shadow World Master Atlas, Third Edition (For Rolemaster) }}</ref>
*''[[Casus Belli (magazine)|Casus Belli]]'' #52<ref>{{cite web | url=https://archive.org/details/casus-belli-052/page/n19/mode/2up | title=Casus Belli #052 | date=1989 }}</ref>
==Notes==
{{notelist}}
==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Role-playing game supplements introduced in 1989]]
[[Category:Rolemaster supplements]]
[[Category:Shadow World (role-playing game)]]