House Rules

• Another Look at Robot Recognition

Another Look at Robot Recognition

Although there are numerous exceptions, most robots in the Gamma World game are programmed to adhere to the Three Laws of Robotics as formulated by the 20th Century author, philosopher, and scientist, Isaac Asimov. These laws are:

1. A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
2. A robot must obey orders given it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
3. A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.

In practical game terms, this should prevent unfortunate accidents from occurring to PSH characters like being run-down by robotic vehicles, chopped to bits by robotic lawn mowers, mutilated by computer-powered manufacturing equipment, or being attacked with lethal force by security and/or police robots. These protections do not extend to their full affect against Mutants, Mutated Animals, and Mutated Plants; nor do not apply to Androids and other artificial intelligences which have overthrown their ethical programming , "insane" robots or computers, or any robot or computer which was deliberately built without the Three Laws of Robotics hardwired into its CPU (this last group is usually a creation of one of the first two groups, or a military robot from ancient times).

Whenever a robot encounters a PC or NPC, the character in question must roll his or her Robot Recognition Score or less on d20. Success means that the robot interacts with the character in accordance with the Three Laws; failure means that the robot perceives the PC or NPC as something other than human. The robot may attack the character, brush the character aside and go on about its business, or ignore the character completely (GM's discretion).

Calculating Robot Recognition Scores

Pure Strain Humans have a Robot Recognition Score of 20, less one point for every cybernetic implant (if any). Horrific mutilation may also reduce this base score at the GM's discretion.

Humanoids have a Robot Recognition Score of 20, less the sum of the Robot Recognition Penalties incurred from their physical mutations.

Mutated Animals have a Robot Recognition Score of 0, plus the sum of the Robot Recognition Bonuses resulting from the following physical mutations:

• + 5 points for Bipedal Stance
• + 5 points for Average Height (between 1-3 meters)
• + 2 points for each Prehensile Limb (maximum of 4 points)
• + 3 point for Vocal Chords

Mutated Animals incur Robot Recognition Penalties for all other physical mutations, however.

Mutated Plants have a Robot Recognition Score of 0, plus the sum of the Robot Recognition Bonuses resulting from the following physical mutations:

• + 3 points for Bipedal Stance
• + 3 points for Average Height (between 1-3 meters)
• + 1 points for each Prehensile Limb (maximum of 2 points)
• + 3 point for Vocal Chords

Like Mutated Animals, Mutated Plants incur Robot Recognition Penalties for all their additional physical mutations.

This page last updated on 06/03/2000.
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