Santa Claus Conquers the Martians: Lo-fi RPG

In the summer of 1964, a small, unassuming quonset hut on Long Island became the birthplace of an unexpected cinematic phenomenon.

There, amidst the changing leaves, a group of New York theatre actors gathered for a project that seemed as fleeting as the season: filming Santa Claus Conquers the Martians, a film intended to be a momentary holiday distraction for families.

But as the reels rolled, something magical happened. Unwittingly, the cast and crew were weaving a thread into the rich tapestry of pop culture history. The film was born in an era synonymous with the high-camp classics of the 1960s when fantasy sitcoms like Bewitched, The Munsters, and My Favorite Martian were all the rage. Adam West’s Batman would soon turn superhero antics into a colourfully campy romp, and Lost in Space would transform space exploration into a delightfully over-the-top melodrama.

Now, Lightspress Media has taken the public domain movie and released a lo-fi RPG.

The text above, pretty much taken from Lightpress’ DriveThruRPG, explains the lure of the movie.

The initial lure, though, is just a start. There was an award-show scandal with one of the former actors from the film, and that nudged the movie in Mystery Science Theater 3000.

Berin Kinsman, the author of the game, adds,

Inspired by this deep well of nostalgia, I set out to create a roleplaying sourcebook that would capture the spirit and joy of Santa Claus Conquers the Martians. This wasn’t just an homage to a film; it was a tribute to an era, an acknowledgment of the lasting impact that a simple story could have on the hearts and minds of a generation.

Santa Claus Conquers the Martians core rules

This guide is your starting point for exploring the universe of Santa Claus Conquers the Martians.

It uses the Fantasy Manifesto game system, which was adapted to capture the film’s unique charm. This system lets you create characters as dynamic and colourful as the film, whether you want to play a wise-cracking Martian or a jolly elf with a penchant for adventure. Every character is a doorway to reliving the wonder of your childhood fantasies.

The interstellar saga continues in upcoming volumes, with new character options, detailed worldbuilding, complex factions, and thrilling adventures.