James M. Ward is an American author and game designer best known for his contributions to the early development of the Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) fantasy role-playing game. Born on May 23, 1951, Ward has been influential in shaping the role-playing game industry, particularly through his work with TSR, Inc., the company that originally published D&D. He created the science fiction role-playing game Metamorphosis Alpha in 1976, and later developed its successor, Gamma World. Ward has also written numerous D&D modules, sourcebooks, and novels, as well as contributing to various magazines in the gaming field. Known for his creative and imaginative approach to game design and storytelling, his work has garnered a dedicated following among fans of role-playing games.