Copyright 2003 T. Sheil & A. Sheil All Rights Reserved
Our entire perception of :Outer Space" changed drastically, between 1959 and the present. In 1958, Space meant things like Captain Video. Spacemen were those cool guys by Archer and Ajax with the space suits that resembled Medieval armor, and "fishbowl" helmets. Then some guy named Carpenter came along and went into space, in a suit that looked like a chrome-plated fighter pilot's outfit. Space was instantly turned upside-down.
Science fiction made quite a journey in the next couple of decades. First it was the phenomenal "Star Trek," an episodic series that showcased a captain and crew facing adventures throughout the galaxy. The action was either small skirmishes with ray pistols called "phasers", or ship-to-ship combat using giant "phasers' and "photon torpedoes." "Star Trek" changed the way we looked at outer space adventures.
A similar series, "Space 1999", had a crew who were a moon colony. The Moon suddenly left orbit and the Solar System, leading to episodic adventures not too different from the type encountered by the "Star Trek" crew. The difference was that the "Star Trek" crew was militarized, and "Space 1999" were civilians. "Space 1999" was not the stuff of wargames, but it changed our thinking on science fiction. As for games, people were already working on rules based on "Star Trek."
Television tried a few new things, including a remake of the old "Buck Rogers" serial and a show about a nomadic fleet called "Battlestar Galactica." Neither was inspiring to wargaming as a wild, wacky and thoroughly fun space opera, "Star Wars." There was a show that had lots of intriguing elements that would satisfy traditional gamers, science fiction gamers and the newest group, fantasy role-playing gamers. Star Wars was released a couple years after the original version of "Dungeons and Dragons." There were armies, creatures and characters.
Wargamers did not have to depend on media for materials. As this was going on, games were booming with new titles. Microgames and board games and miniature games appeared, with the widest variety of science fiction themes. There was Steve Jackson's "Ogre" on Microgames, "Warhammer" for miniature games, and an oddball set of aliens called "Squats." Combat ranged from role-playing character games to skirmish rules and fleet-size space ship battles. Through it all, "Star Trek" remains one of the favorite themes.
Science fiction gaming requires a pretty stable individual ,who can balance out his enjoyment of the genre with the common sense to play a workable game. Science Fiction Gamers require a strong sense of fun, in order to get the most out of their games. The sheer variety within the genre is thrilling, and almost anyone who is interested can find a specific them to suit his wishes.
Alienstar Free Rules - downloadable game rules for several eras from Alienstar Publishing
(If Alienstar's regular site is not working, try this link: Temporary Location of Alienstar Rules )
Jim Wallman's Free rules - He has simple, fun rules Science Fiction as well as for other eras and genre.