Just ran into a Space/Sci-fi RPG from 1977

[sideranautae]

same year Trav was published.

http://rpggeek.com/rpgitem/88924/space-quest

I always thought that Traveller was the first, coming out in '77. Looks like it shares that distinction.

 

[Reynard]

"This game is designed for the growing number of gamers who get off on the creative challenges of building their own campaign, with no premises beyond the mechanics of play for players to get fat and lazy with."

Wow, that's a bit cynical for such a game especially during a time RPGs were just getting started and there couldn't be too many other games to compared with. If it was a modern reference then the editor knows nothing about Traveller!

It would be interesting to actually see the rules to understand what it is. So many similar games have been PDFed.

 

[sideranautae]

It would be interesting to actually see the rules to understand what it is. So many similar games have been PDFed.

If I find a link I'll post back to this thread.

 

[Reynard]

Cool! I love looking at those RPG artifacts.

 

[GypsyComet]

I was flipping through my old copy of Star Rovers (1981) and found a similar air of cynicism, disdain for regularity, and complete disregard of entertainment copyright. Of course, it was written and published by the same guy who got away with Darth Vader and Storm Trooper minis by adding bunny ears...

 

[TrippyHippy]

The first Sci-Fi RPG was TSR’s Metamorphosis Alpha (1976).

Traveller wasn’t the first sci-fi rpg. It’s long-lasting fan base and support, however, is indicative that it was the best, while a cursory investigation into the systems and presentational style of the game suggests why. That is, it innovated so much stuff into one concise boxed package that the audience were wowed beyond what had come before.

Think about it: the Career-based chargen, Skills, Tech Levels, World Design, Spaceship design, Trading systems…none were seen before Traveller.

 

[Reynard]

I have a PDF copy of that Metamorphosis Alpha and now my collection of all the editions is complete. I had a chance to buy it back in the late 70s but had to wait a week to earn enough money and someone else grabbed it. I still swear it was based on a tv show around that time with a group of people adventuring on a generational ship with domed ecological terrains.

The premise and background would make a great Traveller campaign though the diverse mutant angle could be boiled down to a set of regular native opponents using Traveller generation.

 

[sideranautae]

The first Sci-Fi RPG was TSR’s Metamorphosis Alpha (1976).

Traveller wasn’t the first sci-fi rpg.

Correct. It was the first Space Opera RPG.

 

[Infojunky]

I have a PDF copy of that Metamorphosis Alpha and now my collection of all the editions is complete. I had a chance to buy it back in the late 70s but had to wait a week to earn enough money and someone else grabbed it. I still swear it was based on a tv show around that time with a group of people adventuring on a generational ship with domed ecological terrains.

Perchance "The Starlost", but I can also think of a couple from SF literature.

 

[Reynard]

You are correct. Somehow I keep forgetting that title.