This was a significant break from the tradition in earlier role-playing games such as D&D and Traveller, where there was more emphasis on 'throw-away' characters. While the number of random rolls is limited, the player has wide discretion in how points are applied and many choices especially when it comes to skills. (August 2011)Ĭharacter creation is a long process in Space Opera, typically taking an hour or more. This section does not cite any references or sources. While the background universe was based on Mark Ratner's Space Marines, Mark had little input into Space Opera itself. Phil McGregor sent some technology and space ship related stuff, which Ed liked so much that he incorporated it in the finished product. The project was completed over more than two years entirely by correspondence.' Ed was responsible for all the editing and coordination. During the process I’ve never met Ed, nor Phil McGregor and Mark Ratner, who lived in the Canadian west, Australia and the east of the USA, respectively.

With the basic rules one got most everything one would need: character construction, aliens, monsters, combat, starship construction, and world creation.Īccording to the Scott Bizar, the founder of FGU, 'I wanted a SF rpg and I gave the job to Ed Simbalist. As well, it would be a 'complete' system. Like Traveller, Space Opera had a default setting, though also like Traveller it was also intended to be used as generic science fiction role-playing game rules. Though it gained a dedicated following, the game never achieved the popularity enjoyed by Traveller. 'Doc' Smith's Lensman, Larry Niven's Known Space, Frank Herbert's ' Dune', Battlestar Galactica, Galactica 1980, etc. Space Opera resolved to give gamers a system and universe which they could mold into any popular science fiction milieu, be it Star Wars, E.E. While the system is applicable to the whole genre of science fiction the focus is on creating space opera themed adventures. Mark Ratner, and Phil McGregor in 1980 for Fantasy Games Unlimited.

Space Opera is a science-fiction role-playing game created by Edward E. For other uses, see Space Opera (disambiguation).

Gaming space opera