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(Updated article with current info as of early 2014, including cancelled editions & additional materiel for the games.) |
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The original version ["1st Edition"] focused on on small, specially trained and equipped "Prime Teams" who were sent on exceptionally dangerous missions. It featured its own unique RPG "engine" which many players found confusing and limited in its character development abilities. |
The original version ["1st Edition"] focused on on small, specially trained and equipped "Prime Teams" who were sent on exceptionally dangerous missions. It featured its own unique RPG "engine" which many players found confusing and limited in its character development abilities. |
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| − | The more recent versions of the RPG allow for more flexibility in character creation, as the game's base format has been licensed in |
+ | The more recent versions of the RPG allow for more flexibility in character creation, as the game's base format has been licensed in three different gaming system versions: |
*A "GURPS"-based version, licensed from Steve Jackson Games, centered on realistic gameplay using the "Fourth Edition" rules engine; |
*A "GURPS"-based version, licensed from Steve Jackson Games, centered on realistic gameplay using the "Fourth Edition" rules engine; |
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*A "d20 System"-based version, produced under the d20 open gaming license from [[Wizards of the Coast]], which focuses on heroic class-based gameplay (like the company's ''Dungeons & Dragons'' RPG); and |
*A "d20 System"-based version, produced under the d20 open gaming license from [[Wizards of the Coast]], which focuses on heroic class-based gameplay (like the company's ''Dungeons & Dragons'' RPG); and |
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| − | *A " |
+ | *A "d20 Modern System"-based version, with more up-to-date & realistic statistics than the original "d20" version. |
Each version has its pros and cons in gameplay options, but all allow for more than just the basic "shoot-em-up" characterizations of the original version. |
Each version has its pros and cons in gameplay options, but all allow for more than just the basic "shoot-em-up" characterizations of the original version. |
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| + | As of early 2014, the Core Rulebooks and supplementary volumes on the Federation, Klingons & Romulans of the "Prime Directive" universe for the "GURPS" and "d20 Modern" systems are available in both print and PDF editions through the STAR FLEET GAMES website. Print editions of the Core Rulebook and the Klingon & Romulan volumes for the original "d20" system are also available (no original "d20" Federation volume was made). PDF editions of all the "1st Edition" materiel are also available. |
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| − | :''NOTE: At this time, ''ADB'' has materiel for the 1st Edition, GURPS and d20 versions of the game available. The d6 and HERO versions are planned for future release, depending on how soon the writers complete the needed information. In addition, an alternate "d20 Modern" edition of the rules has been produced, which supercedes the original d20 edition and allows for more accurate gameplay than the base d20 system.'' |
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| + | Plans for versions based on two other systems have either been abandoned or permanently delayed: |
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| + | *A "HERO System"-based version, licensed from HERO Games, which is a multi-genre system allowing for (presumably) extremely flexible gameplay. No word on the official site for any releases in this system. |
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| + | ==Adventures & Supplements== |
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| + | In addition to the Federation, Klingon & Romulan supplements, one other supplementary volume and three mini-adventures have been published. |
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| + | *''Away Team Log'' is a compilation of the RPG material published in 19 issues of the STAR FLEET BATTLES' "Captain's Log" Magazine. Most of the material is fiction and backgrounds based in the "Prime Directive" universe, so it is usable with any of the released editions of the game. The volume is available in print and PDF editions. |
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| + | *Three PDF-only "mini-adventure" modules--each original published as a free giveaway for the annual "FREE RPG DAY" event--are available for purchase & download: |
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| + | **''Planet Aldo''--an "away team" adventure (further details unavailable), |
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| + | **''Starship Aldo''--a space adventure for the crew of a multi-race salvage vessel, and |
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| + | **''Dread Pirate Aldo''--an adventure where a planetary survey team is kidnapped by the titular character in order to develop new weaponry for him. |
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[[Category:Role-playing games]] |
[[Category:Role-playing games]] |
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Revision as of 08:52, 5 April 2014
Template:Realworld Prime Directive is the role-playing game extension of the long-running Star Fleet Battles wargame series created by Amarillo Design Bureau. Prime Directive allows you to create actual crewmembers for the ships of the SFB universe.
The original version ["1st Edition"] focused on on small, specially trained and equipped "Prime Teams" who were sent on exceptionally dangerous missions. It featured its own unique RPG "engine" which many players found confusing and limited in its character development abilities.
The more recent versions of the RPG allow for more flexibility in character creation, as the game's base format has been licensed in three different gaming system versions:
- A "GURPS"-based version, licensed from Steve Jackson Games, centered on realistic gameplay using the "Fourth Edition" rules engine;
- A "d20 System"-based version, produced under the d20 open gaming license from Wizards of the Coast, which focuses on heroic class-based gameplay (like the company's Dungeons & Dragons RPG); and
- A "d20 Modern System"-based version, with more up-to-date & realistic statistics than the original "d20" version.
Each version has its pros and cons in gameplay options, but all allow for more than just the basic "shoot-em-up" characterizations of the original version.
As of early 2014, the Core Rulebooks and supplementary volumes on the Federation, Klingons & Romulans of the "Prime Directive" universe for the "GURPS" and "d20 Modern" systems are available in both print and PDF editions through the STAR FLEET GAMES website. Print editions of the Core Rulebook and the Klingon & Romulan volumes for the original "d20" system are also available (no original "d20" Federation volume was made). PDF editions of all the "1st Edition" materiel are also available.
Plans for versions based on two other systems have either been abandoned or permanently delayed:
- A "d6 System"-based version, licensed from West End Games, focusing on more "cinematic" gameplay (similar to the original Star Wars RPG they produced in 1990s); possibly dropped when West End Games went out of business.
- A "HERO System"-based version, licensed from HERO Games, which is a multi-genre system allowing for (presumably) extremely flexible gameplay. No word on the official site for any releases in this system.
Adventures & Supplements
In addition to the Federation, Klingon & Romulan supplements, one other supplementary volume and three mini-adventures have been published.
- Away Team Log is a compilation of the RPG material published in 19 issues of the STAR FLEET BATTLES' "Captain's Log" Magazine. Most of the material is fiction and backgrounds based in the "Prime Directive" universe, so it is usable with any of the released editions of the game. The volume is available in print and PDF editions.
- Three PDF-only "mini-adventure" modules--each original published as a free giveaway for the annual "FREE RPG DAY" event--are available for purchase & download:
- Planet Aldo--an "away team" adventure (further details unavailable),
- Starship Aldo--a space adventure for the crew of a multi-race salvage vessel, and
- Dread Pirate Aldo--an adventure where a planetary survey team is kidnapped by the titular character in order to develop new weaponry for him.