Difference between revisions of "The Space Gamer"

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[[File: Imperial Sunburst-Sun-IISS-Traveller.gif|right]]
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[[File:Space Gamer N.32.png|right]]
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[[Space Gamer]] was a periodical that once published Traveller articles.  
+
[[The Space Gamer]] was a generic sci-fi gaming [[periodical]], that published several [[Traveller]]-related articles.  
 
   
 
   
 
== Description ([[Specifications]]) ==
 
== Description ([[Specifications]]) ==
−
''Space Gamer'' supported a number of other games and authors, but it included nearly the whole gamut of early Traveller authors and artists as well.
+
''The Space Gamer'' supported a number of other games and [[author]]s, but it included nearly the whole gamut of early [[Classic Traveller]] [[author]]s and [[artist]]s as well.
−
 
+
−
=== Traveller Articles ===
+
=== Selected Traveller Articles ===
−
# Robotics for Traveller [[Tony Watson]] 3 Jan 78 SG 15
+
{| class="wikitable sortable"
−
# Addendum Equipment and Weapons [[Robert P. Barger]] 3 July/Aug 78 SG 18
+
|+ The Space Gamer Traveller Articles
−
# Psionics in Traveller [[Kenneth W. Burke]] 2 Nov/Dec 78 SG 20
+
|-
−
# Alternate Characters for Traveller [[Forrest Johnson]] 2 Oct 80 SG 32
+
! Name
−
# Ithilien Class [[Mark Chittenden]] 1 Oct 80 SG 32
+
! Author
−
# More Psionics [[Kenneth W. Burke]] 1 Jan 81 SG 35
+
! Date
−
# Pawn of the Fire Web [[K.L. Jones]] 6 Feb 81 SG 36
+
! Issue
−
# Ya Wanna Buy A Used Ship? [[Timothy B. Brown|Tim Brown]], [[William A. Barton]] 2 Apr 81 SG 38
+
! Remarks
−
# Rumor Reliability [[Steve Winter]] 1 May 81 SG 39
+
|-
−
# Aboard the Leviathan [[Marc W. Miller]] 2 Jun 81 SG 40
+
| [[Robot|Robotics for Traveller]]
−
# Adventures on Tschai [[Steve Winter]] 8 Jun 81 SG 40
+
| [[Tony Watson]]
−
# New Space Combat System [[Steve Winter]] 3 Jun 81 SG 40
+
| 3 Jan 78
−
# SF Character Contest Results ??? 2 Sep 81 SG 43
+
| [[The Space Gamer 15]]
−
# Expanded Combat [[William A. Barton]] 4 Sep 81 SG 43
+
| None
−
# AFV's in Traveller [[Donald Gallagher]] 10 Oct 81 SG 44
+
|-
−
# Terrorists in Traveller [[Kenneth W. Burke]] 3 Dec 81 SG 46
+
| Addendum [[Equipment]] and [[Weapon]]s
−
# Flare Star (part 1) [[J. Andrew Keith]] Jun 81 TSG 46
+
| [[Robert P. Barger]]  
−
# I'm a Doctor, Not a... [[J. Andrew Keith]] 2 Jan 82 SG 47
+
| 3 July/Aug 78
−
# Flare Star (part 2) [[J. Andrew Keith]] Feb 82 TSG 48
+
| [[The Space Gamer 18]]
−
# Tools for Terrorists [[William A. Barton]] 3 Mar 82 SG 49
+
| [[Laser Pistol]]
−
# Flare Star (part 3) [[J. Andrew Keith]] Apr 82 TSG 50
+
|-
−
# Omni Car, The [[William A. Barton]] 1 Jun 82 SG 52
+
| [[Psionics|Psionics in Traveller]]
−
# Flare Star (part 4) [[J. Andrew Keith]] Jul 82 TSG 53
+
| [[Kenneth W. Burke]]
−
# Splat Gun, The [[William A. Barton]] 3 Oct 82 SG 56
+
| 2 Nov/Dec 78
−
# Chainsaw Combat [[Christopher Kupczyk]] 1 Apr 83 SG 62
+
| [[The Space Gamer 20]]
−
# Interdiction Station [[Marcus L. Rowland]] 10 Feb 84 SG 67
+
| None
−
# Competitive Citizens [[Dan Perez]] 2 Aug 84 SG 70
+
|-
−
# Pre-Enlistment Skills [[Warren Okuma]] 1 Apr 85 SG 73
+
| [[Mercenary|Mercenary: a Review]]
−
# Stiletto Class Yacht [[Gary Reilly]] Apr/May 87 SG 78
+
| [[Tony Wilson]] 
−
# Manhunt [[Bill Cassell]] SG 81
+
| March-April 79
−
# Ranger Class Courier [[James B. King]] SG 81
+
| [[The Space Gamer 22]]
−
# Tarragon's Heir [[Michael O'Brien]] Dec 89 SG 84
+
| None
−
# Starjammer Class Yacht [[Gary Reilly]] Jan/Feb 89 SG 85
+
|-
−
# Corsair Contention [[James B. King]] Jan/Feb 89 SG 85
+
| [[Snapshot|Snapshot: a Review]]
 +
| [[Tony Wilson]] 
 +
| January-February 80
 +
| [[The Space Gamer 26]]
 +
| None
 +
|-
 +
| Alternate Characters for Traveller  
 +
| [[Forrest Johnson]]  
 +
| 2 Oct 80  
 +
| [[The Space Gamer 32]]
 +
| This was the first "Special Traveller Issue."
 +
|-
 +
| [[Ithilien class Scoutship|Ithilien Class]]
 +
| [[Mark Chittenden]]  
 +
| 1 Oct 80  
 +
| [[The Space Gamer 32]]
 +
| Page 11. 150 [[ton]] [[scout ship]] from the [[Conundrum State Shipyards]].
 +
|-
 +
| [[Psionics|More Psionics for Traveller]] 
 +
| [[Kenneth W. Burke]]
 +
| 1 Jan 81  
 +
| [[The Space Gamer 35]]
 +
| None
 +
|-
 +
| Pawn of the Fire Web  
 +
| [[K.L. Jones]]  
 +
| 6 Feb 81  
 +
| [[The Space Gamer 36]]
 +
| None
 +
|-
 +
| Alien for sadic GMs: The Alien for D&D and Traveller
 +
| [[K.L. Jones]]
 +
| 6 Feb 81
 +
| [[The Space Gamer 36]]
 +
| None
 +
|-
 +
| [[Starship|Ya Wanna Buy A Used Ship?]]
 +
| [[Timothy B. Brown|Tim Brown]], [[William A. Barton]]  
 +
| 2 Apr 81  
 +
| [[The Space Gamer 38]]
 +
| None
 +
|-
 +
| [[Rumor|Rumor Reliability]]
 +
| [[Steve Winter]]  
 +
| 1 May 81  
 +
| [[The Space Gamer 39]]
 +
| None
 +
|-
 +
| [[Leviathan class Merchant Cruiser|Aboard the Leviathan]] 
 +
| [[Marc Miller|Marc W. Miller]]  
 +
| 2 Jun 81
 +
| [[The Space Gamer 40]]
 +
| None
 +
|-
 +
| Adventures on Tschai  
 +
| [[Steve Winter]]  
 +
| 8 Jun 81  
 +
| [[The Space Gamer 40]]
 +
| Planet of Adventure is a series of four science fiction novels by Jack Vance. Tschai is a planet and a center of action.
 +
|-
 +
| New Space Combat System  
 +
| [[Steve Winter]]  
 +
| 3 Jun 81  
 +
| [[The Space Gamer 40]]
 +
| None
 +
|-
 +
| SF Character Contest Results  
 +
| Unknown
 +
| 2 Sep 81  
 +
| [[The Space Gamer 43]]
 +
| None
 +
|-
 +
| Expanded Combat  
 +
| [[William A. Barton]]  
 +
| 4 Sep 81  
 +
| [[The Space Gamer 43]]
 +
| None
 +
|-
 +
| [[AFV|AFV's in Traveller]]
 +
| [[Donald Gallagher]], [[William A. Barton]]
 +
| 10 Oct 81  
 +
| [[The Space Gamer 44]]
 +
| None
 +
|-
 +
| Terrorists in Traveller
 +
| [[Kenneth W. Burke]]  
 +
| 3 Dec 81
 +
| [[The Space Gamer 46]]
 +
| None
 +
|-
 +
| [[Flare Star (book)|Flare Star (part 1)]]
 +
| [[J. Andrew Keith]]  
 +
| 1 Jun 81  
 +
| [[The Space Gamer 46]]
 +
| None
 +
|-
 +
| [[Doctor|I'm a Doctor, Not a...]]
 +
| [[J. Andrew Keith]]  
 +
| 2 Jan 82  
 +
| [[The Space Gamer 47]]
 +
| None
 +
|-
 +
| [[Flare Star (book)|Flare Star (part 2)]]
 +
| [[J. Andrew Keith]]  
 +
| 1 Feb 82  
 +
| [[The Space Gamer 48]]
 +
| None
 +
|-
 +
| [[Equipment|Tools for Terrorists]]
 +
| [[William A. Barton]]  
 +
| 3 Mar 82  
 +
| [[The Space Gamer 49]]
 +
| None
 +
|-
 +
| [[Flare Star (book)|Flare Star (part 3)]] 
 +
| [[J. Andrew Keith]]  
 +
| 1 Apr 82
 +
| [[The Space Gamer 50]]
 +
| None
 +
|-
 +
| Review of [[Imperial Data Recovery System]]
 +
| [[John M. Morrison]]
 +
| 1 Apr 82
 +
| [[The Space Gamer 50]]
 +
| None
 +
|-
 +
| [[Omni Car|Omni Car, The]]
 +
| [[William A. Barton]]  
 +
| 1 Jun 82  
 +
| [[The Space Gamer 52]]
 +
| None
 +
|-
 +
| [[Flare Star (book)|Flare Star (part 4)]]
 +
| [[J. Andrew Keith]]  
 +
| 1 Jul 82  
 +
| [[The Space Gamer 53]]
 +
| None
 +
|-
 +
| [[Splat Gun|Splat Gun, The]]
 +
| [[William A. Barton]]  
 +
| 3 Oct 82  
 +
| [[The Space Gamer 56]]
 +
| None
 +
|-
 +
| [[Chainsaw|Chainsaw Combat]]
 +
| [[Christopher Kupczyk]]  
 +
| 1 Apr 83  
 +
| [[The Space Gamer 62]]
 +
| None
 +
|-
 +
| [[Interdiction|Interdiction Station]]
 +
| [[Marcus L. Rowland]]  
 +
| 10 Feb 84  
 +
| [[Space Gamer 67]]
 +
| None
 +
|-
 +
| [[Citizen|Competitive Citizens]] 
 +
| [[Dan Perez]]  
 +
| 2 Aug 84
 +
| [[Space Gamer 70]]
 +
| None
 +
|-
 +
| Pre-Enlistment Skills  
 +
| [[Warren Okuma]]  
 +
| 1 Apr 85  
 +
| [[Space Gamer 73]]
 +
| None
 +
|-
 +
| [[Stiletto class Yacht|Stiletto Class Yacht]]
 +
| [[Gary Reilly]]  
 +
| 1 Apr/May 87  
 +
| [[Space Gamer 78]]
 +
| None
 +
|-
 +
| Manhunt  
 +
| [[Bill Cassell]]  
 +
| 1 Sep 89
 +
| [[Space Gamer 81]]
 +
| None
 +
|-
 +
| [[Ranger class Courier|Ranger Class Courier]]
 +
| [[James B. King]]  
 +
| 1 Sep 89
 +
| [[Space Gamer 81]]
 +
| None
 +
|-
 +
| Tarragon's Heir  
 +
| [[Michael O'Brien]]  
 +
| 1 Dec 89  
 +
| [[Space Gamer 84]]
 +
| None
 +
|-
 +
| [[Starjammer class Yacht|Starjammer Class Yacht]]
 +
| [[Gary Reilly]]  
 +
| 1 Jan/Feb 89  
 +
| [[Space Gamer 85]]
 +
| None
 +
|-
 +
| [[Corsair|Corsair Contention]]
 +
| [[James B. King]]  
 +
| 1 Jan/Feb 89  
 +
| [[Space Gamer 85]]
 +
| None
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
 
=== External Links ===
 
=== External Links ===
−
# EXTERNAL LINK: [http://www.spacegamer.com/ Space Gamer/Fantasy Gamer]  
+
* [http://www.spacegamer.com/ Space Gamer/Fantasy Gamer]  
−
# EXTERNAL LINK: [http://www.spacegamer.com/default.asp The Space Gamer] homepage at Better Games.
+
* [http://www.spacegamer.com/default.asp The Space Gamer] homepage at Better Games.
  
 
== History & Background ([[Dossier]]) ==
 
== History & Background ([[Dossier]]) ==
−
''Meta-history & Background:'' The Space Gamer was a magazine dedicated to the subject of science fiction and fantasy board games and role-playing games. It quickly grew in importance and was an important and influential magazine in its subject matter from the late 70s through the mid-80s. The magazine is no longer published, but the Better Games maintain a web presence using its final title Space Gamer/Fantasy Gamer.  
+
The Space Gamer was a magazine dedicated to the subject of science fiction and fantasy board games and role-playing games. It quickly grew in importance and was an important and influential magazine in its subject matter from the late 70s through the mid-80s. The magazine is no longer published, but the Better Games maintain a web presence using its final title Space Gamer/Fantasy Gamer.  
  
 
The Space Gamer started out as a quarterly publication of the brand new [[wikipedia:Metagaming Concepts|Metagaming Concepts]] company in 1975. Initial issues were in a plain-paper digest format. By issue 17, it had grown to a full size bimonthly magazine, printed on slick paper.
 
The Space Gamer started out as a quarterly publication of the brand new [[wikipedia:Metagaming Concepts|Metagaming Concepts]] company in 1975. Initial issues were in a plain-paper digest format. By issue 17, it had grown to a full size bimonthly magazine, printed on slick paper.
  
−
When Steve Jackson departed Metagaming to found his own company, he also secured the right to publish The Space Gamer from number 27 on. The magazine stayed with [[Steve Jackson Games]] for the next five years, during which, it was at its most popular and influential. In 1983, the magazine was split into two separate bimonthly magazines: Space Gamer (losing the 'The' with the split in Number 64), and Fantasy Gamer; the former concentrating entirely on science fiction, and the latter on fantasy. This arrangement lasted about a year. Fantasy Gamer ran six issues before being folded back into Space Gamer. Steve Jackson Games published through issue 76 (Sept/Oct 1985).
+
When [[Steve Jackson]] departed [[wikipedia:Metagaming Concepts|Metagaming]] to found his own company, he also secured the right to publish [[The Space Gamer]] from number 27 on. The magazine stayed with [[Steve Jackson Games]] for the next five years, during which, it was at its most popular and influential. In 1983, the magazine was split into two separate bimonthly magazines: [[Space Gamer]] (losing the 'The' with the split in Number 64), and Fantasy Gamer; the former concentrating entirely on science fiction, and the latter on fantasy. This arrangement lasted about a year. Fantasy Gamer ran six issues before being folded back into [[Space Gamer]]. [[Steve Jackson Games]] published through issue 76 (Sept/Oct 1985).
  
−
n 1986, the magazine was sold to Diverse Talents, Incorporated (DTI) who continued the magazine with the same numbering and format (after a gap of nearly a year and a half), but with the name Space Gamer/Fantasy Gamer. The trademarks to Space Gamer and Fantasy Gamer was then sold to World Wide War (3W), a company which for a brief time tried to ascend to the top of the adventure gaming hill. They also purchased Strategy and Tactics. Alas, WWW also went down like Metagaming, and Space Gamer ended up in the hands of Future Combat Simulations (FCS). After publishing just one issue, FCS could not continue and a year later FCS declared bankruptcy. After passing through several hands, the Space Gamer/Fantasy Gamer trademark got passed to Better Games.  
+
In 1986, the magazine was sold to [[Diverse Talents]], Incorporated (DTI) who continued the magazine with the same numbering and format (after a gap of nearly a year and a half), but with the name [[Space Gamer/Fantasy Gamer]]. The trademarks to Space Gamer and Fantasy Gamer was then sold to [[World Wide War]] (3W), a company which for a brief time tried to ascend to the top of the adventure gaming hill. They also purchased [[Strategy and Tactics]]. Alas, WWW also went down like Metagaming, and Space Gamer ended up in the hands of [[Future Combat Simulations]] (FCS). After publishing just one issue, FCS could not continue and a year later FCS declared bankruptcy. After passing through several hands, the Space Gamer/Fantasy Gamer trademark got passed to [[Better Games]].  
  
−
Better Games now publishes [http://www.spacegamer.com/ Space Gamer/Fantasy Gamer] as part of their online gaming system. They have published eight issues.  
+
[[Better Games]] now publishes [http://www.spacegamer.com/ Space Gamer/Fantasy Gamer] as part of their online gaming system. They have published eight issues.
  
−
=== Credits (Primary Sources) ===
+
== References & Contributors (Sources) ==
 
{{Wikipedia|The_Space_Gamer}}
 
{{Wikipedia|The_Space_Gamer}}
−
 
−
== References & Contributors (Sources) ==
 
 
{{Intermediate}}
 
{{Intermediate}}
 
{{Sources
 
{{Sources

Latest revision as of 21:11, 12 June 2020

Space Gamer N.32.png

The Space Gamer was a generic sci-fi gaming periodical, that published several Traveller-related articles.

Description (Specifications)[edit]

The Space Gamer supported a number of other games and authors, but it included nearly the whole gamut of early Classic Traveller authors and artists as well.

Selected Traveller Articles[edit]

The Space Gamer Traveller Articles
Name Author Date Issue Remarks
Robotics for Traveller Tony Watson 3 Jan 78 The Space Gamer 15 None
Addendum Equipment and Weapons Robert P. Barger 3 July/Aug 78 The Space Gamer 18 Laser Pistol
Psionics in Traveller Kenneth W. Burke 2 Nov/Dec 78 The Space Gamer 20 None
Mercenary: a Review Tony Wilson March-April 79 The Space Gamer 22 None
Snapshot: a Review Tony Wilson January-February 80 The Space Gamer 26 None
Alternate Characters for Traveller Forrest Johnson 2 Oct 80 The Space Gamer 32 This was the first "Special Traveller Issue."
Ithilien Class Mark Chittenden 1 Oct 80 The Space Gamer 32 Page 11. 150 ton scout ship from the Conundrum State Shipyards.
More Psionics for Traveller Kenneth W. Burke 1 Jan 81 The Space Gamer 35 None
Pawn of the Fire Web K.L. Jones 6 Feb 81 The Space Gamer 36 None
Alien for sadic GMs: The Alien for D&D and Traveller K.L. Jones 6 Feb 81 The Space Gamer 36 None
Ya Wanna Buy A Used Ship? Tim Brown, William A. Barton 2 Apr 81 The Space Gamer 38 None
Rumor Reliability Steve Winter 1 May 81 The Space Gamer 39 None
Aboard the Leviathan Marc W. Miller 2 Jun 81 The Space Gamer 40 None
Adventures on Tschai Steve Winter 8 Jun 81 The Space Gamer 40 Planet of Adventure is a series of four science fiction novels by Jack Vance. Tschai is a planet and a center of action.
New Space Combat System Steve Winter 3 Jun 81 The Space Gamer 40 None
SF Character Contest Results Unknown 2 Sep 81 The Space Gamer 43 None
Expanded Combat William A. Barton 4 Sep 81 The Space Gamer 43 None
AFV's in Traveller Donald Gallagher, William A. Barton 10 Oct 81 The Space Gamer 44 None
Terrorists in Traveller Kenneth W. Burke 3 Dec 81 The Space Gamer 46 None
Flare Star (part 1) J. Andrew Keith 1 Jun 81 The Space Gamer 46 None
I'm a Doctor, Not a... J. Andrew Keith 2 Jan 82 The Space Gamer 47 None
Flare Star (part 2) J. Andrew Keith 1 Feb 82 The Space Gamer 48 None
Tools for Terrorists William A. Barton 3 Mar 82 The Space Gamer 49 None
Flare Star (part 3) J. Andrew Keith 1 Apr 82 The Space Gamer 50 None
Review of Imperial Data Recovery System John M. Morrison 1 Apr 82 The Space Gamer 50 None
Omni Car, The William A. Barton 1 Jun 82 The Space Gamer 52 None
Flare Star (part 4) J. Andrew Keith 1 Jul 82 The Space Gamer 53 None
Splat Gun, The William A. Barton 3 Oct 82 The Space Gamer 56 None
Chainsaw Combat Christopher Kupczyk 1 Apr 83 The Space Gamer 62 None
Interdiction Station Marcus L. Rowland 10 Feb 84 Space Gamer 67 None
Competitive Citizens Dan Perez 2 Aug 84 Space Gamer 70 None
Pre-Enlistment Skills Warren Okuma 1 Apr 85 Space Gamer 73 None
Stiletto Class Yacht Gary Reilly 1 Apr/May 87 Space Gamer 78 None
Manhunt Bill Cassell 1 Sep 89 Space Gamer 81 None
Ranger Class Courier James B. King 1 Sep 89 Space Gamer 81 None
Tarragon's Heir Michael O'Brien 1 Dec 89 Space Gamer 84 None
Starjammer Class Yacht Gary Reilly 1 Jan/Feb 89 Space Gamer 85 None
Corsair Contention James B. King 1 Jan/Feb 89 Space Gamer 85 None

External Links[edit]

History & Background (Dossier)[edit]

The Space Gamer was a magazine dedicated to the subject of science fiction and fantasy board games and role-playing games. It quickly grew in importance and was an important and influential magazine in its subject matter from the late 70s through the mid-80s. The magazine is no longer published, but the Better Games maintain a web presence using its final title Space Gamer/Fantasy Gamer.

The Space Gamer started out as a quarterly publication of the brand new Metagaming Concepts company in 1975. Initial issues were in a plain-paper digest format. By issue 17, it had grown to a full size bimonthly magazine, printed on slick paper.

When Steve Jackson departed Metagaming to found his own company, he also secured the right to publish The Space Gamer from number 27 on. The magazine stayed with Steve Jackson Games for the next five years, during which, it was at its most popular and influential. In 1983, the magazine was split into two separate bimonthly magazines: Space Gamer (losing the 'The' with the split in Number 64), and Fantasy Gamer; the former concentrating entirely on science fiction, and the latter on fantasy. This arrangement lasted about a year. Fantasy Gamer ran six issues before being folded back into Space Gamer. Steve Jackson Games published through issue 76 (Sept/Oct 1985).

In 1986, the magazine was sold to Diverse Talents, Incorporated (DTI) who continued the magazine with the same numbering and format (after a gap of nearly a year and a half), but with the name Space Gamer/Fantasy Gamer. The trademarks to Space Gamer and Fantasy Gamer was then sold to World Wide War (3W), a company which for a brief time tried to ascend to the top of the adventure gaming hill. They also purchased Strategy and Tactics. Alas, WWW also went down like Metagaming, and Space Gamer ended up in the hands of Future Combat Simulations (FCS). After publishing just one issue, FCS could not continue and a year later FCS declared bankruptcy. After passing through several hands, the Space Gamer/Fantasy Gamer trademark got passed to Better Games.

Better Games now publishes Space Gamer/Fantasy Gamer as part of their online gaming system. They have published eight issues.

References & Contributors (Sources)[edit]

Smallwikipedialogo.png This page uses content from Wikipedia. The original article was at The_Space_Gamer. The list of authors can be seen in the page history. The text of Wikipedia is available under the Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.
This list of sources was used by the Traveller Wiki Editorial Team and individual contributors to compose this article. Copyrighted material is used under license from Mongoose Publishing or by permission of the author. The page history lists all of the contributions.
Retrieved from "http://wiki.travellerrpg.com/index.php?title=The_Space_Gamer&oldid=606535"