In the background, a volcano exhales smoke into a crimson sky. The cover is an evocative scene, mainly in shades of red and gold. My copy is a softcover (not sure if it was ever printed in hardcover) that I bought in a clearance bin for two dollars at a used book store. Prime Directive, Task Force Games' product no. I like their podcast, but bashing stuff is kind of their shtick. The System Mastery Podcast famously skewered the game in an early show. D6 and Traveller versions were said to be planned at one time or another, but have languished in development for years. Since the original Prime Directive (nowadays referred to as PD One) went out of print, the setting has resurfaced in GURPS, D20 and D20 Modern versions. The Star Fleet Universe as a setting has shown itself to be fairly resilient. It had a handful of supplements in print before it disappeared from the market. I have been told by Costello that the game sold reasonably well, was generally well-reviewed, and was nominated for a couple of GAMA awards. Timothy Olsen and Mark Costello set about writing it, and Costello designed the game's core mechanic, the Tricode System. In the early nineties, It was decided that the Star Fleet Universe ("Star Fleet" has to be two words, according to the terms of their license) would make a great RPG. And since SFB is a wargame, the background fluff is that of a universe that has seen decades of war, rather than dalliances with green-skinned beauties on strange, new worlds.
#PRIME DIRECTIVE RPG MODERN PLUS#
Basically, they can use most of The Original Series (you won't hear the words Star Trek, or names like Kirk and Spock, however) and The Animated Series to draw on, plus whatever they extrapolate from it.
#PRIME DIRECTIVE RPG MODERN LICENSE#
And since their license never expires, which is unheard of for Star Trek licensees, they're not trying to do anything to mess it up.
:strip_icc()/pic626780.jpg "prime directive rpg modern")
They have a very limited license regarding which bits of Star Trek lore they can and cannot use. Star Fleet Battles was published by the now-defunct Task Force Games (it is currently published by Amarillo Design Bureau, along with all SFU-related games). Released in 1993, Prime Directive is the roleplaying game of the Star Fleet Universe, kind of a non-canon Star Trek, based on the lore of the Star Fleet Battles wargame. I'll also try to be as accurate as possible, the licensing history of this game (and especially its precursor) is a bit convoluted. Because I really want to focus on Prime Directive and its mechanics, I'll keep discussions about anything else short and to the point. There is a lot of history behind this rather niche product, I'll try to briefly and concisely sum it up. So, I'mma read this thing, try to present a clear overview of it, and let y'all draw your own conclusions. Some of that criticism is well-founded, but most, IMO, is not, and is rooted in misconceptions about the game or its setting. I'm a big fan of the original Prime Directive (Task Force Games, 1993), which has drawn A LOT of criticism over the years. Okay, kids, it's time to show that I have something to offer this forum besides slapfights and bad jokes.
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