Fantasy Flight Games has been adventuring across gaming tables in a galaxy far, far away for some time with the release of their own line of Star Wars roleplaying games. Edge of the Empire, Age of Rebellion, and Force & Destiny each capture a unique element of the Star Wars universe and allow gamers to immerse themselves in that aspect of the universe. Using specifically designed mechanics and high production value books and supplements, they’ve created a modern masterpiece with these three table top roleplaying games.
But folks sometimes talk about the old days. They talk of six sided dice, character templates, speed codes, and Dark Side Points. Well, it’s true – all of it. The Force Points, the Failed Jedi, it’s all true. Yeah, I knew The Star Wars Roleplaying Game. Sorry, I was channeling Han Solo for a second. I think he was a war hero or a smuggler or something.
Anyway, back in 1987 Star Wars was a wasteland. The original trilogy had come and gone. The Marvel comics had ended. The Expanded Universe didn’t exist. Star Wars was now a part of the past. Then West End Games released Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game. This easy-to-learn tabletop RPG expanded the Star Wars galaxy in ways that still impact canon to this day. The Star Wars RPG produced names we think of as common place in Star Wars canon: Twi’leks, Rodians, and so many other familiar terms were born in the pages of the 1987 West End Games RPG.
Well, Fantasy Flight Games is taking us back to an elegant age with this civilized game. This week, they announced that they’ll be publishing a limited edition two-book hardcover set of the original Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game Core Rulebook and its companion Star Wars Sourcebook in a single slip cover.
Obviously, a lot of old table top gamers are excited about this, myself among them. Star Wars was my very first roleplaying game and I speak in detail on the West End incarnation: 1st edition, 2nd edition, and Revised and Expanded.
The love for West End Games’ original Star Wars table top RPG endures after 30 years, with active Facebook and Google communities. Fantasy Flight Games is clearly tapping into this and providing a little bit of love to fans of the game as well as giving those who love the original a chance to relive that magic all over again.
Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game 30th Anniversary Edition will retail for $59.99 for a two-hardcover slipcase set and is scheduled for release in the fourth quarter of 2017. It can be pre-ordered at the Fantasy Flight Games webstore.
Check out our Star Wars Tabletop gaming article series HERE: http://starwarsreporter.com/2016/03/20/a-star-wars-gaming-table-far-far-away-episode-i-introduction/
