This Is Free Trader Beowulf: A System History of Traveller

This is Free Trader Beowulf, calling anyone Mayday, Mayday.

A box emblazoned with those words went on sale for the first time on July 22, 1977, at the Origins III Game Fair, heralding the advent of theTravellerroleplaying game from GDW. It wasnt the first science-fiction roleplaying game, but through its innovative design and through the development of its evocative universe of Charted Space, it would become the longest running SFRPG in the industry.

However, its path would not be simple. AfterTravellerreached its early apogee just four years in, it would face decades of increasing problems, raising many questions. Why did GDW decided to shatter their Imperium? What led them to seek outside help to produce the second edition of the game? Why did they abandon theTravellergame system with their next revision? How could such a popular publisher face bankruptcy just two decades on? Similarly, what happened to Imperium Games, QuikLink Interactive, and others who followed in GDWs footsteps as the inheritors of theTravellerlegacy? And finally, how did Mongoose Publishing reach into the past and bringTravellerback to its position as the industrys best-loved SFRPG?

This volume answers those questions and more. It tracksTravellerfrom its inspirations in the early 70s, though its initial publication, and across seven distinct editions of its original 2d6 gaming system. It reveals the stories ofTravellersthree major publishers; GDW, Imperium Games, and Mongoose, as well many licensees. Most importantly, it tells howTravellerfell into increasing darkness before descending into a Long Night, and how it rose again as a phoenix.

From the author ofDesigners & Dragons, which told the story of the entire roleplaying industry, comes the intimate history of a single roleplaying game, culled from hundreds of primary sources and interviews.