![]() Cover art by John Pierard | |
Designers | John H. Butterfield, Gerard C. Klug |
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Publishers | Simulation Publications |
Publication | 1981 (1st edition) 1982 (2nd edition) |
Genres | Science fiction |
Systems | Custom |
Universe: The Role-Playing Game of the Future is a science fiction role-playing game published by Simulation Publications, Inc (SPI) from 1981 to 1983. It was praised[1][2][3][4] for its innovative and tightly organized rules for such sci-fi RPG concerns as generating planets, applying character skills to in-game situations, and resolving the initial moments of alien encounters; however, it was also criticized for its cumbersome encounter/combat system and its lack of compelling background material. Universe was also noted for its "striking"[1] Interstellar Display, a poster-sized, astronomically accurate map of all stars within 30 light-years of Earth.[5]
Universe was SPI's answer to Game Designers Workshop's award-winning Traveller sci-fi RPG. Universe co-developer Gerry Klug[6][7][8] (who was an experienced Traveller referee) set out "to 'fix' all the ill written and illogical rules [he] felt had been perpetrated on the science fiction role-playing community".[9]
The first edition of Universe, published in March 1981, was released as a boxed set.[1] A year later, the second edition consolidated most of the game components into a single softcover book, published by Bantam.[10] SPI planned several adventures and supplements for Universe, but in 1983, financial difficulties led to SPI being bought out by TSR, Inc[11] (creator of Dungeons & Dragons). TSR, which had its own sci-fi RPG (Star Frontiers), soon ended development of Universe. The last official mention of Universe was in July 1984, in the "StarQuestions" Q & A feature of TSR's Dragon magazine #87.[12]
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