Starscape

TRUST, LIKE BREATHABLE AIR, IS A PRECIOUS COMMODITY IN SPACE.

Starscape is a Powered by the Apocalypse game that focuses on the ebb and flow of trust and the dynamic relationships that form between a crew as they explore the stars. It is a found-family game that is ideal for stories that focus on a small number of main characters who agree on a central goal, such as in Star Trek, Farscape, or Firefly. Trust means life or death for a crew. Everyone must trust in each other, their ship, and even their own abilities to successfully navigate the vast emptiness of space.


Download the Beta test documents on itch.io for free! (or pay what you will)

Ten Exciting Playbooks

The Civilian: a smooth talker with something to gain
▕ Quark, Lwaxana Troi, Kai Winn (Star Trek), Inara (Firefly), Rygel (Farscape), Londo Mollari (Babylon 5)
The Explorer: a scientific expert in search of discovery
▕ Picard or Janeway (Star Trek), Daniel Jackson (Stargate), Pilot (Farscape) Stephen Franklin (Babylon 5)
The Gifted: someone with superhuman abilities who is tuned into their crewmates
▕ Deanna Troi (Star Trek), River Tam (Firefly), Zhaan (Farscape), Lyta (Babylon 5)
The Greenhorn: a fresh-faced crewmember who is way out of their depth
▕ Ensign Kim (Star Trek), Simon (Firefly), early series John Crichton (Farscape)
The Hot Shot: a pilot who will get the job done, no matter what it takes
▕ Kirk, Riker, or Paris (Star Trek), Wash (Firefly), Starbuck (Battlestar Galactica)
The Normal: a crewmate who is totally unextraordinary. Don't wear a red shirt.
▕ Miles O'Brian, Barclay (Star Trek), Vir Cotto (Babylon 5), Guy (Galaxy Quest)
The Outsider: a character with a dubious past who has something to hide
▕ Garak (Star Trek), Jayne (Firefly), Aeryn Sun (Farscape)
The Rebel: an ex-freedom fighter who has a problem with authority
▕ Kira Nerys, B'Elanna Torres (Star Trek), Mal Reynolds (Firefly), Chiana (Farscape)
The Unfamiliar: a unique being who is learning to relate to others
▕ Original Spock, Data, Odo, or Seven of Nine (Star Trek), Kosh (Babylon 5)
The Warrior: a crewmember with battle in their blood and a violent past
▕ Worf, Martok (Star Trek), Ka D'Argo (Farscape), Zoe (Firefly), (Babylon 5)
Players choose a playbook from ten of the common character archetypes found in sci-fi stories, each with a unique set of moves and specialties. Together, you collaboratively create your ship and other important details about your universe. Starscape can work in all different types of science fiction settings, so feel free to pull from your favorite sources, mix and match, or create something completely original to explore.

Starscape is not designed to be a simulationist take on science fiction. There can be lots of combat, but game focuses on the relationships and interactions between the player characters, with adventure, danger, and combat utilized as narrative options to help explore the theme of trust.