Classic Role-playing Game from West End Games Continues to Form Foundation for Star Wars Universe's Gameplay
Hear ye, hear ye! Let's take a dive into the stars and discuss the legendary impact of West End Games' Star Wars Roleplaying Game on the galaxy far, far away.
You know the tales of Star Wars: the fights, the triumphs, the people, and the universes beyond our own. But did you know that much of what you love about the Star Wars continuity can be traced back to a tabletop role-playing game from the 80s? Yep, you read that right!
West End Games' Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game, first published in 1987, was more than just a fun little pastime. It was a wildly imaginative creation that helped transform the Star Wars universe into the expansive, richly detailed universe we know today—from its comic books, movies, TV shows, games, and beyond.
These sourcebooks weren't just filled with neat facts and numbers. They oozed with intricate details, fleshing out the galaxy in a way that made it a vibrant sandbox for players to explore. Some of these details even went on to shape the early Expanded Universe, including The Courtship of Princess Leia (the story of Star Wars' future) and the Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game itself (the foundation for its past).
From species names to Rebel Alliance structures, West End Games (WEG) added layer upon layer, enriching the Star Wars universe and creating a playground for storytelling. The journey of modern Star Wars is as much about adding new stories as it is weaving the old ones back in.
WEG's books were the blueprint for much of the modern Star Wars universe, providing more than just data. They established a unique tone and style that helped shape the direction of Star Wars storytelling. This is most clearly seen in books like Greg Gorden's Imperial Sourcebook, which delved deep into the sinister details of the Empire's oppressive structure. But it's not just about the material itself; it's about how WEG taught its writers to write Star Wars: expansive, additive, morally complex, and filled with convincing characters, both good and evil.
Nowadays, modern Star Wars leans heavily on this WEG vision. The style guide from the 80s has had a sort of viral effect, even hitting the web a decade ago as a comparison to modern Star Wars. While hindsight can be fun, the advice WEG gave on what made good Star Wars is still felt throughout the best of the material we're getting today.
Of course, not all Star Wars should adhere to this tone or particular frame. After all, every sandbox has different playgrounds within it. But it's remarkable to see how much of the very best of modern Star Wars carries the legacy of West End Games and the Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game.
So next time you're enjoying Star Wars, take a moment to raise a glass (or lightsaber?) to the game that helped create the galaxy far, far away we all love.
Now, who's ready to crack open a rulebook and roll some dice? May the dice be ever in your favor!
Sources:
[1] BioWare’s Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
[2] BioWare’s Star Wars: The Old Republic
[3] The influence of West End Games' material can be felt in storytelling approaches and world-building in games, novels, and comics.
The influence of West End Games' Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game is evident in various aspects of modern Star Wars, extending to its games, novels, and comics. For instance, the tone and style of BioWare's Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic mirror the unique approach set by the 80s role-playing game. Similarly, elements from the Imperial Sourcebook can be traced in the sinister aspects of BioWare's Star Wars: The Old Republic. Additionally, websites like Gizmodo and IO9 often discuss the impact of this role-playing game on the future of Star Wars entertainment, including its influence on movies, TV shows, and games beyond the scope of the tabletop game.
