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Roleplaying Through Time & Stars: Why Historical & Sci-Fi RPGs Are Having a Moment


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Personal logo Sgt Slag Supporting Member of TMP writes:

Historical RPG's have been around since the 1980's -- I remember seeing advertisements for them, in Dragon Magazine. However, I never really gave them much thought before.

I have a historical gaming group who has many members who call themsleves, "Rivet Counters," because they know so many details of the history of WW II, Napoleon, etc. It never occurred to me that a historical RPG might appeal to them, until now.

They have run black powder imagi-nation games with fictitious European kingdoms, in the past. They are all RPG'ers playing D&D, but they've never played a historical RPG. I don't think they ever made a connection that they could make such a jump…

I shared your article with them. I think it would be a blast to be a player in one of their games. They have sooo much knowledge of the history of so many battles. I am not a Rivet Counter, but I think it would be fun to see them roll out their story lines, to discuss where we, the players, had deviated from history. I think they would have a blast with it.

On top of that, I believe they would come up with cross-over games: big battle miniatures games on tabletop, with our RPG characters in play on the table (I do this with my fantasy RPG characters getting tabletop time in fantasy mass battles).

I think the idea of historical RPG's has more potential than I ever realized before. This could really become a bridge between historical gamers, and fantasy gamers, creating some common ground between them. Cheers!


Areas of Interest

General
Ancients
Medieval
Renaissance
18th Century
Napoleonic
American Civil War
19th Century
World War One
World War Two on the Land
Modern

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Pacific Sky Games Sponsoring Member of TMP of Pacific Sky Games writes:


Roleplaying Through Time & Stars

What if your next roleplaying game let you storm the beaches of Normandy—not as a generic soldier, but as a real person with real consequences? Or explore a future war on a shattered Martian colony, where every oxygen tank and political choice might reshape humanity's fate?

At Pacific Sky Games, we believe that roleplaying games (RPGs) rooted in historical and science fiction events offer a powerful combination of immersion, strategy, and emotional storytelling. Whether you're reliving the Battle of Hastings or plotting a rebellion against a galactic empire, these worlds invite players to connect, create, and lead in meaningful ways.

And here's the big news: we're working on new RPGs that do exactly that—and we want your help.

Why Historical RPGs Are More Than Just "Dungeons Without Dragons"

When you play a role in a historical RPG, you're not just slinging swords—you're navigating the real-life politics, cultures, and conflicts of our collective past.

What Makes Them Shine:

Deep immersion – Real-world settings make it easier to connect emotionally.

Tactical storytelling – Players must use knowledge, wit, and diplomacy to survive.

Educational by design – Learn about real battles, civilizations, and decisions that shaped the world.

From colonial resistance to Cold War espionage, history provides endless dramatic fuel—and the tension is real, because it already happened.

Sci-Fi RPGs: Tomorrow's Battles, Today

Where historical games anchor us in the past, science fiction RPGs launch us into the future. Space travel, cybernetics, alien civilizations, time travel—sci-fi is where our dreams and fears become playable.

Why We Love Them:

Limitless creativity – Build worlds from scratch or riff on classic genres.

Modern parallels – Explore issues like AI ethics, climate collapse, or interstellar colonialism through play.

High-stakes drama – When the oxygen runs out or the reactor's melting down, things get personal fast.

Whether it's hard science fiction in the style of The Expanse or space opera flair like Star Wars, sci-fi RPGs let you explore the human condition at warp speed.

The PSG Take: Future Worlds, Real Stakes

At Pacific Sky Games, we don't just create games—we build experiences rooted in meaning, passion, and conflict. That's why our team is developing new RPGs inspired by:

  • Underrated military history from around the globe
  • Near-future warzones where today's tech meets tomorrow's tension
  • Alternate history timelines where a single twist reshapes everything

We believe RPGs can challenge players as both tacticians and storytellers. And while we're busy designing rulebooks, factions, and settings, we're also inviting new voices into the process.

Got a Game Idea? Let's Talk

Are you a game designer, writer, or worldbuilder with an idea that blends history or sci-fi with roleplaying? We want to hear from you.

Pacific Sky Games is actively looking for collaborators—designers with fresh ideas who want to turn their concept into a real, published game. Whether it's a finished draft or just a spark of genius, our team can help develop, test, and bring your vision to life.

We believe in creative partnerships, fair deals, and shared victories. It's the Gadugi way: working together to build something bigger than ourselves.

Ready to Enlist?

If you're a player looking for RPGs with a strong historical or sci-fi backbone, stay tuned.

If you're a designer with a story to tell, reach out.

Let's build the next generation of RPGs—together.

Join the Mission:

Follow us on Social Media for behind-the-scenes development updates.

Got a pitch? Contact us at our Contact Form.

Check out our current lineup of games, art, and apparel at pacificskygames.com.

For more information