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Universe: The Role-Playing Game of the Future (also known simply as ''Universe'') is a science fiction role-playing game that was published by influential wargame manufacturer Simulation Publications, Inc. (SPI) in 1981. It was designed by John H. Butterfield and co-developed by Butterfield and Gerard Christopher Klug.〔〔〔 ''Universe'' was SPI's answer to Game Designers Workshop's award-winning ''Traveller'' sci-fi RPG. ''Universe'' co-developer Klug (an experienced ''Traveller'' referee) set out "to 'fix' all the ill written and illogical rules () felt had been perpetrated on the science fiction role-playing community".〔 Consequently, ''Universe'' includes particularly methodical rules for such sci-fi RPG concerns as creating worlds, applying character skills to in-game situations, and resolving the initial moments of alien encounters. Reviewers〔〔〔〔 praised ''Universe'' for its innovative, well thought-out mechanics presented in a highly organized rules reference. However, they also criticized its cumbersome encounter/combat system and its lack of compelling background material. ''Universe'' was also noted for its "striking"〔 Interstellar Display, a poster-sized, astronomically accurate map of all stars within 30 light-years of Earth. The first edition of ''Universe'', published in March 1981, was released as a boxed set.〔 A year later, the second edition consolidated most of the game components into a single softcover book, published by Bantam.〔 SPI planned several adventures and supplements for ''Universe'', but in 1983, financial difficulties led to SPI being bought out by TSR, Inc〔 (creator of Dungeons and 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.〔 ==Setting== Universe is set in the mid-24th Century. Humankind has explored and colonized many star systems within 20 light-years of Earth. Some of the star systems closest to Earth are quite prosperous and populous, some having a billion or more inhabitants. Settlements further out amount to tentative colonies or even mere research facilities. Very few stars beyond 25 light-years have been colonized or even explored. Native extraterrestrial creatures are fairly common, but no intelligent alien civilization has yet been encountered. The Universe is governed from Earth by the "Federation of Planets". The Federation has exclusive control of spaceports as well as substantial law enforcement and military power, but refrains from intervening in planetary matters unless there is piracy, violent insurrection, or heinous exploitation of nascent colonies. Most colonized planets have retained the language and some of the national character of the planet's original pioneers (e.g. Chinese, Norwegian, "Arctican", etc.). The Earth itself is described as once again beautiful, green and flourishing. A small minority of humans possess powerful psionic abilities such as mind-reading and telekinesis. These powers, enabled by a rarely occurring combination of genes that were scientifically "awakened" in the 21st century, make psions indispensable to interstellar travel. This is because a spaceship's hyperjump engine must be triggered by an onboard psionic "navigator". These psionic individuals ("psions") form an introspective and aloof community, viewed by many in the general populace as elitist and somewhat freakish. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Universe (role-playing game)」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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