Space Gamer began life as a paper magazine published by Metagaming Concepts in 1975. Steve Jackson Games took over publication with issue #27 (dated March/April 1980), and ultimately published 50 issues (plus six issues of spin-off magazine Fantasy Gamer). Issue #76, September/October 1985, became Steve Jackson Games' last issue before the rights to the name went elsewhere. Space Gamer covered all aspects of hobby gaming: RPGs, wargames, card and strategy games, and more. It also featured industry news and reviews. Although Space Gamer is still a great read in its own right, today it's also a fascinating look at an earlier era of hobby gaming.

All the issues of Space Gamer that were published by Steve Jackson Games are available digitally at Warehouse 23, including a bundle of all 50 issues.

Today's featured issue from the vault:

Space Gamer #42

Space Gamer #42 (August 1981)

Space Gamer #42 (cover date August 1981) boldly goes where few mags have gone before – and the articles are fun to read, too!

In addition to the regular game reviews, news, and letters, this issue features old-school sci-fi action, including a retrospective of Star Fleet Battles (by its creator, Steve Cole); ruminations about Metamorphosis Alpha; two new nonhuman races for Traveller; plus a computer-programming article about how to make those sci-fi battles feel a bit more like your favorite TV show. It also includes advice for why it's good to have mixed-monster adversaries in your fantasy gaming, as well as a tongue-in-cheek "glossary" of gaming-industry terms (did you know "The Game Master will determine . . ." means "Sorry, we couldn't think up a rule for this"?).

Whether you're a fan of old-school gaming or a historian of our hobby, each issue of Space Gamer is the perfect passport to the past!


The Vault
Space Gamer #27 - #36
#27 - #36 		Space Gamer #37 - #46
#37 - #46 		Space Gamer #47 - #56
#47 - #56 		Space Gamer #57 - #66
#57 - #66 		Space Gamer #67 - #76
#67 - #76