SST-STARSHIP TROOPERS

1. TITLE: Robert Heinlein's Starship Troopers
2. PUBLISHER: The Avalon Hill Game Company (TAHGC)
3. SCOPE: Man vs Monster; Interstellar Warfare in the Twenty Second Century
4. TAHGC CATALOG VERBAGE:
5. RULEBOOK VERBAGE: STARSHIP TROOPERS recreates the tactical level action described in the novel of the same name. Since this is science fiction, the game does not attempt to simulate reality. Rather, this design is a straight-forward attempt to bring to life the political-miliary system described in the movie. It is NOT necessary to have read the novel before playing the game. Reading it, however, will give the game player a better appreciation of the gamy system.
6. YEAR PUBLISHED (EDITIONS): 1976; A movie tie-in edition was published following the 1997 release of the movie. The latter game was a tie-in to the movie but in all respects a different game with the same title.
7. CREDITS
   • Game Research Design: Randall C. Reed
   • Original Book and Idea: Robert A. Heinlein
   • Component Design and Execution: Randall C. Reed
   • Production Assistant: Richard Hamblen
   • Production Coordinator: Thomas N. Shaw
   • Sculpture: Richard Hamblen
   • Artwork:
     • Lego Design: Emily March
     • Box Cover and Mapboard: George Goebel
     • Character Illustration: Emily March
     • Montage: Richard Hamblen
     • Counter Art: Randall C. Reed and Richard Hamblen
     • Sculpture: Richard Hamblen
     • Photography: Looking Glass Photographics
   • Playtesting: Dave Fram, David Govacker, John Desmond, Arvin van Zante, Rick Archer, Timothy Wiedel, Greg Truner, James Michael Crockett, Mark Nicholson, Walter Mings, Larry Robbins, John Marvin, Bill Larsen, The University of Pennsylvania Wargamers and member of Interest Group Baltimore
   • Typesetting: Colonial Composition
   • Printing: Monarch Services.
8. NUMBER OF PLAYERS: 2-
9. WGA COMPLEXITY SCALE (1-10): 4+ (Programmed instruction rulebook, each scenario adding to rules in use)
10. TYPICAL PLAYING TIME (HOURS): 2 hours+; 10+ turns as function of scenario.
11. MAP SCALE: Estimated 50 meters?
12. UNIT SCALE: Groups of individual troopers or alien warriors with related support weapons.
13. TIME SCALE PER TURN: 12 minutes
14. NUMBER OF GAME TURNS: Campaign, two scenarios (6 and 8 turns)
15. PARTIAL ARTICLE LISTING: Click here
16. GAME INVENTORY: ### 1/2" counters; 124" x 22" mounted mapboard, 24 page rulebook, Player Aid cards, die.
17. WBC & AVALONCON HISTORY: No history as a tournament title.
18. PBEM TOOLS:
• Two Java application VASSAL module are posted awaiting beta test.
19. PBEM OPPORTUNITES: Contact Wargame Academy if interested. A Boardgamer Player Association PBEM tournament can be organized by WGA pending suitable interest using the VASSAL VSST module.
20. WARGAME ACADEMY COMMENTS: The original is a classic sci-fi wargame based on a book so mango love. It is definitely a 70's wargame, using a series of missions to slowly teach you all the rules of the game (Programmed Instruction). The movie version has much higher production values (20 years age difference shows,) and is a fun but simple beer and pretzels game. The reprint is a fun game to play with your kids, or away to help teach new gamers to not fear hexagons. And most missions in the new one take an hour.(Clarification contributed by Jeremy W. Fridy <frid@juno.com)).
21. WARGAME ACADEMY TOOLS: Two unpunched game copies.
22. ACCOLADES: 1976 Charles Roberts Award Best Tactical Game nominee.