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 #33

Space Gamer #33 (November 1980)

Space Gamer #33 (cover date November 1980) gives you a first-class ticket on a spaceship to the gaming hobby's early days – and the articles are fun to read, too!

In addition to the regular game reviews, news, and letters, this issue's featured theme is "Play-by-Mail Games." Articles on this topic include "WarpWar: The Campaign Game," with information on how to turn that wargame into an ongoing series (adaptable for mail-based play); "Fantasies by Mail," providing insight into how to play fantasy RPGs by mail (or, nowadays, email); "PBM Rules for Starship Troopers," providing long-distance rules for that classic wargame; reviews of four space-themed play-by-mail games; a cataloging of then-current mail-based game companies; and a company report from Schubel & Son, a play-by-mail company.

Beyond the theme, there is a three-player G.E.V. scenario (complete with new units!); an article about how to incorporate 3-D plotting and displays into a computer program; the results from Space Gamer's Trap Contest; "End Game," a piece of fiction set in the Ogre universe; and the seventh in the series "Game Design: Theory and Practice," co-written by Steve Jackson.

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