Fed Commander

I haven't posted very much about Star Fleet Battles (1979), or it's newest version, the simplified Federation Commander (2005). I used to play SFB... a LOT... from about 1985 to about the end of 1991. Tab, Mark Hamilton, A.T., Brian and a few others played large games lasting all day. I had a fleet of painted miniatures and a large black hex-map that traveled with me to friends homes.

Life and gaming tastes change of course. And with a family and other responsibilities (like a job) it's pretty difficult to devote a full day to gaming any more.

ADB, the designers of SFB, recognizing the impact of German-style gaming in America (2-hour length and attractive components being a feature) decided to cash in by making a simplified version of their mammoth SFB. I criticized it pretty heavily in my comments on BGG at the time for being cheaply made, with little "heft" in terms of game components compared to just about any big release today.

It appears the game is doing very well however, perhaps bringing back a number of old-school SFB players who have the same time-problem that I do. They release game content for free every few months or so in their on-line newsletter. There have been many new ships, cards, rules and rule-sets release.

Although it would seem almost impossible to keep up with all the releases because of cost and time, a gaming group that was passionate about the topic (science fiction space-ship shootouts) and that was willing to share ownership could have a rich universe to play in.