D6 Space is a generic science fiction

Science fiction

Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...

 role-playing game

Role-playing game

A role-playing game is a game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within a narrative, either through literal acting, or through a process of structured decision-making or character development...

 (RPG) based on the D6 System

D6 System

The D6 System is a role-playing game system published by West End Games and licensees. While the system is primarily intended for pen-and-paper role-playing games, variations of the system have also been used in live action role-playing games and miniature battle games...

. Although derived, in part, from material originally presented in The Star Wars Roleplaying Game, D6 Space is published as a stand alone rulebook (not dependent upon or requiring other D6 System or Star Wars rulebooks) and is supported by its own line of supplements.

Setting

Being a generic system, the D6 Space Rulebook contains no setting information, and provides rules material for playing in a wide variety of cinematic space opera

Space opera

Space opera is a subgenre of science fiction that emphasizes romantic, often melodramatic adventure, set mainly or entirely in outer space, generally involving conflict between opponents possessing advanced technologies and abilities. The term has no relation to music and it is analogous to "soap...

 and cyberpunk

Cyberpunk

Cyberpunk is a postmodern and science fiction genre noted for its focus on "high tech and low life." The name is a portmanteau of cybernetics and punk, and was originally coined by Bruce Bethke as the title of his short story "Cyberpunk," published in 1983...

 settings. One setting, Fires of Amatsumara is currently available from West End Games. Another, Dead Night of Space, by licensee Final Sword Productions is compatible with these rules.

System

D6 Space uses the D6 Classic System ruleset, and is thus compatible with other games using those rules. Some differences do exist between D6 Space and other related games. D6 Space uses Agility, Mechanical, Strength, Knowledge, Perception and Technical as its attributes. Apart from Agility replacing Dexterity, this is the same attribute set previously used by The Star Wars Roleplaying Game. A seventh optional attribute, Metaphysics, is also possible.

The Metaphysics attribute is used by a new free-form power system. This is based on the Special Effects system from Masterbook

Masterbook

Masterbook is a generic role-playing game that was created by West End Games as a follow-up to the multi-genre role-playing game Torg and the science fiction game Shatterzone, which used a modified version of the Torg system...

(which was derived from the magic system from Torg

Torg

Torg is a cinematic multi-genre role-playing game created by Greg Gorden and Bill Slavicsek and released by West End Games in 1990, which uses several innovative techniques...

). This replaces the system for using The Force from The Star Wars RPG, and the Psionics system used in the earlier D6 Space Opera PDF.

Scaling (a method of determining how combat is handled between combatants and objects of starkly different sizes) uses a numeric modifier in D6 Space, and does not conform to the ship class names used in The Star Wars RPG. This new scaling system is also present in D6 Fantasy

D6 Fantasy

D6 Fantasy is a generic fantasy role-playing game based on the D6 System. D6 Fantasy is published as a stand alone rulebook and is supported by its own line of supplements.-Setting:...

and D6 Adventure

D6 Adventure

D6 Adventure is a generic role-playing game system based on the D6 System. D6 Adventure is published as a stand alone rulebook and is supported by its own line of supplements.-Setting:...

, though the benchmark names for the values listed differ between the three games.

A disadvantages, advantages and special abilities system not present in The Star Wars RPG, is included, as is a system for using special abilities as Cybernetic implants.

A basic star ship construction system is presented (which is expanded upon in the Space Ships supplement). This system differs from the systems presented throughout The Star Wars RPG line.

History

D6 Space was originally released in 2003 as a PDF format ebook under the name D6 Space Opera by Humanoids Publishing. It was sold as a core rulebook for their line of Shatterzone PDF re-releases. This was greatly expanded and revised by author Nikola Vrtis into the current D6 Space Rulebook (ISBN 978-1-932867-01-5), released in 2004 by Purgatory Publishing imprint West End Games.

When the cover art was first announced for D6 Space, there was some negative reaction to the original version of the art. The original had the female principal nude (although genitalia and nipples were not visible), in a cyberpunk motif. In response to the reaction, West End Games revised the cover to its current form.

At present, D6 Space is supported by three source books.

• D6 Space Ships by various authors (ISBN 978-1-932867-07-7)

• D6 Space Aliens Volume 1 by various authors (ISBN 978-1-932867-11-4)

• Fires of Amatsumara concept by Fred Jandt, by various authors (ISBN 978-1-932867-16-9)

The Ships supplement contains expanded rules for star ship creation, and new rules for planet generation. The Aliens supplement demonstrates species templates for a variety of alien races and creatures, and methods for creating more. Fires of Amatsumara is a setting book, mixing elements of space opera and frontier westerns, comparable to Firefly

Firefly (TV series)

Firefly is an American space western television series created by writer and director Joss Whedon, under his Mutant Enemy Productions label. Whedon served as executive producer, along with Tim Minear....

.