It’s the second day of the pitch list and, for purposes of this exercise, can you at least pretend to be surprised by the appearance of Star Trek on the list?
No? Okay then, read on anyway!
Game: Star Trek
System: Coda
Quickie Bite: To boldly go where no one has gone before…
The scope of the Star Trek RPG—like the show that it is modeled after—is so broad that there are any number of possibilities open. I’m loathe to limit myself to a single, static idea but to instead entertain what potential players would be interested in. The type of game that their interests lean towards would go a long ways into determining the era and particulars of a Star Trek game.
The hallmarks of a good Star Trek campaign typically mimic those of the show: exploration, moral issues, strong themes, and character interaction. Action in some form can serve as the vehicle to drive one of those elements but never is action the defining element. Even the Deep Space Nine Dominion war story arc served a larger storytelling purpose than watching cool space battles and blowing shit up.
From a personal standpoint my interest tend to run into the realm of the Next Generation or even the wide open “Movie Era” that is mostly untouched: that 80 year gap between Star Trek IV: The Undiscovered Country and “Encounter at Farpoint.” That era also has the benefit of the typical, “old school” trappings in place: the Klingons are the enemy, the show is very much framed in the Horatio Hornblower theme of grand action, and a fragile peace exists, ready to unravel at any turn.
From the group’s perspective there was a Star Trek one-shot that I ran that was well-received. The system is solid, if not rather uninspired at times, but works to help drive the narrative. There’s decades of themes and stories to draw upon. Since the game is not in print it may be difficult to get ahold of, but not impossible. Or you can just buy the entire product line at the insanely good deal of $35!
Of course, more than anything I would love the chance to play in a Star Trek game! That seems unlikely, and although I recognize that running a game is a poor surrogate for playing, running Star Trek is nearly as enjoyable (for me). Having written so many of the books there is a bit of pressure in pulling off such a game well. A larger concern is that with Star Trek out of the average consciousness—including my own—that the property doesn’t necessarily engender any kind of feeling, good or bad. So no passion…perhaps not a great experience. And, truth be told, not referencing my internal encylopedia of Star Trek knowledge has made me more than a bit rusty!
With a new movie on the horizon the timing could be fortuitous as well. In fact it may be possible via some Google-fu to craft a campaign with some tenuous tie-in with the forthcoming movie. Bwahahaha! 
Pros: Fits like an old glove; good system; decent player interest; buckets and buckets of campaign material available; passionate GM; upcoming movie could rekindle interest.
Cons: Single player has irrational dislike of Star Trek; books may be difficult to find; lacks codified idea to present.
Don’s Interest: 
So, what do you think of this idea?
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