Announcing the Starfinder Roleplaying Game!

Saturday, May 28, 2016

Ever since Pathfinder Adventure Path #3, when James Jacobs and Wes Schneider had to hold me back from putting a space elevator in Varisia, I've wanted to take Pathfinder to the stars. A year later, I had the honor of writing up Golarion's solar system in Pathfinder Adventure Path #14, and then expanding it further in Pathfinder Campaign Setting: Distant Worlds. But I'm not the only one around here in love with outer space and science fiction—I think all of us have at various times said, "Wouldn't it be fun to do a futuristic version of Pathfinder?" Yet aside from the occasional jaunt to other worlds in adventures like Pathfinder Adventure Path #70: The Frozen Stars, it's always been a dream just out of reach.

Until now.

Next August, Paizo will be releasing the Starfinder Roleplaying Game—a new science fantasy RPG based on the Pathfinder universe and rules, but complete and standalone. It'll be backward compatible, so you can still use all those Pathfinder RPG bestiaries, but will feature all sorts of new classes, races, equipment, and other elements uniquely suited to our far-future setting. You want to play a lashunta technomancer using magic to hack the defense grid, or an android assassin with a laser rifle, or a ysoki ratfolk mechanic clambering around the guts of a spaceship as you blast your way through the enemy blockade? This is the place for it. There will also be new races you've never seen before, new worlds beyond Golarion's system that we've never visited, new twists on magic and the rules system itself—and, of course, ton and tons of cool science fantasy gear, from starships and computers to infinitely sharp zero-edge swords and rune-augmented plasma cannons.

The Starfinder RPG Core Rulebook will be releasing at Gen Con 2017, but that's not all—we're also going to be starting a monthly Starfinder Adventure Path in addition to our ongoing Pathfinder Adventure Paths. The Starfinder AP volumes will include both adventures and cool new rules and setting information to help expand your Starfinder game. Plus monsters. Lots of monsters.

So how does all this science fantasy goodness fit into the Pathfinder setting? Simple: Starfinder is set in Golarion's solar system, but far in a possible future—one in which the gods have mysteriously spirited Golarion away to an unknown location, and refuse to answer questions about it. In its place, the cultures of that world have evolved and spread throughout the solar system, especially to a vast space platform called Absalom Station. Gifted access to a hyperspace dimension by an ascended AI deity, the residents of the system suddenly find themselves with the ability to travel faster than light, and the race is on to explore and colonize potentially millions of worlds. But there are horrors out there in the darkness...

As the Creative Director of Starfinder, I can't wait to show you everything we've been building. Joining me as key players on Team Starfinder are longtime Paizo developers Rob McCreary and Owen KC Stephens, as well as Creative Design Director Sarah Robinson on the art side, but all the designers, developers, art staff, and editors are working on different parts of the project—it's an all-hands-on-deck affair. And it's not just us, either—as Starfinder will be released under the OGL, we're looking forward to robust third-party support of the game.


While the size and scope of the new game make a full public playtest infeasible, we'll be starting to bring in key community members to check it out in the next few months, so keep an eye on the blog for your chance to participate! In the meantime, we wanted to give you a sneak preview of some preliminary concept sketches for Absalom Station, androids, and ysoki from artist Taylor Fischer (who you might know from games like XCOM and Civilization)—while these are only our initial explorations, and far from final, it's fun to see the process as things change and evolve. And it's never too early to chime in and chat with us in the new Starfinder forum!

We hope you're as excited about Starfinder as we are, and that you'll join us as we boldly go where Paizo's never gone before!

James L. Sutter
Creative Director

More Paizo Blog.
Tags: Starfinder Taylor Fischer
1 to 50 of 473 << first < prev | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | next > last >>

9 people marked this as a favorite.

Wow! I mean, wow! I was not expecting that!


7 people marked this as a favorite.

I was just going to write something about how I really hoped we hear something actually new and exciting this year.

This is exciting.

I'm not impressed by the art though. Please get WAR front and centre. ;)

Liberty's Edge

5 people marked this as a favorite.

I really hope they plan on introducing organized play from the start.

Oh my God, I'm so excited right now. RIFTS meets Pathfinder? This is so my game.

Shadow Lodge

6 people marked this as a favorite.

I blame Aroden. ;-)

This does sound awesome though!


18 people marked this as a favorite.

"Gifted access to a hyperspace dimension by an ascended AI deity..."

Sounds like someone we might already be familiar with.


1 person marked this as a favorite.

Man I hope I can play a robot PC race or a medium sized construct of some sort.


13 people marked this as a favorite.
Pathfinder Adventure Path, Lost Omens, Rulebook, Starfinder Adventure Path, Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber

New campaign setting? New monthly adventure path? Why do hate my wallet, Paizo? What has it ever done to you?


3 people marked this as a favorite.

I hope there is a lot of Dominion of the Black nastiness to contend with in this game.

I suspect- given the creative team- there will be. Muahahahaha!


6 people marked this as a favorite.

Can I nominate a new canon deity with a portfolio of technological failure, space tragedies/mishaps, entropy, and the eventual heat death of the Prime Material itself? 'Cos, I think we all know the perfect candidate...

Silver Crusade

5 people marked this as a favorite.
Pathfinder Adventure Path Subscriber

ROBOTZ WITH LAZORS.

Grand Lodge

2 people marked this as a favorite.

Yes please


3 people marked this as a favorite.

How much of d20 Future and Star Wars d20 are OGL? There's a lot in them that I wouldn't mind seeing Paizofied.

Liberty's Edge

8 people marked this as a favorite.

You write 2017 several times in this message. That must be a typo; it's coming out August 2016, and I don't have a whole year to wait, right? Right?


2 people marked this as a favorite.
Pathfinder Maps, Pathfinder Accessories, Starfinder Adventure Path, Starfinder Maps, Starfinder Society Subscriber; Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber

Sounds groovy, can't wait to take a look.


2 people marked this as a favorite.

I WANT IT!!!!


3 people marked this as a favorite.

Nor do I like the font/typography. Pathfinder has such an iconic presence - but this looks like something designed in about 15 mins using a free font tool and some....lines. Hopefully it will be updated...


2 people marked this as a favorite.

Yeah, my wallet isn't going to like this at all. I might actually have to budget my purchases now. I'm still excited for what's coming though. Good luck!


5 people marked this as a favorite.

Literally just kept saying "It's Pathfinder in space!" over and over again for about a minute. SO AWESOME

Grand Lodge

4 people marked this as a favorite.

This solves so many problems and answers so many questions!

I can't wait!

SM


4 people marked this as a favorite.

I'm super looking forward to it. Hopefully this will not take away from development of Pathfinder related material though.

Paizo Employee Chief Technical Officer

17 people marked this as a favorite.

All of the art you're seeing is concept art. It's meant to provide a palette of impressions for future refinement. It's not representative of what you'll see in the finished product, but it does convey a possible sense of the design style we're contemplating. The logo is also temporary, and is likely to change, quite possibly in its entirety.


1 person marked this as a favorite.

I wonder if they'll eventually add Starfinder Companion, Starfinder Campgaing Setting, and Starfinder Module lines.

Liberty's Edge

5 people marked this as a favorite.
Pathfinder Pathfinder Accessories, Starfinder Adventure Path, Starfinder Maps, Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber; Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber

I WANT THIS LIKE MY BODY NEEDS AIR!


3 people marked this as a favorite.

I know many of us have been waiting (im)patiently for a Pathfinder CRPG in the style of the Mass Effect series and/or Baldur's Gate series.

So... what if there is such a CRPG coming... but it's for Starfinder instead?


Good for you. Not a fan of magic n spells n dragons in sci-fi, but as its golarions future I can see why
Saves us all having to write our own d20 space game!
Look forward to this with great interest!


4 people marked this as a favorite.
Cthulhudrew wrote:

"Gifted access to a hyperspace dimension by an ascended AI deity..."

Sounds like someone we might already be familiar with.

What do you think, Unity or Cassandalee?


That's... unexpected.

Dark Archive

4 people marked this as a favorite.

Yesssss! YEESSSS!

Paizo Employee Chief Technical Officer

3 people marked this as a favorite.
Generic Villain wrote:
I wonder if they'll eventually add Starfinder Companion, Starfinder Campgaing Setting, and Starfinder Module lines.

Currently, the plan is that the Adventure Path line will provide all of the rules and campaign setting support alongside the adventures. Of course, if you all tell us you need more, that plan could be revised, but that's our starting point.


14 people marked this as a favorite.
Oceanshieldwolf wrote:
I'm not impressed by the art though. Please get WAR front and centre. ;)

No thanks...it's past time for a new direction in RPG art. Besides, a distinct game deserves a distinct look.


1 person marked this as a favorite.
Vic Wertz wrote:
All of the art you're seeing is concept art. It's meant to provide a palette of impressions for future refinement. It's not representative of what you'll see in the finished product, but it does convey a possible sense of the design style we're contemplating. The logo is also temporary, and is likely to change, quite possibly in its entirety.

Fantastic news. I'm not trying to be overcritical, just like my aesthetics!!!

One thing I would really like to see is some Wayne Reynolds iconics. I understand you might want a different stable of artists for a new branch of the game, but Wayne's versatility can more than match the genre. All the equipment, gear, weapons etc would be beautifully rendered and limned by his eminent brush!


1 person marked this as a favorite.

I'm really looking forward to Starfinder. This is going to be rocking! I can't wait to get a halfling character started in this setting.

The possibilities for fun are limitless . . . .


2 people marked this as a favorite.
bugleyman wrote:
Oceanshieldwolf wrote:
I'm not impressed by the art though. Please get WAR front and centre. ;)
No thanks...it's past time for a new direction in RPG art. Besides, a distinct game deserves a distinct look.

Like I said, I understand that feeling. But his work on Iron Gods (and Eberron back in the day) is very good...


11 people marked this as a favorite.

SQUEEEEEEEEEE! I just realized new Starfinder iconics are likely coming!


6 people marked this as a favorite.
Oceanshieldwolf wrote:
Like I said, I understand that feeling. But his work on Iron Gods (and Eberron back in the day) is very good...

No worries...art is pretty darn subjective. I know many people like WAR. I just think a different game should look different, right down to art style. YMMV.


Filby Pott wrote:
How much of d20 Future and Star Wars d20 are OGL? There's a lot in them that I wouldn't mind seeing Paizofied.

D20 Future was part of D20 Modern and is in fact part of the D20 Modern SRD. I know because I utilized a lot of it last year trying to cobble together a space/sci-fi game and setting for my group. I had been inspired by Killjoys, Dark Matter, and Firefly, so there was absolutely no magic and I didn't want any magic. That said, I was looking forward to this when I heard it and now that I find out that there's going to be Adventure Paths and real support for it...? I can't wait. I always found that to be one of the great shortcomings of D20 Modern: no real support for it.

Star Wars D20, though... I highly doubt much - if any - of that is OGL.


Understood bugleyman and I agree. I thought about that when I wrote "very good" whereas I should have written "something I like a lot."!

Sovereign Court

7 people marked this as a favorite.

I find this to be an odd business move considering:

*Lisa is the one who pointed out part of TSR's downfall was due to self-competition with different campaign settings

*Paizo's reluctance to reprint old APs as that would mean competing against current APs

I hope this doesn't come back to bite Paizo in the behind.


2 people marked this as a favorite.
Lemmy wrote:
That's... unexpected.

Agreed. I did NOT see that coming.


1 person marked this as a favorite.

Set course for the Final Frontier! To Aroden's resting place we seek!


4 people marked this as a favorite.
Pathfinder Pathfinder Accessories Subscriber; Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber
Protoman wrote:
Man I hope I can play a robot PC race or a medium sized construct of some sort.

They said Android will be a playable race. I also remember them saying the "gravity warping Solarian".


1 person marked this as a favorite.

Please tell me this will have an organized play associated with this or at least an expansion of PFS with more races allowed for players. This is a definite want. I will be watching and anticipating this with baited breath.


5 people marked this as a favorite.

Wait a minute... the whole planet is missing. The means Rovagug is missing! ...or running loose!!!

Sczarni RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16, RPG Superstar 2015 Top 32

8 people marked this as a favorite.

There was certainly a noticable reaction at the banquette when this was announced.

The possibilities are making me giggle with glee. Space Goblins in junk ships. Demons with cybernetics. Infernal agents promising homesteads on far off planets. Giant flying space hamsters.

So amazing.

Grand Lodge

Just one step closers to a pathfinder modern setting...though I can't think of what to call it other than "Modfinder". Also after reading through this kinda got old gaming memories of star wars saga edition.


Oceanshieldwolf wrote:
I'm not impressed by the art though. Please get WAR front and centre. ;)

Please don't.

Silver Crusade

5 people marked this as a favorite.
Pathfinder Adventure Path Subscriber

WAR fits sci-fantasy even better than plain old elves and dragons. Giev robotz with lazors plz.


4 people marked this as a favorite.

Squeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

I was there (at Paizocon 2016) when the announcement was made - very excited and pleased that this will soon be coming to my game table!

Thank you Paizo!


5 people marked this as a favorite.

My all time favorite D&D setting is SpellJammer, it's been that way since I played lupin ranger in the 90s and has not changed one iota since then. I am hoping for more support for humanoid animal races like cat folk, rat folk, grippli and vanara; maybe expand this to include a race of humanoid canines and/or bears. They could be treated as PC available, and thus friendly, alien races for all I care as long as there is that option. Space Opera is resplendent with this element. In the d6 Star Wars game I played Shistavenan Wolfman Jedi Heck, tap the folks at Legendary Games and ask them to allow the dog folk race they developed for their most excellent Legendary Planet AP to exist as an option here. Or make some provision that this is compatible with Aethera, especially the one large race they created for that setting. There is a lot of potential here and I hope to support this as fully as I can.


So, was this one of Jacobsaurus' sekrit projects?

1 to 50 of 473 << first < prev | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | next > last >>
Community / Forums / Starfinder / Starfinder General Discussion / Paizo Blog: Announcing the Starfinder Roleplaying Game! All Messageboards

Want to post a reply? Sign in.