I updated Star Solo to the free version .51! You can download Star Solo here for free and view the changelog here. The updates include a new ship upgrade, gambling, and more space news!
Last week I talked a little about Star Solo, its development timeline, and why I am releasing it in an unfinished version now. This week I’d like to spend more time on what Star Solo is, and the fun things planned for the game.
Star Solo is a solo space role playing game. In Star Solo, you’ll fly from location to location, dodging asteroids and space pirates, trying to find odd jobs and make just enough money to stay ahead of your debts.
It’s Firefly in a solo tabletop RPG form!
Just quick note before I continue – Star Solo (unfinished free version) has already received 59 downloads in 1 week, with absolutely no marketing. By my marks, that’s pretty good!
Star Solo Jobs
For a long time I tried to figure out what the core gameplay loop of Star Solo would be. Would it be combat focused? Would it be about a free-trading economy? I eventually realized that the most fun I had through playtesting, was focusing on finding a job, and keep on flying.
Jobs in Star Solo are meant to have variety beyond simple “pick up and deliver.” Below are two good examples.
I have a cargo bay’s worth of job ideas I will continue to add and implement into Star Solo as the game continues through development.
The Star Solo Universe
One of the disadvantages of a digital game, is that sometimes you struggle to see cause and effect. For example, if I am playing Star Sector, how many of my actions actually impact the environment I play in (hint – probably a lot)? Digital games can be a black box, and you don’t always get to see how “smart” or responsive they are to your input.
In a solo tabletop game, this is an advantage. You get to directly see how your actions impact the environment you are playing in.
In Star Solo, there are many ways you will impact the Star Solo universe. There are space events that trigger news for the universe, which have impact on gameplay.
The jobs you take, and succeed or fail at, can change the universe in surprising ways.
Most excitingly (for me at least), I am planning on having a track of sorts at each location. For example, the planet of Kote has a Revolution Track. Jobs you decide to take on, and the success of those jobs, will directly impact the revolutionary efforts on Kote. The result of this impact will be felt not only on Kote, but throughout the Star Solo universe.
The Revolution Track system for Kote isn’t quite finished yet, but I’m hoping to have it out soon.
Star Solo Locations
For those of you who played the playtest version of Star Solo (which I’ve since taken down from this blog post, sorry), you’ll notice that the current version of the game is missing both Midway, and Aon 4. This will be rectified soon, don’t worry.
I have many new locations planned, and not just new starports. I want there to be several “smaller” locations available within a few days from each starport. This will help create a vibrant universe you can play in, and offer new and unique job opportunities.
Additionally, some of these locations will be dangerous, and visiting them could have harmful (or helpful, depending on your viewpoint) implications for the universe.
I’ve been working on this game for almost 10 years, so an even bigger list of locations exists – they just haven’t been added to the game in any form yet. Over time, they will be.
Free Trade and Transport Economy
Free trading is available already at most locations you visit. For example, you can buy common alloy on Kote for 50 credits, and turn a tidy profit at CORE Industries by selling it for 90 credits.
Free trading opportunities will greatly expand in the future, as more and more starports come into existence in the game.
I am also planning on including passenger transport as well, but it may take a bit longer to bring this to its final form. I love the idea of passenger drama while in the middle of space with no one to help – this particular idea is a long ways off though.
Exploration and Discovery
One of the key decisions I landed on a few years ago was that I wanted this game to stay away from being combat focused. I recorded a video a while ago about why exploration and discovery are my favorite mechanics in games, and I feel Star Solo is an excellent game to dive into these mechanics.
Eventually, the System Guide (which is how you interact with the game) will be quite large. Exploring and discovering more of the Star Solo universe is where the joy of gameplay will exist. I have a relatively short rulebook, and hope that the System Guide (the document you use to play the game) will grow significantly over time, introducing wondrous locations, odd mechanics, impactful factions and people, and secrets you have to uncover – all built around the high stakes of keeping your small trading ship flying.
I can’t wait to see you out among the stars!
Join and Play Star Solo
If you’re still reading, you are probably interested in playing Star Solo! You can download Star Solo free here from itch.io
You can also join the newsletter here, which will allow you to receive updates on news around Star Solo and other games.
Finally, if you have feedback, you can follow me on itch.io where you can leave comments, or share your comments through my Star Solo feedback survey.
Thank you for being a fan of games! I’m looking forward to flying with you!
Paper Dice Games 
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