Omega 99 is a role playing game supplement written and published by Michael Brown for use with the Cepheus Engine and other science fiction role playing games using the 2d6 mechanic such as Traveller. This is a short campaign setting with a strong space opera tinge. It is covered by the Open Game License and some of it is therefore considered to be Open Game Content as a result.
The supplement is available from RPGNow for $1.25 but was purchased at the reduced price of $0.84. This is a three page PDF of which one page is the Open Game License.
It starts with The Campaign in which it is said that the supplement is inspired by a classic 1970s British science fiction series. It should be quickly obvious to anyone familiar with the series in question that the unnamed series is Space: 1999.
The Background gives details on Moonbase Omega (the TV series had Moonbase Alpha – this one uses Peregrines, not Eagles, as spaceships), a base that was staffed by international scientists, but military consultants quickly arrived. Against the tension in Omega, a base on the far side of the Moon was experimenting with FTL. The base exploded and the entire Moon was sent through a wormhole or something similar to another region of the galaxy (which makes a heck of a lot more sense than the original plot did).
The region in question is under the sway of three factions, one largely friendly, one largely hostile and one largely indifferent – unless anyone tries to find out more about them. Each has different tech levels, but all are more advanced than the humans.
There are details on the three races of sophonts, although little is known of the third race as well as on a six parsec section of space centred on Luna. World details, if known, are also provided and finally there are some adventure seeds.
Omega 99 in Review
The PDF lacks bookmarks but, at only two pages of content, it does not need them. The text maintains a three column format and no errors were noticed. The text did not display properly on a tablet, with font problems, but it was okay on a computer screen (the same problem was seen with Locale: Personal Enhancement Center). The sole illustration is a space map. Presentation is okay.
First off, this is not really a setting that can be dropped into a standard Traveller-style campaign. There is a strong space opera feel to it, and some of the tech is deliberately hand-waved – with that being the term used. It is suitable for a campaign based on Space: 1999 though, although more development will be needed, even though there is a surprising amount of information in the three pages. Perhaps enough for an experienced GM to fill in the details. It would be nice if the publisher created some supplements and adventures specifically for this setting. Omega 99 is a short, but different science fiction setting that should appeal to those familiar with the original series and it can be found by clicking here.
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