The following is on interview I did with Tim Olsen of Task Force Games and the writer of the Prime Directive RPG during the week of Thanksgiving.

Jeff: Tim how did you get involved in the gaming industry? What influenced you the most?

Tim: Well I started working for Games Workshop in London back in 1980 maneging their very first retail store. Several years passed and I eventually become the head of retail with that organization. In 1980 I accepted the challenge of opening the first Games Workshop stores in the States and stayed with them until 1991 when I was offered the position of Staff Writer with Task Force Games. I had played Star Fleet Battles for many years ever since the days of the small Pocket Game and when I was asked to write the roleplaying game based on SFB, I jumped at the chance.

Jeff: A Fellow club member asked me if you intend to update Prime Directive anytime with the TNG material. What is your relotion if any with Paramount?

Tim: No. Our license with Paramount allows us to use elements from the 1960s TV series only. We have a very good working relationship with Paramount Pictures.

Jeff: Not to beat a dead horse, but if there seemed to be a strong support for a TNG game would you try to negotiote with Paramount to create such a game?

Tim: Possibly in the future. We really need to hear from the fans, though, before we consider such a bold venture.

Jeff: Your forthcoming book on Klingons. Is it out yet? I've not seen it anywhere yet.

Tim: The Klingon Sourcebook is still under development and scheduled for a Summer 1996 release. We are designing it so that it will be a stand-alone game in addition to being a supplement for Prime Directive. In other words, those players who are really only interested in the Klingon mythos need only buy the Klingon Sourcebook.

Jeff: That should be welcome news to a lot of Klingons out there! Are there any plans for similar treatment of other races, like the Romulans?

Tim: Yes, I am working on the Romulan Sourcebook right now and hope to have it on the shelves in the Summer of 1996.

Jeff: Would you be willing to take suggestions and submissions from the various fan and rpg clubs?

Tim: Yes, detinitely. All that I ask is that submitters are familiar with what has been published alreody for Prime Directive.

Jeff: What's your favorite ship in SFB?

Tim: Evergthing I do in Star Fleet Battles is Federotion-related, so I don't have a favorite ship, just a favorite race.

Jeff: Doesn't it bother you to play the losing side so many times? lgrinl

Tim: No comment!

Jeff: For someone new to Star Fleet Battles, what do you think is needed for a beginner?

Tim: New players should either start as off by joining an established qroup, where experienced plagers can guide them through the game, or by purchasing the Cadet Training Manual.

Jeff: Are your Prime Teams based on the Away Teams of TNG?

Tim: No, I based the Prime Team concept more on Seal Teams, wherein a group of characters are trained specifically for missions ond don't perform any other functions on the ship. When they're not adventuring, they're training.

Jeff: At least you don't have any bridge officers constantly going down to do things. What other games have you worked on?

Tim: I have worked on Starfire and some Prime Directive-related features for Star Fleet Battles but my primary focus is on Prime Directive.

Jeff: Do you see Prime Directive staying in production, with new modules and guides, for the foreseeable future?

Tim: Yes, I see Prime Directive having a long and fruitful life, with at least four releases next year. The game is doing really well for us so we'll just ride the wave!

Jeff: Who is your favorite Star Trek character? Episode?

Tim: Spock and the episode "All Our Yesterdays".

Jeff: Thanks Tim, good luck with your endeavours and hopefully we'll be hearing more from Task Force Games!

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