Introduction

Freedom in the Galaxy The Star Rebellions, 5764 AD
SPI (1979) game No. 2210 and Avalon Hill (1981) game No. 834
Designed by Howard Barasch and John H. Butterfield

What it’s about

In a remote corner of the universe, a small but valiant band of Rebels struggles to withstand the oppression of an empire bent on total domination. The Empire, oppressor of billions throughout the galaxy, has felt the first stings of Rebel anger. In the cities and vast wilds of planets circling the farthest stars, the sparks of insurrection are being fanned by the courageous few who cry for freedom in the galaxy.

Freedom in the Galaxy is a strategic and tactical simulation of this epic galactic struggle, played on a map that schematically represents over 30 solar systems. The playing pieces, representing armed forces, spaceships, Imperial characters and individual Rebels, interact to destroy their enemies and win the hearts and minds of various races and planets.

Components

2 sheets of die-cut ½”double-sided matte counters (200 glossy finish counters each)

SPI Version	AH Version
9”x11½” bookcase box	8½”x11½” bookcase box
32 page 8½”x11” rulebook		12 page 8½”x11” Galactic Guide booklet (includes two sets of four-page pull-out reference sheets)
22”x34” unmounted map	22”x34” mounted paper map
2 sheets of die-cut ½”double-sided finish counters (260 counters each)
5 sheets of 3”x2” cards (28 cards each sheet, 140 cards total) including:
20 pink Rebel Character cards (1-20)
12 lt. grey Imperial Character cards (21-32)
20 dark grey/white Possession cards (33-52)
15 pink/white Mission cards (53-67)
30 red/pink Action cards (68-97)
29 pink/white Galactic Event cards (98-126)
14 dark grey/white Strategic Assignment cards (127-140)
2 white six-sided dice
1 Addenda sheet (as of December 1979)	Addenda in the rulebook 1 set of four-page reference sheets
Game Record Track is on the mapboard	Game Record Track

Counter Manifest

Counter Sheet Nr. 1 (200 Pieces)

Red/White Rebel Leaders 20
Pink/Black Rebel Spaceships 8
Red/Black Rebel Wild 28
Red/Black Rebel Wild Elite 4
Red/Black Rebel Urban 23
Red/Black Rebel Urban Elite 5
Red/Black Rebel Subterranean 12
Orange/Black Imperial Leaders 12
Lt. Yellow/Blue Imperial Spaceships 4
Gold/Black Imperial Militia 35
Gold/Black Imperial Patrol 24
Gold/Black Imperial Line 17
Gold/Black Imperial Veteran 8
Red Blank (AH version only) 30
Gold Blank (AH version only) 30

Counter Sheet Nr. 2 (200 Pieces)

Red/Black Rebel Subterranean 1
Red/Black Rebel Liquid 11
Red/Black Rebel Air 10
Red/Black Rebel Fire 6
Red/Black Rebel 1 Credit Counter 1
Red/Black Rebel 10 Credit Counter 1
Gold/Black Imperial Veteran 5
Gold/Black Imperial Elite Army 8
Gold/Black Imperial Elite Navy 8
Gold/Black Imperial Suicide Squad 2
Gold/Black Imperial Resolution 1
Gold/Black Imperial Peacemaker 1
Gold/Black Imperial Planetary 1 Stabilizer
Gold/Black Imperial 1 Credit Counter 1
Gold/Black Imperial 10 Credit Cntr 1
Green/Black Imperial Leaders 8
Pink/Blue Rebel Leaders 4
Lt. Pink/Red Rebel Camp (See Note) [10 SPI & 8 AH]
Grey/Red Rebel Camp (AH only) 2
Grey/Black Loyalty 51
Grey/Black Secret 16
Grey/Black PDB Up 51
Grey/Black Phase 1
Grey/Black Game Turn 1
Grey Blank (AH only) 60


Note: The SPI version has 10 Lt. Pink/Red Rebel Camp counters; the AH version has 8 Lt. Pink/Red and 2 Grey/Red Rebel Camp counters.

Card Manifest

1 Rebel Leader light/dark pink Rebel Rhone Zina Adora
2 Rebel Leader light/dark pink Rebel Rhone Adam Starlight
3 Rebel Leader light/dark pink Rebel Rhone Agan Rafa
4 Rebel Leader light/dark pink Rebel Xanthon Frun Sentel
5 Rebel Leader light/dark pink Rebel Leonid Odene Hobar
6 Rebel Leader light/dark pink Rebel Saurian Ly Mantok
7 Rebel Leader light/dark pink Rebel Suvan Vudot Vodot
8 Rebel Leader light/dark pink Rebel Piorad Ran Jayma
9 Rebel Leader light/dark pink Rebel Rhone Tourag
10 Rebel Leader light/dark pink Rebel Rhone Rayner Derban
11 Rebel Leader light/dark pink Rebel Kayn Kogus
12 Rebel Leader light/dark pink Rebel Rhone Doctor Sontag
13 Rebel Leader light/dark pink Rebel Rhone Scott Rubel
14 Rebel Leader light/dark pink Rebel Piorad Boccanegra
15 Rebel Leader light/dark pink Rebel Calma Drakir Grebb
16 Rebel Leader light/dark pink Rebel Theshian Yarro Lactac
17 Rebel Leader light/dark pink Rebel Illias Professor Mareg
18 Rebel Leader light/dark pink Rebel Henone Oneste Woada
19 Rebel Leader light/dark pink Rebel Segunden Sidir Ganang
20 Rebel Leader light/dark pink Rebel Ursi Bridne Murcada
21 Imperial Leader Lt. Grey/Lt. Grey Imperial Rhone Thysa Kymbo
22 Imperial Leader Lt. Grey/Lt. Grey Imperial Kayn Barca
23 Imperial Leader Lt. Grey/Lt. Grey Imperial Charkan Saytar
24 Imperial Leader Lt. Grey/Lt. Grey Imperial Rhone Telmen
25 Imperial Leader Lt. Grey/Lt. Grey Imperial Saurian Jon Kidu
26 Imperial Leader Lt. Grey/Lt. Grey Imperial Rhone Gelba
27 Imperial Leader Lt. Grey/Lt. Grey Imperial Rhone Senator Dermond
28 Imperial Leader Lt. Grey/Lt. Grey Imperial Rhone Redjac
29 Imperial Leader Lt. Grey/Lt. Grey Imperial Segunden Jin Voles
30 Imperial Leader Lt. Grey/Lt. Grey Imperial Rhone Vans Ka-Tie-A
31 Imperial Leader Lt. Grey/Lt. Grey Imperial Rhone Els Taroff
32 Imperial Leader Lt. Grey/Lt. Grey Imperial Rhone Emperor Coreguya
33 Possession White/Dark Grey Spaceship Explorer
34 Possession White/Dark Grey Spaceship Galactic Freighter
35 Possession White/Dark Grey Spaceship Interstellar Sloop
36 Possession White/Dark Grey Spaceship Planetary Privateer
37 Possession White/Dark Grey Spaceship Solar Merchant
38 Possession White/Dark Grey Spaceship Star Cruiser
39 Possession White/Dark Grey Spaceship Stellar Courier
40 Possession White/Dark Grey Spaceship S-XIII
41 Possession White/Dark Grey Weapon High Energy Sniper's Rifle
42 Possession White/Dark Grey Weapon Assassin's Blade
43 Possession White/Dark Grey Object Helian Drug
44 Possession White/Dark Grey Object Scanner
45 Possession White/Dark Grey Object Scrambler
46 Possession White/Dark Grey Object Medi-kit of Ptolus
47 Possession White/Dark Grey Object Personal Body Shield
48 Possession White/Dark Grey Object Cache of Rare Gems
49 Possession White/Dark Grey Companion Cervac MK V
50 Possession White/Dark Grey Companion Norrocks
51 Possession White/Dark Grey Companion Charsot
52 Possession White/Dark Grey Object Advisor Android
53 Mission White/Dark Pink Mission Sabotage (S)
54 Mission White/Dark Pink Mission Diplomacy (D)
55 Mission White/Dark Pink Mission Start/Stop Rebellion (R)
56 Mission White/Dark Pink Mission Scavange for Possessions (P)
57 Mission White/Dark Pink Mission Gain Characters (G)
58 Mission White/Dark Pink Mission Gather Information (I)
59 Mission White/Dark Pink Mission Free Prisoners (F)
60 Mission White/Dark Pink Mission Assassination (A)
61 Mission White/Dark Pink Mission Start Rebel Camp (B)
62 Mission White/Dark Pink Mission Subvert Troops (T)
63 Mission White/Dark Pink Mission Coup (C)
64 Mission White/Dark Pink Mission Summon Sovereign (E)
65 Mission White/Dark Pink Mission Spaceship Quest (J)
66 Mission White/Dark Pink Mission Steal Enemy Resources (H)
67 Mission White/Dark Pink Mission Question Prisoner (Q)
68 Action Dark Pink/Red Action Urban:RH Special:B Wild:P
69 Action Dark Pink/Red Action Urban:D Special:CS Wild:PI
70 Action Dark Pink/Red Action Urban:PI Special:SC Wild:RG
71 Action Dark Pink/Red Action Urban:CJ Special:BT Wild:PG
72 Action Dark Pink/Red Action Urban:PG Special:C Wild:DH
73 Action Dark Pink/Red Action Urban:D Special:GI Wild:RS
74 Action Dark Pink/Red Action Urban:P Special:BH Wild:C
75 Action Dark Pink/Red Action Urban:FG Special:D Wild:AH
76 Action Dark Pink/Red Action Urban:A Special:BE Wild:FB
77 Action Dark Pink/Red Action Urban:C Special:SE Wild:FI
78 Action Dark Pink/Red Action Urban:CS Special:DGWild:FP
79 Action Dark Pink/Red Action Urban:SH Special:GP Wild:B
80 Action Dark Pink/Red Action Urban:RE Special:FP Wild:CS
81 Action Dark Pink/Red Action Urban:FI Special:CT Wild:E
82 Action Dark Pink/Red Action Urban:G Special:RS Wild:D
83 Action Dark Pink/Red Action Urban:DS Special:RQ Wild:F
84 Action Dark Pink/Red Action Urban:FP Special:R Wild:SH
85 Action Dark Pink/Red Action Urban:GI Special:R Wild:SE
86 Action Dark Pink/Red Action Urban:FI Special:AJ Wild:CT
87 Action Dark Pink/Red Action Urban:SC Special:R Wild:FG
88 Action Dark Pink/Red Action Urban:T Special:F Wild:BJ
89 Action Dark Pink/Red Action Urban:CE Special:P Wild:R
90 Action Dark Pink/Red Action Urban:B Special:CH Wild:GI
91 Action Dark Pink/Red Action Urban:BE Special:P Wild:RQ
92 Action Dark Pink/Red Action Urban:SG Special:FI Wild:RT
93 Action Dark Pink/Red Action Urban:RB Special:F Wild:SC
94 Action Dark Pink/Red Action Urban:DQSpecial:FG Wild:BE
95 Action Dark Pink/Red Action Urban:RH Special:FI Wild:B
96 Action Dark Pink/Red Action Urban:A T Special:DE Wild:P
97 Action Dark Pink/Red Action Urban:F Special:SH Wild:D
98-126 Galactic Event White/Lt. Pink Galactic Event
127 Assignment White/Lt. Grey Assignment Province One to Two
128 Assignment White/Lt. Grey Assignment Province One to Two
129 Assignment White/Lt. Grey Assignment Province One to Two
130 Assignment White/Lt. Grey Assignment Province One to Three
131 Assignment White/Lt. Grey Assignment Province One to Four
132 Assignment White/Lt. Grey Assignment Province One to Four
133 Assignment White/Lt. Grey Assignment Province One to Five
134 Assignment White/Lt. Grey Assignment Province One to Five
135 Assignment White/Lt. Grey Assignment Province Two to Three
136 Assignment White/Lt. Grey Assignment Province Two to Three
137 Assignment White/Lt. Grey Assignment Province Four to Five
138 Assignment White/Lt. Grey Assignment Province Four to Five
139 Assignment White/Lt. Grey Assignment Province Two to Five
140 Assignment White/Lt. Grey Assignment Province Three to Four

Player’s Value

Coming out in 1979, this game was a blatant attempt by SPI to cash in on the Star Wars craze that had ignited two years earlier. Hard-pressed but sincere and lovable Rebels struggling against an evil, monolithic Empire across the vastness of a star-filled galaxy -- how could it miss? The Rebel player, with his unique characters and natural appeal to the oppressed, gets to “fight the good fight” in the best swashbuckling tradition, while the Imperial player, with his military might, is tasked with restoring Order in a galaxy teetering on the brink of chaos.

The mechanics and components of the game are cut from the same cloth as two other SPI classics, War of the Ring and Swords and Sorcery. All three contain a unique combination of role-playing elements (in the form of individual characters and special items, detailed on illustrated cards) and standard strategy gaming (with armies and fleets fighting for valuable terrain). It is an interesting blend, but for the most part, it seems to work.

The Character and Possession cards are typical of this series, with an ink-drawn illustration of the person or item on the back, and the game data for the subject of the card on the front. The cards present the details for each subject clearly, while the illustrations encourage the players to see the cards as representing individual heroes and villains, instead of nameless leaders. This effort is enhanced by the Galactic Guide, a collection of short descriptions that acts as a who’s-who of the characters, items, planets and races the player will encounter during the game.

The counters are generic, each consisting of a solid coloured background with a text overlay. The military units add abstract designs, behind the text, intended to graphically differentiate the various types of combatants, but overall the counters are rather drab and unimpressive. They don’t really capture the excitement of massive Imperial armies and doughty Rebel guerrillas.

The map is graphically interesting, but can be a little confusing to a novice player. It consists of 30 star systems, each represented by a named star symbol, and surrounded by a number of circular tracks, one for each planet in the system. These tracks are used to monitor and reflect the current loyalty status of each planet in the game, as well as indicating the environment and natives of each planet It is an abstract representation of the political and military vagaries of each planet, very similar in intent to the map system used in SPI’s Empires of the Middle Ages.

Collector’s Value

In spite of being akin to War of the Ring, one of SPI’s most desired collectibles, Freedom in the Galaxy does not seem to hold the same special place in collectors’ hearts. Perhaps if SPI had shelled out the cash for the Star Wars license back in 1979, things would be different now. (Most collectors would probably gladly pay for a chance to play as Luke Skywalker or Darth Vader, much as they do for a chance to play Frodo or Gandalf. Who the hell wants to pay to play Adam Starlight or Drakir Grebb?) Boone lists low, high and average prices as follows:

Type	SPI		AH
	Auction	Sale	Auction	Sale
Low	4	7	2	5
High	31	50	31	30
Aver.	12.95	17.44	11.48	15.17

Other games of this type

As mentioned above, this game has a common heritage with War of the Ring and Swords and Sorcery. However, the theme of the game, grand strategy Across the galaxy, is a popular one. A short list of other games that explore this same idea include: Space Empires (Mayfair); Godsfire, Holy War, Stellar Conquest & Warp War (Metagaming); Outreach, Stargate, Star Force Alpha Centauri & The Sword and the Stars (SPI).

Other games by these designers

Games by Howard Barasch: Cauldron, Chinese Farm, Hurtgen Forest, Modern Battles quad, Mukden, War of the Ring & Cobra (SPI); Goblin and Outpost Gamma (Dwarfstar).

Games by John Butterfield: Army Group South quad , Dawn of the Dead, Delta Vee, Red Devils, Rostov, Stargate, Universe & Voyage of the BMS Pandora (SPI); Hell’s Highway(Victory); RAF & Soldiers (West End); Battle Over Britain (TSR).

References

Moves 51contained a review of the SPI version from the English Contributors. Campaign 95 contained a thumbnail analysis of the SPI version. Ares 1 contained a review of the SPI version.

The Space Gamer 31 had a review; 37 had a variant; and 51 had a humoros article.

The General issues 20/4 and 22/5 contained a number of articles, variants and analyses, of the AH version. And the Space Gamer 41 had a news article.