OK, I've been into RPG games for a long while and have a few of the much older West End Games Star Wars RPG, which were excellent.

Now we have Fantasy Flight taking on the license and bringing out not 1, not 2 but 3(or perhaps 6 if you count the beginner editions) games for the Star Wars universe.

I'd like to get into this game however I need some explanation and I'm sure others do as well and as this seems to be the newest incantation of the system, I felt it was prudent to put this topic here.

What is the deal guys?

It looks like there's 3 completely seperate RPG games for the one galaxy?

So are these 3 seperate games or is it the same game and each edition covers different character types and aspects of the Star Wars universe?

EG, If I grab the 'Age Of Rebellion' core book, the 'Age Of The Empire' core book and the 'Force And Destiny' core book, I'll have the complete rules for the entire game, not just a section of it? Is that how this new system works?

Because surely there not 3 seperate games, that doesn't make logical sense to this fan, it's the same universe. However if you felt that incorporation of all aspects of the Star Wars universe just couldn't be done in a single rule book and 3 were required then that makes sense.

So am I correct? All 3 will be seamless and compatible with one another and simply expand the rules to allow for Rebellion, Empire and Force aspects of the universe?

I'm guessing there will also be a 'Bounty Hunters' core book coming out to cover the characters outside of the 3 core books that are already released?

Traditionally, there has always been a set of main rule books and then supplements expand the game, but this new idea of having the rules 3 times and adding the new elements has me curious.

So yes, please explain and I do hope there all fully integrated and compatible with one another so you essentially learn one and know all 3 but incorporate the new aspects that each bring to the table into the overall game? (So instead of a Players Handbook, Game Master Guide etc, we have the rules with Star Wars related titles?).

Yes, all three game books are fully compatible with one another. The difference is the setting. One takes place as a rebel, one non rebel, one jedi. Now, what makes it fun is mixing and matching. For example, in my campaign we have a wizened old jedi who can't reveal that he is a jedi - or use his lightsaber - for fear of dying or getting killed by the Empire. We also have a Wookie Marauder (melee expert - Edge of the Empire) and a Combat Medic (Age of Rebellion) in the group.

They also have some of the same and different ships, weapons, upgrades, and mods. They also contain small stories that are pretty decent.

However, the base rules are all the same.

Each core book is a complete game in and of itself, and all three are compatible with each other. And yes, if you want the "complete system" then you would need to buy all three core books.

Edge of the Empire is you're fringe elements (bounty hunters, smugglers, etc) and is mainly focused on the seedier side of life in the SW galaxy.

Age of Rebellion focuses on the Alliance vs. the Empire aspects.

Force and Destiny is all things force-user related. (EDIT: I want to add that Edge and Age both include Force options, but not as careers. The force specs in Edge and Age are a secondary, and very optional, add-on to the careers presented in those books. IMO the option is there for those who want to create a character much like episode 4 Luke).

Each game line has/will have separate sourcebooks for each of their Careers as well as adventure books and "sector" books.

You can easily subsist on one game line if you like. They are marketed as individual games, despite being completely compatible, however. Ask yourself what part of Star Wars you like to play the most: criminal fringe elements, galactic scale wars, or Force sensitives, Jedi against Sith kind of thing. Edge has been out longest, so it has the most supplements, while Force has the least, as it came out a couple of months ago. If your Star Wars is all inclusive, well...

It is worth noting there are minor character related mechanical differences between the three. Edge of the Empire characters have Obligation. Age of Rebellion characters have Duty. Force and Destiny characters have Morality.

People who jump on board now are confused by the three game lines, and I kind of wish they'd release a 2.0 in a couple years with just the core rules. But there's a good historical reason for the way it was done, not least of which is that getting rules for "the Force" right is extremely hard to do, and with two prior rule books and years of hands-on play, they were able to get it 99% right. Other reasons include marketing and cash flow...if they had not done the other books first, we'd only have the first product now, there would be more mistakes, and they probably wouldn't have survived the R&D period without some revenue to show for it.

Anyway, as noted they are 100% compatible. I have players using AoR careers in my EotE-flavoured campaign, it's not an issue.

It is the same game but split through 3 core book, so if you want a mixed party, you will need 2 or 3 of this core book.

As for Bounty hunter, you can build one with the Edge of the Empire core book. They would release a supplement book one day to expend the character option of this career but now you can be find with the Edge of the Empire book.

Each of the 3 game lines are completely compatible. Each used the same core dice mechanics.

Each core book offers Careers/Specializations (classes) fitted to the themes of the book. But each book offers the archetypal things you'd expect in an RPG - with options that focus on combat, social stuff, support, etc.

Each core book also offers a unique (optional) mechanic designed to bring the feel of that theme into the game and to provide a mechanic (and inspiration) for the GM and Players to influence the narrative.

Edge of the Empire has Obligation which is the characters ties to a code, family, crime lord, etc that pull on them. Obligation can also work as a sort of "currency" in the game where PC can increase Obligation in order to gain credits, items, etc (e.g., A patron may give the PC something they want and the PC now has an obligation towards the patron).

Age of Rebellion has Duty which is the character's role within the Rebellion. Are they focused on space superiority, gathering intelligence, or defeating the Imperial on the field of battle? Duty as measures the PCs "standing" and status within the Rebellion and is method for the PCs to get good gear/ships/whatever from the Rebellion.

Force And Destiny has Morality which is the characters inner conflict. Is your character brave but prone to anger? Morality also involves Conflict which models the struggle between the light and the dark side of the character and the Force.

Each core book also offers detailed setting information for players and GMs to use in constructing their characters and the narrative of the game.

Edge has a chapter on Law and Order.

Age has a chapter on the Rebellion.

Force has a chapter on the Jedi and Sith.

Hiya Researcher! I've responded below to answer each of your points in turn!

OK, I've been into RPG games for a long while and have a few of the much older West End Games Star Wars RPG, which were excellent.

Yes they were! I'm converting the old modules here if you're interested;

WEG Conversions for AoR

Now we have Fantasy Flight taking on the license and bringing out not 1, not 2 but 3(or perhaps 6 if you count the beginner editions) games for the Star Wars universe.

I'd like to get into this game however I need some explanation and I'm sure others do as well and as this seems to be the newest incantation of the system, I felt it was prudent to put this topic here.

What is the deal guys?

Not too bad depending on where you go, Miniature Market has great prices!

It looks like there's 3 completely seperate RPG games for the one galaxy?

So are these 3 seperate games or is it the same game and each edition covers different character types and aspects of the Star Wars universe?

EG, If I grab the 'Age Of Rebellion' core book, the 'Age Of The Empire' core book and the 'Force And Destiny' core book, I'll have the complete rules for the entire game, not just a section of it? Is that how this new system works?

Not quite - each Core Rulebook covers both common information and rules and specific information and rules to the Genre. The best way to think about it is to compare it to White Wolf's World of Darkness. In that, you're always getting the same rules about rolling dice, determining difficulties and creating stories, but you also have different core rulebooks covering Vampires, Werewolves, Mages, etc ...

This is the same, so if you want to play a Force User, then Force and Destiny is your thing. If the Galactic Civil War is your thing and you wanna jump in an X-Wing and pop the Death Star, then Age of Rebellion is the way to go. If, however, you're one of those wonderful Scoundrels that believe "cheap tricks and hokey religions aren't as good as a blaster at your side" and you want to try to match wits with a Hutt gangster while dodging a Death Mark, then Edge of the Empire is your best choice.

If however, you want to get the complete Star Wars experience, and roam the Galaxy at large, then all three are able to be fully integrated and provide a rich mosaic of the galaxy.

Because surely there not 3 seperate games, that doesn't make logical sense to this fan, it's the same universe. However if you felt that incorporation of all aspects of the Star Wars universe just couldn't be done in a single rule book and 3 were required then that makes sense.

It worked well for White Wolf, it allowed them to more richly explore the genre for the individual aspect of the game they were focusing on, while not throwing in a lot of content that might not pertain to specific groups. WEG was great at putting out a bazillion splatbooks for the universe, but only ever had a few things in each book that pertained to any given type of story. In this model, you get a lot more information specific to your type of adventure or group, and you can focus on what you want to include. Don't like glow-rod space wizards? Don't worry about Force and Destiny stuff! Want to let Han, Leia, and Luke worry about the Empire while you skirt the galaxy all Firefly-like looking for profit? Don't pick up Age of Rebellion. It allows versatility in the stories you tell while still allowing you to spend only on the genre you want.

So am I correct? All 3 will be seamless and compatible with one another and simply expand the rules to allow for Rebellion, Empire and Force aspects of the universe?

Yes, seamless, no to the breakdown, it's Force, Rebellion and ---

I'm guessing there will also be a 'Bounty Hunters' core book coming out to cover the characters outside of the 3 core books that are already released?

Yep, Bounty Hunter is as good an explanation as any for Edge.

Traditionally, there has always been a set of main rule books and then supplements expand the game, but this new idea of having the rules 3 times and adding the new elements has me curious.

Like I said, it isn't a new idea. White Wolf did this in 1992 to great effect. In fact, the game got so big, Aaron Spelling made a TV show out of it, the much lamented "Kindred: The Embraced." Even now, the new World of Darkness books follow this formula as well, and it's worked for them for over 20 years now.

Another way to think about it is this; Eberron and Forgotten Realms, and Ravenloft for DnD all use the same system, but have unique twists to classes and totally different settings ... this is EXACTLY the same, even though it is one universe, there is a world of difference in the seedy underground of the Hutts compared to the pristine Military world of the Empire. A group of Rebels will have a very different day to day compared to a group of Bounty Hunters.

So yes, please explain and I do hope there all fully integrated and compatible with one another so you essentially learn one and know all 3 but incorporate the new aspects that each bring to the table into the overall game? (So instead of a Players Handbook, Game Master Guide etc, we have the rules with Star Wars related titles?).

I hope I've done just that!

All the previous answers pretty much cover it so I have little to add but that of the three the one with the most versatility is Edge of the Empire. Nearly every character type you see in the original three films can be built using it including Luke and Vader's Force abilities. Age of Rebellion has a few things that are useful but none of the Careers are that divergent from those in EotE and could easily be built from them. Force and Destiny is probably the least versatile because it focuses on Force Users but it has a lot of great material.

If you are wondering which to pick up I'd recommend Edge of the Empire and Force & Destiny, and skip Age of Rebellion unless you plan on playing strictly military adventures. The supplements are useful and fun but not required.

Just be aware that the dice mechanic is very, very different to what you would have encountered before. It's really fun, but it requires a different mindset from the GM and players. Players really need to to be able to think creatively to get the most out of it. It might not be suited to players that want fast tactical play, but if players like narrating their actions and improvising, this system really caters for that.

I feel it's important to add/reinforce that having Star Wars split into three books has given it a depth it hasn't seen in an RPG. WEG and WotC did well enough, but their broad stroke rules and all-era-encompassing views never felt, to me, as "Star Wars" as FFG's version has. I myself was very much on the fence when it was first shown, but after giving it a chance and diving in, it's been an incredible Star Wars gaming experience.

If you're on the fence I highly recommend getting one of the Beginner Games. They're well-worth the money as you get an adventure, dice, characters, maps, a rule book and tokens, all for $30.00. There are also two extra characters and an extension adventure for free online. It's more than enough to see if you like the system and if you decide to purchase a core book, you'll have all those extras that can still be used. Out of the three Beginner Games I recommend Force & Destiny, mainly because it will give you a taste of how the Force is handled.

It's a rather intimidating line to get into at this point, but be assured that one core book has more than enough material to get full enjoyment from the game. If the cost of dice is an issue make sure to look at the dice app. It's a great resource and, most importantly, it makes Star Wars sounds!

I'll second AC. Get a Beginner set, depending on what flavour of game your interested in; Underworld, Military or Force Users. With the PDF extensions available from the products pages you can play a solid 15-20hrs with each of them, and considering all the extra stuff with them they are extremely good value.

I didn't see anyone mention specifically that there is no power creep between lines either. With the same amount of experience a muggle can easily over power a Force User either in combat or social encounters. Meanwhile the Force User can do some cool tricks. We have found it to be incredibly well balanced. This is also definitely not a Dungeon Crawl with hex maps, in fact many groups play entirely without maps.

Thank you very much everyone, that certainly answers all my questions and more. It looks like Edge Of The Empire is the way to go initially, even the starter set looks good (my only issue now would be availability of stock lol).

Special thanks to Kyla for beginning the WEG conversions.

I wish to one day respond to questions as enthusiastically and thoroughly as Kyla did. At least once.