This reporter (Jeff) just received advance copies of the Star Wars Invasion of Theed Adventure Game and the Star Wars Roleplaying Game Core Rulebook from the kind people at Wizards of the Coast.

The Invasion of Theed boxed set is an introductory game to the RPG, much like the Dungeons & Dragons Adventure Game was for the new D&D game. The set includes a rules booklet, an adventure booklet, a large map of a sector of Theed, and two pages of detachable cardboard cut-outs. The cut-outs can be used as gamepieces on the map. Although I haven't tried it yet, the game looks easy to learn and have fun with. The box also includes an exclusive Wookiee Scout action figure, and a preview of Star Wars Gamer Magazine.

The Rulebook is very thick (350 pages!) and very well worth the price of $34.95. It looks very good, with the layout and lots of illustrations and photos, and is very well indexed. All the chapters are very well marked and easy to access quickly. There is a foreword by Michael A. Stackpole (who also wrote the 3-page preview comic book which is sadly not included in the Adventure Game but was given out at various conventions over the summer) and an introduction by designer Bill Slavicsek. There is a character sheet at the end of the book which looks kind of hard to photocopy, since the writing is so close to the binding, but WotC have mentioned they will have printable versions on their website, and the sheets will also be available as a separate product.

Both the Adventure Game and the Core Rulebook have surveys where you can give them your opinion by answering some questions. I will give a more in-depth review later on. In the meantime, be sure to check out WotC's new introductory Star Wars Roleplaying Game page name PlayStarWars.com in which you can play a demo of the game (and could win a prize, see below), buy the game and be introduced to the rest of the website.

Play the Star Wars Invasion of Theed Adventure Game demo and enter to win an autographed copy of the game signed by artist Adam Hughes and friend to all Wookiees, actor Peter Mayhew.