Captain's Log (magazine)
Captain's Log is a biannual magazine produced by Amarillo [Design Bureau], designed to feature gaming and background material relating to the various game systems of the Star Fleet Universe. While originally focussed on Star Fleet Battles, as the number of games produced by ADB has grown, the magazine has increased the range of games it supports
It was started in the early 1980s by Task Force Games, at that time the publisher of Star Fleet Battles as a vehicle to publish scenarios for SFB. As time passed, it became larger, with more diverse content. However, all content is still focused the SFU.
Layout
Each issue is generally divided into a number of sections:
History
This section contains at least one fiction story set in the universe, a number of smaller articles featuring specific data on certain aspects of the universe.
Communications
This section presents news on upcoming products, after-action reports on previous releases, as well as question-and-answer articles.
Scenarios
Mostly featuring new scenarios for SFB - usually including a scenario tied to the fiction pieces included in the issue - recent issues have also included similar scenarios for FC.
Each issue includes new ship SSDs for SFB, as well as background data relating to each new ship introduced.
Database
Including supplementary background information, as well as new articles for Star Fleet Battle Force and Prime Directive.
Venues
Covering the play-by-mail, play-by-email and online gaming aspects of the universe, as well as occasional articles covering the Star Fleet Command PC games.
Tactics
This section goes from detailing victories in tournament play, racial 'primers', as well as Term Papers.
This is the section for Federation and Empire, and mirrors on a lesser scale the SFB content of the rest of the magazine - with news of upcoming products, tactical notes, experimental rules and scenarios, and F&E-style information on the new ships presented in the Shipyard section.
Reception
Jeffrey W. Cisneros reviewed Captain's Log #13 in White Wolf #44, rating it a 2.5 out of 5 and stated that "I'm not overly fond of this installment in the SFB series. As a person who appreciates good wargaming and SFB, I am truly disappointed. Mr. Cole could have done this universe more good with a truly original supplement and fresh ideas. The constant use of jargon and gaming 'buzzwords' can confuse novices. The book's fiction is entertaining, but doesn't make up for other problems. I cannot recommend this product."