Interplanetary:
A stunning reboot of the first original science fiction board game

January 26, 2026

First Fandom Experience (FFE), a collaborative publishing project, announces the upcoming release of Interplanetary – an enhanced historical remake of the first science fiction board game with an original theme, initially designed and played by science fiction fans in 1943.

The object of Interplanetary:
Navigate your spaceships through the treacherous orbits of the Solar System, overcome all the difficulties, finance an expedition to Pluto and be the first to bring back a cargo of “Immortality Dust” to Earth.

To succeed, the player must guide their ships to secure valuable cargo from the planets, building wealth while avoiding dreadful hazards – meteors, pirates and the deadly Negasphere – to finance the dangerous game-winning mission to Pluto. Along the way, they may choose the life of a smuggler… or a pirate. They may be bold and lead the way into the outer reaches of the solar system or lurk in waiting while others explore in hopes of pouncing on the final prize. Strategic choices can lead to victory – or calamity.

Interplanetary was designed in 1942 by Boston science fiction fan Arthur Widner, Jr. The original game was presented in a 1943 fanzine with a crude, hand-drawn sketch of the elaborate board. The game was first played in 1943 by a group of local science fiction fans, The Stranger Club. Over the years, a few ambitious fans have attempted to resurrect the game, but the scope and complexity of the board and rules proved challenging.

The Interplanetary game board depicts a detailed map of the entire Solar System, requiring a game mat 36-inches (three feet) square. Each player’s ships may be speedy “explorers” or slower “cargo carriers.” Ships may be lost along the way, require repairs, or choose to become pirates. The player faces complex choices on each turn.

First Fandom Experience has commissioned leading graphic artists Mark Wheatley and Dan Krall to design a stunning, retro-science fiction board that’s true to the original 1942 layout. Wheatley and Krall also designed unique 3D game pieces based on early visions of rocket ships.

Interplanetary is currently undergoing playtesting to clarify the original rules for modern players. We’re also designing a streamlined set of rules for players wishing to engage in a shorter, faster-paced version of the game.

Contact First Fandom Experience for details.