Top Secret 1e – Guns, Grit, and Guts in TTRPGs

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Today begins a series of articles in our Classic Tabletop RPG series, featuring Top Secret 1e, similar to what we have going on with Gamma World.

Discover the history of the first espionage tabletop RPG Top Secret 1e.

Top Secret 1e is a classic espionage/spy action tabletop RPG first released in 1980. It was created by Merle M. Rasmussen and published by TSR, Inc., the same company that produced the-game-I-refuse-to-mention-by-name-on-my-channel-or-website.

Top Secret 1e was a unique RPG that focused on espionage and covert operations rather than fantasy adventure. It was the first of its kind to do so, making it a pioneer in the tabletop RPG industry. However, it doesn’t get much love because of the crunchiness of the system (crunchy in this case means complex and convoluted). In this article, we will explore the history of Top Secret 1e, including its creators, artists, different iterations and editions, and what made it different from other tabletop RPGs of its time.

Merle M. Rasmussen was the creator of Top Secret 1e. He was a freelance writer and game designer who previously worked on other projects for TSR, including Buck Rogers XXVC. Rasmussen was inspired to create a game concentrating on the world of espionage and covert operations after reading books on the subject and watching movies like James Bond and The Man from U.N.C.L.E.

Rasmussen’s goal was to create a game that would immerse players in the world of espionage, with a focus on realism and strategy rather than combat and adventure. He spent over a year researching and writing the game, drawing on his own experiences as a former military intelligence officer.

Erol Otus, who was a well-known artist in the tabletop gaming industry, drew the art for Top Secret 1e. Otus had previously done art for TSR, including the iconic cover art for the first edition of the-game-I-refuse-to-mention-by-name-on-my-channel-or-website. He captured the essence of the game’s espionage theme in his artwork for Top Secret 1e though it was not the top-notch artwork found on the cover of novels and magazines by other well-known artists of the time like Darrell K. Sweet, Micheal Herring, or Robert McGinnis.

Top Secret 1e was the first and most popular edition of the game, even if its system wasn’t the most well thought out.From its original release in 1980, it remained in print until 1987. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a copy of it today, the most popular place being eBay. The game was innovative for its time, with a focus on realism and strategy rather than combat and adventure. Players assumed the roles of spies and operatives who worked for intelligence agencies like the CIA or MI6. Set in the modern world, missions take place all over the globe.

Top Secret 1e was unique in its use of real-world technology and equipment of its time. Players had access to a variety of gadgets and weapons, such as wiretaps, cameras, and silenced pistols. The game also included rules for surveillance and stealth, allowing players to sneak past guards and infiltrate enemy bases undetected. I’ll be writing more articles in this series on the specific mechanics of the game, so be sure to bookmark this website.

In 1987, TSR released Top Secret/S.I., which was a revised edition of the game and arguably a much better system. Designed to be more streamlined and accessible, the new edition simplified the rules and a greater emphasis on action and adventure in the vein of movies such as The Jason Bourne and Mission Impossible franchises.

The game was set in its own time period of the early 80s. Thie meant many of the supporting modules included missions that took place during the height of the Cold War. Even though the game was an improvement (subjective opinion alert here), Top Secret/S.I. was not as well-received as the original game, and it was eventually discontinued.

In 2017, TSR Games, a new company founded by Merle Rasmussen, released a new edition of Top Secret. Fun Fact: one of its publishers contacted me, asking if I wanted to cover the game on the RPG Elite YouTube channel. I responded. However, I have heard nothing from them at the writing of this article.

The newest edition, called Top Secret: New World Order, is a modern update of the classic game. It features updated rules and mechanics, as well as new art and a revised setting. From what I understand, Top Secret: New World Order was well-received by both old fans and new players. I’d like to get my hands on a copy of the game and give it the RPG Elite run through. But we’ll have to wait and see if they ever answer.

First, it was an espionage tabletop RPG. That alone made it a rarity. Next, it had a focus on realism and strategy that was uncommon in RPGs of the era, most game giving more attention to combat and adventure. Top Secret 1e was also unique in its use of real-world technology and equipment, which added to the game’s sense of realism.

Another way in which Top Secret 1e was different was in its approach to character creation. Players had to create detailed backgrounds and cover stories for their characters, which added to the immersion of the game. Players also had to select skills and abilities that applied to espionage and covert operations, such as surveillance, cryptography, and hand-to-hand combat.

The game placed a greater emphasis on roleplaying than dice-rolling. Players had to use their wits and their characters’ skills to accomplish their missions, rather than relying solely on luck and combat prowess. This approach made the game more challenging and rewarding, as players had to think creatively and strategically to succeed.

Top Secret 1e also stood out for its use of realistic and complex scenarios. Missions often involved intricate plots and multiple objectives, which made them more challenging and engaging for players. The game encouraged players to think outside the box and come up with inventive solutions to problems, rather than relying on the dreaded murder hobo syndrome.

Top Secret 1e was a groundbreaking tabletop RPG. What’s sad is it doesn’t get much love or credit for its impact on the tabletop RPG historic landscape. But not to worry. We’ll give it its due here at RPG Elite HQ. This is just the beginning of a series of posts, just like Gamma World. There’s plenty more when and where this came from.