DA3 "City of the Gods" describes the existence of a Galactic Federation:
Far from the sun that gives light and life to Blackmoor, almost a third of a galaxy away, is the seat of the so-called Galactic Federation, a loose confederation of planets and peoples dedicated to the preservation of internal order and peace.
From DA3 "City of the Gods"
Within the vast bureaucracy that governs this federation is a small bureau that is a tiny part of a big department that is but a fraction of a huge secretariat. This microscopic organization, the Galactic Survey Bureau (GSB), is charged with the long-term mission of exploring and mapping the galaxy, obtaining specimens of its flora and fauna, and maintaining a comprehensive directory of known planets. One of the ways the bureau accomplishes its mission is by sending forth hundreds of Federation Survey Ships to visit and catalog the stars and their planets.
From DA3 "City of the Gods"
Star Map from "Star Probe" (1975) by John Snider
The GSB's objectives are similar to those in the game "Star Probe" (1975) by John Snider, one of the original players in Dave Arneson's Blackmoor campaign.
STAR PROBE is basically a parallel contest, where the participants, representing separate empires, seek to explore and exploit new star systems for the glory of their governments and the enrichment of their bank accounts -- interstellar colonialism indeed!
Gary Gygax, from the Forward to "Star Probe" (Sept 1, 1974)
"Star Probe" was followed by "Star Empires" (1977) with comprehensive rules for space combat:
"Star Empires" (1977) by John Snider
Snider's third game in the series was the "Star Master" RPG which was never published, but likely served as the basis for the "Star Frontiers" RPG.
(Snider also developed a game called "Mutant" which might have served as inspiration for the "Metamorphosis Alpha" and "Gamma World" RPGs.)*
*DA3 "City of the Gods" mentions a tough material named "duralloy" ("durable alloy"?) which originally appeared in these two other games
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