From the back cover: "Periphery: Science Fiction Roleplaying on the Edge (tm) Starships rocketing through the heavens, humans an aliens in dramatic conflict, energy weapons blazing... Periphery represents a departure from the standard space-opera genre, emphasizing a darker, grittier mood. Where the usual genre is painted in black and white, Periphery is a field of grays. At the same time, the trappings of classic space-opera are maintained: star-spanning empires, huge space fleets, and exotic alien races -- it's all here. Periphery is also a departure from the standard roleplaying experience. Where other games depend upon prepackaged linear adventures, Periphery's freeform style of roleplaying places the characters at center of events, defining the story through their actions."