The Golden Rules
Consent
The GM Is A Player Too
Everyone playing Meat Space is a Player. The Game Master, commonly referred to as the GM, and the Cast Members, commonly referred to as CMs, may have different roles, but there is no difference in expectation. Everyone at the table deserves to be heard, respected and given the opportunity to learn from their mistakes. Most importantly, everyone deserves the opportunity to enjoy themselves.
A GM is not expected to memorise every rule, provide every miniature, host every session or solve every problem. Like everyone else at the table, they are there to have fun and tell a story with their friends. Remember, Meat Space is a collaborative game and everyone shares responsibility for creating a great experience.
Your Character, Your Choice
The rules of Meat Space are intentionally kept as detached from physical appearance as possible. Players should feel empowered to create and represent their Characters however they wish. What your Character wears, looks like, carries or how they present themselves is ultimately a matter of personal taste, and your aesthetic preferences should take priority.
This extends to gender expression and identity. While some Races may exhibit sexual dimorphism, it is up to each Player to decide how their Character looks, presents themselves and expresses who they are. These choices belong to the Player and should not be dictated by others at the table. The 'sapes of the Federation don't give a fuck, so neither should you.
Absolute Cinema
When playing Meat Space, the goal should be to tell a memorable and cinematic story together. The rules of the game often encourage Players to build Characters who specialise in different skills and roles. While some Characters may be capable generalists, most spacer crews are made up of individuals who excel in different areas, each with opportunities to shine where nobody else can.
Meat Space is designed to create memorable moments and celebrate the strengths of individual Characters. When your moment arrives, embrace it and enjoy the spotlight. When it is someone else's turn to shine, sit back and enjoy the show. It is perfectly normal for a pair of combat specialists to dominate a firefight, a pilot and mechanic to save the ship, or a suit and legal wizard to talk their way out of a tricky situation. Great stories are built from great scenes, and every Character deserves their moment, but not every Character has to contribute equally to every moment.
Mechanics Are Fun!
Meat Space is a mechanically rich game by design. The rules, Abilities, Items and many other Character options exist to create memorable moments and give each Character opportunities to shine. Players should celebrate those moments, whether that's using a signature Ability, overcoming a challenge they are uniquely suited for or finally finding the perfect opportunity to use an Item they've been saving for just the right moment.
Roleplay and acting are important parts of telling a story, but so are the mechanics that support it. Be loud and proud about your Dice, Abilities and clever plays. The game part of a TTRPG is meant to be enjoyed and shared with others, just as much as the cool voices and acting skills the Players bring to the table. Rather than rushing past the mechanics, embrace them and invite the rest of the table to celebrate the cool things your Character can do.