There was an argument going around on whether Traveller RPG or Metamorphisis Alpha was the first science fiction game. However, this was resolved when Jim Ward declared M.A. to be a science fantasy game, as hard science and realism was not as important to the game as it was to Traveller RPG. I hope that helps. And right now Mellisande is probably as befuddled as you are in the balancing of the thought. As for Knowledge- Arcane, I see it as the equivalence of understanding computer and technical languages. Use Magic Device is the equivalent of having a functional knowledge of a high tech device. If you haven't figured it out yet, your wands of magic missile are laser pistols with auto-seeking, your belts of shield are force fields which help deflect blows and magic missiles, your staves of fireballs are the high tech equivalent to rocket propelled grenades and your healing devices are med-kits, fast acting liquid gauze or stimulant injections. And so it goes.