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Thread: Non-punk sci-fi
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2011-03-31, 05:06 AM (ISO 8601)
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Non-punk sci-fi
In the sci-fi scene cyberpunk seems to dominate, followed by pos-apoc. To my knowledge the only space opera-esque sci-fi rpg is based on Starwars. I'm looking for one besides Starwars. Is there a good one for Startrek perhaps, or something else?
Black text is for sarcasm, also sincerity. You'll just have to read between the lines and infer from context like an animal
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2011-03-31, 05:12 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Non-punk sci-fi
Well, there's Firefly. Definitely a sci-fi world, but not one I would call either cyberpunk or post-apocalyptic.
RPGs in general, though, trend pretty heavily toward post-apocalyptic. Gotta explain the chaos, violence used to solve problems, and of course, frequent dungeons with hordes of treasure in them.
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2011-03-31, 05:13 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Non-punk sci-fi
You might look up Traveller. I'm not really familiar, but from what I've seen, it isn't very punk or post-apocalyptic.
Resident Vancian Apologist
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2011-03-31, 05:16 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Non-punk sci-fi
There have been loads of Sci-Fi games, sadly most have fallen by the wayside.
Star Trek has had several incarnations, FASA did one and there was the 'Prime Directive' though I forget who published it.
For hard Sci-Fi there is always 'Traveller'
For a more Space Opera game I always been fond of 'Fading Suns'All Comicshorse's posts come with the advisor : This is just my opinion any difficulties arising from implementing my ideas are your own problem
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2011-03-31, 05:34 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Non-punk sci-fi
Traveller is the Daddy of science fiction gaming. A cheaper option (don't get cheaper than free) is D6 Space. GURPS is surprisingly good for science fiction gaming, too. Dark Heresy is a popular choice.
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2011-03-31, 05:41 AM (ISO 8601)
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2011-03-31, 06:31 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Non-punk sci-fi
Anyone heard of Attack Vector Tactical?
Never played it but it was mentioned (as a potential system to use) in one of the games I joined but it never got started.
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2011-03-31, 06:59 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Non-punk sci-fi
http://www.starfleetgames.com/pdindex.shtml
It's currently available in GURPS, D20, and D20Modern flavours.
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2011-03-31, 07:08 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Non-punk sci-fi
There's also Diaspora, if you like FATE games. Never actually played it, but from what I've heard, it manages to pull off hard sci-fi without getting bogged down in details.
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2011-03-31, 07:44 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Non-punk sci-fi
Well, you could go old-school for Star Frontiers (files for several books and old Dragon articles at starfrontiers.com).
There is the future supplement for D20 modern.
For Savage Worlds there is the Sci-Fi toolkit for roll-your-own settings. There are also some sci-fi settings - Slipstream, Space 1889. Some might consider Necessary Evil sci-fi (supers fighting an alien invasion).
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2011-03-31, 08:36 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Non-punk sci-fi
Hmm....
Some Sci-Fi RPGs other than Star Wars which aren't -punk or post-apoc.
ICAR is a free, fairly complex space opera game which is pretty neat. Set in the far-distant future (around the year 100,000 or so, Main warning being that it looks to use a lot of sheets (i.e. character sheet for each player, status sheet for each player, most guns, armor, or ships will get a sheet, etc.) Reading it is at least worthwhile, though.
Stars Without Number is one which I've seen a lot of good reviews of lately. It's also free, though you need a DriveThruRPG account to get it. It is slightly post-apoc, in the sense that there was a great space empire, which has since collapsed, leaving the planets to fend for themselves, but not, say, Rifts level of post-apoc. There's still civilization, and space flight, and all the stuff you expect out of a space opera game, but it's got a strong swords and planets flavor, I guess. I don't know.A System-Independent Creative Community:
Strolen's Citadel
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2011-03-31, 09:06 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Non-punk sci-fi
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2011-03-31, 09:23 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Non-punk sci-fi
I'll second this! Diaspora is pretty good, and they include a lot of extra systems for handling non-dungeon crawl scale combat - their "it's half way to a tabletop wargame" ground army system is pretty good, but their ship-to-ship combat system is AMAZING - it's based on range and relative velocity instead of x and y coordinates, so it really plays out super fluidly and is a ton of fun.
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2011-03-31, 09:32 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Non-punk sci-fi
Another plug for Traveller. I played the original version and don't have any experience with the GURPS reboot. It was a good, solid game, though there wasn't really a mechanism for gaining experience and improving your character. Also, talk about random skill selection.... Oy! I'm sure GURPS fixed both of those issues.
An option nobody's mentioned here yet- Space 1899. It's loosely based on Jules Verne and H.G. Wells kind of speculative fiction. I think it has some elements of steam punk rather than cyber punk.I drive a quantum car- every time I look down at the speedometer, I get lost.
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As a juggler, I may not always be smarter than a banana. However, bananas aren't often surrounded by children asking for hugs and autographs.
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2011-03-31, 09:48 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Non-punk sci-fi
Traveller looks like precisely the kind of game I've been looking for! Thanks
I'll research it and hopefully present it to my group.Black text is for sarcasm, also sincerity. You'll just have to read between the lines and infer from context like an animal
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2011-03-31, 10:55 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Non-punk sci-fi
Last edited by Jayabalard; 2011-03-31 at 10:55 AM.
Kungaloosh!
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2011-03-31, 12:00 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Non-punk sci-fi
Allow me to plug the game "Sufficiently Advanced". That one is pretty awesome! Not dark or dreary at all, and great system!
I also REALLY don't like Traveller at all... way to random, doesn't let me play what I wanna play, even the latest version.Last edited by Gavinfoxx; 2011-03-31 at 12:01 PM.
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2011-03-31, 01:30 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Non-punk sci-fi
A good, free one is Eclipse Phase. It can be run very punk, but it can also be run strict corporate, or you can go out beyond the Gates and run it as survival.
I'd highly suggest d6 Space; the entire d6 system is simple, easily compatible, and generic, able to be plugged into pretty much any system.The Cranky Gamer
*It isn't realism, it's verisimilitude; the appearance of truth within the framework of the game.
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2011-03-31, 08:15 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Non-punk sci-fi
I suggest Starblazer Adventures. It uses FATE system, and allows for a lot of flexibility when it comes to detailing your setting.
LGBTitP
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2011-03-31, 11:32 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Non-punk sci-fi
Having never played a sci-fi rpg and only tangentially played in the 40k setting (i.e. Dawn of War), would the roleplaying games set in the Warhammer 40k universe meet your criteria? I suppose they fall into the genres you're trying to avoid, as though they're grimdark and gothic, they might also fall into the post-apocalyptic category. I'm not sure- wiser playgrounders will have to elucidate this one for me (as I try to help you), I'm afraid.
EDIT: Reworded for clarityLast edited by Ason; 2011-03-31 at 11:35 PM. Reason: Clarity
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2011-04-01, 12:29 AM (ISO 8601)
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2011-04-01, 01:37 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Non-punk sci-fi
Throw me in for Mongoose Traveller. Very good space one there. Hell, I even made up a whole Mass Effect campaign guide for it and I'm running a campaign with it.
Last edited by DeathsHands; 2011-04-01 at 01:38 AM.
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2011-04-01, 02:15 AM (ISO 8601)
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2011-04-01, 02:18 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Non-punk sci-fi
I'll second that. Both about playing Mongoose Traveller (It's actually my favourite system ever so far) and posting the Mass Effect guide.
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2011-04-01, 08:23 AM (ISO 8601)
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2011-04-01, 01:03 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Non-punk sci-fi
Starblazer Adventures is similar, though for space opera. If you are going for something closer to Star Wars than The Cold Equations Starblazer is the best option. Moreover there is a large thematic difference between the two, summarized as the difference between playing in The Known World (Diaspora) or The Great Unknown (Starblazer).
I would really like to see a game made by Obryn, Kurald Galain, and Knaight from these forums.
I'm not joking one bit. I would buy the hell out of that. -- ChubbyRain
Current Design Project: Legacy, a game of masters and apprentices for two players and a GM.