Can someone recommend a good sci-fi or modern based RPG?
- Thread starter greymarch
- Start date
Shadowdancer
First Post
I like Traveller, and have played it since the mid-80s. Basically, there are two current versions of it getting support with new material -- GURPS and T20.
If your group is familiar with 3E D&D or any other d20 game, T20 might be what you're looking for. It uses d20 system, so most of the rules will be familiar. So far there is only the main handbook plus some free downloads and inexpensive pdfs on the main website, here: Traveller RPG But the company has several setting supplements in the works (I know because I've freelanced for them), and some of the pdfs are going to be released in print versions.
GURPS is its own system, but does provide a lot of variety. You can find GURPS supplements for just about any type of modern and/or futuristic game you want to play. It's all interchangeable and compatible. I use a lot of the GURPS Traveller material as background and supplemental material for my T20 campaign.
Classic Traveller, the original version of the game, is available as a reprint from Far Future. It would mean learning a new system, but it is a very easy game mechanic. Also, most if not all of the background and setting material for Classic Traveller is usable with GURPS and T20 -- I use it all the time. In fact, some of the GURPS material is the same as the Classic Traveller material, just rewritten and (in some cases) expanded. Many of the people who wrote the Classic Traveller stuff later wrote the GURPS stuff.
I like Traveller because it is a very flexible, very adaptable game. You can create just about any type of modern or future campaign you want. You can do military-based, high combat campaigns; you can do exploration campaigns; you can do economics-based campaigns, buying and selling cargoes on various worlds and transporting it by space ship; you can do espionage and intrigue campaigns; the possibilities are endless. Just as an example, I once created a campaign based on the movie "Aliens" in which the players were Marines hunting Alien creatures. I'm currently running a campaign in which the PCs are government secret agents involved in cold war intrigue with a neighborhing empire.
One thing I've found out about Traveller is that is a very fan-driven system. There is lots of material out there on the Internet created by long-time fans and players of the game. Much of the T20 support material has been, or is being done, by fans and players of the game. It is a game that has earned a lot of passionate support from its players, who have helped keep it alive through several incarnations.
If your group is familiar with 3E D&D or any other d20 game, T20 might be what you're looking for. It uses d20 system, so most of the rules will be familiar. So far there is only the main handbook plus some free downloads and inexpensive pdfs on the main website, here: Traveller RPG But the company has several setting supplements in the works (I know because I've freelanced for them), and some of the pdfs are going to be released in print versions.
GURPS is its own system, but does provide a lot of variety. You can find GURPS supplements for just about any type of modern and/or futuristic game you want to play. It's all interchangeable and compatible. I use a lot of the GURPS Traveller material as background and supplemental material for my T20 campaign.
Classic Traveller, the original version of the game, is available as a reprint from Far Future. It would mean learning a new system, but it is a very easy game mechanic. Also, most if not all of the background and setting material for Classic Traveller is usable with GURPS and T20 -- I use it all the time. In fact, some of the GURPS material is the same as the Classic Traveller material, just rewritten and (in some cases) expanded. Many of the people who wrote the Classic Traveller stuff later wrote the GURPS stuff.
I like Traveller because it is a very flexible, very adaptable game. You can create just about any type of modern or future campaign you want. You can do military-based, high combat campaigns; you can do exploration campaigns; you can do economics-based campaigns, buying and selling cargoes on various worlds and transporting it by space ship; you can do espionage and intrigue campaigns; the possibilities are endless. Just as an example, I once created a campaign based on the movie "Aliens" in which the players were Marines hunting Alien creatures. I'm currently running a campaign in which the PCs are government secret agents involved in cold war intrigue with a neighborhing empire.
One thing I've found out about Traveller is that is a very fan-driven system. There is lots of material out there on the Internet created by long-time fans and players of the game. Much of the T20 support material has been, or is being done, by fans and players of the game. It is a game that has earned a lot of passionate support from its players, who have helped keep it alive through several incarnations.
Sammael99
First Post
greymarch said:
Not wanting to seem insistent, although I clearly see the fantasy element in Dragonstar, I fail to see it in Fading Suns. The New Dark Ages mean that basically the ultra-technological society is in the past and technology is no longer as prevalent as it once was (and in the hands of a chosen few) but it doesn't have elves or dwarves or orks or whatever other elements from fantasy... It's a SciFi game, pure and proper, as much as Dune was SciFi...
Just to set the record straight
Buttercup
Princess of Florin
greymarch said:
I'm playing in a d20 Traveller (called T20 for short) game right now, and I have the hardback, so perhaps I can answer some of these questions.
The cool thing about Traveller is that, since it's been around for so long, there are tons of sites on the web where you can get information without spending a dime. Ship plans? Plots? History of the Imperium? No Problem! There is such a rich Traveller knowledge base out there that you can draw on, and you can use it regardless of which version of traveller you decide to use.
Given the popularity of the d20 system, I'm sure this version of the game will be around for a while. All the mechanics you need to play are in the T20 hardback (well, you also need a PHB, but you get my drift), but you can also download some nifty and cheap supplements from the Traveller's Aide section of the official website. http://www.travellerrpg.com/ I've got a subscription to Traveller's Aide, and these PDFs are good value, IMO.
You could easliy port things from some other D20 books, such as Ultramodern Firearms or D20 Modern or Dragonstar if you wanted to.
Bagpuss
Legend
Sammael99 said:
Not wanting to seem insistent, although I clearly see the fantasy element in Dragonstar, I fail to see it in Fading Suns. The New Dark Ages mean that basically the ultra-technological society is in the past and technology is no longer as prevalent as it once was (and in the hands of a chosen few) but it doesn't have elves or dwarves or orks or whatever other elements from fantasy... It's a SciFi game, pure and proper, as much as Dune was SciFi...
Just to set the record straight
Right no fantasy except that priest can use magic, and there are 'psionic-like' powers for other classes.
You don't need Dwarves and Elves to be fantasy.
The game even describes itself as a Science Fantasy setting.
Just to set the record straight
paqman
First Post
[Braces for impact]
Hero system.
Some here will say that it is too long, that it takes a math degree to make character sheet (note that the current herodesigner sorftware removes all calculations needs ) and that battles last forever.... Well I don't really have lots of arguments against any of this save that ususally, combats are long when you play supers, and in your case you want to play down to earth, or near down to earth, I guess, modern and scifi would most assuredly go much faster (Low armor, low body, high damage of guns), probably as fast as any DnD combats.
I have some character sheets up on my site that you can view and see if it seems something too complicated. I know that it is just that, sheets, but it might help you nonetheless
http://www.rpgzone.org/modules.php?name=Hero_system&pa=showpage&pid=140
The first 2, Power Frame and Trooper, are more like sci fi than super hero. Then you have a skeleton and a Zombie, after that you get in the Super characters.
Hero system.
Some here will say that it is too long, that it takes a math degree to make character sheet (note that the current herodesigner sorftware removes all calculations needs ) and that battles last forever.... Well I don't really have lots of arguments against any of this save that ususally, combats are long when you play supers, and in your case you want to play down to earth, or near down to earth, I guess, modern and scifi would most assuredly go much faster (Low armor, low body, high damage of guns), probably as fast as any DnD combats.
I have some character sheets up on my site that you can view and see if it seems something too complicated. I know that it is just that, sheets, but it might help you nonetheless
http://www.rpgzone.org/modules.php?name=Hero_system&pa=showpage&pid=140
The first 2, Power Frame and Trooper, are more like sci fi than super hero. Then you have a skeleton and a Zombie, after that you get in the Super characters.
Sammael99
First Post
Bagpuss said:
Right no fantasy except that priest can use magic, and there are 'psionic-like' powers for other classes.
You don't need Dwarves and Elves to be fantasy.
The game even describes itself as a Science Fantasy setting.
Just to set the record straight
OK. Fair enough. That's not my perception of it and not how I GM it. The themes and adventures have nothing in common with fantasy IMO. Different perception I guess. I'll go put my head back in the ground now...
Does Traveller have its own campaign world? If so, can I buy d20 Traveller products that enhance this world? I have neither the time, nor inclination to make my own campaign world and I dont want to download some fanboy's silly campaign world either.
Spycraft is starting to intrigue me.
Spycraft is starting to intrigue me.
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