Contemporary Simulationist TTRPGs [+]

[Aldarc]

What is common to FKR and more systematic simulationist approach, is that they aim to model functioning of the fictional world. World, not a story. The logic is: "Given the parameters of the situation, what would happen?" Not, what would be most dramatic, funny, thematically appropriate or would push the action to most interesting direction. Such things might be considered in simulationistic play, but not as part of the resolution, but as part of seeding the initial conditions.

Somewhat, and I see the point you are trying to make. Where I would push back is that FKR could potentially be used for more genre emulationist play. So "what would be most... thematically appropriate" might be the guiding logic "to model function of a fictional world" for a superhero game run by FKR principles. That may include pushing the action to more interesting directions. I think that it likely depends on the FKR group/GM.

 

[dragoner]

I would categorize flavors of the Cepheus Engine as contemporary simulationist. Its SRD is based upon Mongoose Traveler 1e, but there's flavors that diverge away from the far future SciFi of Traveler to more contemporary time frames. Like Traveller it works with the premise that PCs will advance through the same career, or a number of careers, during character creation. With the idea that they'll be about as competent they'll ever be upon completion. Those careers give PCs skills that are quite granular and intended to be played out in more simulationist way.

A few of the publishers that have created CRBs reflecting their take on the SRD, have also published companions, settings and design guides that make it more contemporary. There continues to be a steady stream of publications being released for it, so potential, contemporary themed content on the horizon. I like simulationist TTRPGs as much as I like light more narrative focused ones. I partiucularly like simulationist for Military and Historical Fantasy themes. Other than CE and the already mentioned BRP family of TTRPGs, which I own and homebrew with, I don't know of any other recent publications. But no doubt there's others out there.

With my flavor Kosmic I am shooting for "plausibility, and playability" it being near future, solarpunk, and accurate starmaps. I guess it does count fwiw.