One System To Rule Them All!

[Arnwyn]

If you had to choose one generic system (and I do mean a truly generic system, complete with a totally generic core book), what would it be?

For me, it would be Fuzion. (Though I see from a post that the OP doesn't care for it.) But, answering the original question, is what I would choose.

 

[Argus Decimus Mokira]

I've taken that approach in the past, but two + core books and a set of house rules doesn't constitute a truly generic system by any means, so it falls outside of the criteria that I've established in my intial post. Thanks for the response though. What I'm looking for is a single, codified, generic system presented in a single book (such as those systems listed as poll options).

That's shutting the door pretty fast. I'd take a second look were I you, but it's your poll.

EDIT: Umm, nevermind. Good luck with your go-go gadget Nazis.

Thanks,
-Matt

 

[harmyn]

I voted GURPS for my two cents. The other option would have been West End Games d6 system, but since that's in three genre themed books it didn't qualify within your criteria.

My reason for saying GURPS is that I have done all of the following in it

With Just the Basic Set for 3rd Edition:
Fantasy
Modern Conspiracy
High Tech Near Future
'30's Pulp Adventures
Wuxia Styled Action Heroes
Wierd Old West
Modern Day Mercs

With expansions I've done these:
Autoduel (actually ended up just meshing the old Car Wars rules w/ it)
Conan (for a good setting)
Horror (for the added horror elements natch)
Time Travel (but I actually only ever used 1.5 pages for the actual game --- I liked the concept)
Supers (supers rules)
Psychic Conspiracy aka Firestarter style (Psionics rules expansion)
Space (grand space opera themed game)

In 4th edition I have done the following (w/ just the 2 main books):
Hell on Earth Old West Game
Horror/Noir/Supers in the 1930's
Modern Day Mercs
3 session Space Game (mini-campaign idea I had)
Time Travel
Low Fantasy

Waiting for Powers to help firm up/confirm a few thoughts then I am gearing up for a much higher powered supers game. I am also working on adapting Conan to 4th edition, and have some definite ideas for a Space campaign expanded from a combined homebrew Cyberpunk/Car Wars timeline with some few home tweaks.

So I think that even in just the two books with all the options and ideas it gives GURPS is your best bet. Its as complex or simple as you want it to be. My 2 pennies worth.

 

[runtime]

A totally wide open RPG system? Try The Pool!

http://www.randomordercreations.com/thepool.htm

 

[Wormwood]

Have you tried the Unisystem? It's got sourcebooks that handle fantasy, horror, kung-fu, pulp and western settings—and more, I believe.

I'm currently converting the Serenity RPG to it, and it's going well.

 

[jdrakeh]

my One System is actually Ars Magica. But it only works for an Ars Magica game...

Ironically, that's what I ended up getting (well, that and a sealed copy of the 1e FR Boxed Set). I was going to pick up the GURPS Basic Set, but they were temporarily out of stock, so I had them re-order. In the meantime, I'll just bust out my modern Ars Magic notes for 4th Edition and convert them over to 5th.

 

[Eridanis]

Thread reported several times in one day? Check.

Rude comments in the Reported Post email? Check.

Thread closure? Check.

This is an interesting topic. Perhaps we can revisit it in a few days when people can calm down and not carry chips on their shoulders from other posts.