Which Sci-Fi RPG has the richest setting?

[jdrakeh]

I'm eyeing some specific Sci-Fi RPGs for possible purchase after the holidays, but I really don't know too much about any of them. I'm specifically looking for one with rich setting detail in the core book and/or boxed set. So... which of the Sci-Fi RPGs on the poll pack the most setting detail into their core books and/or boxes?

[Note: I am slightly biased against Serenity as I love the series and the film, but am really looking for more of a hard science RPG as opposed to a Cowboys in Space affair.]

 

[trancejeremy]

I would go with 2300. IIRC, it gives a pretty decent overview of the setting in the original boxed set, including a nice starmap. It's reasonably hard science, and IMHO, is actually plausible, unlike something like Transhuman space, which is just silly and will look as outdated as Cyberpunk games in 10 years. Basically 23000 works because it makes assumptions that people in the future will be more or less like the people now, including nations existing. And the technology is more or less reasonable.

Space opera doesn't give much of a setting at all; nor does Universe (nor is it really playable)

Traveller really depends on which flavor - Gurps Traveller has a lot of background info in the core book. Most others don't (though the original Traveller hardback did have a decent amount). It's also neither really hard not all that plausible (since quite honestly, if the galaxy was inhabited by transplanted humans, we would have detected them via radio astronomy. It's my favorite of that list, though.

 

[jdrakeh]

Most others don't (though the original Traveller hardback did have a decent amount)

The original Travller was never printed in hardback to my knowledge, but I've seen a 'Marc Miller's Traveller' in hardback printed in 1992 or so, which I've been told isn't really all that faithful to the original GDW box set (despite the fact that Marc Miller designed that, too). Is that what you speak of? If so, I may have to append that to my list.

So... do you know anything about Nebuleon? I know that Bill (the man behind HinterWelt) prowls these forums, but before he jumps onto this thread, I'd like to get the opinion of a few informed consumers not affiliated with the company

 

[DMH]

Why only space opera? Isn't there more to sci-fi than space ships?

 

[Turanil]

Transhuman Space (GURPS, but very few stats, so easily portable to d20 or else) and all its supplements.

 

[Calico_Jack73]

I can't believe Battletech/Mechwarrior is left off this list. There is an unbelivable amount of setting information in rpg supplement books as well as a long list of novels. If only my current group weren't so dead set against non-d20 games I'd be looking at running a Mechwarrior campaign right now. If there weren't so much work involved in creating a conversion I'd look at running it with d20 Future. The setting is one of the few involving giant robots where the backstory is so rich and there is so much you can do with it that you can run a whole campaign and not involve mechs at all. Even though FASA is no more Classic Battletech is still being published by a german company (the name escapes me right now) and you can always pick up the books fairly cheap on EBay.

 

[Jack of Shadows]

Hey,

2300 AD is definately the best from that list as far as setting goes. Especially when you're looking for a hard SF game. I would, however, second Turanil by saying that Transhuman Space would make a much better choice. It has a great setting and isn't stuck in an outdated view of the future.

Jack

 

[Starglim]

Another plug for 2300AD. To be honest, it's the only game on that list that I know well.

edit: Transhuman Space isn't bad either. It's a different level of science fiction than most of the games that you listed.

You may also want to look at Star*Drive, which is a campaign setting for the Alternity rule set. Most or all of the books are available in PDF.

 

[diaglo]

Gamma World 1ed. but barring that i'm gonna vote Traveller.

 

[AdmundfortGeographer]

I'd vote for Fading Suns. It comes in both D20 rules and its own custom ruleset.

Then again, Warhammer 40K has a pretty derned rich and detailed Sci-Fi setting. Kind of a toss up between those two for me...

From the list, I'd go with Traveller.