Why no one plays sci-fi RPGs

[Chainsaw Mage]

We've had this discussion before, but the whole question recently raised about why medieval fantasy has me reflecting again on why science-fiction blows chunks as a game.

The definition of science, and therefore science-fiction, keeps changing. Today's cutting-edge sci-fi game is tomorrow's Traveller. So if you really have your heart set on playing a sci-fi RPG, you make a choice: you either play a sci-fi game that isn't really science-fiction at all (such as Star Wars or Gamma World, both fantasy) or you pour your time and energy into a "hard" sci-fi setting (such as Transhuman Space) knowing that in a few short years your game will be laughingly obsolete.

That's why sci-fi doesn't work in RPGs. People want a game that will last a long time (I know I'm just begging for a "3.0/3.5" rant here ).

By contrast, science-fiction works great in the genre of film. But look how *dated* sci-fi films become. Same with science-fiction novels. To think, there was a time when people viewed Ray Bradbury as a "science-fiction" writer! (falls on the floor laughing)

Randomly flashing lights, anyone? Giant tin robots, anyone? Cybernetics, anyone?

 

[Desdichado]

Umm, a lot of people play sci-fi RPGs actually. Sure, you wouldn't expect that to be a big part of the discussion at a D&D messageboard though.

 

[(Psi)SeveredHead]

We've had this discussion before, but the whole question recently raised about why medieval fantasy has me reflecting again on why science-fiction blows chunks as a game.

The definition of science, and therefore science-fiction, keeps changing. Today's cutting-edge sci-fi game is tomorrow's Traveller. So if you really have your heart set on playing a sci-fi RPG, you make a choice: you either play a sci-fi game that isn't really science-fiction at all (such as Star Wars or Gamma World, both fantasy) or you pour your time and energy into a "hard" sci-fi setting (such as Transhuman Space) knowing that in a few short years your game will be laughingly obsolete.

That's why sci-fi doesn't work in RPGs. People want a game that will last a long time (I know I'm just begging for a "3.0/3.5" rant here ).

By contrast, science-fiction works great in the genre of film. But look how *dated* sci-fi films become. Same with science-fiction novels. To think, there was a time when people viewed Ray Bradbury as a "science-fiction" writer! (falls on the floor laughing)

Randomly flashing lights, anyone? Giant tin robots, anyone? Cybernetics, anyone?

I just find it hard to continue coherent plots in sci-fi. I'm more willing to try new things in sci-fi than in fantasy (IMC elves are always short, no exceptions, gnomes are gnomes, not goblins, and so on).

Of course, that means lots of monsters but difficulty in organizing them ... they have to have a reason to attack people (not necessarily the players) than just raw hunger.

 

[Nifft]

Yeah, science-real is generally moving faster than science-fiction.

-- N

 

[RPGRealms]

We've had this discussion before, but the whole question recently raised about why medieval fantasy has me reflecting again on why science-fiction blows chunks as a game.

The definition of science, and therefore science-fiction, keeps changing. Today's cutting-edge sci-fi game is tomorrow's Traveller. So if you really have your heart set on playing a sci-fi RPG, you make a choice: you either play a sci-fi game that isn't really science-fiction at all (such as Star Wars or Gamma World, both fantasy) or you pour your time and energy into a "hard" sci-fi setting (such as Transhuman Space) knowing that in a few short years your game will be laughingly obsolete.

That's why sci-fi doesn't work in RPGs. People want a game that will last a long time (I know I'm just begging for a "3.0/3.5" rant here ).

They don't? Someone seems to have forgotten to tell all of the Traveller fans new and old. You might want to stop by the Citizens of the Imperium forums and let them know.

 

[Chainsaw Mage]

Umm, a lot of people play sci-fi RPGs actually. Sure, you wouldn't expect that to be a big part of the discussion at a D&D messageboard though.

Other than Star Wars and Star Trek, neither of which is truly science-fiction, the numbers of sci-fi gamers are scant indeed.

 

[ergeheilalt]

Other than Star Wars and Star Trek, neither of which is truly science-fiction, the numbers of sci-fi gamers are scant indeed.

Star Trek isn't Sci-Fi? Wow. New to me. I can see Star Wars being a Fantasy Sci-Fi genre - but Star Trek?

Color me confused,
Erge

 

[Southern Oracle]

I think part of the problem is perception. Standard fantasy is a pseudo-medieval European setting with which most people are passingly familiar...even people that don't game recognize a wizard, dragon, or ghost based on a description. Visions of the future are highly specialized and deviate greatly from author to author...there's no "standard," if you will, with which most people are familiar.

Another issue is availability. The d20 movement is a great example...everyone that plays D&D is already familiar with the rules, they just have to learn the specific setting being played. If I want to play a Star Trek rpg (and I've only played it once, 20+ years ago), I have to buy the book(s), read the rules, then pass the books around to everyone who MIGHT be interested in playing, in the hopes they'll pick up the books to play as well. This occurs with some of the licensed settings as well, both fantasy and sci fi...even though Wheel of Time and Farscape were both d20-based, my players were not familiar enough with the settings to simply agree to play. In the end, I had people say, "It sounds cool, and if I had the books to read up on the setting I'd do it, but they're just too expensive and we all can't share one book." So there they sit on my bookshelf...

In summary (because I've rambled on long enough), fantasy is more familiar because it draws on the past...the future is more fragmented because it has yet to occur.

 

[Plane Sailing]

Some science fiction authors wrote stuff that is laughable now (much of Asimov, for instance) while others wrote stuff in the 60's which still works fine today (Dune springs to mind, as do several stories by A E Van Vogt).

There are several decent sci-fi RPG's which are played and enjoyed by lots of people. You might think that star wars is fantasy but, and this might be news to you, it has all the trappings which people traditionally associate with sci-fi... the particular sub-genre of "space opera".

I have run a very effective sci-fi RPG of my own (Starguild), I currently play in a d20 Star Wars game which is lots of fun. I can imagine Babylon 5 or Traveller possibly appearing in the near future.

Your basic premise is terribly flawed, and I don't agree with your reasoning either.

 

[MrFilthyIke]

I actually prefer Sci-Fi and Sci-fantasy more than Med-fantasy, Med-fantasy is just often easier for people to understand. Just my coopers.