Thanks to everyone who voted on the "Shared/Solo" Game poll. Looks like "sci-fi" is the winner with roughly a third of the vote!
So, we're looking at a Sci-Fi setting. Of course, there's a lot of things one can do with Sci-Fi, from operatic High Fantasy to grim and gritty noir, so I think it would help to establish some base lines. Are we thinking of space ships and intergalactic governments (perhaps featuring some sort of evil empire and a band of plucky rebels?), near-future dystopic cyberpunk, rebuilding after the apocalypse, or something else?
I don't want to be TOO specific--adventures set in a generic galactic Empire are one thing, but a specific "Rebels against the Empire" might be a tad limiting for some.
What do you all think?
I'm a big cyberpunk fan, but I know it's not everyone's cuppa. I think something along Star Wars/Star of the Guardians might be satisfying for a lot of people since it's not too dissimilar to Fantasy.
ReplyDeleteMaybe have people brainstorm some suggestions and put some up in another poll. I like polls. :)
I was sort of thinking the same thing Alex Yari--but I kind of want to see where my head is. Me default is either cyberpunk or "gritty space empire" (Mechwarrior, but I've never played a mech pilot--generally I'm PI's or Criminals in that setting), but I'm willing to go a bit different if everyone is crazy for Star Wars, or the like.
ReplyDeleteWell, I also have a sick fascination with Rifts, but I wouldn't want to inflict that on the unwilling :)
ReplyDeleteI don't care for the system too much, but I think that the Rifts kitchen-sink setting is dope.
ReplyDeleteEh, the system is a bit wonky, but "kitchen sink post apocalypse" can go with pretty much any system.
ReplyDeleteHmmm... How about Cyberpunk but set in space?
ReplyDeleteHow far in space? FTL or system only?
ReplyDeleteMakes no difference to me, but I'm not a stickler for hard sci-fi details. Both are cool w/ me.
ReplyDeleteThere's sometimes a push to remove religion and magic from sci-fi in favor of psionics because magic isn't "sciency" enough or something. I prefer to leave them in on the grounds that "there's more to this world, Horatio...", or citing Asimov's Law (it was Asimov, right?). I tend to lean toward games with expandable magic systems in them, even things like Numenera.
ReplyDeleteI think the presence of the supernatural is more flexible in most games--one character can be a mystic exploring alien ruins while someone else is a spy with neither aliens nor magic. Spaceships and the like are more core to defining the genre. Unless we're thinking that psychics/magic are what has uplifted mankind, of course.
ReplyDeleteI was never a fan of 'shiny' sci-fi, which I typify as Trek. SW & B5 are where my leanings are, so cyberpunk style suits me.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I think we have:
Numerous planets - there's a lot of space and this allows for us all to find our niche, whether that's a cluster, a sole planet or galaxy sweeping
Potential for a lot of aliens - some people like the Star Wars approach, others a more limited choice, but see above
A galactic government, or two - something to defend or rebel against
Lots of grey areas - whether this is 'On the Fringe' or pervades the whole setting, something to get their teeth into
Psi powers - so we can have psi-knights, or whatever we want to call them
I enjoy the Cyber Punk flavor. Pink Mohawks with lasers is delicious.
ReplyDeleteI'm also a fan of cyberpunk. Thought I'm not good at it, ha. How about a near future earth, Shadowrun-style, with cyberware, potential aliens, and a big mysterious alternate world (virtual? Matrix?) for our heroes to risk life and limb in under whatever conditions spawn in there for them? That would give a strong baseline "normal" world and a "do whatever the heck you want" cyber-world to play in.
ReplyDeleteAs far as hard sf or space opera goes, with lots of different planets, that's certainly an option, though I think it would be more difficult to bring everyone into the same "space" so to speak. Just my gut feeling. Of course, there's always Santiago to prove me wrong. :)
Cyberpunk or near earth space-punk (via The Expanse, etc).
ReplyDelete