Sci-Fi RPGs

[jeffmoore]

I was just browsing through my RPG collection last night looking at the few Sci-Fi based RPGs that I have.

The original Mekton by Mike Pondsmith, the life path system for generating your background was the coolest!

Deluxe Traveller, the original rules, but in full 8 1/2 x 11 sized books as opposed to the mini books. My favorite edition.

Darwin's World, fairly new... came out post D&D 3.0 and was the first attempt at 'Gamma World' for d20.

Serenity, based upon the movie and Firefly TV series... it is beautifully written but I am not sure the rules system is for me.

Alternity, created by TSR just before they were acquired by WOTC. It really looks to be a great scifi rpg... but I never got to play it.

Dreampark by Mike Pondsmith, simple system... versatile... this would be a great game to introduce new people to role-playing.

Buck Rogers XXV by Mike Pondsmith (again)... TSR published, used the AD&D rules as a basis. Well done. Easy to teach. Accessible to D&Ders... very good game. Highly recommended.

StarWars by Greg Costikyan - original edition published by Westend Games. The beginning of the d6 system. Great game!

So, what Scifi RPGs do you own? Or better still, actually play?

[Rob Lang]

I have:

Cyberpunk 2020
Cybergeneration
SLA Industries
Paranoia

All I play at the moment is Icar but have, in the past, played them all.

[tygertyger]

I own copies of:

Rifts: Manhunter (not a complete game in itself; you need the Rifts core book);
Farscape D20 (ditto; you need the D20 players' guide);
the "Natural Selection" supplement for Blue Planet (a game that I'd really like to try);
Shadowrun 2E (which is more science fantasy than SF) and several supplements;
Teenagers from Outer Space (SF with a sense of humor);
Cybergeneration and several supplements therefor;
the Bablylon 5 rpg.

[jeffmoore]

LOL ... I forgot about Teenagers from Outerspace... I have that one too... That's another Mike Pondsmith game, isn't it?

[jeffmoore]

I have never heard of SLA Industries... but I saw another post about "favorite RPG ever" that also made mention of it. Can someone tell me about SLA Industries.

[tadk]

FM Wikipedia
SLA Industries is a roleplaying game first published in 1993 by Nightfall Games in Glasgow, Scotland. The game combined concepts inspired by a range of song lyrics, asthetics and ideas from the Industrial music scene, cyberpunk fiction (including Blade Runner and Max Headroom), Anime (including Akira and Bubblegum Crisis), and the growing cultural obsession with the media (including 24 hour news services and the American Gladiator tv Show) in order to create an ultra-dystopian far-flung future in which the 99.9% of the known universe is either directly owned by, or in-directly controlled by, the eponymous SLA Industries corporation. It is also noted as having a distinctive flavour due to the influences of the Glasgow / Scottish upbringing of the writers, as opposed to the more pure Americana influences of other games written around this period.

Here is the official website...and yes this is one of my favorite settings as well....

[Chainsaw Aardvark]

Without looking I recall having Robotech, Macross II, Mekton Zeta, Heavy Gear, Jovian Chronicles, Rifts, Teenagers from Outer Space, Legionaire (Based on FASA Renegade Legion Universe), Blue Planet, Cyberpunk 2020, Cybergeneration, and Votoms. This doesn't include supplents, free games, or stuff I'm writing.

Hello, my name is Chainsaw. (Hi Chainsaw) I have a problem

[tadk]

[jasonthedesigner]

Just showing my age I guess but I have played THE original Traveller and THE original Space Opera.

[Chainsaw Aardvark]

I know someone else from college who played the orginal Traveler and 2300 AD. He now has our dream job working for Reaper Minitures setting up demo games. You got to envy someone who gets paid to run wargames in the back of comic shops and give out free minis.