At 03:21 PM 6/8/2002, Jennifer Jackson wrote:
>Hiya....

Hey Jenn, fancy seeing you here.  :)

>I don't post often (if I've even posted ever, I'm not exactly sure), but
>I've been lurking around for a while - ever since a couple of friends
>suggested I get on this list. I haven't even seen a post in a long time, so
>I hope I'm actually still receiving them, and it's just been one of those
>lulls. In any case, I'm writing for a bit of advice.

That's what we're here for.

>I've gotten it into my head to work on a new game. I'm sure it'll be simply
>ages in development as all I've got so far is one page scrawled in a
>notebook with the basic "what if" premise. I must admit, though, that I've
>gone and intimidated myself with the setting. I intend for it to be a sort
>of basic space opera kind of thing (e.g. Star Trek, Bab5, etc.). Travel to
>the stars. Encounters with aliens. New technology. All that fun stuff.

You and an SF game.  Will wonders never cease.  :)

>What I'm looking for is some advice on what to world-build into this. I've
>gone out on the web looking for science fiction rpg's, and there seem to be
>precious few. They appear to be largely overwhelmed by the fantasy sites.
>Granted, I'm trying to stay away from anything that's from a more
>established setting popularized in media (those same things I mentioned
>above). And I haven't settled on a system to use, if I'm going to use
>anything beyond homegrown. I guess the real question is what sorts of
>topics does one need to cover in developing this sort of setting?

A lot of that will depend on what will happen in the game.  If the players 
are world-bound or at least have no control over what worlds they visit, 
then you only need to develop those worlds in detail and any other ones can 
be sketchy.  Also, if this is a "Space Opera" type game, most worlds will 
fit a stereotype, such as "Jungle World" or "Desert World" or "City 
World".  Think Star Wars.  If this is more "realistic SF", then each world 
will have a variety of places and types and becomes more involved to create.

>To what level of detail does one need to define alien races and cultures?

Again, that will depend on how much interaction with the PCs they will 
have.  Especially if the PCs can *be* non-humans.  Races they will only see 
or interact with briefly (only one or two exchanges, none of any real 
significance) can be left undeveloped, ones that they deal with constantly 
(especially in opposition) should be more heavily developed.

>Do I need a cosmological background (as I often use in fantasy settings)?

That depends.  Usually, no.  But alien races frequently have alien 
religions (usually plural per race) as part of their cultures (unless you 
decide that all "advanced" races reach a sort-of "generalized enlightened 
self-interest" and discard most of their religions).

>And so forth. I haven't really played in a science fiction setting myself, 
>though I've covered a wide range of fantasy and horror RPGs over the years. I
>don't want to miss any areas, or gloss over anything important.

Some people say that SF is just like fantasy with different set 
dressing.  And it can be done that way.  But it can also be a completely 
different type of game.  It all depends on what you and your players want 
it to be.

>I'm in a very, very, very early stage of getting started on this, so
>anything anyone can offer on any aspect of this would be appreciated.

And I'm looking forward to seeing what you come up with.


--
Michael Feldhusen                                       mike_f@io.com
                       http://www.io.com/~mike_f/

----------------------------------------------------------------
GAMERS Home Page:  http://www.phoenyx.net/gamers/