I really like science fiction, and in particular stuff from the 50s and 60s from guys like Clarke. I don't really run that many science fiction campaigns though, and I am looking for the right system to do hard sci-fi one-shots every so often. So I am looking for something that either doesn't have a baked in premise or is adjustable enough that removing its premise would allow for a range of scenarios. Preferably on the lighter end with rules, because I want to be able to run it at a moments notice. Anyone have suggestions?

Maybe one of the 1PG RPGs from Heyoka or Deep 7? One page of rules and one of character sheet. Exosuit A-OK for anime-style sci-fi. Star Legion for more straight sci-fi.

Quote from: Tod13;917465Maybe one of the 1PG RPGs from Heyoka or Deep 7? One page of rules and one of character sheet. Exosuit A-OK for anime-style sci-fi. Star Legion for more straight sci-fi.

One Page is a little too lean for my tastes.

So plain old Traveller won't do?

Quote from: Simlasa;917467So plain old Traveller won't do?

I like traveller fine, but looking for something a little on the lighter and more recent side.

Yeah, Traveller or maybe Star Frontiers though both have their issues in every edition.

Alternately Star Cluster by Flying Mice Games which is very good, generic, mature, and supported with multiple settings.

Flesh it out with The 1PG Companion?

Or:
Barbarians of the Void
BASH! Sci-Fi Edition
White Star

1. What does "hard sci-fi" mean to you?
2. What in Traveller is "heavy" that you would want something lighter?

Reason I'm asking is that hard sci-fi generally means more science, less handwavium which would seem to contradict the rules-light requirement.  Also my gut tells me the harder the sci-fi the less appropriate it would be for one-shots.

Quote from: BedrockBrendan;917468I like traveller fine, but looking for something a little on the lighter and more recent side.

Not sure why 'recent' matters but Mongoose Traveller 2e just came out... and seems pretty light to me, so far.

What about River of Heaven? The scifi version of Openquest, a lighter flavor of BRP. It's got a somewhat transhumanist setting but that can be ignored.

Quote from: CRKrueger;9174721. What does "hard sci-fi" mean to you?
2. What in Traveller is "heavy" that you would want something lighter?

Reason I'm asking is that hard sci-fi generally means more science, less handwavium which would seem to contradict the rules-light requirement.  Also my gut tells me the harder the sci-fi the less appropriate it would be for one-shots.

1) By hard science fiction I mean that the physics of the setting are bound more by real science or plausible ideas and more in the spirit of stuff like say Foundation than Star Wars or something. Each one shot might be somewhere different on the spectrum though. I guess what I am saying is less 'action/adventure' more real worldy feel.

2) More streamlined might have been a better way for me to put it. But basically faster character creation, more unified mechanics, and preferably something on the light side of things. It isn't so much that traveller is too heavy though, it is more that I want a newer more shiny system to entice my players with.

I am thinking of doing either more limited scenarios as one shots or small 3-6 session campaigns here. So a one shot hard science fiction session to me would be taking something like the HAL 9000 crisis in 2001 and turning that into a single session adventure.

Quote from: Simlasa;917476Not sure why 'recent' matters but Mongoose Traveller 2e just came out... and seems pretty light to me, so far.

Because Traveller hasn't been met with a lot of excitement when I've suggested it, and I think something newer might be.

Quote from: BedrockBrendan;917478I am thinking of doing either more limited scenarios as one shots or small 3-6 session campaigns here. So a one shot hard science fiction session to me would be taking something like the HAL 9000 crisis in 2001 and turning that into a single session adventure.

I'm going to re-suggest the 1PG RPGs with Star Legion, 1PG Companion, Star Legion: Ignition, and Star Legion: Blastoff. Add in rules until it is crunchy enough.

Quote from: Tod13;917482I'm going to re-suggest the 1PG RPGs with Star Legion, 1PG Companion, Star Legion: Ignition, and Star Legion: Blastoff. Add in rules until it is crunchy enough.

It certainly is cheap enough. If it has supplements that add a little more heft I will take a look.

Brendan, I figure you're already be familiar with Thousand Suns? It's specifically aimed at emulating the kind of scifi you mention and possibly a wee bit lighter on the rules than Traveller.

Link: Thousand Suns: Rulebook - Grognardia Games | RPGNow.com

Quote from: 3rik;917488Brendan, I figure you're already be familiar with Thousand Suns? It's specifically aimed at emulating the kind of scifi you mention and possibly a wee bit lighter on the rules than Traveller.

Link: Thousand Suns: Rulebook - Grognardia Games | RPGNow.com

I am familiar with that one.