What system do you think would be best for running the Original (Ie. the real) Battlestar Galactica?

For that matter, what do you think would be the best system for running that sham that calls itself the "new" BSG? The BSG rpg? Something else?

RPGPundit

I know that HardNova 2 was used with much success, but as to the best... I don't know, but Star Frontiers would also do a great job.

Original? Star Wars D6--its very similar feel to Star Wars, and the game would handle it well enough.

For the new one? I don't know I've seen maybe three episodes---from that probably Call of Cthulhu since what little I saw seemed to be worried about the Sanity of characters, and their reactions to the "secret" cylons among them/being cylons in secret.

Quote from: RPGPunditWhat system do you think would be best for running the Original (Ie. the real) Battlestar Galactica?

And just this morning I was thinking about how you're at your best when you're being intelligent and thoughtful, yet still provocative, instead of just playing the hamfisted oaf.

QuoteFor that matter, what do you think would be the best system for running that sham that calls itself the "new" BSG?

Just to indulge your predilection for public masturbation for a moment, this is totally a job for a Forgie game.  The new BSG is all about pushing comfort limits, behavioral escalation, and raising stakes.  I don't want to suggest anything so trite as Poison'd, but after the third season I'm beginning to think it might do the job. I'm honestly not familiar enough with the stable of Forge-style games to comment, but The Mountain Witch comes to mind, with its trust and dark secret mechanics.

Hmm.  Maybe someone could get some mileage out of Unknown Armies or NEMESIS with their Madness Meters.

!i!

I think HardNova would work great for the new BSG, not use about the the old series I've never seen it.

I'd second d6 Star Wars for the original.  For the remake I'd probably go for something Forgey for the reasons Ian states.

I wouldn't use the licenced game, I think they get all the trappings and none of the point, like many licenced games.  Edit:  UA is actually also quite a good suggestion.

Quote from: BalbinusI wouldn't use the licenced game, I think they get all the trappings and none of the point, like many licenced games.

Yes.  Though I haven't seen the official BSG RPG, that was my concern.  Licensed games tend to amount to little more than stat blocks and photo stills.

!i!

Quote from: Ian Absentiathis is totally a job for a Forgie game.

Oh come on, you've been around long enough to know that he doesn't want to hear this

Quote from: pigames.netOh come on, you've been around long enough to know that he doesn't want to hear this

Honestly, I figured that he might as well kill two birds with one stone.  A television show he hates modelled by a game style he hates.  It'd be like cake and ice cream to him.  He's probably off in the lavatory "releasing some tension" right now.

!i!

(P.S. I thought your suggestion of Star Frontiers for the original BSG was an awfully good one.  I remember trying to use Traveller back in the day, but it didn't really translate well.  Sure, Book 5: High Guard modelled the Galactica and the Viper fighters beautifully, but the Trav characters weren't exaggerated enough.)

All these sorts of questions boil down to the one basic principle: what feel is it you want from the game? What aspects of the show do you see as important to model?

If you're a system-don't-matter guy, one system is as good as the next.

Quote from: Ian Absentia(P.S. I thought your suggestion of Star Frontiers for the original BSG was an awfully good one.  I remember trying to use Traveller back in the day, but it didn't really translate well.  Sure, Book 5: High Guard modelled the Galactica and the Viper fighters beautifully, but the Trav characters weren't exaggerated enough.)

I think it still holds up as a great game. I don't remember ever having as much fun as I did with Star Frontiers. Traveller just never really do it for me. I liked it, but it just didn't have the same entertainment factor as Star Frontiers.

The new BSG is certainly pretentious and full of itself enough to be a Forge game...

RPGPundit

See? See?  I thought you'd agree! Like chocolate and peanut butter.  :haw:

!i!

Quote from: RPGPunditWhat system do you think would be best for running the Original (Ie. the real) Battlestar Galactica?

Another vote for d6 Star Wars.  Possibly Savage Worlds, too.  

QuoteFor that matter, what do you think would be the best system for running that sham that calls itself the "new" BSG? The BSG rpg? Something else?

The new series is darker, more serious and more character driven.  Maybe Unknown Armies or Over the Edge.  

Paranoia might be an interesting fit, too.

Starcluster could do both if you wanted it to.

Otherwise, the usual suspects, GURPS, HERO, Spacemaster.

You might even try the new BSG rpg for the new BSG (shocking notion but still...)