I came across the below article while reading through the enworld news page. Thought it would be of interest to the forum goers as there are many OSR Old Timey game fans here, as well as plenty of folks who have "opinions" re more modern story games.

"Is Evil Hat republishing TSR's "Star Frontiers"?

Seems Evil Hat publishing purchased the Star Frontiers trademark (see link)

I tried to like Fate but for me it was to Indie/Story/Player-Power for me. If it was being done via the "Strands of Fate" and "Stands of Power" FATE hack it might be ok. But I sense a Sci-Fi version of more or less Dungeon World would/will be the result.

Didn't they buy the name Chill and make a game that isn't really Chill at all? This will probably be the same thing.

It is all going to depend on the implementation. I'm not a fan of FATE or FATE Accelerated either.

What interests me is how this will affect the agreement between TSR and the Star Frontiers.net guys. Allowing for the publication of Star Frontiers material old and new as long as it is at no charge.

Please God No.

I am ignorant of the situation with chill.  What was wrong with it?

Quote from: Manic Modron;989281I am ignorant of the situation with chill.  What was wrong with it?

I backed the new 3rd Edition of Chill. It's a nicely done work, but has some story game elements in it (not generally my cup of tea).

I don't think EHG bought Chill trademark but GDG made the most recent edition.  http://growlingdoorgames.com/chill.html

If you want a Chill reboot that is very much like the original check out Cryptworld from Goblinoid Games. Pacesetter system mechanics, different name for trademark reasons.

I would love to see Star Frontiers back in print, but I am not sure FATE would be the best system for it. But it could work, if they make a specific adaptation of FATE to do Star Frontiers, not try to adapt SF to existing FATE.  But it would probably be better than a d20/3.x/5e game.  My preference would be to cleanup and expand the original percentile system.

Quote from: DavetheLost;989294If you want a Chill reboot that is very much like the original check out Cryptworld from Goblinoid Games. Pacesetter system mechanics, different name for trademark reasons.

Yeah, I have Cryptworld; it's essentially 1st edition Chill under another name. When I get a chance to actually run it, I'd like to play a lighthearted Monster Chiller Horror Theater sort of campaign...

Quote from: Omega;989272Please God No.

My sentiments exactly.

Well, there's always Traveller...

I admit that I just don't understand any of the love for Star Frontiers.  My memory is a little rusty, but I recall some very hokey old-fashioned sci-fi.  Is there any reason to play SF instead of say Traveller?

Quote from: Edgewise;989318I admit that I just don't understand any of the love for Star Frontiers.  My memory is a little rusty, but I recall some very hokey old-fashioned sci-fi.  Is there any reason to play SF instead of say Traveller?

No, but some people like the setting and aliens. The Dralasites, Vrusk, and Yazirians are pretty cool ideas.

Edit: Dralasites, not Drasalites! Just looked it up...I think I've been calling them the wrong name for over 30 years.

The conversion is already done. Just use Fate Accelerated.

Is Fate still trending?

Quote from: Edgewise;989318I admit that I just don't understand any of the love for Star Frontiers.  My memory is a little rusty, but I recall some very hokey old-fashioned sci-fi.  Is there any reason to play SF instead of say Traveller?

Star Frontiers wasn't much to write home about when it was released.  About as mediocre as SPI's Universe was. Both games sputtered out for a reason, just like how any other RPG fails. Most gamers confuse "old" with "Classic", when it's really "junk."

I've been playing in a Star Frontiers campaign for a few months now.  I'm playing a Saurian who wants to be a space pirate and wears a great big sea coat, well, not lately, we're crash landed on a desert world.  

Anyhow, it works okay with a few tweaks but if I were reprinting it I wouldn't change much.  What I would do is a big, fat setting book.  My GM's blended sf with Star Trek and SFB material but I think a more game specific setting would be in order.  The races are weird but playable and do a decent job of avoiding outright furries or face putty aliens.

Mechanically it's almost too simple but there are lots of nice little things like the uniform Standard Energy Units for batteries and the specific sockets on them.  Inspired?  No, at the very least they could have gone with 1/2 stat + 10 / rank on more skills than weapons.  My GM rules that if you take more than half of your Stamina in a single round, you're knocked out.

Anyhow, it's solid and reasonably fun to play, though I personally prefer GURPS or Traveller or Spacemaster on just about all counts.