GURPS - Space Opera?

[Jeminai]

Has there been any discussions about a series like Dungeon Fantasy but for Space Opera (Star Wars) type games?

There could be templates for smugglers/scoundrels, Galactic soldiers, space samurai, etc.

Just wondering if there was ever any talk about something like this.

[Turhan's Bey Company]

Originally Posted by Jeminai

Has there been any discussions about a series like Dungeon Fantasy but for Space Opera (Star Wars) type games?

There has been, off and on. Rather a lot over the years, really. But, among other things, there are issues from the point of view of distilling it into a product line. Kromm briefly addresses those problems in an early paragraph here.

[Mailanka]

If you don't mind homebrew, then watch this space.

[PK]

The Kromm post that Matt linked to sums up the main roadblock. In short, your space opera is probably not my space opera. There has yet to be a game-oriented experience that made enough of an impression to become a cultural archetype, so we'd have to make assumptions that only some people would agree with.

I learned this myself with GURPS Monster Hunters, which some people praised as "nailing the genre spot-on" and others vilified as "taking bizarre liberties that don't fit the genre" -- simply because there was no absolute agreement on what the modern monster-hunting genre was.

I've seen people try to fix this by narrowing down the genre even more. "GURPS Bug Hunt" has been a popular suggestion for the simple fact that everyone actually does agree (more or less) on what that genre is and how it works. The downside, of course, is that it's a very niche genre, which means fewer people interested in it.

So it's a balancing act with the genre, between "broad enough to interest many people" and "narrow enough to not tick off the people who were interested."

[mehrkat]

It seems like at least quite a few options could be handled with primary action type templates with lenses. Then make genre suggestions from there. Lens x goes well with a filed off Star Wars, lens y goes well with a filed off Star Trek.

A few specialized templates might be needed for some genre types. A chapter on equipment decisions.

Subsequent books could take a specific genre in depth or widen the broad strokes.

[Prince Charon]

Originally Posted by mehrkat

It seems like at least quite a few options could be handled with primary action type templates with lenses. Then make genre suggestions from there. Lens x goes well with a filed off Star Wars, lens y goes well with a filed off Star Trek.

A few specialized templates might be needed for some genre types. A chapter on equipment decisions.

Subsequent books could take a specific genre in depth or widen the broad strokes.

This is a good idea, IMHO. One category of lenses would be psionics, which are more powerful and influential in some subgenres, and far less so (or just unavailable to the PCs) in others.

On the subject of lenses, though, one of the specific setting or subgenre books could be used to update GURPS Lensman for 4e.

Another suggestion for early space opera, along with classic SF, is GURPS Tales of the Solar Patrol, by Lizard. It brings to mind (and was clearly inspired by) 1930s and '40s space-adventure serials in radio and film, and '50s TV series like Tom Corbett, Space Cadet (itself based on a Heinlein novel from 1948).

[GodBeastX]

I have to agree.

I didn't consider Star Wars a Space Opera. People tell me it is, but I just felt it was Ultratech that used space to get around. These days the game just becomes a dungeon crawl with Ultratech, probably why KotOR was so popular.

When I think of Space Opera I think of Star Trek mainly.

[RogerWilco]

Originally Posted by GodBeastX

I have to agree.

I didn't consider Star Wars a Space Opera. People tell me it is, but I just felt it was Ultratech that used space to get around. These days the game just becomes a dungeon crawl with Ultratech, probably why KotOR was so popular.

When I think of Space Opera I think of Star Trek mainly.

I think that depends on your definition of Space Opera. I would call Star Trek Science Fiction, and Star Wars Science Fantasy.

I would call something like Red Dwarf Space Opera, it's defining characteristic that there is no real character development, the characters are stereotypical and only the interactions between the characters matter.
Doctor Who could also be a contender, even though it has some character development.

I just started playing KotOR, had never gotten around to those. I find the game quite limiting and unimaginative so far. I also find the graphics engine fairly limited compared to games the same age.
The Star Wars d20 RPG rules are also a pain compared to Star Wars: Saga Edition.

[David Johnston2]

Originally Posted by GodBeastX

I have to agree.

I didn't consider Star Wars a Space Opera. People tell me it is, but I just felt it was Ultratech that used space to get around. These days the game just becomes a dungeon crawl with Ultratech, probably why KotOR was so popular.

When I think of Space Opera I think of Star Trek mainly.

Star Trek? Really? What is your definition of space opera?

[GodBeastX]

Huh, according to TV Trops Star Trek is Space Opera =)

It also says Star Wars is too. So...

Yeah, I think we're making Kromm's point for him.