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[Squeegy]

What's a good system to run an action-oriented sci-fi game in? I've considered GURPS, but it seems a bit... aimless. Jack of all trades, master of none, and all that. Are there any other systems more specifically devoted to general sci-fi games?

[GreatWyrmGold]

Traveller, Paranoia, Shadowrun, d20 Modern...what kind of sci-fi?

[Squeegy]

Traveller, Paranoia, Shadowrun, d20 Modern...what kind of sci-fi?

Reasonably light. I'm looking for something with no established setting because I plan on using my own, btw.

[GreatWyrmGold]

Traveller, Paranoia, Shadowrun, d20 Modern...what kind of sci-fi?

Reasonably light. I'm looking for something with no established setting because I plan on using my own, btw.

Well, pretty much any system can be repurposed.
Although I don't know, I don't think d20 Modern has a preset setting. It's also the only game mentioned in the thread so far I haven't ever played/read the rulebooks for, though...

[scapheap]

d20 Modern is surprising bad for sci-fi settings, it more for, surprise, modern times.

[EagleV]

Paranoia is great, if you don't mind a short campaign and don't want this to be a serious game. If you do, I've heard good things about Shadowrun. Also I've had some fun with FATE although I'm not sure how it would translate to a sci-fi setting. It's supposed to be completely customizable though.

[GreatWyrmGold]

As is GURPS, if I understand what you mean by "customisable."

I've considered GURPS, but it seems a bit... aimless. Jack of all trades, master of none, and all that.

How would FATE be different?

[Squeegy]

d20 Modern is surprising bad for sci-fi settings, it more for, surprise, modern times.

That's fine, like I said, the sci-fi is reasonably light. Most of the important stuff is modern.

[freeformschooler]

I've considered GURPS, but it seems a bit... aimless. Jack of all trades, master of none, and all that.

How would FATE be different?

FATE is very abstract and modular. GURPS is a massive set of rules for modeling a game world (rather than a narrative). FATE is a tookit to be removed and added onto, GURPS has enough content that it can run a complete game in just about any setting with a little tweaking. FATE has a small amount of rules with many variations, GURPS has an absolutely massive amount of rules, some of which are less necessary than others.

Both are jack of all trades, but if you want light tabletop, FATE is the way to go. If you want crunch, GURPS. That said, GURPS has some great sci-fi add-ons...

[xelada]

What do you mean by light do you mean:
Rules-light: ie "fill in your Brains, Brawn and Beauty score"
Light tech: ie cybernetics are superior to humans but only found in the military or the hadicapped.
Light atmosphere: ie "Good news everyone, I've invented a machine that makes everything said into it to sound like me and it needs to be transported to the planet of sentient gummi bears."

[EagleV]

Rules light. The other two are up to whoever runs it.