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What drives you to GM a science fiction RPG?

I ask this because I can't find a reason. I love playing in SF RPGs. But I just cannot find the enthusiasm to run one. I like designing ships, vehicles, grand empires, but running the day to day activities bores me.


I turned over my T20 campaign to one of the players that guest GM'd a few d20 D&D games and a few T20 games; he'll run a loose T20 game (he's not familiar with Traveller) and switch off with me running a "regular" d20 D&D game. This time I'll start them in Glorantha (hah! try to find the one weakness of this chaos monster, you readers of the MM!
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Glen
 
Well Glen,

GM is not for every one, and I think Traveller is a little harder than nost games because it is founded in hard Science. It also requires a little more in way of roleplaying because combat is so deadly.

As to why I GM... I do what ever the voices in my head tell me to.

Rover
 
I run it for the same reason that I run D&D- no one else in my group wants to. I'd much rather play, but I'm willing to run.
 
I like to GM SF because I can take the normal human foibles and follies and heroics, while setting them against a backdrop full of magic that exists just because the universe is a naturally complex place full of wonder. I like to Gm SF because the PCs occasionally get to fire really big F***ing guns, without having to go up to 15th level first. I GM SF because there are no magical solutions, and combat is often quite deadly, requiring problem solving and people skills. I like to GM SF because that is how my mind works.
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I agree with rover. I think it takes a certain mindset to be a referee. I agree that science fiction settings are harder than fantasy. You can can excuse things and say its fantasy vs giving a valid scientific reason for something to happen.

I personally enjoy refereeing so much more than being a player. I enjoy the creation of something and seeing player reactions to the situation myself
 
I enjoy Trav because it's gritty, realistic, and in a time where technology allows you to leave a world if you get tired of it. I enjoy competing with the players, my games are me vs the players, only I pull my punches. It is fun to let them try several things before they win (survive?) the situation. Usually letting them try several methods gives me an idea for the next game or situation to inflict upon them.. ;)

RV
 
I like refereeing more than playing but I never get a chance to play a sci-fi game. Other people in my group talk a good sci-fi campaign but never even try to run one. Bottom line for me is I both enjoy running them and I'm the only member of my group who actually will run a sci-fi game.
 
I referee for three reasons.

The satisfaction of creating a well crafted story. Watching my players suddenly suddenly put the clues together and realize they could have done this an hour ago if they had been paying attention. And having everything work, even if the players "peak behind the curtain."

The sense of power. I can delight or frustrate players. With a little work I can humiliate them or emotionally crush them. Of course, the best part is making it appear scrupulously fair and open bounded while actually driving the PCs like rats in a maze.

And the most important reason? No-one else will. :(
 
1)Running a SF RPG takes more explanation vs a FRPG.-Agreed.

2)The author/ director motivation, aye. bringing out the best role-playing a Player can provide, even if its misery, love, fear, greed, or a job well done repairing that gizmo that always goes out in the fresher..

3) the rats in the maze while being fair, I'd be a liar if I said no, but its not an overall ego thing.(see number 2)

4) Playing and refereeing in a setting that all the players KNOW, and anyone can GM if they raise their hand (hence our Online T20 site set in 1105/SM).

5) Getting to duke it out with baddies with big guns(and the baddies can have em too!), before being umpteenth level. T20 combat is deadly. Some of the Player's favorite or loyal NPC's got whacked in a mutiny. Of 29 mutineers, 4 surrendered. 9 escaped,(they weren't on our side anyways), and the rest met their makers.

6)Roleplaying through difficult RP-challenges, dealing with alien cultures vis a vis human ones.

7)Proving (in character/ in game) that a handful of people can make a difference to an uncaring Universe...and that being a hero isn't all parades and ticker tape parades..

those are my top 7 reasons.
YMMV
 
Wherever, there is a Science Fiction bookshop*, they often sell big artbook** that contain reprints of the covers of the best Science Fiction posters and book covers. When you peruse through those books and then bring them into a game session and ask your players to help fill in the story, this gives a greater degree of satisfaction, than the book or the novel.

*I am thinking of Bakka in Toronto or Jednorožec in Prague.
**The type that profiles works by Chris Floss or HR Geiger, and whatnot.
 
Why I GM SciFi? Hmmm...

The Traveller Universe has always facinated me. Aside from being one of the most detailed settings for an RPG (maybe THE most detailed) it is rich in potential adventures and has always be open for more detail.

Fantasy is fake. Totally. SciFi, REAL SciFi, has at least a smidgin of possibility. I have always looked forward to what might be, not back to what never was.

Traveller has been my favorite RPG ever since one of my friends gave me his LBB's. I have always been able to come up with SciFi stories faster than Fantasy ones. Probably because all I have to do sometimes is look in a newspaper to find something I can use.

I also liked the way Traveller always reinvented itself. Wheather you like the new stuff or not, it has always been creative. I always look forward to more.

Well, I don't know how much this helped, but it's my Cr.0.02 worth.
 
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