I was looking to run an event at Vengercon or another convention in the next 6 months.

I was thinking about an atmospheric horror scenario, and while I typically run Call of Cthulhu for things like that, I feel like doing something different.

I was looking at a few other RPGs out there, and want:

1. Something that is rules-lite and fast --players can quickly figure out the game and dive into the scenario. PC stats should fit on one sheet of paper.
2. A game that lends itself to atmospheric, spooky stories, without over-the-top, fantastical elements, or superheroic PCs. Think Kolchak, Nancy Drew, or horror movies like The Conjuring or Under the Shadow

Chill is one possibility, although I am not crazy about it

I have Ghostories and Unbidden, and those look pretty cool. They might work--has anyone played these?

or if anyone can recommend other games ...?

Blood: The Roleplaying Game of Modern Horror is relatively rules light. I've barely touched my copy, so I can't tell you much. From the marketing it looks like it's aimed at grindhouse/splatter stuff, so might not be to your taste.

Dungeoncraft/ProfessorDM has his Eldritch Hack which is billed as rules-lite horror, but I know even less about that.

Triple Ace Games' All for One: Regime Diabolique and Leagues of Gothic Horror are on the lighter side as well, if you want historical horror.

Quote from: MerrillWeathermay on January 11, 2023, 10:26:26 PM
I have Ghostories and Unbidden, and those look pretty cool. They might work--has anyone played these?

Both can be very atmospheric, but I'm a bit biased I would suggest looking at my latest creation, Spooked, Inc. I included info on using elements of horror, as well as elements of humor, so you can take it very different directions as needed. It is rules-lite, but the default motivation for characters is that they work for Spooked, Inc, an app-based investigation service (it's like the horror private eye version of Uber).

I did a Google and found this thread on reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/osr/comments/ufigim/call_of_cthulhu_style_osr_game_recommendation/ which might be helpful

Silent legions ticks all those boxes.
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/145769/Silent-Legions

Quote from: brettmb on January 11, 2023, 10:49:01 PM

Quote from: MerrillWeathermay on January 11, 2023, 10:26:26 PM
I have Ghostories and Unbidden, and those look pretty cool. They might work--has anyone played these?

Both can be very atmospheric, but I'm a bit biased I would suggest looking at my latest creation, Spooked, Inc. I included info on using elements of horror, as well as elements of humor, so you can take it very different directions as needed. It is rules-lite, but the default motivation for characters is that they work for Spooked, Inc, an app-based investigation service (it's like the horror private eye version of Uber).

Brett: I also have genreDiversion 3e --does Ghostories use that system or the first edition?

I noticed that there are some rules like "padding" and armor based on fitness that are different than those in Ghostories

Quote from: danskmacabre on January 11, 2023, 11:23:14 PM
Silent legions ticks all those boxes.
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/145769/Silent-Legions

that looks pretty cool --hadn't even heard of it

Quote from: MerrillWeathermay on January 11, 2023, 11:28:22 PM

Quote from: danskmacabre on January 11, 2023, 11:23:14 PM
Silent legions ticks all those boxes.
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/145769/Silent-Legions

that looks pretty cool --hadn't even heard of it

Same guy who Makes Stars without number and many other RPGs.

I have never played it myself, but there are many reviews singing the praises of Dread, which is pretty rules-light and has one of the more innovative resolution mechanics I've ever come across: you need a Jenga block tower to play, and successfully pulling out a block is the equivalent of the "test roll". Thus the farther along you are in the story the more is riding on each test and the higher the chance of catastrophic failure each time.  Available at DTPRG.

Quote from: MerrillWeathermay on January 11, 2023, 11:27:35 PM

Brett: I also have genreDiversion 3e --does Ghostories use that system or the first edition?

I noticed that there are some rules like "padding" and armor based on fitness that are different than those in Ghostories

Ghostories uses  GDi, the previous version, but you can adapt it to GD3 using the guidelines provided with the GD3 Manual.

Black Books: Tomes of the Outer Dark is the one you want 
(Currently on sale at Drivethru too)

https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/125474/TACK-Crawlspace-Deluxe

PCs in Crawlspace are actors stuck in horror movies that are actually real and they can't ever leave, they just get stuck into the next horror movie.

I am a fan of the adventure https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/381434/TerrorHog TerrorHog. A large boar has gone nuts and is killing people. The PCs are trying to film a movie but get targeted by the TerrorHog instead.

Tiny Cthulhu by Gallant Knight Games could be a nice lite replacement for your usual.

Another possibility, although a little different than traditional RPGs is LIMINAL_ by Alexei Vella & Willow Jay.  It's a bit more of a map crawl horror game.  PCs find themselves trapped in some backrooms/between realities space.  They move from room to room, mapping it as they go.  They have to keep track of fatigue while fighting off entities and collecting items that may help them find a way out.

I second Tiny Cthulhu. The Tiny D6 is quick, simple, minimalistic, and can be taught very quickly.

Cthulhu Dark.

https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/341997/Cthulhu-Dark