I am looking for an established space opera setting with a galaxy map. That DIY mentality is not for me, so games like Stars without number isn't going to fly for me. I already know the Third Imperium, but I am looking for some alternatives.
The whole galaxy, or just parts of it? Maybe fans have mapped galaxies already of certain novels? But most novels only cover a handful of systems in their galaxies.
Terran Empire for Hero System has a galaxy map, and is quite good.
Star wars
Quote from: jan paparazzi;878847I am looking for an established space opera setting with a galaxy map. That DIY mentality is not for me, so games like Stars without number isn't going to fly for me. I already know the Third Imperium, but I am looking for some alternatives.
- RPG branches of Warhammer 40k - each uses a map of different star sector
- "A Time of War" (or alternatively, older "Mechwarrior") - rpg branch of Battletech wargame, that doesn't feature map on its own, but operates in BT world, and there are many star maps for it.
- "Mindjammer".
- "Thousand Suns".
- "Firefly".
- "Space 1889".
- "Baroque Space Opera"
While not ever is Space-Opera, they all feature star maps with different scope, (ranging from a galaxy, to a small solar system) that you can easily use in your own setting/game.
In addition:
- Donjon starmap generator (http://donjon.bin.sh/scifi/world/)
- Star sector generator for STARS WITHOUT NUMBER (http://swn.emichron.com/)
Taken from my online RPG tools collection (http://www.therpgsite.com/showpost.php?p=877441&postcount=109). There are a few similar accessories there, if you care to look for them. ;]
Quote from: Shawn Driscoll;878850The whole galaxy, or just parts of it? Maybe fans have mapped galaxies already of certain novels? But most novels only cover a handful of systems in their galaxies.
That's what I am looking for. A few systems. For some reason I run into games without a system, only one system (just a bunch of planets) or tools to create systems. I just want multiple systems, a little broad, doesn't have to be real deep.
Quote from: S'mon;878852Terran Empire for Hero System has a galaxy map, and is quite good.
Yup this is the kind I am looking for. Already thanks for all suggestions. Will check it out asap.
Orion's Arm
http://www.orionsarm.com/xcms.php?r=oaeg-view-topic&egtop_uid=45b17e0030cdc
I really enjoy HardNova II (http://www.pigames.net/store/default.php?cPath=32) for this. There's just enough detail to its universe that you can start playing right away. However, don't expect fancy design and production values; this cuts down to the basics right away, which is actually what I like about it.
HardNova 2 Revised & Expanded (http://www.pigames.net/store/product_info.php?products_id=761) contains pretty much everything you could need. If you want you can expand the setting by adding HardNova 2: The Intercosm (http://www.pigames.net/store/product_info.php?products_id=109). If you're looking for something highly original and unusual, this is not the setting you want. Then again, we are talking space opera, right?
Quote from: jan paparazzi;878847I am looking for an established space opera setting with a galaxy map. That DIY mentality is not for me, so games like Stars without number isn't going to fly for me. I already know the Third Imperium, but I am looking for some alternatives.
http://travellermap.com/?x=-2957.749&y=5266.951&scale=0.0234375 (http://travellermap.com/?x=-2957.749&y=5266.951&scale=0.0234375)
If you zoom out on The Traveller Map, you get the whole Milky Way galaxy. The tiny red splotch on the Orion Spur is Known Space of the OTU.
You're welcome.
The old galaxy map from Star Control...
http://www.star-control.com/starmaps.php
Check those out.
Quote from: jan paparazzi;878966That's what I am looking for. A few systems. For some reason I run into games without a system, only one system (just a bunch of planets) or tools to create systems. I just want multiple systems, a little broad, doesn't have to be real deep.
How about the Star Control II galaxy map?
http://www.star-control.com/starmaps.php
Quote from: jeff37923;879160http://travellermap.com/?x=-2957.749&y=5266.951&scale=0.0234375 (http://travellermap.com/?x=-2957.749&y=5266.951&scale=0.0234375)
If you zoom out on The Traveller Map, you get the whole Milky Way galaxy. The tiny red splotch on the Orion Spur is Known Space of the OTU.
You're welcome.
I was already aware of the Third Imperium map. Yes this is the kind of thing I am looking for. A lot of sectors divided between several empires. I am looking for more alternatives like this and then make a pick between them. I am not looking for an implied setting.
SPI's Universe RPG came with a map of the stars within 20 ly radius sphere of Earth. Gave the star positions in 3 dimensions. Still one of my favorite space maps.
There are a-lot of maps for star sectors for Traveller. As you allready know.
Star Frontiers has a nice little system of stars in a nebula abstracted in 3d. Second favorite space map.
When searching for it I find a lot of Star Wars, Star Trek and Warhammer 40K maps. Not really interested in those. Traveller's Third Imperium setting I already know. I also find a lot of homebrew maps, but those aren't of use to me because they don't have a setting attached.
I did just find some maps for Star Drive.
http://seawolfsden.net/wp-content/uploads/1986/08/new.frontier.map_.small_.jpg
That's the stuff I am looking for. I definitely need some empires on a map. Not just some planets. Getting interested in the setting as well. Maybe I just should go looking for cool settings and see if there is an established galaxy tacked on as well?
If you are wanting a pregen map with defined empires then repurposing a Star Trek starmap might work?
Quote from: jan paparazzi;879775I did just find some maps for Star Drive.
http://seawolfsden.net/wp-content/uploads/1986/08/new.frontier.map_.small_.jpg
That's the stuff I am looking for. I definitely need some empires on a map. Not just some planets. Getting interested in the setting as well. Maybe I just should go looking for cool settings and see if there is an established galaxy tacked on as well?
Weird. That is a Star Frontiers based map. Not Star Drive?
Quote from: Omega;879779If you are wanting a pregen map with defined empires then repurposing a Star Trek starmap might work?
No maybe I was not clear. Looking for a space opera game. What I see now is either do-it-yourself (Traveller, Stars without number) or fly somewhere and the universe will form itself (Last Parsed). I like predefined settings because I am way too lazy to all that work myself. When I look at Stars without number I am just clueless to the appeal of it. Just a lot of tables and crunch, no setting, ?!? Looking for a game with a galaxy with empires, some factions and some aliens (or not) and a little backstory.
Quote from: Omega;879780Weird. That is a Star Frontiers based map. Not Star Drive?
Yes, I thought it was weird.
This is the site I got it from:
http://seawolfsden.net/star-drive-frontiers-primer/
Then stick to something small like Star Frontiers did. Theres about two dozen systems and alot of undefined surrounding systems. Usefull for if you just want to run in more or less civilized lands or for exploring the unknown.
I cant think of any RPG that fleshes out every single star over a large area.
Quote from: Omega;879919Then stick to something small like Star Frontiers did. Theres about two dozen systems and alot of undefined surrounding systems. Usefull for if you just want to run in more or less civilized lands or for exploring the unknown.
I cant think of any RPG that fleshes out every single star over a large area.
No I don't want a game that fleshes out every single star. I want a game that gives me some info on the different sectors, the factions the races and the different empires. I can fill in the blanks myself and make up most planets myself. I just want to what for example the Zoltan Expense is, why the Ultorian Federation is at war with the Freeworld Council, how the economy is running in the Dominion and how the Visali Empire mines their ore.
Looking at the link I think Star Frontiers is a little small in my taste, but I think Star Drive is more up to my taste. I also checked some of the games mentioned in the first page and Thousand Suns and Baroque Space Opera can be interesting. I am also checking out Hellas. Hardnova I like the rules of GenreDiversion, but the setting is a bit too light imo.
There is no better source than Winchell Chung's Project Rho website.
3D-Starmapping (http://www.projectrho.com/public_html/starmaps/)
Atomic Rockets (http://www.projectrho.com/public_html/rocket/index.php)
I was more looking for a game with a setting like these included:
Cathedral Galaxy (http://www.josephshoer.com/personal/images/Cathedral%20Galaxy.png)
Viva Galaxy (http://vignette3.wikia.nocookie.net/althistory/images/4/46/Viva's_Map_of_the_Known_Galaxy.png/revision/latest?cb=20131216215248)
I don't need it very detailed. I don't run games like this in a simulation matter where I calculate the distance between the stars and travel time shit. Just a global setting with some regions of space and some factions. I fill in the blanks myself and come up with some missions.
Quote from: jan paparazzi;880032No I don't want a game that fleshes out every single star. I want a game that gives me some info on the different sectors, the factions the races and the different empires. I can fill in the blanks myself and make up most planets myself. I just want to what for example the Zoltan Expense is, why the Ultorian Federation is at war with the Freeworld Council, how the economy is running in the Dominion and how the Visali Empire mines their ore.
GURPS Lensman,
GURPS Humanx and
GURPS Uplift respectively covered the space-opera universes of E.E. 'Doc' Smith, Alan Dean Foster and David Brin.
I'm baffled as to how "Star Trek" doesn't count as space opera.
The
Space Opera Star Sector Atlases from Fantasy Games Unlimited certainly do in my book, and as I recall are more user friendly than the rules set.
Quote from: jan paparazzi;880328I was more looking for a game with a setting like these included:
Cathedral Galaxy
Viva Galaxy
I don't need it very detailed. I don't run games like this in a simulation matter where I calculate the distance between the stars and travel time shit. Just a global setting with some regions of space and some factions. I fill in the blanks myself and come up with some missions.
...
Weird.
I recall suggesting a few games earlier, the majority fitting your needs. Some specific local taboo I happened to break without realizing it? :idunno:
Quote from: jan paparazzi;880328I was more looking for a game with a setting like these included:
Cathedral Galaxy (http://www.josephshoer.com/personal/images/Cathedral%20Galaxy.png)
Viva Galaxy (http://vignette3.wikia.nocookie.net/althistory/images/4/46/Viva's_Map_of_the_Known_Galaxy.png/revision/latest?cb=20131216215248)
I don't need it very detailed. I don't run games like this in a simulation matter where I calculate the distance between the stars and travel time shit. Just a global setting with some regions of space and some factions. I fill in the blanks myself and come up with some missions.
All the example you gave are simplistic if that what you are looking for then just draw your own galaxy.
Draw a circle with a smaller circle with some spirals radiating out to the edge. Color in some regions give them cool names. Put down some dots label them as worlds with cool names and be done with it. Don't try to overthink just put down the first things that come into mind.
Unlike terrain maps, space maps are easy to create. But if you are looking for thousands of world then use the Traveller Map or the sources I gave you above. And if you looked at the site the author goes into how to setup stellar maps in a subway style graph format so you don't have to work X,Y,Z coordinates.
Building on what estar said, I think the galaxy scale is significant only in that folks can ask which neutron star (or other such rare thing) you mean.
Most of what's interesting could be packed on Planet Mongo or spread over many galaxies, and either way there's a lot of "the usual" between what's really worth detailing for an adventure.
So read some SF, choose whatever bits seem fun to riff on, and plop them down. Be sure to set aside some regions that are (for what ever reason) little known, so you have space for later nifty ideas that don't fit the established order.
Quote from: jan paparazzi;880328I was more looking for a game with a setting like these included:
Cathedral Galaxy (http://www.josephshoer.com/personal/images/Cathedral%20Galaxy.png)
Viva Galaxy (http://vignette3.wikia.nocookie.net/althistory/images/4/46/Viva's_Map_of_the_Known_Galaxy.png/revision/latest?cb=20131216215248)
I don't need it very detailed. I don't run games like this in a simulation matter where I calculate the distance between the stars and travel time shit. Just a global setting with some regions of space and some factions. I fill in the blanks myself and come up with some missions.
Terran Empire definitely seems to fit what you want. I found some versions of the map by Google, eg:
(http://kacurtis.com/Map_Samples/World/TEGalaxy800x600.gif)
Used copy of the setting book currently $5.94! :)
http://www.amazon.com/Terran-Empire-Sourcebook-Star-Hero/dp/1583660119/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1456186096&sr=8-1&keywords=Terran+Empire
Quote from: JesterRaiin;880553...
Weird.
I recall suggesting a few games earlier, the majority fitting your needs. Some specific local taboo I happened to break without realizing it? :idunno:
No you were giving me good examples. The ones after you didn't. So I thought I explain myself again. Not your fault. You helped me a lot. Thank you, sir!
Quote from: Phillip;880515GURPS Lensman, GURPS Humanx and GURPS Uplift respectively covered the space-opera universes of E.E. 'Doc' Smith, Alan Dean Foster and David Brin.
I'm baffled as to how "Star Trek" doesn't count as space opera.
The Space Opera Star Sector Atlases from Fantasy Games Unlimited certainly do in my book, and as I recall are more user friendly than the rules set.
Thank you for the tips!
Btw I do consider Star Trek space opera (very much so), but I don't want to run a game in that universe (yet).
Quote from: S'mon;880691Terran Empire definitely seems to fit what you want. I found some versions of the map by Google, eg:
Used copy of the setting book currently $5.94! :)
http://www.amazon.com/Terran-Empire-Sourcebook-Star-Hero/dp/1583660119/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1456186096&sr=8-1&keywords=Terran+Empire
Yes. I saw this was an older game and I couldn't find it on drivethru, which I now use as a cheap way to check games (yay, sale) before I consider buying the physical book.
The Star Wars D20 Revised book had a great map of the Star Wars galaxy. But I'd bet you knew about that one already.
I have not seen it, but Peter F. Hamilton wrote The Confederation Handbook describing the setting of his epic "Night's Dawn" trilogy (The Reality Dysfunction, The Neutronium Alchemist, The Naked God, each originally in two paperback volumes).
The trilogy's central plot involves an invasion of the dead possessing the bodies of the living, but there are plenty of potential conflicts to explore before or after.
Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/The-Confederation-Handbook-Peter-Hamilton/dp/0446610275 (http://www.amazon.com/The-Confederation-Handbook-Peter-Hamilton/dp/0446610275)