Sci Fi Big group participation games rulesets.

[eilif]

I'm curious to hear if anyone has any suggestions for rules for a multiplayer participation game where each of 6- 10 players would control a crew of 4-7 28mm figures in a fast paced game.

I've participated and run similar convention games in Post Apoc, pirate, Mech combat and zombie apocalypse games, and I've got a couple rulesets that could be adapted, but I'm curious to hear if something premade exists.

Important features might include
-near simultaneous activation and turns
-easy to learn rules
-either simple procedurally controlled enemies or simple enough combat that players can work out combat with generic baddies on their own after the GM has moved them.

[NurgleHH]

Galactic Heroes from Wiley Games. We played it with a big group and it was great fun. The card activation is made for big group games.

[Storm Wolf]

Galactic Heroes from Wiley Games. We played it with a big group and it was great fun. The card activation is made for big group games.

Seconded for GH or any FFOL stable of games 

[eilif]

Thanks!
I think I have that ruleset but haven't read it yet.

[eilif]

Yep, I've got it.
Looks like it might be just the thing.

Is there a QRS for it somewhere on the interwebs?

EDIT nevermind about the QRS. FOUND IT!

[eilif]

And its there a place to download these amazing unit cards?

http://baronvonj.blogspot.com/2019/10/fistful-of-lead-galactic-heroes-star.html

[Mako]

FUBAR is another option, and is available for free.

I prefer D10 FUBAR so that poor troops have some chance to activate relative to the better ones.

[Mammoth miniatures]

Planet 28 is also another option - Second edition is coming but the 1st edition is still free on wargames vault.

[tallyho]

Wow that's a lot of players!  I did my own for a big western shooter game once, perhaps do your own?

[Tom Reed]

D10 FUBAR? Please tell me more!

[v_lazy_dragon]

I have played big games (6-8 players) with GASLIGHT; but I think Skank/WRLORD OF THE wATES 2085 did it better -http://skankgame.com/

[Hobgoblin]

I think Donnybrook might work well for this - especially with the author's 40K plug-in (which allows first-edition weapons profiles to be used with the rules).

It's a bit faster than some other card-based games, because whichever card is drawn from the deck activates a given character or unit rather than giving the player the choice of which to activate. It's a small but significant difference that potentially reduces tactical decision-making but does keep the action fast and furious by cutting out the potential for faffing around.

Essentially, the deck contains one card for each unit (or character). Whichever unit's card comes up next gets to activate.

Actually, you could port that activation system over to just about anything - from Song of Blades/MDRG to FUBAR to whatever. It sounds like a small difference, but the change from "OK, now you get to choose who to activate" to "OK, it's the cyborg sniper" is quite significant. It just cuts out the umming and awing and gets the game moving quickly and unpredictably. When very large numbers of players are involved, it's a huge benefit.

[v_lazy_dragon]

because whichever card is drawn from the deck activates a given character or unit rather than giving the player the choice of which to activate.

This is what we did for the GASLIGHT game I mentioned. Taking it a step further, Muskets and Tomahawks allows all units of a certain type to activate on a card (British regulars, French irregulars, etc); that might work well with a little modification (especially if multiple players have figures of the same types)

[Hobgoblin]

I was completely unaware of GASLIGHT. Have just downloaded the free quick-start rules - looks very interesting indeed!

[6milPhil]

The AR:SE rules by Akula (if you can find them) are good and quick and, like FUBAR, free and a couple of A4 sheets at most.

FUBAR is another option, and is available for free.

I prefer D10 FUBAR so that poor troops have some chance to activate relative to the better ones.

I second FUBAR, and there are a few Sci-Fi variants depending on your chosen flavour. The best collection of FUBAR rules I know of are on FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1972111873002373/files/docs

D10 FUBAR? Please tell me more!

I'm guessing that's using a D10 for activation rather than D6