I simply want your opinions on this, I've already asked some of my pre-alpha testers about what to do, and they happen to agree with me.

Okay, so, a loooooong time ago I noted IF and other RP board bearing sites had not a single decent sci-fi site. Most of which were dead, lacking a good plot, lacking depth, or simply non-original(star wars n' star trek). I have no problem with non-original, but I wanted something original. So I complained about it(apathy hooah!) and about a month ago I decided to do something about it.

So I started my darling project, which slices apart the sci-fi genre's complication without ripping out the depth. The lore project for it is going to be so ridiculously massive to make certain that even someone without any expertise in sci-fi or modern science could understand it.

So what exactly am I doing?

1. It takes place in the milky way as we know it, but only on one planet for simplicity.

2. There are five playable factions, each with differences and similarities with the others

3. Highly original, but inspired by existing technology

4. An all new system to keep track of player inventories(in the vein of fantasy rp site shop systems) but without the 'post tons to get cool stuff' part, and more like 'I want this inventory plz' and a staffie checks over their RPs and character to decide if they can get that inventory.

5. Both player verse player within 'virtual reality' and the real world(if you want to risk getting a faction dropped on your head, of course)

6. Expansive(and very incomplete) plot that should allow any player to change the tide of an absolutely insane futuristic war.

7. Absolutely insane lore, which although it threatens to get into the 'too expansive' side,(very much so) is designed so that anyone can pick up and play the site(but not completed. A few more relative articles to write, but a ton of fun ones as well) and will feature 'quickguides' so that anyone can get immediately to the sections that are relevant to their faction and character.

8. Possible player articulation and addition to preexisting lore, such as non-canon alien races becoming canon.

But what does it all mean? My pre-alpha testers have all declared 'omg loff'(in more articulate ways, of course) but I want to hear from people who have only heard the concept of the site, and not even the plot. Like worst case guest scenario. So, what do you folks think? Does original Sci-Fi have a place on IF, is it possible to make a highly in-depth rp without intimidation, and exactly what needs to be added from just a look at this highly bare-bones summary?

Sounds rad.
I'd be interested in your influences..? Scifi is a genre that requires some pretty expansive reading around, I would have thought.
Still, based on what you say you've got, I'd definitely be keen. You just need to deliver now lol.

Influences?

The strongest of which would be an old(read as: 10-12 years old for me) story I wrote, and the site is based 100 some years into the future of that. But the only non-me influence would be the Imperial Guard of WH40k for one of the factions, but only slightly. I'm also attempting to use only things that look possible to create at this point in time(and trust me, there is some crazy stuff out there right now)

I really like the concept. I defiantly agree with you we need to have more sci-fi RPG's on IF. I'm a complete Trekkie, and I can't find any decent star trek RPG site out there (neither on Proboards). So more canon and non-canon sci-fi RPG's are wanted.

But yah, it sounds defiantly like a plan *nods*. I would be quite interested to see the forum once you have finished it.

The closest I've ever come to sci-fi genres would be...Ender's Game, and Doctor Who, both of which are perhaps a bit far from your idea.

If it IS anything like Ender's Game, though, I'd be all over your RPG like a squirrel over a walnut tree.

Hey, how dare you say that Onyx Skies isn't decent! (tongue)

Seriously, though, that system sounds good. Giving out inventory based on the quality and not the quantity of posts is an especially interesting idea. The plot sounds great as well.

Lost In Serenity is still my favorite scifi rpg out there.
*link removed*
it's loosly based on the firefly/serenity verse from the show Firefly and it's movie Serenity. While there are no cannon characters available (out of respect of the series and the difficulty to cast for them) there are however a whole fleet of privetly owned ships that characters can crew or just become a passenger on. We had some of the best storylines ever some that invoved mutant creatures that were under the command of a 12 year old kid that tried to take my character and another prisioner. Another great was the start of the second civil war after news of the miranda incident got to the people and cuased some outrage amongst the citizens many of which were already discontent with the loss from loosing the war of indpendence from a few years back.

Anyway its been around for over a year now and I don't think it will stop anytime soon with it's mix of scifi tech and western justice.

I also run a sci fi site (Sorai, below), and we're doing quite well for a new site, thank you. We don't have the plot up intentionally; we wanted it to unfold as it goes along. The other admin and I were hashing out the final details on the first chapter just last night, and there's even a few hints on the board right now.

What makes Sorai unique is that it is very personal drama focused, and we intended it that way, but we also have HoloRooms (like Star Trek), so that people can basically hash out any roleplay theme they want to with as small or as large of a group as they want. We do use SMF, which has the luxury of subforums of subforums of subforms, so our HoloRoom mini RPGs can really be as big as we want them to be.

Basically, there are sci fi RPGs out there, so I think your initial premise is inaccurate, but there are room for more if you want to make your own site.

I am always looking for a good sci-fi site to join. I agree with Roswenth - I think it's kind of too general to say there aren't any good ones out there, just that we haven't bumped into them or they haven't happened to caught our eye (yet)

Though I like what you have so far. You should definately go for it. Invisionfree could always welcome another sci-fi board in a market saturated with HP and HS rpgs.