The year of no fantasy

Early in January, I got a wild hair, and decided that after 25 years of running the various incarnation of the Grand Old Gentleman of RPGs, that I was going to take a year off. This meant that I wasn't going to DM any games for one year. I decided to do this so I could rediscover other genres and other game systems.
   Now just starting March, I've have rediscovered a few old friends. 1st edition Gamma World, and Star Frontiers being the most notable. Mongoose Traveller and Call of Cthulhu have been sitting, ignored, on my shelves for far too long. I've admired the Savage Worlds system, but never had a chance to run it, and I've only played in 2 games. Then, I've been eyeing my 5th edition Hero system book fondly for a while...

   I started in with Mongoose Traveller and an idea I've been toying with for a few years. Running a Traveller game in the TTA universe, my only stumbling block was finding enough players and a place to play. However, the game is written and ready to go.

   Call of Cthulhu has always held a special place in my heart ever since the high school game with the Lamploths. (walking, talking street lights. Those were the good ole days) I have the BRP version of CoC, and the D20 version. I wrote down a few quick notes last year about an urban legends campaign. Sometime in the next few months I'll be expanding on those and trying to iron out the details.

   Savage Worlds is gaining huge popularity throughout the local gaming scene. At the last Genghis Con, Savage Worlds games outnumbered all the other RPGs being played. It's an amazingly flexible system, with tons of different settings, and support from every direction. The Necropolis setting has drawn my attention, and as soon as the Horror companion is released, I'll start work on a few ideas I've had for that system.

   I recently came across  a copy of 1st edition Gamma World in my collection. I had forgotten the vast amount of leeway the earlier game systems offered. I've been tossing around a few ideas for a Gamma World game, but that will take some more research.

   A few years ago I was struck with a wicked case of nostalgia, and consequently started buying everything I could find for TSR's Star Frontiers. I really do miss that game. At one time I had a starship piloted by three Dralasites. I really want to run a game of Star Frontiers, but the local gaming community is firmly focused on either Pathfinder or D&D 4E. I still hold out a small measure of hope however.

   Overall the decision to take a break from fantasy and broaden my "genre" horizons is a bit difficult to maintain, for I do still love high fantasy games, but it will be good for me. I might find new players, and expand my skills as a story teller and game master. Only time will tell, and I've got the rest of the year to find out.