"Star System generation system suggestions" Topic

Over the years I've used various systems to randomly star systems (e.g. Traveller and GURPS Space to name a few) in sci fi games.
Recently I saw this the Alien Worlds Builder
From Killer Goblin Publishing and was intrigued. link

I'm curious, what different TMP users think is the best system to generate systems.

On a related, but separate topic, all the systems I know of are based on speculation. I'm also curious are there are any systems that take into account the relatively recent discovery of exoplanets to create systems based on (relatively) recent discoveries? Is there anything like a catalog of real exosystems that is usable by laymen?

I roll my own and customize as needed. Looking for something like an updated version of Accrete.

What's Accrete?

I see it is on sale at present for as mere $2 USD download – hard to beat that!

The Starfire campaign system had a pretty good solar system generator

Evil Dr Ganymede
evildrganymede.net

message board
general world and system building
link

Second on the Starfire Campaign system. Always came up with interesting solar systems.

Accrete is a computer program that builds solar system from the dust up and creates full blown write ups with excellent details. Unfortunately, the science behind Accrete has evolved as real planets starting being detected and some of it's assumptions are no longer valid.
znark.com/create/accrete.html
github.com/zakski/accrete-starform-stargen

If you go here, you can run a version of it. Click on the button in the white box.
fast-times.eldacur.com/StarGen/RunStarGen.html

A pre-generated map of all stars within 20-30 ly of earth would be a start. But, realistically, the planet status of each solar system would be known centuries before any starship made a voyage to them. Why would they even go to a place that wouldn't have a world that could support life?

Even in the very far future solar systems that would warrant a visit would be surveyed to some extent and those arriving there would not have to roll up some kind of planet detail.

There are some free ones.

Stars Without End comes to mind, but don't know if that is one of the free ones, or not.

"Why would they even go"…

A BSG like scenario? All of the colonized/known habitable planets have been occupied by a hostile force and a surviving contingent of ships with limited exploration capability is desperately looking for a new place to live?

Stars Without Number, and it is free:

link

A space going civilization would want small moons and asteroids easily mined for materials (low gravity wells). Nearly any solar system would do.

But, realistically, the planet status of each solar system would be known centuries before any starship made a voyage to them.

Maybe, maybe not.

If the cost to put objects into orbit remains high it might be cheaper to build a ship and send it to explore several systems rather to build another Kepler type telescope.

If a FTL drive is developed in the next few decades that might actually be the case.

Why would they even go to a place that wouldn't have a world that could support life?

Strategic value? Maybe it's close to something that is valuable.

There's also the possibility that alien life will exist in an environment that would be hostile to known species.

Pure research might be another reason. There will surely be scientists who will want to study objects in systems that have no life supporting planets.

Archaeology might be feasible on worlds that are now inhospitable to life but weren't always (perhaps that's the future of Earth. Given global warming I'm given to fear that'st he case).

If we delve into the realm of science fantasy,there's also tourism. Perhaps the crystals on some worlds are beautiful and people will visit them the way people visit the beautiful (but relatively inhospitable) Grand Canyon. Maybe some folks will want to free climb huge mountains on low gravity worlds (or high gravity worlds if they're looking for a challenge) that are still inhospitable to life.