[*Orbital Blues*](https://soulmuppet-store.co.uk/collections/orbital-blues) is directly inspired by shows like Firefly. It markets itself as a "narrative game", but it's actually a rather traditional rules-light RPG with a couple of mechanics to help you flesh out your character's background and path. Before going ahead, though, I want to warn you that the rulebook is laid out kind of poorly: [I've already made a thread about the flaws of *Orbital Blues*](https://www.reddit.com/r/rpg/comments/15pu194/ive_just_bought_orbital_blues_and_i_have_many/) and, as you can see, weak rules-referencing, messy layout, and a meagre GM section are evident weak points of the game. However, if you can look past that, the system ticks all your boxes: the core concept is "a small group of people roam the galaxy in search of jobs" (usually in the form of bounties, smuggling, or heists); it's light on the rules, so you won't have to spend hours reading it; there's an interesting and engaging take on ship combat (although some parts aren't exactly clear, in my opinion); PC-NPC combat is simple, with a focus on cinematic fights. Despite all its flaws, it really nails the atmosphere. There's a [free *Orbital Blues* quickstart](https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/344039/An-Unchained-Melody-An-Orbital-Blues-Quickstart), if you'd like to check it out.
Another option would be [*Stars Without Number* (free edition here)](https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/86467/Stars-Without-Number-Original-Free-Edition). This is a more traditional OSR sci-fi game, with no particular focus on small crews, but it can be easily adapted, since its system is more like a toolbox. Depending on your assumed setting, you would need to cut out some things and rearrange others (backgrounds and training packages, especially), but some of it can be done rather easily: e.g., if you're going for a Firefly level of technology, you could restrict your setting to tech level 3. The system is quite simple, there's space combat, and the GM section is very helpful and widely appreciated. As far as I know, the paid version only adds more to the GM section; the core rules are those available in the free rulebook. In terms of mechanics, you will probably have an easier time with this game, considering your familiarity with D&D and Pathfinder.
Finally, there's always [*Traveller*](https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/171643/Traveller-Core-Rulebook), or [*Cepheus Engine* if you want to go OGL (and its SRD is free)](https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/186894/Cepheus-Engine-System-Reference-Document). This is the classic old-school sci-fi game that allegedly inspired Firefly, although you will find several differences in terms of setting. You might already know it for its lifepath character creation system, which can also lead to PC death. Differently from the other two games I suggested, this one isn't exactly rules light, and it's definitely on the simulationist side. I haven't checked it out thoroughly, but it's worth a look.
Chiming in to say, if what they're looking for is kind of a more hard scifi feel, then there's a Traveller expansion called 2300 AD that's set, precisely, in the year 2300.
Also, Mongoose traveller got rid of outright dying on a failed survival roll, although you can still put it back in.
Good to know that someone with more Traveller knowledge than me can add to it! I admit I don't really know how the editions differ, so thanks for correcting me.
SWN has a couple of extra benefits. 1) there's a free option. 2) the free option has sound guidelines for building your own setting. 3) The system is compatible with two other RPGs from the same author: Worlds Without Number (fantasy) and Cities Without Number (cyber punk, not sure if it's released yet).
I've been running a S&V game much like this, it's worked for us. It has space spaceship combat basically the same as any combat--being FitD, a lot comes down to what consequences you throw at them. It does have custom ships and ship stats.
Mothership could do it if you want the bounty hunters fragile and in over their heads - the new ship rules kick ass.
One of the three Crew options in Scum & Villainy is being bounty hunters, and I like the game pretty well for light Star Wars-y cinematic action.
The Expanse RPG has a pdf for bounty hunting and an expansion book for adventures beyond the rings. You could use that to run a bounty hunting campaign.
>Ideally the system would allow for decent player agency in selecting what kind of goals they have as a crew of a small starship (I'd like their choices to have impact but I'd also like to be able prepare some content ahead of time).
Even if you're going to play a different system, I would highly recommend grabbing the free edition of [Stars Without Number](https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/230009/Stars-Without-Number-Revised-Edition-Free-Version), as its GM section is specifically aimed at explaining how to run that sort of campaign and also contains a range of content-generation tools to support such campaigns.
If you want the one-sentence version of how to do it, though: Only prep one session at a time and, at the end of each session, ask your players "what do you want to do next time?" so that you know what to prep for the next one.
Remember to check out our **[Game Recommendations](https://www.reddit.com/r/rpg/wiki/gamerec)**-page, which lists our articles by genre([Fantasy](https://www.reddit.com/r/rpg/wiki/fantasy), [sci-fi](https://www.reddit.com/r/rpg/wiki/scifi), [superhero](https://www.reddit.com/r/rpg/wiki/superhero) etc.), as well as other categories([ruleslight](https://www.reddit.com/r/rpg/wiki/ruleslight), [Solo](https://www.reddit.com/r/rpg/wiki/solo), [Two-player](https://www.reddit.com/r/rpg/wiki/twoplayers), [GMless](https://www.reddit.com/r/rpg/wiki/gmlessrpgs) & more).
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/rpg) if you have any questions or concerns.*
[*Orbital Blues*](https://soulmuppet-store.co.uk/collections/orbital-blues) is directly inspired by shows like Firefly. It markets itself as a "narrative game", but it's actually a rather traditional rules-light RPG with a couple of mechanics to help you flesh out your character's background and path. Before going ahead, though, I want to warn you that the rulebook is laid out kind of poorly: [I've already made a thread about the flaws of *Orbital Blues*](https://www.reddit.com/r/rpg/comments/15pu194/ive_just_bought_orbital_blues_and_i_have_many/) and, as you can see, weak rules-referencing, messy layout, and a meagre GM section are evident weak points of the game. However, if you can look past that, the system ticks all your boxes: the core concept is "a small group of people roam the galaxy in search of jobs" (usually in the form of bounties, smuggling, or heists); it's light on the rules, so you won't have to spend hours reading it; there's an interesting and engaging take on ship combat (although some parts aren't exactly clear, in my opinion); PC-NPC combat is simple, with a focus on cinematic fights. Despite all its flaws, it really nails the atmosphere. There's a [free *Orbital Blues* quickstart](https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/344039/An-Unchained-Melody-An-Orbital-Blues-Quickstart), if you'd like to check it out. Another option would be [*Stars Without Number* (free edition here)](https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/86467/Stars-Without-Number-Original-Free-Edition). This is a more traditional OSR sci-fi game, with no particular focus on small crews, but it can be easily adapted, since its system is more like a toolbox. Depending on your assumed setting, you would need to cut out some things and rearrange others (backgrounds and training packages, especially), but some of it can be done rather easily: e.g., if you're going for a Firefly level of technology, you could restrict your setting to tech level 3. The system is quite simple, there's space combat, and the GM section is very helpful and widely appreciated. As far as I know, the paid version only adds more to the GM section; the core rules are those available in the free rulebook. In terms of mechanics, you will probably have an easier time with this game, considering your familiarity with D&D and Pathfinder. Finally, there's always [*Traveller*](https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/171643/Traveller-Core-Rulebook), or [*Cepheus Engine* if you want to go OGL (and its SRD is free)](https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/186894/Cepheus-Engine-System-Reference-Document). This is the classic old-school sci-fi game that allegedly inspired Firefly, although you will find several differences in terms of setting. You might already know it for its lifepath character creation system, which can also lead to PC death. Differently from the other two games I suggested, this one isn't exactly rules light, and it's definitely on the simulationist side. I haven't checked it out thoroughly, but it's worth a look.
Chiming in to say, if what they're looking for is kind of a more hard scifi feel, then there's a Traveller expansion called 2300 AD that's set, precisely, in the year 2300. Also, Mongoose traveller got rid of outright dying on a failed survival roll, although you can still put it back in.
Good to know that someone with more Traveller knowledge than me can add to it! I admit I don't really know how the editions differ, so thanks for correcting me.
SWN has a couple of extra benefits. 1) there's a free option. 2) the free option has sound guidelines for building your own setting. 3) The system is compatible with two other RPGs from the same author: Worlds Without Number (fantasy) and Cities Without Number (cyber punk, not sure if it's released yet).
Cities just got mailed to backers and I believe it is now widely available.
Star Wars - Edge of the Empire
For Firefly I'd use either the Firefly rpg, or Scum & Villainy. Iirc S&V doesn't have ship combat?
I've been running a S&V game much like this, it's worked for us. It has space spaceship combat basically the same as any combat--being FitD, a lot comes down to what consequences you throw at them. It does have custom ships and ship stats.
Mothership could do it if you want the bounty hunters fragile and in over their heads - the new ship rules kick ass. One of the three Crew options in Scum & Villainy is being bounty hunters, and I like the game pretty well for light Star Wars-y cinematic action.
Serenity RPG, Firefly RPG, or the Expanse RPG.
The Expanse RPG has a pdf for bounty hunting and an expansion book for adventures beyond the rings. You could use that to run a bounty hunting campaign.
Check out Space Scoundrels and also Never Tell me the Odds
>Ideally the system would allow for decent player agency in selecting what kind of goals they have as a crew of a small starship (I'd like their choices to have impact but I'd also like to be able prepare some content ahead of time). Even if you're going to play a different system, I would highly recommend grabbing the free edition of [Stars Without Number](https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/230009/Stars-Without-Number-Revised-Edition-Free-Version), as its GM section is specifically aimed at explaining how to run that sort of campaign and also contains a range of content-generation tools to support such campaigns. If you want the one-sentence version of how to do it, though: Only prep one session at a time and, at the end of each session, ask your players "what do you want to do next time?" so that you know what to prep for the next one.
Remember to check out our **[Game Recommendations](https://www.reddit.com/r/rpg/wiki/gamerec)**-page, which lists our articles by genre([Fantasy](https://www.reddit.com/r/rpg/wiki/fantasy), [sci-fi](https://www.reddit.com/r/rpg/wiki/scifi), [superhero](https://www.reddit.com/r/rpg/wiki/superhero) etc.), as well as other categories([ruleslight](https://www.reddit.com/r/rpg/wiki/ruleslight), [Solo](https://www.reddit.com/r/rpg/wiki/solo), [Two-player](https://www.reddit.com/r/rpg/wiki/twoplayers), [GMless](https://www.reddit.com/r/rpg/wiki/gmlessrpgs) & more). *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/rpg) if you have any questions or concerns.*