Many years ago I ran a couple of TTRPG mashups of Warhammer 40k and Dune. The emperor was much the same as 40k, the Sardaukar were marines, the Bene Gesserit were a plot manifested by Tzeentch, the Butlerian Jihad explained the lack of computers, etc., etc. It was - if I do say so myself - pretty awesome.
Now my kids are getting into role-playing and not interested in fantasy so I'm thinking about reviving my old mashup for them.
In the old days I used the 1st ed. Rogue Trader rules which seemed like the beginnings of an awesome TTRPG before Games Workshop committed fully to selling lead, then plastic, figures for skirmish wargames.
Is there a newer version of Warhammer 40k that is still TTRPG focussed, or should I dust off my old, loose-leaf copy of 1st ed. and work from that?
Stick to Rogue Trader, its way cooler than anything GW is putting out and your kids will have TTRPG cred later. "My first game was Rogue Trader" "...what, how is that possible?"
You have a point there!
I speak from experience. My first game as a kid in the mid-90s was with someone's old Blue Box around a campfire. That sticks with you.
Give them a tradition to be a part of and make their own.
My first game was Red Box basic D&D with the GM buying the Blue Box about six months into the game. Good times, the early 80s!
Im still a sucker for BECMI and its family tree.