CS: Speculative Fiction

Putting the Speculative into the Fiction
It's possible to be in a completely contemporary, modern-day setting but still emphasize the science of the scenario. This type of campaign will usually involve a character or NPC that's on the team as the mission specialist. This might involve a special mission unit transporting a technical specialist (and gear) to take readings in a particular time or place.

Many technical games also fall into this category, often under the sub-genre of technothriller. This describes the average Tom Clancy novel, as well as most of the Michael Crichton stories. For Crichton, the liberty is taken only in how advanced a science is in comparison to its real-life counterpart – and that's part of the artifice: dinosaurs in a modern-day world.

By far the biggest the Speculative flavor could actually exist under any era: first contact themes. This is more of a diplomatic, social or military concept but the technology usually plays a role in facilitating the contact and communication.

The related variations on themes of UFOlogy and extraterrestrial intelligence, which could fall under the Alt-Fantasy category with other paranormal subjects, are grouped together under Science Fiction. This is the home for characters in storylines similar to Steven Spielberg's Close Encounters or the alien-focused plot threads of the X-Files... or Michael Crichton's Sphere.

Turning Back the Calendar
A scenario or full campaign could also slightly historical. The key differentiation is prevailing technological level. Firearms, mechanical transportation and electric motors are three good criteria. Early 19th century would likey fall into Alt-fantasy or Fantasy level scenarios because the development level and connected social attitudes are so far removed.

Late 19th century, however, and automobiles are being invented, ammunition is largely standardized, and electric is on the cusp of changing the way the world works.

A Roswell (1947) scenario would fall under speculative fiction, as would a similar Devil's Tower (1977) scenario.

Reaching into the Future
The Speculative category extends from "now" to roughly 15 years in future. This isn't a hard/fast rule, but rather represents average technical, psychological, social and experiential similarity.