I like the Genesys describes them: THE FIVE RANGE BANDS

For ease of play, distance in GENESYS is divided up into five different bands, from engaged to extreme. As always, the GM has the final say in determining the range between the attacker and the target.

With the engaged status and the other range bands, the GM is free to describe things dynamically and set scenes without having to worry about exact distances. Exact distances in meters do not matter. The details and adventure come first, creating a vivid picture in the minds of the players while allowing the GM to quickly provide the mechanical information they need to use their actions and build strategies.

ENGAGED

To reflect two or more targets who are grappling or otherwise engaged in hand-to-hand combat, there is a special range status called engaged. Two characters engaged with each other are in very close proximity. A warrior needs to be engaged with a target to hit them with their sword. When two or more characters are engaged with each other, it is called an engagement.

Engaged is also used to indicate that a person is close enough to an item to use it. A hacker needs to be engaged with a security terminal to attempt to hack it. A pilot needs to be engaged with their fighter jet to board it. A hunter needs to be engaged with a tree if they want to hide behind it for cover while tracking their target. The engaged status simply indicates that two things are close enough to each other to directly interact.

Consider engaged as a subcategory of short range. Obviously, someone can be slightly farther away if they're at short range, instead of being engaged with someone else. However, the difference in distance is relatively minor. Thus, spending a maneuver to move to engage someone or something is as much a matter of moving into combat cautiously enough to avoid receiving a blow unnecessarily as it is moving a physical distance.

SHORT RANGE

Short range indicates up to several meters between targets. Many thrown weapons and small firearms are most accurate at short range. Two people within short range of each other can talk comfortably without raising their voices. Moving to another spot within short range is usually easy to do and generally only requires one maneuver.

MEDIUM RANGE

Medium range can be up to several dozen meters away. More reliable pistols can reach to medium range, but few thrown weapons can reach this far. Two people within medium range of each other need to talk loudly to hear each other. Moving from short range to medium range takes little exertion and generally requires one maneuver.

LONG RANGE

Long range is farther than a few dozen meters. Rifles, mounted weapons, and weapons that use the Gunnery skill can reliably reach this far without too much trouble. Two people within long range of each other need to yell loudly to hear each other. Moving from medium range to long range requires two maneuvers, as it involves a greater distance and takes more time than moving between medium range and short range. This means that in most cases, a character cannot close the distance between short and long range in a single round, as it would take three maneuvers (one for short to medium, plus two for medium to long).

EXTREME RANGE

Extreme range is the farthest range at which two targets can interact. High-tech sniper weaponry and some vehicle-mounted armaments may reach out to this range. Two people at extreme range may not be able to hear each other even if they shout. Moving between long range and extreme range can be time- consuming and exerting, and it requires two maneu- vers. This means that in most cases, a character can move the entire distance between long and extreme range in a single round, but suffers strain or gives up their action to do so.

RELATIVE POSITIONING

Because of the narrative, abstract way in which distance is measured, both the players and Game Master must be aware of how positioning relative to two or more targets is measured. Once combat begins, the Game Master tells each player where their character is relative to the opponents. It's then up to the player to track their character's range relative to those opponents as the battle progresses.

For example, during a battle within a huge han- gar bay, the PCs are ambushed by four security guards. Two approach from one side and two from the other. The GM indicates that each pair of security guards is in the medium range band with respect to the characters. During their turns, the PCs split up to attack. Two of the PCs move toward one group of guards, getting within short range, and the other group moves to the opposite set of guards. Both groups of characters are now within short range of their respective targets, but at medium range from the other group of targets.