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Cyberpunk (role-playing game)

Cyberpunk is a tabletop role-playing game in the dystopian science fiction genre, written by Mike Pondsmith and first published by R. Talsorian Games in 1988. It is typically referred to by its second or fourth edition names, Cyberpunk 2020 and Cyberpunk Red, in order to distinguish it from the cyberpunk genre after which it is named.

Cyberpunk
The Roleplaying Game of the Dark Future
Cyberpunk 2020 version 2.00 cover
DesignersMike Pondsmith
PublishersR. Talsorian Games
Publication
  • 1988 (Cyberpunk 2013, first edition)
  • 1990 (Cyberpunk 2020)
  • 2005 (Cyberpunk V3.0)
  • 2020 (Cyberpunk Red)
GenresScience fiction role-playing game, cyberpunk
SystemsInterlock
Websitertalsoriangames.com

Setting Edit

 
Location of Night City, the main setting of the Cyberpunk series

Cyberpunk exists within its own fictional timeline, which splits from the real world in 1990. The timeline has been extended with each major edition of the game, from the first edition set in 2013 to Cyberpunk Red set in 2045.[1]

The backstory for Cyberpunk begins with the United States becoming embroiled in a major conflict in Central America in the 1980s. This conflict ends in a military coup and causes a significant economic collapse. As a result, the Soviet Union is itself preserved from collapse, and the European Common Market and Japan emerge as global superpowers. In tandem with economic collapse, other disasters have wreaked havoc across the globe, including food blights and devastating famines, as well as the destruction of entire regions of land as a consequence of war. By the late 1990s, the Middle East has become a radioactive desert in the fallout of nuclear conflict.[2]

With the lack of government and police enforcement due to the Central American wars and subsequent economic collapse, casual violence has become endemic in many parts of the world. At the same time, megacorporations have risen to power and fight amongst themselves for dominance, and orbital habitats have begun to develop and form into independent states, both causes and symptoms of the increasing fracturing of civilization. Bioengineering, against a backdrop of warfare, has resulted in the rapid development of cybernetic prosthetics and direct human-machine interfaces, and many now suffer from "technoshock," an inability to cope with a world of synthetic muscle tissue, organic circuits, and designer drugs.[2]

The main location for Cyberpunk is the fictional Night City, situated on the West Coast of the United States between Los Angeles and San Francisco. With a population of five million, it presents a stratified society of gang warfare, corporate rivalries, and political machinations in which the players must survive.[3]

System Edit

The rules of Cyberpunk are built on R. Talsorian's Interlock system.

A core game mechanic is the concept of Difficulty Values, used to gauge whether a player succeeds or fails at any given task. A player takes the value of their most appropriate character attribute, adds the values of any relevant skills or modifiers, and then finally adds the value of a ten-sided die roll. In order to succeed, they must beat the Difficulty Value assigned to the task by the gamemaster. Cyberpunk was one of the first tabletop games to use this concept.[4]

Character creation Edit

As cyberpunks, the players embrace body modification, cybertech and bioengineering. They live by four tenets:

  1. Style over substance.
  2. Attitude is everything.
  3. Always take it to the Edge.
  4. (Break) the rules.[4]

There are ten key roles, each with their own special abilities. These include charismatic musicians ('rockerboys'), bodyguards and assassins ('solos'), computer hackers ('netrunners'), road warriors ('nomads'), street experts ('fixers'), investigative journalists and reporters ('medias'), mechanics ('techs' or 'techies'), doctors ('medtechs'), corporate executives ('corpos'), and police officers.[5]

A choice of rules are provided for character creation, either by assigning points to purchase skills or by rolling d10s for a more random outcome. A system called Lifepath is provided to develop each character further, by generating goals, motivations, and events from their past. Finally, they gain money, cyberware, weapons and other equipment, including fashion and lifestyle goods.[5][2]

Further character development is skill-based rather than level-based; for successful play, players are awarded points to be spent on improving their characters' skill sets.

Combat Edit

The combat system is called Friday Night Firefight (FNFF), and emphasizes lethality. Unlike role-playing systems where characters amass hit points as they progress, allowing them to survive higher amounts of combat damage, the amount of damage a character can sustain in Cyberpunk does not generally increase as the character develops.

Each round, characters are permitted to take one move action and one other action. There are rules governing the use of autofire, armor, and cover, including specific instructions for using people as shields. Alternative ammunition types for weapons are available, for example a shotgun can be fired with buckshot instead of slugs. Character skills can be used to improve both ranged and melee combat.[6]

Additionally, there are rules covering other forms of damage such as drowning and asphyxiation, electrocution, and being set on fire.

Netrunning Edit

There are also rules for cybernetic hacking, called Netrunning. When characters "jack in", they can interpret the NET in several different ways, including as a classic Dungeons & Dragons maze, or perhaps as a star-filled galaxy.

Netrunners engage in the virtual world with interface plugs, cyberdecks, and the Interface special ability. Cyberdecks include slots to contain Programs, selected ahead of time by Netrunners to assist in tasks such as evasion, decryption and detection. Combat and other actions in the NET are fast, taking place second-by-second, as opposed to three second combat rounds in the physical world.[7]

The destruction of the global NET in later editions of Cyberpunk turns the attention of Netrunners to local private networks. The effect on gameplay is that Netrunning is no longer a remote activity; Netrunners are embedded within their team and, with equipment such as virtuality goggles, can alternate their actions between both physical and virtual space. Closer integration with other activities was a game design choice to ensure all characters have a part to play during a hacking scene.[8]

Empathy and cyberpsychosis Edit

The acquisition of cyberware—cyberweapons, cyberoptics and other implants—carries a Humanity Cost. Every ten points of Humanity Cost causes the loss of an Empathy point, the character attribute that measures how well they relate to other people. An Empathy level of zero represents a complete loss of humanity, a state known as cyberpsychosis; in the case of players, their character becomes a non-player character controlled by the gamemaster.[4]

History Edit

 
The game was designed by Mike Pondsmith (pictured in 2017).

Cyberpunk was designed by Mike Pondsmith as an attempt to replicate the gritty realism of 1980s cyberpunk science fiction. In particular, Walter Jon Williams' novel Hardwired was an inspiration, and Williams helped playtest the game. Another key influence was the film Blade Runner. Many also assume William Gibson's Neuromancer was an influence; however, Pondsmith did not read the novel until a later date.[9] Other sources included the film Streets of Fire and the anime Bubblegum Crisis.

First edition Edit

The original version of Cyberpunk was published in 1988 by R. Talsorian Games. The game components of the boxed set consist of a 44-page Handbook, a 38-page Sourcebook, a 20-page Combat Book, four pages of game aids and two ten-sided dice.[2]

A number of rules supplements were subsequently published in 1989:

This edition of the game retrospectively became known as Cyberpunk 2013.

Second edition: Cyberpunk 2020 Edit

In 1990, R. Talsorian Games released the second edition of the game, titled Cyberpunk 2020, which featured updated rules for combat, Netrunning, and character generation. The game's timeline was also retconned to accommodate the German reunification in 1990. It was released as a boxed set that contained a 222-page softcover book, and a 24-page reference guide and adventure.[10]

R. Talsorian Games released two revised versions: Cyberpunk 2020 version 2.00 (1992), and Cyberpunk 2020 version 2.01 (1993).

A total of 28 rules supplements and sourcebooks, and 6 adventures were also published by R. Talsorian Games between 1993 and 1996. In addition, Atlas Games published twelve adventures under license between 1991 and 1994.[11]

Dream Pod 9 released Night's Edge in 1992, taking the Cyberpunk 2020 setting and adding a horror theme, including vampires and werewolves. Dream Pod 9 published ten other supplements and adventures in this setting between 1992 and 1995.

An alternate world sourcebook, Cybergeneration, was published in 1993; it centers around teenagers with unusual, superhuman skills gained from a nanotech virus epidemic. The first version of Cybergeneration required the Cyberpunk 2020 rulebook, but a second version became a standalone game.

Two Cyberpunk 2020 novels were published, in 1995 and 1996.[12]

Third edition: Cyberpunk V3.0 Edit

Cyberpunk V3.0 is set in the 2030s, and was published in 2005. It takes Cyberpunk into a transhumanist setting in the aftermath of a fourth Corporate War. The global NET has been corrupted and rendered unusable, as has much hardcopied data, throwing human history into doubt. Six new subcultures have emerged, known as Altcults; one such group are the Edgerunners, successors to the cyberpunks of previous editions.[13]

The third edition uses the Fuzion game system, rather than Interlock. The artwork in the book used photographs of action figures and toys instead of hand-drawn art like in previous editions.[14] Both the change of setting and the artwork within the book received negative criticism.[15]

From 2007 to 2008, two sourcebooks were published to accompany this edition.

Fourth edition: Cyberpunk Red Edit

The fourth edition of Cyberpunk, titled Cyberpunk Red, is set in 2045, following the events of Cyberpunk 2020 and serving as a prequel to the video game Cyberpunk 2077.[16][1] The game is set after a fourth Corporate War; however, the events differ from Cyberpunk V3.0, which is considered to be a separate timeline.[17]

The Cyberpunk Red core rulebook was released in November 2020.[18] It was preceded by the release of a simplified boxed set, known as the Cyberpunk Red Jumpstart Kit, at Gen Con in August 2019. The core rulebook was delayed from a planned release alongside the Jumpstart Kit, initially to allow Cyberpunk Red game lore to be better aligned with Cyberpunk 2077, and later due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[19]

R. Talsorian began developing a new Cyberpunk Edgerunners Mission Kit based on the successful Cyberpunk: Edgerunners anime series, itself based on the Cyberpunk 2077 video game by CD Projekt Red.[20] The missions will use the existing Cyberpunk RED tabletop roleplaying game engine.[21] The sourcebook began development in response to the popularity of game mods created for the video game.[22][23] The new set takes place in the 2077 timeline, with R. Talsorian announcing plans to continue making content for the 2045 setting.[24]

Other media Edit

Anime Edit

Cyberpunk: Edgerunners is a web anime set in the Cyberpunk universe produced by Studio Trigger on Netflix.[25] The anime was first announced in 2020 as a tie-in to Cyberpunk 2077 and was released in September 2022.[26]

Collectible card games Edit

Two different, independent collectible card games have been licensed and produced based on the Cyberpunk setting. The first, called Netrunner, was designed by Richard Garfield, and released by Wizards of the Coast in 1996 (the game has since been re-released as Android: Netrunner but is no longer associated with the Cyberpunk universe). The second was called Cyberpunk CCG, released in 2003, designed by Peter Wacks and published by Social Games.

Miniature game Edit

Cyberpunk Red: Combat Zone is a tabletop miniature wargame by R. Talsorian Games and Monster Fight Club, to be released in 2023.[27]

Video games Edit

Novels Edit

In October 2022, CD Projekt RED announced on Twitter that a novel set in the Cyberpunk universe by the title Cyberpunk 2077: No Coincidence will be released in English in August 2023, as a tie-in to Cyberpunk 2077. The novel is written by Polish writer Rafał Kosik.[31]

Comics Edit

  • Cyberpunk 2077: Trauma Team. Dark Horse Comics. 2020. ISBN 978-15-0671-601-5.
  • Cyberpunk 2077: Where's Johnny. Dark Horse Comics. 2021. ISBN 978-15-0672-625-0.
  • Cyberpunk 2077: Your Voice. Dark Horse Comics. 2021. ISBN 978-15-0672-623-6.
  • Cyberpunk 2077: You Have My Word. Dark Horse Comics. 2021–2022. ISBN 978-15-0672-566-6.
  • Cyberpunk 2077: Big City Dreams. Dark Horse Comics. 2022. ISBN 978-15-0672-686-1.
  • Cyberpunk 2077: Blackout. Dark Horse Comics. 2022. ISBN 978-15-0672-627-4.
  • Cyberpunk 2077: XOXO. Dark Horse Comics. 2023.
  • Cyberpunk 2077: Ten of Swords. Dark Horse Comics. 2023.

Reception Edit

In Issue 37 of Challenge, Julia Martin commented, "the game has style. While it is a game with some ragged edges, Cyberpunk recreates the atmosphere of the literature and movies from which it draws admirably." Martin had issues with the combat system, especially the organization of the rules, some ambiguous rules, and the lack of super-advanced weaponry. She also grumbled about typos, noting, "Quite frankly, I don't think I've seen this many apparently careless, minor errors since Judges Guild went defunct some years ago." She also found the netrunning system far too general. Despite all these problems, she confessed, "I really like this game. It has lots of problems, [...] but it has a great many redeeming points also. [...] The characters and the world view are the heart of Cyberpunk, and they are the best of it." She concluded, "It is a marvelous creature which can be molded into a tremendous campaign by a referee with experience. It is definitely worth the money (and you might even like the combat system). Go check it out."[32]

Stewart Wieck reviewed Cyberpunk for White Wolf #14, rating it 3 overall, and stated that "Cyberpunk is a fine game set in an environment which is very conducive to role-playing."[33]

In the May 1989 edition of Games International (Issue 5), Paul Mason found the rules disorganized and lacked an index. He also found lots of typos, "the sign of a rushed production." Although Mason found the concept behind the game "quite appealing," he thought that the combat system, which was supposed to be an improvement on the usual non-descriptive hit point system, was too constricted by data tables to be very descriptive. He concluded by giving this game an average rating of 3 out of 5, saying, "All in all, Cyberpunk does the job. If you want to run a game in this genre and you want a single source of rules and background, then this game will be adequate to the task [...] It doesn't contain any ideas radically new to rolegaming, however, and so won't be much use to anyone else except inveterate collectors."[34]

In the September 1989 edition of Dragon (Issue 149), Jim Bambra liked the production values of the original edition, but found many typos in the various books as well as a missing encounter table. Bambra found the setting "does a superb job of capturing the flavor and atmosphere of a disturbingly plausible and realistic future. The development and presentation of the Net is stunning and can be used as a basis for countless numbers of adventures. No other game has succeeded in portraying computer hacking in such a vibrant and absorbing way." He concluded that this was not for everyone: "Gamers brought up on heroic-fantasy or shiny science-fiction games may find the gritty realism of the Cyberpunk game not to their liking... To decide if this is the game for you, read a few of the Cyberpunk style novels. If you like them, don’t waste any time — rush out and buy the Cyberpunk game. Welcome to life on the edge."[2]

In his 1990 book The Complete Guide to Role-Playing Games, game critic Rick Swan commented that this game "remains the purist's choice, the RPG most successfully capturing the genre's grim atmosphere." He found that "Combat is chart-heavy but playable, and extremely dangerous for player characters; one well-placed shot is all that it takes to wipe out a careless Nomad." Swan concluded by giving the game a rating of 3 out of 4, saying, "Cyberpunk's gritty realism may not be everyone's idea of a good time; characters tends to lead short, intense lives, flashy heroics are in short supply, and cynicism abounds. A terrific game for pessimists."[35]

In the September 1992 edition of Dragon (Issue 185), Allen Varney found Cyberpunk 2020 just as stylish as its first-edition predecessor, but he found even more typos in this edition than in the first edition. Varney liked the new streamlined combat system, but criticized the duality of modern combat, where "unarmored characters become pools of blood in 10 seconds of combat, but those in flak armor can shrug off submachine-gun fire." Varney also felt that the Netrunning system was much improved, calling the rules system "elegant and original." Varney thought the second edition's biggest flaw was lack of an index, but he also criticized the dichotomy of a system where "you can break into Eurobank and embezzle five million bucks, but you better pay your phone bill on time or you’re in big trouble." He accused the game of being "in the curious position of advocating rebellion, but only in socially acceptable ways." Nonetheless, Varney concluded that "The Cyberpunk game’s second edition surpasses its first edition on every count. With its smooth action, 'pure' cyberpunk atmosphere, easily accessible setting, and medium-low complexity, this game tops my list as the field's best route to dark near-future adventure."[36]

In a 1996 reader poll undertaken by Arcane magazine to determine the 50 most popular roleplaying games of all time, Cyberpunk was ranked 10th. Editor Paul Pettengale commented: "Cyberpunk was the first of the 'straight' cyberpunk RPGs, and is still the best. The difference between cyberpunk and other sci-fi is a matter of style and attitude. Everything about the Cyberpunk game, from the background to the rules system, is designed to create this vital atmosphere. Cyberpunk is set in an unforgiving world where betrayal and double-crosses are common, trust is hard to find and paranoia is a useful survival trait."[37]

In November 2020, Forbes found Cyberpunk Red to be a consistent continuation of the themes from Cyberpunk 2020. Contributor Rob Wieland praised the system for character generation, stating, "One of the signature elements of the game, lifepaths, went through a great refinement. Lifepath is a chart where players roll to determine elements of their character’s history. It creates lovers, friends, rivals and more for GMs to hang plot hooks on. Cyberpunk thrives on the personal connections between characters. Lifepath makes player buy-in easier; players are going to be much more interested in a job given to them by an old flame than a random NPC."[38]

See also Edit

References Edit

  1. ^ a b Hall, Charlie (2019-08-07). "Cyberpunk Red review: This pen-and-paper game is the key to understanding Cyberpunk 2077". Polygon. Retrieved 2020-05-16. The year is 2045, and CD Projekt's next game doesn't kick off for another 32 years. It's an awful lot of space to fill, and I'm looking forward to getting on with it.
  2. ^ a b c d e Bambra, Jim (September 1989). "Roleplaying Reviews". Dragon. TSR, Inc. (149): 85–86.
  3. ^ Peter (18 May 2012). . RPGGeek. RPGGeek. Archived from the original on 13 July 2020. Retrieved 23 May 2020.
  4. ^ a b c Gibson, Than (28 Mar 2018). . Meeple Mountain. Meeple Mountain. Archived from the original on 13 May 2020. Retrieved 23 May 2020.
  5. ^ a b Elsam, Sara (5 Mar 2020). . Dicebreaker. Dicebreaker. Archived from the original on 13 July 2020. Retrieved 23 May 2020.
  6. ^ Kanouse, Patrick (2020-12-14). "Cyberpunk Red: Style and Substance". Black Gate. Retrieved 2020-12-15.
  7. ^ Lafayette, Lev (31 Dec 2010). "Review of Cyberpunk 2020". RPGnet. RPGnet. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
  8. ^ Girdwood, Andrew (23 Jul 2019). . Geek Native. Geek Native. Archived from the original on 14 July 2020. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
  9. ^ Allison, Peter Ray (26 February 2020). . Dicebreaker. Dicebreaker. Archived from the original on 13 July 2020. Retrieved 23 May 2020. Although many assume William Gibson's Neuromancer was a source of inspiration for Cyberpunk, it was only much later that Pondsmith read Gibson's groundbreaking novel. Instead, the designer cites his own key reference points for the game as the film Blade Runner and the novel Hardwired by Walter John Williams, who also helped playtest the RPG.
  10. ^ Wayne’s Books (16 June 2019). "Cyberpunk 2020 box set (1990)". Wayne’s Books. Wayne’s Books. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
  11. ^ Deric Bernier (22 July 2016). . Datafortress 2020. Datafortress 2020. Archived from the original on 4 March 2021. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
  12. ^ "Stephen Billias's Cyberpunk 2.0.2.0. books in order". Fantastic Fiction. Fantastic Fiction. Retrieved 20 March 2021.
  13. ^ Cowen, Richard (1 February 2010). "Review of Cyberpunk v3". RPGnet. Retrieved 16 May 2020. See, Cyberpunk v3.0 isn't actually a cyberpunk setting, in the same sense that the previous editions where. It's more or less a post-human setting these days. And that's where the setting falls apart. You see, v3.0 can't decide what it wants to be, and exemplifies its inability to decide by splitting society into six 'alt-cults', each latching onto a particular ideology...
  14. ^ "A Thorough and Objective Review [Cyberpunk v3.0] | Cyberpunk V3.0". BoardGameGeek. Retrieved 2022-09-27. Most of the images are pictures of 80's and 90's toy action figurines with modifications trying to make them look futuristic.
  15. ^ Peter (16 June 2011). . BoardGameGeek. Archived from the original on 13 July 2020. Retrieved 16 May 2020. On a personal level, Cyberpunk v3.0 was a let down on every level. The art, rules, setting, even the system wasn't used to its full potential in my opinion...
  16. ^ Hall, Charlie (2019-06-24). "Cyberpunk 2077 prequel, a tabletop RPG starter kit, will be out this August". Polygon. Retrieved 2019-07-20.
  17. ^ Garrett, Eric (2019-05-12). . ComicBook.com. Archived from the original on 2020-07-13. Retrieved 2020-05-16. ... Pondsmith himself cleared the air surrounding the subject, noting how there has been an interview going around the Internet that is not correct. "There's still an incorrect interview floating around the interwebs that states that Cyberpunk 2077 and Cyberpunk 2020 are separate timelines," he said. "To clear this up, I am posting RIGHT HERE AND NOW that the timeline is unified, with the path moving from Cyberpunk 2013 thru Cyberpunk 2020, then through Cyberpunk RED and up to Cyberpunk 2077."
  18. ^ "Cyberpunk Red RPG has a release date and price, launching alongside Cyberpunk 2077". Dicebreaker. 2020-10-12. Retrieved 2020-11-05.
  19. ^ Purslow, Matt (2020-05-19). "Cyberpunk Red Tabletop Game Delayed". IGN. Retrieved 2020-06-26.
  20. ^ Dempsey, Liam (7 November 2022). "R. Talsorian Games Announces Cyberpunk: Edgerunners Tabletop RPG Kit". Crunchyroll. Retrieved 2022-11-08.
  21. ^ Macgregor, Jody (2022-11-10). "The Cyberpunk: Edgerunners anime was so popular it's invading the tabletop RPG next". PC Gamer. Retrieved 2022-11-13.
  22. ^ Wes Fenlon (2022-09-23). "The Cyberpunk Netflix show is taking over the 2077 mod scene". PC Gamer. Retrieved 2022-11-13.
  23. ^ Jody Macgregor (2022-11-10). "The Cyberpunk: Edgerunners anime was so popular it's invading the tabletop RPG next". PC Gamer. Retrieved 2022-11-13.
  24. ^ Hall, Charlie (2022-11-07). "Cyberpunk 2077's Edgerunners setting coming to Cyberpunk tabletop game". Polygon. Retrieved 2022-11-08.
  25. ^ "Netflix's Cyberpunk: Edgerunners Anime Finally Has A Teaser Trailer And Clip". GameSpot. Retrieved 2022-09-20.
  26. ^ Skrebels, Joe (2020-06-25). "Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, a Cyberpunk 2077 Anime Announced". IGN. Retrieved 2022-09-20.
  27. ^ Meitzler, Ryan (2020-12-15). "Cyberpunk Red Miniatures Game is Coming from R. Talsorian Games in 2021". DualShockers. Retrieved 2020-12-15.
  28. ^ Poole, Craig (4 May 2007). "CyberPunk Arasaka's Plot". Pocket Gamer. Steel Media Ltd. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
  29. ^ "Cyberpunk: The Arasaka's Plot for J2ME (2007)". MobyGames. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
  30. ^ Keane, Sean (October 27, 2020). "Cyberpunk 2077 delayed to Dec. 10". cnet. Retrieved October 28, 2020.
  31. ^ @CyberpunkGame (2022-10-12). "The new novel, "Cyberpunk 2077: No Coincidence", is coming to bookstores in August 2023" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  32. ^ Martin, Julia (1989). "Reviews". Challenge. No. 37. pp. 76–77. Retrieved 2022-11-18.
  33. ^ Wieck, Stewart (February 1989). "Review: Cyberpunk". White Wolf Magazine. No. 14. p. 58.
  34. ^ Mason, Paul (May 1989). "Role Games". Games International. No. 5. pp. 44–46.
  35. ^ Swan, Rick (1990). The Complete Guide to Role-Playing Games. New York: St. Martin’s Press. pp. 56–57.
  36. ^ Varney, Allen (September 1992). "Roleplaying Reviews II". Dragon. TSR, Inc. (185): 83–84.
  37. ^ Pettengale, Paul (Christmas 1996). "Arcane Presents the Top 50 Roleplaying Games 1996". Arcane. Future Publishing (14): 25–35.
  38. ^ Wieland, Rob (2020-11-13). "Cyberpunk Red Looks Back To The Dark Future". Forbes.com. Retrieved 2021-03-10.

Sources Edit

  • Michael Pondsmith (1993). Cyberpunk: The Roleplaying Game of the Dark Future. Talsorian Games, Incorporated. ISBN 0-937279-13-7.
  • Will Moss; Mike Pondsmith; Lisa Pondsmith. Cyberpunk v3.0. R. Talsorian. ISBN 1-891933-03-5.

External links Edit

  • Cyberpunk 2020 at R. Talsorian Games
  • Cyberpunk 2020 review at RPG.net
  • Cyberpunk RED review at RPG.net
  • Darryn King (November 14, 2020). "The Role-Playing Game That Predicted the Future". The Atlantic.

cyberpunk, role, playing, game, cyberpunk, tabletop, role, playing, game, dystopian, science, fiction, genre, written, mike, pondsmith, first, published, talsorian, games, 1988, typically, referred, second, fourth, edition, names, cyberpunk, 2020, cyberpunk, o. Cyberpunk is a tabletop role playing game in the dystopian science fiction genre written by Mike Pondsmith and first published by R Talsorian Games in 1988 It is typically referred to by its second or fourth edition names Cyberpunk 2020 and Cyberpunk Red in order to distinguish it from the cyberpunk genre after which it is named CyberpunkThe Roleplaying Game of the Dark FutureCyberpunk 2020 version 2 00 coverDesignersMike PondsmithPublishersR Talsorian GamesPublication1988 Cyberpunk 2013 first edition 1990 Cyberpunk 2020 2005 Cyberpunk V3 0 2020 Cyberpunk Red GenresScience fiction role playing game cyberpunkSystemsInterlockWebsitertalsoriangames com Contents 1 Setting 2 System 2 1 Character creation 2 2 Combat 2 3 Netrunning 2 4 Empathy and cyberpsychosis 3 History 3 1 First edition 3 2 Second edition Cyberpunk 2020 3 3 Third edition Cyberpunk V3 0 3 4 Fourth edition Cyberpunk Red 4 Other media 4 1 Anime 4 2 Collectible card games 4 3 Miniature game 4 4 Video games 4 5 Novels 4 6 Comics 5 Reception 6 See also 7 References 8 Sources 9 External linksSetting Edit nbsp Location of Night City the main setting of the Cyberpunk seriesCyberpunk exists within its own fictional timeline which splits from the real world in 1990 The timeline has been extended with each major edition of the game from the first edition set in 2013 to Cyberpunk Red set in 2045 1 The backstory for Cyberpunk begins with the United States becoming embroiled in a major conflict in Central America in the 1980s This conflict ends in a military coup and causes a significant economic collapse As a result the Soviet Union is itself preserved from collapse and the European Common Market and Japan emerge as global superpowers In tandem with economic collapse other disasters have wreaked havoc across the globe including food blights and devastating famines as well as the destruction of entire regions of land as a consequence of war By the late 1990s the Middle East has become a radioactive desert in the fallout of nuclear conflict 2 With the lack of government and police enforcement due to the Central American wars and subsequent economic collapse casual violence has become endemic in many parts of the world At the same time megacorporations have risen to power and fight amongst themselves for dominance and orbital habitats have begun to develop and form into independent states both causes and symptoms of the increasing fracturing of civilization Bioengineering against a backdrop of warfare has resulted in the rapid development of cybernetic prosthetics and direct human machine interfaces and many now suffer from technoshock an inability to cope with a world of synthetic muscle tissue organic circuits and designer drugs 2 The main location for Cyberpunk is the fictional Night City situated on the West Coast of the United States between Los Angeles and San Francisco With a population of five million it presents a stratified society of gang warfare corporate rivalries and political machinations in which the players must survive 3 System EditThe rules of Cyberpunk are built on R Talsorian s Interlock system A core game mechanic is the concept of Difficulty Values used to gauge whether a player succeeds or fails at any given task A player takes the value of their most appropriate character attribute adds the values of any relevant skills or modifiers and then finally adds the value of a ten sided die roll In order to succeed they must beat the Difficulty Value assigned to the task by the gamemaster Cyberpunk was one of the first tabletop games to use this concept 4 Character creation Edit As cyberpunks the players embrace body modification cybertech and bioengineering They live by four tenets Style over substance Attitude is everything Always take it to the Edge Break the rules 4 There are ten key roles each with their own special abilities These include charismatic musicians rockerboys bodyguards and assassins solos computer hackers netrunners road warriors nomads street experts fixers investigative journalists and reporters medias mechanics techs or techies doctors medtechs corporate executives corpos and police officers 5 A choice of rules are provided for character creation either by assigning points to purchase skills or by rolling d10s for a more random outcome A system called Lifepath is provided to develop each character further by generating goals motivations and events from their past Finally they gain money cyberware weapons and other equipment including fashion and lifestyle goods 5 2 Further character development is skill based rather than level based for successful play players are awarded points to be spent on improving their characters skill sets Combat Edit The combat system is called Friday Night Firefight FNFF and emphasizes lethality Unlike role playing systems where characters amass hit points as they progress allowing them to survive higher amounts of combat damage the amount of damage a character can sustain in Cyberpunk does not generally increase as the character develops Each round characters are permitted to take one move action and one other action There are rules governing the use of autofire armor and cover including specific instructions for using people as shields Alternative ammunition types for weapons are available for example a shotgun can be fired with buckshot instead of slugs Character skills can be used to improve both ranged and melee combat 6 Additionally there are rules covering other forms of damage such as drowning and asphyxiation electrocution and being set on fire Netrunning Edit There are also rules for cybernetic hacking called Netrunning When characters jack in they can interpret the NET in several different ways including as a classic Dungeons amp Dragons maze or perhaps as a star filled galaxy Netrunners engage in the virtual world with interface plugs cyberdecks and the Interface special ability Cyberdecks include slots to contain Programs selected ahead of time by Netrunners to assist in tasks such as evasion decryption and detection Combat and other actions in the NET are fast taking place second by second as opposed to three second combat rounds in the physical world 7 The destruction of the global NET in later editions of Cyberpunk turns the attention of Netrunners to local private networks The effect on gameplay is that Netrunning is no longer a remote activity Netrunners are embedded within their team and with equipment such as virtuality goggles can alternate their actions between both physical and virtual space Closer integration with other activities was a game design choice to ensure all characters have a part to play during a hacking scene 8 Empathy and cyberpsychosis Edit The acquisition of cyberware cyberweapons cyberoptics and other implants carries a Humanity Cost Every ten points of Humanity Cost causes the loss of an Empathy point the character attribute that measures how well they relate to other people An Empathy level of zero represents a complete loss of humanity a state known as cyberpsychosis in the case of players their character becomes a non player character controlled by the gamemaster 4 History Edit nbsp The game was designed by Mike Pondsmith pictured in 2017 Cyberpunk was designed by Mike Pondsmith as an attempt to replicate the gritty realism of 1980s cyberpunk science fiction In particular Walter Jon Williams novel Hardwired was an inspiration and Williams helped playtest the game Another key influence was the film Blade Runner Many also assume William Gibson s Neuromancer was an influence however Pondsmith did not read the novel until a later date 9 Other sources included the film Streets of Fire and the anime Bubblegum Crisis First edition Edit The original version of Cyberpunk was published in 1988 by R Talsorian Games The game components of the boxed set consist of a 44 page Handbook a 38 page Sourcebook a 20 page Combat Book four pages of game aids and two ten sided dice 2 A number of rules supplements were subsequently published in 1989 Rockerboy sourcebook for the Rockerboy character class Solo of Fortune sourcebook for the Solo character class Hardwired based on the Walter Jon Williams novel Near Orbit Space Supplement with rules for space travel This edition of the game retrospectively became known as Cyberpunk 2013 Second edition Cyberpunk 2020 Edit In 1990 R Talsorian Games released the second edition of the game titled Cyberpunk 2020 which featured updated rules for combat Netrunning and character generation The game s timeline was also retconned to accommodate the German reunification in 1990 It was released as a boxed set that contained a 222 page softcover book and a 24 page reference guide and adventure 10 R Talsorian Games released two revised versions Cyberpunk 2020 version 2 00 1992 and Cyberpunk 2020 version 2 01 1993 A total of 28 rules supplements and sourcebooks and 6 adventures were also published by R Talsorian Games between 1993 and 1996 In addition Atlas Games published twelve adventures under license between 1991 and 1994 11 Dream Pod 9 released Night s Edge in 1992 taking the Cyberpunk 2020 setting and adding a horror theme including vampires and werewolves Dream Pod 9 published ten other supplements and adventures in this setting between 1992 and 1995 An alternate world sourcebook Cybergeneration was published in 1993 it centers around teenagers with unusual superhuman skills gained from a nanotech virus epidemic The first version of Cybergeneration required the Cyberpunk 2020 rulebook but a second version became a standalone game Two Cyberpunk 2020 novels were published in 1995 and 1996 12 Third edition Cyberpunk V3 0 Edit Cyberpunk V3 0 is set in the 2030s and was published in 2005 It takes Cyberpunk into a transhumanist setting in the aftermath of a fourth Corporate War The global NET has been corrupted and rendered unusable as has much hardcopied data throwing human history into doubt Six new subcultures have emerged known as Altcults one such group are the Edgerunners successors to the cyberpunks of previous editions 13 The third edition uses the Fuzion game system rather than Interlock The artwork in the book used photographs of action figures and toys instead of hand drawn art like in previous editions 14 Both the change of setting and the artwork within the book received negative criticism 15 From 2007 to 2008 two sourcebooks were published to accompany this edition Fourth edition Cyberpunk Red Edit The fourth edition of Cyberpunk titled Cyberpunk Red is set in 2045 following the events of Cyberpunk 2020 and serving as a prequel to the video game Cyberpunk 2077 16 1 The game is set after a fourth Corporate War however the events differ from Cyberpunk V3 0 which is considered to be a separate timeline 17 The Cyberpunk Red core rulebook was released in November 2020 18 It was preceded by the release of a simplified boxed set known as the Cyberpunk Red Jumpstart Kit at Gen Con in August 2019 The core rulebook was delayed from a planned release alongside the Jumpstart Kit initially to allow Cyberpunk Red game lore to be better aligned with Cyberpunk 2077 and later due to the COVID 19 pandemic 19 R Talsorian began developing a new Cyberpunk Edgerunners Mission Kit based on the successful Cyberpunk Edgerunners anime series itself based on the Cyberpunk 2077 video game by CD Projekt Red 20 The missions will use the existing Cyberpunk RED tabletop roleplaying game engine 21 The sourcebook began development in response to the popularity of game mods created for the video game 22 23 The new set takes place in the 2077 timeline with R Talsorian announcing plans to continue making content for the 2045 setting 24 Other media EditAnime Edit Cyberpunk Edgerunners is a web anime set in the Cyberpunk universe produced by Studio Trigger on Netflix 25 The anime was first announced in 2020 as a tie in to Cyberpunk 2077 and was released in September 2022 26 Collectible card games Edit Two different independent collectible card games have been licensed and produced based on the Cyberpunk setting The first called Netrunner was designed by Richard Garfield and released by Wizards of the Coast in 1996 the game has since been re released as Android Netrunner but is no longer associated with the Cyberpunk universe The second was called Cyberpunk CCG released in 2003 designed by Peter Wacks and published by Social Games Miniature game Edit Cyberpunk Red Combat Zone is a tabletop miniature wargame by R Talsorian Games and Monster Fight Club to be released in 2023 27 Video games Edit Cyberpunk video game redirects here For the 1993 video game see Cyberpunks video game In 2007 Mayhem Studio released the 2D platformer Cyberpunk The Arasaka s Plot for the J2ME platform 28 29 In 2020 CD Projekt RED the developer of The Witcher series released the open world action role playing game Cyberpunk 2077 30 Novels Edit In October 2022 CD Projekt RED announced on Twitter that a novel set in the Cyberpunk universe by the title Cyberpunk 2077 No Coincidence will be released in English in August 2023 as a tie in to Cyberpunk 2077 The novel is written by Polish writer Rafal Kosik 31 Comics Edit Cyberpunk 2077 Trauma Team Dark Horse Comics 2020 ISBN 978 15 0671 601 5 Cyberpunk 2077 Where s Johnny Dark Horse Comics 2021 ISBN 978 15 0672 625 0 Cyberpunk 2077 Your Voice Dark Horse Comics 2021 ISBN 978 15 0672 623 6 Cyberpunk 2077 You Have My Word Dark Horse Comics 2021 2022 ISBN 978 15 0672 566 6 Cyberpunk 2077 Big City Dreams Dark Horse Comics 2022 ISBN 978 15 0672 686 1 Cyberpunk 2077 Blackout Dark Horse Comics 2022 ISBN 978 15 0672 627 4 Cyberpunk 2077 XOXO Dark Horse Comics 2023 Cyberpunk 2077 Ten of Swords Dark Horse Comics 2023 Reception EditIn Issue 37 of Challenge Julia Martin commented the game has style While it is a game with some ragged edges Cyberpunk recreates the atmosphere of the literature and movies from which it draws admirably Martin had issues with the combat system especially the organization of the rules some ambiguous rules and the lack of super advanced weaponry She also grumbled about typos noting Quite frankly I don t think I ve seen this many apparently careless minor errors since Judges Guild went defunct some years ago She also found the netrunning system far too general Despite all these problems she confessed I really like this game It has lots of problems but it has a great many redeeming points also The characters and the world view are the heart of Cyberpunk and they are the best of it She concluded It is a marvelous creature which can be molded into a tremendous campaign by a referee with experience It is definitely worth the money and you might even like the combat system Go check it out 32 Stewart Wieck reviewed Cyberpunk for White Wolf 14 rating it 3 overall and stated that Cyberpunk is a fine game set in an environment which is very conducive to role playing 33 In the May 1989 edition of Games International Issue 5 Paul Mason found the rules disorganized and lacked an index He also found lots of typos the sign of a rushed production Although Mason found the concept behind the game quite appealing he thought that the combat system which was supposed to be an improvement on the usual non descriptive hit point system was too constricted by data tables to be very descriptive He concluded by giving this game an average rating of 3 out of 5 saying All in all Cyberpunk does the job If you want to run a game in this genre and you want a single source of rules and background then this game will be adequate to the task It doesn t contain any ideas radically new to rolegaming however and so won t be much use to anyone else except inveterate collectors 34 In the September 1989 edition of Dragon Issue 149 Jim Bambra liked the production values of the original edition but found many typos in the various books as well as a missing encounter table Bambra found the setting does a superb job of capturing the flavor and atmosphere of a disturbingly plausible and realistic future The development and presentation of the Net is stunning and can be used as a basis for countless numbers of adventures No other game has succeeded in portraying computer hacking in such a vibrant and absorbing way He concluded that this was not for everyone Gamers brought up on heroic fantasy or shiny science fiction games may find the gritty realism of the Cyberpunk game not to their liking To decide if this is the game for you read a few of the Cyberpunk style novels If you like them don t waste any time rush out and buy the Cyberpunk game Welcome to life on the edge 2 In his 1990 book The Complete Guide to Role Playing Games game critic Rick Swan commented that this game remains the purist s choice the RPG most successfully capturing the genre s grim atmosphere He found that Combat is chart heavy but playable and extremely dangerous for player characters one well placed shot is all that it takes to wipe out a careless Nomad Swan concluded by giving the game a rating of 3 out of 4 saying Cyberpunk s gritty realism may not be everyone s idea of a good time characters tends to lead short intense lives flashy heroics are in short supply and cynicism abounds A terrific game for pessimists 35 In the September 1992 edition of Dragon Issue 185 Allen Varney found Cyberpunk 2020 just as stylish as its first edition predecessor but he found even more typos in this edition than in the first edition Varney liked the new streamlined combat system but criticized the duality of modern combat where unarmored characters become pools of blood in 10 seconds of combat but those in flak armor can shrug off submachine gun fire Varney also felt that the Netrunning system was much improved calling the rules system elegant and original Varney thought the second edition s biggest flaw was lack of an index but he also criticized the dichotomy of a system where you can break into Eurobank and embezzle five million bucks but you better pay your phone bill on time or you re in big trouble He accused the game of being in the curious position of advocating rebellion but only in socially acceptable ways Nonetheless Varney concluded that The Cyberpunk game s second edition surpasses its first edition on every count With its smooth action pure cyberpunk atmosphere easily accessible setting and medium low complexity this game tops my list as the field s best route to dark near future adventure 36 In a 1996 reader poll undertaken by Arcane magazine to determine the 50 most popular roleplaying games of all time Cyberpunk was ranked 10th Editor Paul Pettengale commented Cyberpunk was the first of the straight cyberpunk RPGs and is still the best The difference between cyberpunk and other sci fi is a matter of style and attitude Everything about the Cyberpunk game from the background to the rules system is designed to create this vital atmosphere Cyberpunk is set in an unforgiving world where betrayal and double crosses are common trust is hard to find and paranoia is a useful survival trait 37 In November 2020 Forbes found Cyberpunk Red to be a consistent continuation of the themes from Cyberpunk 2020 Contributor Rob Wieland praised the system for character generation stating One of the signature elements of the game lifepaths went through a great refinement Lifepath is a chart where players roll to determine elements of their character s history It creates lovers friends rivals and more for GMs to hang plot hooks on Cyberpunk thrives on the personal connections between characters Lifepath makes player buy in easier players are going to be much more interested in a job given to them by an old flame than a random NPC 38 See also EditList of Cyberpunk 2020 booksReferences Edit a b Hall Charlie 2019 08 07 Cyberpunk Red review This pen and paper game is the key to understanding Cyberpunk 2077 Polygon Retrieved 2020 05 16 The year is 2045 and CD Projekt s next game doesn t kick off for another 32 years It s an awful lot of space to fill and I m looking forward to getting on with it a b c d e Bambra Jim September 1989 Roleplaying Reviews Dragon TSR Inc 149 85 86 Peter 18 May 2012 A Thorough and Objective Review Night City RPGGeek RPGGeek Archived from the original on 13 July 2020 Retrieved 23 May 2020 a b c Gibson Than 28 Mar 2018 Welcome to the first article of Retro RPG Reviews Meeple Mountain Meeple Mountain Archived from the original on 13 May 2020 Retrieved 23 May 2020 a b Elsam Sara 5 Mar 2020 Here s an exclusive first look at character creation abilities Lifepaths and the new Medtech role in the Cyberpunk Red tabletop RPG Dicebreaker Dicebreaker Archived from the original on 13 July 2020 Retrieved 23 May 2020 Kanouse Patrick 2020 12 14 Cyberpunk Red Style and Substance Black Gate Retrieved 2020 12 15 Lafayette Lev 31 Dec 2010 Review of Cyberpunk 2020 RPGnet RPGnet Retrieved 25 May 2020 Girdwood Andrew 23 Jul 2019 So you wanna be a cyberpunk A review of the Cyberpunk Red Jumpstart Kit Geek Native Geek Native Archived from the original on 14 July 2020 Retrieved 25 May 2020 Allison Peter Ray 26 February 2020 Making Cyberpunk Red almost killed us Mike Pondsmith on the return of the tabletop RPG catching up with 2020 s future and Cyberpunk 2077 Dicebreaker Dicebreaker Archived from the original on 13 July 2020 Retrieved 23 May 2020 Although many assume William Gibson s Neuromancer was a source of inspiration for Cyberpunk it was only much later that Pondsmith read Gibson s groundbreaking novel Instead the designer cites his own key reference points for the game as the film Blade Runner and the novel Hardwired by Walter John Williams who also helped playtest the RPG Wayne s Books 16 June 2019 Cyberpunk 2020 box set 1990 Wayne s Books Wayne s Books Retrieved 9 March 2021 Deric Bernier 22 July 2016 The Master Books List for Cyberpunk 2020 and All Things Related Datafortress 2020 Datafortress 2020 Archived from the original on 4 March 2021 Retrieved 9 March 2021 Stephen Billias s Cyberpunk 2 0 2 0 books in order Fantastic Fiction Fantastic Fiction Retrieved 20 March 2021 Cowen Richard 1 February 2010 Review of Cyberpunk v3 RPGnet Retrieved 16 May 2020 See Cyberpunk v3 0 isn t actually a cyberpunk setting in the same sense that the previous editions where It s more or less a post human setting these days And that s where the setting falls apart You see v3 0 can t decide what it wants to be and exemplifies its inability to decide by splitting society into six alt cults each latching onto a particular ideology A Thorough and Objective Review Cyberpunk v3 0 Cyberpunk V3 0 BoardGameGeek Retrieved 2022 09 27 Most of the images are pictures of 80 s and 90 s toy action figurines with modifications trying to make them look futuristic Peter 16 June 2011 A Thorough and Objective Review Cyberpunk v3 0 BoardGameGeek Archived from the original on 13 July 2020 Retrieved 16 May 2020 On a personal level Cyberpunk v3 0 was a let down on every level The art rules setting even the system wasn t used to its full potential in my opinion Hall Charlie 2019 06 24 Cyberpunk 2077 prequel a tabletop RPG starter kit will be out this August Polygon Retrieved 2019 07 20 Garrett Eric 2019 05 12 Cyberpunk 2077 Shares Same Timeline With the Tabletop Game Says Mike Pondsmith ComicBook com Archived from the original on 2020 07 13 Retrieved 2020 05 16 Pondsmith himself cleared the air surrounding the subject noting how there has been an interview going around the Internet that is not correct There s still an incorrect interview floating around the interwebs that states that Cyberpunk 2077 and Cyberpunk 2020 are separate timelines he said To clear this up I am posting RIGHT HERE AND NOW that the timeline is unified with the path moving from Cyberpunk 2013 thru Cyberpunk 2020 then through Cyberpunk RED and up to Cyberpunk 2077 Cyberpunk Red RPG has a release date and price launching alongside Cyberpunk 2077 Dicebreaker 2020 10 12 Retrieved 2020 11 05 Purslow Matt 2020 05 19 Cyberpunk Red Tabletop Game Delayed IGN Retrieved 2020 06 26 Dempsey Liam 7 November 2022 R Talsorian Games Announces Cyberpunk Edgerunners Tabletop RPG Kit Crunchyroll Retrieved 2022 11 08 Macgregor Jody 2022 11 10 The Cyberpunk Edgerunners anime was so popular it s invading the tabletop RPG next PC Gamer Retrieved 2022 11 13 Wes Fenlon 2022 09 23 The Cyberpunk Netflix show is taking over the 2077 mod scene PC Gamer Retrieved 2022 11 13 Jody Macgregor 2022 11 10 The Cyberpunk Edgerunners anime was so popular it s invading the tabletop RPG next PC Gamer Retrieved 2022 11 13 Hall Charlie 2022 11 07 Cyberpunk 2077 s Edgerunners setting coming to Cyberpunk tabletop game Polygon Retrieved 2022 11 08 Netflix s Cyberpunk Edgerunners Anime Finally Has A Teaser Trailer And Clip GameSpot Retrieved 2022 09 20 Skrebels Joe 2020 06 25 Cyberpunk Edgerunners a Cyberpunk 2077 Anime Announced IGN Retrieved 2022 09 20 Meitzler Ryan 2020 12 15 Cyberpunk Red Miniatures Game is Coming from R Talsorian Games in 2021 DualShockers Retrieved 2020 12 15 Poole Craig 4 May 2007 CyberPunk Arasaka s Plot Pocket Gamer Steel Media Ltd Retrieved 28 January 2023 Cyberpunk The Arasaka s Plot for J2ME 2007 MobyGames Retrieved 18 June 2019 Keane Sean October 27 2020 Cyberpunk 2077 delayed to Dec 10 cnet Retrieved October 28 2020 CyberpunkGame 2022 10 12 The new novel Cyberpunk 2077 No Coincidence is coming to bookstores in August 2023 Tweet via Twitter Martin Julia 1989 Reviews Challenge No 37 pp 76 77 Retrieved 2022 11 18 Wieck Stewart February 1989 Review Cyberpunk White Wolf Magazine No 14 p 58 Mason Paul May 1989 Role Games Games International No 5 pp 44 46 Swan Rick 1990 The Complete Guide to Role Playing Games New York St Martin s Press pp 56 57 Varney Allen September 1992 Roleplaying Reviews II Dragon TSR Inc 185 83 84 Pettengale Paul Christmas 1996 Arcane Presents the Top 50 Roleplaying Games 1996 Arcane Future Publishing 14 25 35 Wieland Rob 2020 11 13 Cyberpunk Red Looks Back To The Dark Future Forbes com Retrieved 2021 03 10 Sources EditMichael Pondsmith 1993 Cyberpunk The Roleplaying Game of the Dark Future Talsorian Games Incorporated ISBN 0 937279 13 7 Will Moss Mike Pondsmith Lisa Pondsmith Cyberpunk v3 0 R Talsorian ISBN 1 891933 03 5 External links EditCyberpunk 2020 at R Talsorian Games Cyberpunk 2020 review at RPG net Cyberpunk RED review at RPG net Darryn King November 14 2020 The Role Playing Game That Predicted the Future The Atlantic Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Cyberpunk role playing game amp oldid 1180268727 First edition, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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