''GURPS Vehicles'' is a
sourcebook
A sourcebook is a collection of writings on a subject that is intended to be a basic introduction to the topic presented.
Academic use
In American universities, a sourcebook, either a standard one or a custom collection, may function as a supplem ...
for ''
GURPS
The ''Generic Universal RolePlaying System'', or ''GURPS'', is a tabletop role-playing game system designed to allow for play in any game setting. It was created by Steve Jackson Games and first published in 1986 at a time when most such systems w ...
'' by
David Pulver
David L. Pulver (born 2 November 1965 in Kingston, Ontario) is a Canadian freelance writer and game designer, author of more than fifty role-playing game rulebooks and supplements, including the award-winning ''Transhuman Space''.
Early life and e ...
. The first edition was published in 1993.
Contents
''GURPS Vehicles'' explains how to build and operate an array of conveyances, from sailboats to starships to witches' brooms. Step-by-step instructions show how to select the structural frame, propulsion system, and thrust factor for vehicles such as a nuclear-powered tilt-rotor mini-copter.
The book includes a heavily mathematical system for vehicle construction as part of its complex and intricate set of game mechanics.
The second edition of ''GURPS Vehicles'' presents a full system for vehicle design, its content completely re-written, revised and updated from the original edition, with new options and accessories, rules for spacecraft and locomotives, and a complete design system for weapons.
Publication history
''GURPS Vehicles'' was written by
David Pulver
David L. Pulver (born 2 November 1965 in Kingston, Ontario) is a Canadian freelance writer and game designer, author of more than fifty role-playing game rulebooks and supplements, including the award-winning ''Transhuman Space''.
Early life and e ...
and published by
Steve Jackson Games
Steve Jackson Games (SJGames) is a game company, founded in 1980 by Steve Jackson, that creates and publishes role-playing, board, and card games, and (until 2019) the gaming magazine ''Pyramid''.
History
Founded in 1980, six years after the cr ...
.
After the
Secret Service
A secret service is a government agency, intelligence agency, or the activities of a government agency, concerned with the gathering of intelligence data. The tasks and powers of a secret service can vary greatly from one country to another. For ...
raid on SJG, the company stopped publishing adventures for financial reasons, and instead released more standalone ''GURPS'' books; this included universal books such as ''GURPS Vehicles''.
Reception
Rick Swan
Rick Swan is a game designer and author who worked for TSR.
His work for TSR, mostly for Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, appeared from 1989 to 1995.
Swan also wrote ''The Complete Guide to Role-Playing Games'' (1990), published by St. Martin's Pre ...
reviewed ''GURPS Vehicles'' for ''
Dragon
A dragon is a reptilian legendary creature that appears in the folklore of many cultures worldwide. Beliefs about dragons vary considerably through regions, but dragons in western cultures since the High Middle Ages have often been depicted as ...
'' magazine #205 (May 1994).
He comments that the book has "some of the year's most literate writing and meticulous research, courtesy of ace designer David Pulver".
Swan concludes that although the material is "presented in ''GURPS''-speak, a referee with a calculator should be able to reconfigure the statistics for other games".
Andy Butcher reviewed ''GURPS Vehicles 2nd Edition'' for ''Arcane'' magazine, rating it a 7 out of 10 overall.
He comments that "the actual design process has been simplified, making it easier to use without sacrificing detail, and the designs are fully compatible with ''GURPS Robots''. This last point is not particularly surprising, considering that this book has been written by the same author, David L. Pulver."
Butcher commented that the design process is "pleasantly logical" and added that "''GURPS Vehicles'' is admirably flexible and enables you to design pretty much anything you like" however he concluded: "you can't help but wonder just how this book's going to be useful. Certainly, if you're running a vehicle-heavy campaign, and want some degree of consistency in the designs, or intend to allow your players to build custom vehicles, then ''GURPS Vehicles 2nd Edition'' will be very handy indeed. For most campaigns, though, I can't imagine it's going to be required reading. Still, it certainly achieves what it sets out to do well."
Rick Swan
Rick Swan is a game designer and author who worked for TSR.
His work for TSR, mostly for Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, appeared from 1989 to 1995.
Swan also wrote ''The Complete Guide to Role-Playing Games'' (1990), published by St. Martin's Pre ...
reviewed ''GURPS Vehicles, Second Edition'' for ''
Dragon
A dragon is a reptilian legendary creature that appears in the folklore of many cultures worldwide. Beliefs about dragons vary considerably through regions, but dragons in western cultures since the High Middle Ages have often been depicted as ...
'' magazine #240 (October 1997).
Swan comments: "if you can drive it, fly it, or hitch it to a donkey, you'll find it in ''GURPS Vehicles'', a staggeringly complete collection of conveyances for the ''GURPS'' game (but adaptable to other game systems with a little effort). New to this edition are the plethora of starships, a slew of new accessories, and all the nips and tucks necessary to ensure compatibility with ''GURPS Robots'' (also by Pulver). But the main attraction remains the same: easy-to-follow guidelines for building game-ready versions of everything from skateboards to time machines."
References
{{reflist
Vehicles
A vehicle (from la, vehiculum) is a machine that transports people or cargo. Vehicles include wagons, bicycles, motor vehicles (motorcycles, cars, trucks, buses, mobility scooters for disabled people), railed vehicles (trains, trams), wate ...
Role-playing game supplements introduced in 1993