GURPS Wild Cards
   HOME

TheInfoList



OR:

''GURPS Wild Cards'' 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 ...
'', published in 1989.


Contents

''GURPS Wild Cards'' is a campaign setting supplement for ''
GURPS Supers ''GURPS Supers'' is a superhero roleplaying game written by Loyd Blankenship and published by Steve Jackson Games. The first edition was published in 1989. Contents ''GURPS Supers'' is a supplement of rules for comic-book superhero characters an ...
'', set in the world of the ''
Wild Cards ''Wild Cards'' is a series of science fiction superhero shared universe anthologies, mosaic novels, and solo novels. They are written by a collection of more than forty authors (referred to as the "Wild Cards Trust") and are edited by George ...
'' science-fiction series.


Publication history

''GURPS Wild Cards'' was written by John J. Miller, with a cover by Neal McPheeters, and was published by Steve Jackson Games in 1989 as a 128-page book. ''GURPS Wild Cards'' was one of the earliest licensed properties produced by Steve Jackson Games.


Reception

Mike Jarvis reviewed ''GURPS Wild Cards'' for ''
Games International ''Computer Games Magazine'' was a monthly computer and console gaming print magazine, founded in October 1988 as the United Kingdom publication ''Games International''. During its history, it was known variously as ''Strategy Plus'' (October 19 ...
'' magazine, and gave it 3 stars out of 5, and stated that "while being a fine product in most respects, this book is marred by the feeling of incompletion which pervades the book". John Sullivan reviewed ''GURPS Wild Cards'' in '' Space Gamer/Fantasy Gamer'' #88. Sullivan commented at the end of his review: "''GURPS Wild Cards'' successfully addresses heways to run a successful Supers campaign using the world of the ''
Wild Cards ''Wild Cards'' is a series of science fiction superhero shared universe anthologies, mosaic novels, and solo novels. They are written by a collection of more than forty authors (referred to as the "Wild Cards Trust") and are edited by George ...
''. The world flavor is highly described and guidelines for adventures and play are given. For those of you who have been waiting to play in this world, now you can. However, this addresses one other problem with this worldbook; you need TWO other Steve Jackson Games products to play it, '' GURPS Basic'' and '' Supers''. This is going to cause some players to take a hard look at ''Wild Cards''; do they want to buy a ''GURPS'' worldbook to play a ''GURPS'' worldbook? If they want to play ''Wild Cards'', then the answer is a resounding yes! If they are going to be using it as a separate world or a sourcebook for characters only, then the price is a little steep .. they would be better off to buy a villains book and an adventure supplement".
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 Pr ...
reviewed ''GURPS Wild Cards'' for '' Dragon'' magazine #178 (February 1992). He declared: "Recommended to super-hero fans in general and ''
GURPS Supers ''GURPS Supers'' is a superhero roleplaying game written by Loyd Blankenship and published by Steve Jackson Games. The first edition was published in 1989. Contents ''GURPS Supers'' is a supplement of rules for comic-book superhero characters an ...
'' game enthusiasts in particular, this exceptional supplement discusses the world of the Takisian wild card virus in fascinating detail, addressing many of the questions left unanswered in the
Bantam Spectra Bantam Spectra is the science fiction division of American publishing company Bantam Books, which is owned by Random House. According to their website, Spectra publishes "science fiction, fantasy, horror, and speculative novels from recogniza ...
novel series, such as exactly how the virus triggers human mutations, the history of the Shadow Fist Society, and the mysterious link between the Wild Cards phenomena and baseball. Game statistics and background dossiers are given for the Great and Powerful Turtle, Sewer Jack, and dozens of other memorable characters, along with useful suggestions for creating player-designed mutants. The section discussing actual role-playing is disappointingly skimpy. GMs are pretty much on their own when it comes to creating adventures, and the artwork is adequate at best. Otherwise, this is a terrific effort. Be forewarned that, like the novels, this supplement is not intended for children". Game designer Shannon Appelcline considered ''GURPS Wild Cards'' an "ironic property" since it was a ''GURPS'' book based on a novel series that was originally based on a role-playing game campaign that had been played using ''
Superworld ''Superworld'' is a superhero-themed role-playing game published by Chaosium in 1983 that uses the generic ''Basic Role-Playing'' rules system. The game began as just one part of the '' Worlds of Wonder'' product before being published as a stand ...
''.


Reviews

''GURPS Wild Cards'' was also reviewed in ''Games Review'' Vol. 2 #4.


References

{{reflist Alternate history role-playing games
Wild Cards ''Wild Cards'' is a series of science fiction superhero shared universe anthologies, mosaic novels, and solo novels. They are written by a collection of more than forty authors (referred to as the "Wild Cards Trust") and are edited by George ...
Role-playing game supplements introduced in 1989 Role-playing games based on novels Superhero role-playing games Wild Cards