GURPStalk

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Processing GURPS – Enabling Longform, Immersive TTRPG play using GURPS

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DISCLAIMER & NOTICE:

The material presented here is our original creation, intended for use with the GURPS system from Steve Jackson Games. This material is not official and is not endorsed by Steve Jackson Games.

GURPS is a registered trademark of Steve Jackson Games, and any GURPS art here is copyrighted by Steve Jackson Games. All rights are reserved by SJ Games. This material is used here in accordance with the SJ Games online policy.

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Equipped

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 03:00:00 GMT

Brian asks, "Is equipment as important as the character's traits?"

Pat and Che discuss equipment in GURPS, focusing on its importance and customisation options. They explore how equipment can reflect a character's background and personality, rather than defining it. The conversation covers the detailed and flexible equipment rules in GURPS, including weapon stats, armour options, and tech levels. Pat emphasises the system's ability to accommodate various settings and historical periods, while Che appreciates the practical guidance for grounded worlds.

Thanks to Brian for the emailed question.

Thanks to you for listening and supporting the show.

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Processing GURPS – Enabling Longform, Immersive TTRPG play using GURPS

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Jon from Tale of the Manticore for the music:

Logo by MJ Hiblen:

DISCLAIMER & NOTICE:

The material presented here is our original creation, intended for use with the GURPS system from Steve Jackson Games. This material is not official and is not endorsed by Steve Jackson Games.

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Owed T' Alex

Mon, 09 Mar 2026 03:00:00 GMT

Focused on discussing GURPS (Generic Universal RolePlaying System) campaign management, particularly around random encounters and travel mechanics.

Pat and Che share their experiences running campaigns, with Che describing his approach to Karameikos where he uses modified D&D encounter tables and implements a 4-hour watch system for travel. They discuss how to handle random encounters, with Pat emphasising the importance of pacing and world-building through encounters rather than simply rolling dice. The conversation also covers how to create NPCs and monsters in GURPS, with both Pat and Che agreeing that starting with a description rather than stats works best.

Thanks to Alex... who called in three times.

Thanks for listening and supporting the show.

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Processing GURPS – Enabling Longform, Immersive TTRPG play using GURPS

PAT'S BLOG:

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THANKS:

Jon from Tale of the Manticore for the music:

Logo by MJ Hiblen:

DISCLAIMER & NOTICE:

The material presented here is our original creation, intended for use with the GURPS system from Steve Jackson Games. This material is not official and is not endorsed by Steve Jackson Games.

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Four Questions

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 03:00:00 GMT

What happens when the Speakpipe calls and email questions pile up?

Pat and Che present questions from various individuals including Stan, Brian, Arina, and Frank. They answer those questions.

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Processing GURPS – Enabling Longform, Immersive TTRPG play using GURPS

PAT'S BLOG:

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THANKS:

Jon from Tale of the Manticore for the music:

Logo by MJ Hiblen:

DISCLAIMER & NOTICE:

The material presented here is our original creation, intended for use with the GURPS system from Steve Jackson Games. This material is not official and is not endorsed by Steve Jackson Games.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Process

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 03:00:00 GMT

What the heck is the Process thing?

Pat and Che discuss The Process of character creation, using Ascend NA as an example. They outline the five steps involved, including player-GM discussions, bio sheet completion, and a final one-on-one meeting for character creation. Pat emphasizes the importance of having a defined setting and world before starting the character creation process. They also touch on the versatility of this process for different game systems, including the Cypher system.

Thanks for listening and supporting the show.

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Processing GURPS – Enabling Longform, Immersive TTRPG play using GURPS

PAT'S BLOG:

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THANKS:

Jon from Tale of the Manticore for the music:

Logo by MJ Hiblen:

DISCLAIMER & NOTICE:

The material presented here is our original creation, intended for use with the GURPS system from Steve Jackson Games. This material is not official and is not endorsed by Steve Jackson Games.

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On Campaigns, Tables, and the Pre-Process

Mon, 26 Jan 2026 03:00:00 GMT

What happens when your game collapses and you need to start a new thing?

Pat discusses his experience running a GURPS fantasy campaign and a Twilight 2000 campaign, highlighting how personal connections and real-life circumstances often take precedence over game mechanics. He explains how his Saturday table, initially a Rome campaign with five players, struggled to maintain its structure due to player attrition and the real-life reasons and health issues which led to the end of his Twilight 2000 campaign. Pat concludes that while game elements are important, the primary focus should be on fostering strong relationships among players, as this ultimately determines the success and longevity of a gaming group.

Pat and Che discuss the development of a post-apocalyptic role-playing game set 10 years in the future. They focus on creating a straight-toned, conspiracy-driven narrative with secrets and mysteries for both the players and their characters. Pat explains the grounding process for players, which involves collaborative choices and surprise elements. They discuss the process of preparing for a new campaign, emphasizing the importance of thorough pre-processing and collaboration to ensure a successful and immersive experience for players.

Thanks for listening and supporting the show.

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Processing GURPS – Enabling Longform, Immersive TTRPG play using GURPS

PAT'S BLOG:

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THANKS:

Jon from Tale of the Manticore for the music:

Logo by MJ Hiblen:

DISCLAIMER & NOTICE:

The material presented here is our original creation, intended for use with the GURPS system from Steve Jackson Games. This material is not official and is not endorsed by Steve Jackson Games.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Point Salad

Mon, 12 Jan 2026 03:00:00 GMT

What the heck is "point salad"?

Pat and Che discuss the concept of "point salad" in GURPS, a term used to describe when characters have an excessive number of points to spend on abilities, leading to complex character creation and potentially distracting gameplay. They discuss an anonymous listener's message about a GURPS campaign where players are creating characters with a complex point system, including 200 base points, various disadvantages, quirks, and implants/biomods that are paid for with wealth. They note this as an example of "point salad" due to the complex allocation of points across different character elements.

Pat and Che discuss the mechanics-first approach in GURPS, where character mechanics are prioritised over world-building and character development. They emphasise that this style, often referred to as "Point Salad," can be time-consuming and may lead to out-of-character gameplay. Che suggests a better approach involves imagining the world first, describing it to players, and then allowing them to create characters based on that setting. Pat agrees and highlights the importance of inviting players to experience long-form play in a well-developed world.

Thanks to the anonymous listener who gave us permission to share their experience of play.

Thanks for listening and supporting the show.

RPR PATREON: patreon.com/rpgrescue

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The material presented here is our original creation, intended for use with the GURPS system from Steve Jackson Games. This material is not official and is not endorsed by Steve Jackson Games.

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Character Development

Mon, 29 Dec 2025 03:00:00 GMT

What do we mean when we talk about character development with the GURPS system?

Che and Pat discuss the concept of bonus character points in GURPS, clarifying that they are not experience points but rewards for attendance and good role-playing. They discuss character development in tabletop role-playing games, focusing on mechanical rewards and how different systems handle character progression. Pat emphasises that mechanical increases in character abilities are a common feature across many RPGs.

Pat and Che discuss their approaches to awarding points in role-playing games. Che explains his system in Karameikos, while Pat shares his method for Twilight 2000. They both emphasise the importance of these awards in motivating players and providing clear objectives for both characters and the party as a whole. Pat and Che discuss the Superior RP Award process, where players nominate peers for outstanding roleplaying moments.

Thanks for listening and supporting the show!

RPR PATREON: patreon.com/rpgrescue

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Jon from Tale of the Manticore for the music:

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DISCLAIMER & NOTICE:

The material presented here is our original creation, intended for use with the GURPS system from Steve Jackson Games. This material is not official and is not endorsed by Steve Jackson Games.

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Magic

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 03:00:00 GMT

Why is GURPS Magic not, in fact, boring?

Pat and Che discuss listener Alex's question about magic systems in GURPS, addressing concerns about the basic Magic system. Pat explains the GURPS Magic system, emphasizing its flexibility and suitability for new players. Che shares his experience using the system with a new GURPS group, highlighting its potential for creative spell use and character development. They agree that the basic Magic system is a good starting point for many settings, though there are options available for more specific needs.

Pat explains how the Pvaric magic system in the Harn setting uses convocations based on six elements, with magic being learned and taught rather than innate. He describes how this system could be adapted to use GURPS Magic very simply. Pat emphasises that GURPS can suffer from "point salad paralysis" where players get overwhelmed by complex calculations and decision-making, leading to impractical use of magic in gameplay. GURPS Magic is a way of avoiding this problem.

Che and Pat discuss the use of further magic systems in the game, focusing on the Church of Karameikos in Che's Karameikos campaign, and the use of Divine Favor. Pat explains that Divine Favor provides a quick-to-use, in-play system that can be adapted to various gods or Immortals, offering a distinct vibe for clerical magic. He describes the mechanics of unlearned and learned prayers, highlighting the difference between spontaneous petitions to a god and pre-crafted spells.

Pat and Che discuss the development and implementation of magic systems in GURPS, focusing on the creation of a custom magic system for a player's character. They emphasise the importance of simplicity, usability, and quickness of play in magic systems, and highlighted the success of a recently created imbuement-based magic system for a paladin character. They also stress that custom magic systems should only be developed when a specific player expresses interest in a specific type of character, rather than pre-planning a large number of options for all players.

Big thanks to Alex for the question that inspired this episode... even if Pat did feel strongly that he stands wrongly accused.

We hope everyone will take the response with the love intended, all sarcasm aside.

(Well, ok, it's Che who's worried about what people think)

RPR PATREON: patreon.com/rpgrescue

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DISCLAIMER & NOTICE:

The material presented here is our original creation, intended for use with the GURPS system from Steve Jackson Games. This material is not official and is not endorsed by Steve Jackson Games.

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Rolls, Defaults, and Reactions

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 03:00:00 GMT

How can we use the GURPS skill system to deepen our experience in the Otherworld?

Pat and Che discuss the mechanics of skill-based gameplay in GURPS, focusing on when players and the Game Master should roll dice for perception and information skills. They also discuss the mechanics and benefits of quick contests in role-playing games, focusing on their use in resolving instantaneous actions and adding uncertainty and tension to gameplay. They go further to discuss the concept of default skills in a game system, focusing on how skills function without training and how they relate to attributes. They explore how default levels are calculated and emphasize the importance of defaults in making the game a universal role-playing system.

Pat and Che discuss NPC reactions in role-playing games, focusing on a system that uses numerical values to determine NPC behaviour towards players. Pat explains how he uses social skills and dice rolls to influence NPC reactions, while Che mentions the influence rolls and quick contest rolls as alternative methods. They also discuss the use of reaction tables in role-playing games, particularly for simulating interactions between player characters and non-player characters.

RPR PATREON: patreon.com/rpgrescue

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OR warehouse23.com/products/gurps-skill-categories

DISCLAIMER & NOTICE:

The material presented here is our original creation, intended for use with the GURPS system from Steve Jackson Games. This material is not official and is not endorsed by Steve Jackson Games.

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Skills and Tests

Mon, 17 Nov 2025 03:00:00 GMT

How do the 350+ skills in GURPS work out in play?

Pat and Che discuss the extensive skill system in GURPS, emphasizing its versatility for various settings and genres. They highlight the importance of skill selection for long-form play, focusing on character development and the specific context of the game world.

Pat and Che discuss the challenges of managing skills in the GURPS system, emphasizing the importance of tailoring skills to specific campaigns rather than trying to memorize all available skills. They discuss the use of skill checks and difficulty modifiers in this game system.

GURPS Skills Categories Freebie: GURPS Skill Categories | Warehouse 23

OR via sjgames.com/gurps/resources

RPR PATREON: patreon.com/rpgrescue

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DISCLAIMER & NOTICE:

The material presented here is our original creation, intended for use with the GURPS system from Steve Jackson Games. This material is not official and is not endorsed by Steve Jackson Games.

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Campaign Update I

Mon, 03 Nov 2025 03:00:00 GMT

What's happening in the host's campaigns?

Che and Pat discuss their recent GURPS gaming experiences, with Che sharing his excitement about running a GURPS-powered game set in the world of Karameikos, which had its first successful session.

They note that the system encourages detailed world-building through character bios and mechanical choices, leading to the creation of new organizations, patrons, and story elements.

Che emphasizes the beauty of having multiple narrative threads and the flexibility to adapt the setting based on player input. They also touch on the complexity of managing character motivations and the initial setup of the campaign, which involved a mystery investigation.

Pat shares his own experience of improvising a complex random encounter involving Roman magic users in his Memento Mori campaign, emphasizing the value of spontaneous world-building in gaming. They discuss their approach to game mastering, focusing on how to handle player characters exploring a world with random encounters and organic story development.

Big thanks to UberGrog for the kind call-in!

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Jon from Tale of the Manticore for the music:

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DISCLAIMER & NOTICE:

The material presented here is our original creation, intended for use with the GURPS system from Steve Jackson Games. This material is not official and is not endorsed by Steve Jackson Games.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Big Bag 'o' Points

Mon, 20 Oct 2025 02:00:00 GMT

How does a new GM overcome points paralysis?

Pat and Che discussed strategies for managing point allocation in GURPS, emphasizing the importance of hands-on experience and starting with smaller, simpler campaigns. They advised new GMs to experiment with character creation, focusing on attributes and skills before moving to disadvantages and advantages. For superhero campaigns, they recommended starting with street-level scenarios and gradually increasing complexity. Che suggested sitting down with an experienced GM to learn the process, while Pat highlighted the value of using bio sheets and organic advantages in character creation.

Big thanks to Alex for the call-in that inspired this episode!

Please be aware, we're moving to a bi-weekly release schedule after this episode.

GOT A QUESTION?

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Jon from Tale of the Manticore for the music:

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OR t2kcampaigns.com/2024/05/22/major-renovations-tuning-up-the-rules/

DISCLAIMER & NOTICE:

The material presented here is our original creation, intended for use with the GURPS system from Steve Jackson Games. This material is not official and is not endorsed by Steve Jackson Games.

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Surprise!

Mon, 13 Oct 2025 02:00:00 GMT

What's the problem with surprise in GURPS?

WARNING! There's some fruity bad language in this one!

Che and Pat discussed the implementation and mechanics of surprise and initiative rules in GURPS, including how these rules interact with various character advantages and combat systems. They explored modifications to combat reflexes and coolness mechanics, with Pat proposing new approaches to address balance and realism issues in the current system. The conversation concluded with discussions about GM flexibility in implementing surprise mechanics and adapting rules to create engaging combat scenarios.

Pat's Surprise Rules: Major Renovations: Tuning Up the Rules – Cry Havoc!

Thanks to Matt for the question!

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DISCLAIMER & NOTICE:

The material presented here is our original creation, intended for use with the GURPS system from Steve Jackson Games. This material is not official and is not endorsed by Steve Jackson Games.

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What's the Frequency?

Mon, 06 Oct 2025 02:00:00 GMT

What are Frequency Rolls and how can we use them effectively?

Che and Pat discuss the frequency of appearance mechanism in GURPS, which determines how often NPCs like allies, contacts, patrons, and dependents show up in adventures. They discuss how to apply frequency rolls for NPCs, advantages, and disadvantages in open-world GURPS campaigns without defined adventures. Pat explains that GMs need to determine when to make these rolls based on their campaign structure rather than relying on the vague concept of "per adventure". They emphasize that these mechanics create opportunities for roleplaying and complications while taking pressure off the GM to arbitrarily decide when elements like contacts, dependents, or enemies appear in the game.

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DISCLAIMER & NOTICE:

The material presented here is our original creation, intended for use with the GURPS system from Steve Jackson Games. This material is not official and is not endorsed by Steve Jackson Games.

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Enhancements and Limitations

Mon, 29 Sep 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Enhancements and Limitations? What the heck are all these modifiers about?

Pat and Che discuss GURPS Limitations and Enhancements, particularly how they can be used to create supernatural abilities and powers. Pat explains that limitations like "costs fatigue" or "unreliable" can reduce point costs and balance abilities, while enhancements like "reduced time" or "ranged" can modify abilities to work differently. They agree that while these mechanics might seem complicated to newcomers, they're valuable tools for fine-tuning characters, and recommend mastering the basic system before diving into these options.

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Jon from Tale of the Manticore for the music:

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DISCLAIMER & NOTICE:

The material presented here is our original creation, intended for use with the GURPS system from Steve Jackson Games. This material is not official and is not endorsed by Steve Jackson Games.

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At Disadvantage

Mon, 22 Sep 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Why are Disadvantages at the heart of roleplay?

This episode Che and Pat are discussing character creation in GURPS with a focus on disadvantages as meaningful roleplaying elements rather than just point sources. They emphasise that disadvantages should reflect character depth, create interesting dilemmas, and be limited to a reasonable number to maintain playability while adding flavour to characters. The conversation also covers adapting content from other game systems to GURPS, creating custom disadvantages, and the importance of self-control rolls in gameplay.

Big thanks to Frank T for the call-in!

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DISCLAIMER & NOTICE:

The material presented here is our original creation, intended for use with the GURPS system from Steve Jackson Games. This material is not official and is not endorsed by Steve Jackson Games.

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Taking Advantage

Mon, 15 Sep 2025 02:00:00 GMT

What are Advantages and how on Earth do you select them for your campaign?

In this podcast episode, Pat and Che discuss the different types of Advantages in the game system, categorised as mental, physical, and social, with further classifications as mundane, exotic, or supernatural. They review specific examples including Absolute Timing, Acute Senses, Affliction, Allies, and supernatural abilities like Blessed and Psychometry, explaining how these function in gameplay and how frequency roles determine how often social advantages like allies appear in long-form campaigns.

The hosts also address listener questions about character advantages/disadvantages, recommending collaborative character creation focused on concept-appropriate traits rather than overwhelming players with all available options. Pat explains that in a mundane spy campaign like "Sandbaggers," characters should focus on social advantages and realistic human attributes rather than exotic or supernatural abilities.

Big thanks to Ty for the call-in!

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The material presented here is our original creation, intended for use with the GURPS system from Steve Jackson Games. This material is not official and is not endorsed by Steve Jackson Games.

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Forgotten Traits

Mon, 08 Sep 2025 02:00:00 GMT

What's all this stuff about social background at the beginning of the Basic Set rulebook?

In this episode, Pat and Che discuss approaches to starting and maintaining roleplaying campaigns in GURPS, emphasizing the importance of establishing setting context, social backgrounds, and character goals before gameplay begins.

They explore how often overlooked elements like status, wealth, cultural familiarity, and language skills can enrich the gaming experience and help players create grounded characters with meaningful connections to the game world. The hosts also address listener questions about adventure preparation.

Big thanks to Andrew for the call-in!

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DISCLAIMER & NOTICE:

The material presented here is our original creation, intended for use with the GURPS system from Steve Jackson Games. This material is not official and is not endorsed by Steve Jackson Games.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Character Points

Mon, 01 Sep 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Co-hosts Che Webster (Roleplay Rescue) and Patrick Mullen (Cry Havoc T2K) discuss today's topic:

What are Character Points and what can I spend them on? What's the point of these points?

Pat and Che discuss the mechanics of character creation in GURPS, focusing on point allocation for attributes, advantages, and disadvantages. They explored different campaign settings and power levels, comparing their experiences with GURPS's character level descriptions.

We talk about the point-based character creation system in GURPS, explaining how players can allocate points to attributes like strength, dexterity, IQ, and health. They described the costs associated with increasing these attributes and the concept of secondary attributes derived from primary ones.

Pat emphasizes that GURPS assumes characters start with average (10) attributes and explained how players can spend points on advantages, disadvantages, and skills. We also touch on the importance of fatigue points and health points in the game.

Che explains his low fantasy campaign's power level of 75 points with 25 disadvantages, reasoning it was appropriate for new players and fit the campaign's setting. Pat shared his Twilight 2000 campaign's 140 base points and 35 disadvantages, emphasizing personal disadvantages and roleplay impact.

Pat and Che discuss the allocation of skill points in role-playing games, particularly focusing on how technology levels affect point distribution. They agreed that low-tech campaigns require more points for combat skills, while higher technology levels allow for more dispersed skills.

GOT A QUESTION?

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Jon from Tale of the Manticore for the music:

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DISCLAIMER & NOTICE:

The material presented here is our original creation, intended for use with the GURPS system from Steve Jackson Games. This material is not official and is not endorsed by Steve Jackson Games.

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Combat Orientation

Mon, 25 Aug 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Co-hosts Che Webster (Roleplay Rescue) and Patrick Mullen (Cry Havoc T2K) discuss today's topic:

Isn't the GURPS combat system fiddley and difficult? Isn't it really complicated to run fights?

We discuss the combat system in GURPS, emphasizing its simplicity and effectiveness.

Pat explains the simplicity and ease of use of the GURPS combat system, highlighting its one-second round concept. He emphasized that while GURPS is often perceived as a reality simulator, it is actually a fictional system designed to simplify combat actions into basic, simple tasks.

We highlight the system's simplicity and speed compared to other role-playing games. They emphasized that actions in combat are resolved quickly, with players declaring what they intend to do, and the GM determining the outcome.

We discuss the mechanics of damage and hit points in a role-playing game, comparing the damage resistance of different characters and scenarios.

Pat and Che discuss the deadly nature of combat in their GURPS games, particularly focusing on the impact of modern weapons and hit locations. They agreed that the system's realism, appropriate for the TW2000 setting, adds tension and requires careful planning from players.

GOT A QUESTION?

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DISCLAIMER & NOTICE:

The material presented here is our original creation, intended for use with the GURPS system from Steve Jackson Games. This material is not official and is not endorsed by Steve Jackson Games.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Getting Dicey

Mon, 18 Aug 2025 15:16:19 GMT

Co-hosts Che Webster (Roleplay Rescue) and Patrick Mullen (Cry Havoc T2K) discuss today's topic:

What's is it with GURPS and the 3d6 roll low mechanism? Isn't that complicated and fiddley to deal with?

We discuss the mechanics and simplicity of the GURPS (Generic Universal Role-Playing System) dice rolling system, particularly the 3D6 method. We emphasize that the system's bell curve nature mirrors real-world statistics and is intuitive once understood. Che highlights that while GURPS might seem complex due to its many options, it's actually straightforward, requiring only basic math skills.

Using a practical example, Pat discusses a combat scenario in a Twilight 2000 scenario powered by GURPS, where a character with a base skill of 14 attempted to snipe an enemy on a roof. Talking through how this played out hopefully illustrates that GURPS isn't, at heart, difficult to play.

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Jon from Tale of the Manticore for the music:

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Making the Player Characters- “The Process” & Templates – Cry Havoc!

DISCLAIMER & NOTICE:

The material presented here is our original creation, intended for use with the GURPS system from Steve Jackson Games. This material is not official and is not endorsed by Steve Jackson Games.

DISCLAIMER & NOTICE:

The material presented here is our original creation, intended for use with the GURPS system from Steve Jackson Games. This material is not official and is not endorsed by Steve Jackson Games.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Character Starts Pt2

Mon, 11 Aug 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Co-hosts Che Webster (Roleplay Rescue) and Patrick Mullen (Cry Havoc T2K) discuss today's topic:

We've got our campaign idea fleshed out. How do we avoid analysis paralysis when our players sit down to make characters?

We discuss character creation in role-playing games, focusing on a structured process that involves collaboration between the Game Master and players. We explore how this process can empower players to create characters that align with their vision while also fitting within the game's setting.

We emphasize that our discussion is not meant to criticize existing approaches but to share our own experiences and recommendations. Che shares his initial mistake of leaving players to navigate GURPS character creation alone, which led to analysis paralysis.

Pat shares his specific eight-step character creation process, which includes steps like discussing concepts, filling out bio sheets, and making characters together virtually. They emphasized that this approach helps new players and experienced ones alike, and can lead to more engaged and long-term participation in the game.

Link to Pat's Process:

t2kcampaigns.com/2024/05/20/making-the-pcs-the-process-templates/

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DISCLAIMER & NOTICE:

The material presented here is our original creation, intended for use with the GURPS system from Steve Jackson Games. This material is not official and is not endorsed by Steve Jackson Games.

DISCLAIMER & NOTICE:

The material presented here is our original creation, intended for use with the GURPS system from Steve Jackson Games. This material is not official and is not endorsed by Steve Jackson Games.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Campaign Starts

Mon, 04 Aug 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Co-hosts Che Webster (Roleplay Rescue) and Patrick Mullen (Cry Havoc T2K) discuss today's topic:

We're going to run our long-form game using the GURPS Fourth Edition rules. How do we get started setting up a campaign?

We discuss the challenges and joys of adapting existing game settings to GURPS for long-form play, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the system's strengths while acknowledging time and work constraints.

We discuss setting up a long-form campaign, focusing on the basic interrogatives of "who," "what," "when," "where," and "why." We emphasize the importance of having a clear theme or "glue" that holds the game together, such as a shared goal or faction.

Pat shares his experience of running a low-magic ancient Rome campaign, explaining how he and his players chose the setting during a session 0. Pat emphasizes the importance of giving players choices about the campaign's timing and setting to ensure long-term engagement and to reduce GM workload.

Big thanks to Andrew for calling in!

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THANKS:

Jon from Tale of the Manticore for the music:

Logo by MJ Hiblen:

DISCLAIMER & NOTICE:

The material presented here is our original creation, intended for use with the GURPS system from Steve Jackson Games. This material is not official and is not endorsed by Steve Jackson Games.

DISCLAIMER & NOTICE:

The material presented here is our original creation, intended for use with the GURPS system from Steve Jackson Games. This material is not official and is not endorsed by Steve Jackson Games.

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Is it really GURPS?

Mon, 28 Jul 2025 14:13:44 GMT

We're here to talk about GURPS - the Generic Universal Role-Playing System published by Steve Jackson Games - and using it to run long-form roleplaying campaigns. Co-hosts Che Webster (Roleplay Rescue) and Patrick Mullen (Cry Havoc T2K) discuss topics arising from using the game system. The show is aimed at intermediate users of the rules who wish to progress towards deeper and more immersive role-play in whatever fictional worlds they imagine.

This episode we deconstruct the name: GURPS. Is it really Generic and Universal? What about Role-Playing? Is is a System?

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THANKS:

Jon from Tale of the Manticore for the music:

Logo by MJ Hiblen: