Pyramid 3/021: Cyberpunk
Where the glow of neon and chrome meet the cacophony of corporate corruption¸ a near-future of adventure awaits. This month¸ Pyramid - the PDF magazine for roleplayers - sends its information insurgents to scope out cyberpunk. This issue includes: "Console Cowboys and Cyberspace Kung Fu¸" new rules for cinematic hacking that build on the foundation of GURPS Action to deliver high-octane electronic exploits. The article includes pre-built cyberdecks (with rules to design your own)¸ a dozen programs to assist netrunners¸ and a full system to tie them all together. Although designed with cyberpunk in mind¸ these rules are also excellent to represent modern-day cinematic hacking. "Down in the Mall¸" a way to generate random cyberpunk shopping centers with the roll of a few dice. Written by Matt Riggsby¸ author of GURPS Dungeon Fantasy 8: Treasure Tables ¸ this article uses the techniques from that volume to generate quick spending spots. "The Treasure of Joni Monorail¸" a cyberpunk adventure suitable for any near-future system or setting. A musical martyr's enigmatic message from the grave sends the heroes out of the safety of the city and into the unknown - the grittier no-man's land between metropolises where even the corporations' powers are unsure. "The Voices in My Head¸" a collection of new GURPS Ultra-Tech chips that can provide the encouragement¸ motivation¸ and assistance needed to keep you cool amid a chaotic chrome culture. "Keeping It Real¸" an examination of how to maintain realism while permitting toned-down versions of cinematic GURPS advantages and disadvantages. No¸ you can't take Danger Sense or Hard to Kill in a realistic game - but you can get close. Although written with an eye toward cyberpunk¸ this article is an excellent resource for groups who love realism but want to keep character-creation options as open as possible. In addition¸ this Pyramid includes an "Action Cyberdeck" prop designed to aid the new netrunning rules presented in this issue¸ plus the usual futuristic features: Murphy's Rules with Greg Hyland; Steven Marsh's Random Thought Table; and other odds and ends. Buy this issue today¸ before the megacorps decide you shouldn't have it!