Another GURPS Blog covers the excellent GURPS pen-and-paper RPG by Steve Jackson Games. The author is not endorsed or affiliated by or with Steve Jackson Games; I am just another fan!
Nosh Solo is doing a fantastic series of solo plays on YouTube, going through the classic Keep on the Borderlands with GURPS 4e. We get seven 100-point characters, built off Dungeon Fantasy templates, going through the adventure. This started a few weeks ago, and it rocks. Let's show our YouTube creators some love and support this weekend!
This is like listening to a fantasy adventure podcast for GURPS, and it inspires me. This is so well done, and it needs more views, comments, likes, and attention.
This is like a look into an "alternate universe" where Steve Jackson Games got the rights to D&D and used the GURPS rules for the game. It is such a different experience, much more story-based, much more gritty and realistic, and a far better "narrative game" than even the "narrative-focused" games we have in the hobby today.
Grounded, gritty, realistic, historical, and hard-hitting fantasy? GURPS does it the best.
And this is one of the best solo plays in GURPS, and it is currently being developed! This hasn't ended yet, and it is time to jump in, follow along, comment, and join in the fun. We have seven so far, and catching up is not that hard and quite enjoyable.
If you start a podcast or live play series this weekend, definitely make it this one.
We have an excellent video review of ACKS II today over on the Dungeons and GURPS channel, but this isn't all a review of another game, this is a great compare and contrast with GURPS, where GURPS does some things better (character & combat), and ACKS does most of the rest better.
ACKS II also removes the OGL and a lot of the OSR assumptions, and the review points this out, which is wonderful to see. I agree, most of the advice on how to run games you find on YouTube is slop, and listening to many creators on how to run a game will not only damage your enjoyment of the game, but I feel that it will eventually make you leave the hobby, disappointed and frustrated. And this bad advice comes from both 5E creators and OSR creators.
ACKS II also continued the de-OGL-ification of fantasy gaming, moving away from generic fantasy and into the creator's vision of a world and a game system. This is still a dungeon game, but there is enough different here to make players careful about their assumptions. Too often I find in OSR games "a green dragon is a green dragon" and the mystery, thrill, and unexpected elements are completely removed just to please the nostalgia gods. ACKS II does some of the familiar, but adds a lot of new.
This is also why I like the Pathfinder 2 remaster, they reinvented dragons to a point where you do not know what to expect when encountering one, and it isn't the same old same old. I like the concept of kitchen sink fantasy, but I abhor the predictability to where everything becomes a well-known block of stats that everybody knows. When players encounter a monster, there should be a fear of the unknown, and they will learn about the monster's strengths and weaknesses as they fight it! They will need to adjust and think on their feet, and this process of threat and discovery makes the game exciting and fresh.
Too much of the OSR puts monster stats, treasure, and magic on pedestals and expects nothing to ever change. Since creators have had to leave the OGL behind, we are seeing a renaissance in designs, content, and fresh ideas entering the hobby. ACKS II is one of those games.
Check this video out! I watched all the way through, liked, and I am subscribed to this excellent channel. It is a great video on how to GURPS-ify a system you like, and use the best parts while playing the game you love.
Wow, we have a trio of cool videos to check out today, and the YouTube creators are really stepping up their games and putting out some great videos! All of these are new within the last day, and they are worth watching, giving views and likes, and supporting the GURPS YouTubers. To have so many cool videos dropping in one day is amazing, and I love to see the flood of GURPS content!
A GURPS vehicle combat example is a rare example of play and excellent for learning the game.
Imagine a video that's specifically tailored to your needs as a solo Dungeon Fantasy player. This is it! This video is a perfect starting point for those of us who prefer to adventure alone.
We also have a live play to watch and support. We love our live-play channels, which help spread the word about how great GURPS is for groups and streaming.
How did I find these? My search link is on the sidebar. Make your gaming world positive with the videos and creators we like that support our community, and avoid the constant drama and clickbait streams in the 5E world. Seeing people excited about playing, making games, and talking about playing makes me excited and keeps me positive and happy when I think about my games and recreation time.
Play games you love, immerse yourself in positive content, and be happy about your hobby.
Today, a compelling video discusses the potential 5th Edition of GURPS and its needs. Your diverse range of opinions on this potential edition is invaluable, and I'm eagerly looking forward to hearing from each and every one of you.
One comment mentioning SWADE is spot-on. I have always felt SWADE was designed as a rules-light GURPS; the characters are put together similarly, and the point values and picks are greatly simplified. As a model for a simplified GURPS, SWADE is very close.
This is really a great discussion starter. Go and watch, like, and subscribe. As a community, these are good discussions to have and make heard.
Some may feel the 4th Edition is just fine, with a few simplifications and clean-ups. House rules can help solve many problems, such as the archery issue mentioned.
The game's basic rules are refreshingly simple. Compared to the action economy in Pathfinder 2 and the complexity of high-level play in 5E, GURPS is more straightforward in many ways. You don't need a PHD in GURPS to enjoy the game; the GURPS Lite model and theater of the mind is how many groups play.
You need to pay attention during character design, but that is a hobby inside the game. I enjoy character design in GURPS 4E.
The game can need a college degree when you play with every rule, but that is different from how it is played in most cases. Have you ever tried playing high-level Pathfinder 1e by every rule? Arguably, GURPS is easier.
I am sure 4E will continue to be sold and supported for years, even if a 5E comes out.
Welcome to the vibrant and diverse GURPS community, where our wide and deep reach is a testament to the multitude of play styles and opinions. From the rules-light theater of the mind to full hex-based wargame simulation, there are countless ways to create and play. Our differences of opinion on what works for our games and what doesn't are not a point of contention, but a celebration of our unique characteristics that unite us.
Dungeons & GURPS makes many incredible videos, and I love his honesty. Our community celebrates differences in opinion and approach. This is one part of the GURPS community that I love. We all love the same game; nobody plays it the same way, and discussions and opinions are celebrated as a testament to our individuality and differing play styles. You can't answer "What is GURPS?" since the answer depends on the group playing it.
It is like asking a family, "What is dinner?" Dinner could mean many things to many families, and it isn't all the same. Some dine out, some do picnics, some get around the table, some do cookouts, some eat quietly together, some do takeout, others laugh and share stories, and others gather around a TV. Some do a set of these things, and others mostly do dinner the same way.
And the GURPS community is one where we never argue about "how to have dinner."
We just sit down and eat, and everyone finds a place to enjoy the game together.
Every group plays GURPS differently, and that way reflects the individuality of the group that comes together. Contrast this with many other games, which assume "the books are the rules we must all follow to the letter" for some fast-food-like reason, like "so we can always find games." The D&D community suffers from this rigid thinking (and I see this from the AD&D to 5E), and I hope they open their minds and realize how play and rules diversity are strengths, not weaknesses.
Don't celebrate a game or edition; celebrate your group and how it likes to play together. GURPS is malleable, like putty, and will morph to fit many play styles.
This fantastic, positive, and fascinating video has many excellent points and deep thoughts. The points on D&D's "race plus class" combos "being the character" are spot-on. GURPS asks you, "Who are you?" before you answer the question, "What am I?"
Check this one out; it is a fantastic video worth listening to!
A new GURPS YouTube video is up today; this is a solo play session in Roll20! I love solo play in GURPS; it is one of the most highly rewarding experiences these days, with your characters advancing naturally and along any path you can imagine.
With a leisurely three-hour runtime, this new GURPS YouTube video is perfect for a relaxing afternoon. Treat it like a podcast and let the world of GURPS unfold around you. There's a fascinating discussion of the game's history, and plenty of information for newcomers to absorb.
I love my sidebar link; it gives me daily GURPS content and keeps me out of 5E YouTube and all the negativity over there. You are what you watch; embrace creativity, positivity, the things you love, and the communities you want to participate in. Don't let the algorithm rule your life - be the algorithm and find the good stuff on the less-traveled paths.
And support the GURPS channels on YouTube! Changing the tabletop narrative about GURPS is as easy as enjoying the videos made for our community.
This one has nine views and two likes, so let's go over and enjoy the show!
Another video, this one 2 weeks old, introduces the game and gives an overview.
I love these videos, even if they tell me things I already know; they are 100% better than listening to 5E drama or theory crafting. I like to immerse myself in the things I love. I am interested in an 'immersion theory' that can lead to a better, more fulfilling life where you surround yourself with positive influences and reduce the negative ones.
I am much happier watching GURPS videos and thinking, 'How will I create this character or that world?' than hearing, 'What did Wizards do today?'
Another new GURPS video, this time with only three views! Let's pump this up, show community love, and boost the message. This will be a series on GURPS Lite and an intro to the game.
I love supporting new GURPS YouTube creators and helping them gain views and engagement. My sidebar link lets me scan YouTube and find gems like this to spotlight. Part of giving people a positive impression of GURPS is supporting our YouTubers, showing support, and spreading the word.
I will be watching this one, part 1 of a simplified space combat system for GURPS, posted on YouTube by EasyGURPS on the last day. In my conversion article, I discuss how many of the default ship combat systems are math-heavy and involve huge modifiers.
Nice!
Community content FTW! And here's a new video to watch. Head over, watch it, and like and subscribe to our community creators.
Two days ago, another cool GURPS video of a Dungeon Fantasy live play was posted. These GURPS live plays are pretty rare but very interesting to listen to. This is another channel worth subscribing to and listening to. We need more of these, and supporting them ensures we see more.
Again, found this using my sidebar link, and using that to find current videos to shout out (and watch) is a fun activity instead of randomly watching 5E videos (often about Wizards drama, please make it stop) that YouTube force-feeds me.
Hey! I just found this one using my sidebar YouTube link, which is new as of 2 days ago! Head over, watch the video, like and subscribe, comment, and show the YouTube GURPS community some love and support!
Engage with these videos, and this will raise all the GURPS boats on YouTube. Like the 5E community, we need to watch videos that interest us and give them attention and support, and the algorithms will push more GURPS to more people. Otherwise, the world will continue drowning in low-content and click-bait 5E videos.
What you watch will be what gets pushed to others.
As a fellow GURPS enthusiast, I find great joy in watching and supporting videos about our shared interests. Let's continue fostering a positive and supportive environment within our community; this video is a great addition to GURPS video content.
I love my sidebar link. Recent videos are starting to appear on top, and I will instantly jump on those to shout them out.
As of this posting, here is a new video review of GURPS, posted 4 days ago. It is super positive and a great video. Check out this channel, subscribe, give it a like, and show appreciation for the GURPS YouTube community!
I found this using my sidebar link for All GURPS Videos (search). I click on this link every week to look for new ones, and this pops up. This is precisely why I made this link: to check out what's new and to give love to new GURPS videos. I love that sidebar; it is my curated list of the best-of-the-best of GURPS on the Internet, along with some quick links to the SJG store if you want to go shopping. They are not affiliate links, just normal ones, and I am just a huge fan.
Here is a fantastic video about the differences between GURPS and Dungeon Fantasy RPG. There seem to be many patches and improvements in DFRPG, and since I base my games more on DFRPG than GURPS Basic, there is a lot of great information here to digest.
It is easy to feel overwhelmed by all the combat details in videos like this, but much of this falls under the "use it if your game does" level of information. If you are not using judo, grappling, or any of these detailed combat rules, don't worry about this. But if you are, this is a great resource!
Another great getting started video today, with a combat example using the GURPS Lite system. This is a pared-down version of the rules and is also "playing GURPS."
It is easier than B/X with all the optional rules stripped off the game, and in many ways, it is far more streamlined and internally consistent. The GURPS skill system back in the 1980s was far better than how B/X did things back then, and it still is today. I love B/X, but the only thing B/X got over those 40 years was nostalgia appeal, better presentation, and "the feels."
It brings back memories.
Back in the 1980s, as kids, we saw GURPS and the unified skill system as a massive improvement over B/X. And B/X could not decide if some skills were 1d6 versus percentage, and you could not raise the skills you wanted when you gained experience. These days in 5E and Pathfinder, skills are a d20 but are tied to classes, and improving skills feels very restricted and limited.
Each version of the game changes the skill system massively, and you just feel d20 struggles with skills and needs volumes of rules to handle the simplest things. In 3.5E, most of the game's rules are hidden in the skill descriptions. Or it swings the other way (4E) and is too simple to the point of, why bother?
It has been 40 years, and they still can't get the skill system right.
In GURPS, do you want to put all your XP into stealth? Go right ahead. You can be a "low-level" thief with the best stealth skill in the world. It is your choice. If you get discovered and can't fight, that is on you, but the freedom to do what you want and improve in any area you like destroys any version of B/X in character design and improvement.
Want your magic user to train in stealth?
Oops. Some games don't allow that. Why? Because it was easier to limit classes in Chainmail to a few standardized abilities, it made characters more like "wargame units" than "real people with a variety of experiences and backgrounds." Nobody at TSR wanted to change this because the game was popular, so they perpetuated a less-than-great skill system.
And we love it today because of nostalgia. And people today, not even alive at that time, love it because of the illusion of nostalgia they see on TV.
GURPS has aged far better since the system is based on the freedom to do what you want.
This corporate-fueled nostalgia was fueled by the OGL, all the D&D adjacent games, and Hollywood. Our eyes were opened when they took that away because of greed. The sad truth is the OGL helped 5E and One D&D more than it hurt by keeping the game relevant. Those D&D-like OSR games fed 5E's popularity and helped perpetuate the appeal of limited-focus class roles.
In 2023, the illusion is shattered.
And if you went back in time with all of today's B/X games to us in the 1980s, as kids, we would laugh and say, "What are you future people doing? There are better games than D&D to play!"
The game is as simple or complex as you want. Omit as many rules as you want, and you are still playing GURPS. With other games, such as Pathfinder 1e or 2e, you can't do that without breaking many game systems. In 5E, you will break builds and character options when you ignore rules.
The notion GURPS is complex or math-heavy needs to be corrected. This is like saying putting together a shelf is impossible because there are too many tools in the toolbox. If all you need is a screwdriver, all you need is a screwdriver. Why are you trying to use a ratchet wrench and hammer for this job?
And the parts that seem complex, like character design, are actually the best and most feature-rich parts of the game. Again, you get a lot of tools here, but for most characters, you only need a few. Same with the rules, depending on the game you play, every rule is a tool - to be used or not.
Learning your tools is a challenge, but mastering them opens the doors to infinite possibilities of the things you can create.
Pretty soon, you aren't buying pre-built Ikea shelves to assemble but designing your own and building them out of wood.
