So, what do you think has to be in a cyberpunk supplement?

[Stevethulhu]

It seems to me that th

This all is making me think what I want is a book to highlight a few things, and mostly screw setting. Chapter on running a “Shadowrun” or other stealth focused op. Chapter on cybernetics. Chapter on Netrunning. Maybe a couple more. Maybe a discussion about gun porn.

Getting a copy of neuromancer and count zero from a friend for the reading again. It’s been a long long time.

Sounds like you could do with a look at GURPS Cyberpunk. Some parts of it haven't aged well. Especially the bits about cyberspace, computer hacking and networks. But there's a lot of other material that's good food for thought in there.

 

[Raleel]

It seems to me that th

Sounds like you could do with a look at GURPS Cyberpunk. Some parts of it haven't aged well. Especially the bits about cyberspace, computer hacking and networks. But there's a lot of other material that's good food for thought in there.

Actually own it and have looked at it. It’s good inspiration about things.

I think part of the reason I’m looking at this style of thing is because I don’t have a clear idea of setting. Just vague glimpses and images, but no world story or anything. Not that this is bad, but it does kind of constrain one.

 

[Raleel]

While I agree you need lots of guns, what really makes a cyberpunk list of equipment for me is the "flavour" equipment and cyberware.

I couldn't tell you the name of any guns in Cyberpunk2020. I do remember the existence of the Mr Stud implant and the fact you can bodysculpt yourself to look like a shark.

This is a good point. That flavor is a big part of it, and the frequently direct conversation with the reader.

I actually had Cyberpunk 2020 before I owned any Shadowrun, but there is lots about SR I remember. Cyberpunk 2020 less so, though when I went back to it, it came back pretty quick. I remember picking up CP in Portland on a family road trip.

 

[Baulderstone]

This is a good point. That flavor is a big part of it, and the frequently direct conversation with the reader.

Black Leaf is onto something. It's not like cyborgs didn't exist in science-fiction long before cyberpunk. Putting a cybernetic arm in your game doesn't automatically make it cyberpunk. Having a variety of brands of cybernetic arms that not only differ in their abilities, but also in the image the brand carries, now that is more cyberpunk. Deciding on your arm won't just determine its game stats, but also what kind of people will be impressed by at, and what kind of people will sneer at it.

 

[Raleel]

Black Leaf is onto something. It's not like cyborgs didn't exist in science-fiction long before cyberpunk. Putting a cybernetic arm in your game doesn't automatically make it cyberpunk. Having a variety of brands of cybernetic arms that not only differ in their abilities, but also in the image the brand carries, now that is more cyberpunk. Deciding on your arm won't just determine its game stats, but also what kind of people will be impressed by at, and what kind of people will sneer at it.

not to mention I wouldn't call it cyberpunk to have military commandos with cybernetics, even very extensive ones. you pretty much have to have dystopian future with wealth disparity, I think. hard drinking chromed Robin Hoods.

 

[A Fiery Flying Roll]

not to mention I wouldn't call it cyberpunk to have military commandos with cybernetics, even very extensive ones. you pretty much have to have dystopian future with wealth disparity, I think. hard drinking chromed Robin Hoods.

I think they can both be cyberpunk, but they're very different playstyles and don't really wokr together.

We even see that with comparisons between Cyberpunk and Shadowrun.

For me the archetypical (although not necessarily most popular in play) character is a Rockerboy, raging against the machine.

For Shadowrun it's a Street Samurai carrying out any job as long as the nuyen is right.

 

[Baulderstone]

not to mention I wouldn't call it cyberpunk to have military commandos with cybernetics, even very extensive ones. you pretty much have to have dystopian future with wealth disparity, I think. hard drinking chromed Robin Hoods.

However, vets with cheap cyber-limbs from injuries they got in wars nobody cared about at the time and cares less about now would work just fine.

And a high-tech group of military commandos would work fine in the setting. It just would feel cyberpunk if you made that the campaigns focus. It's that distinction between setting and genre. The same setting might have campaigns that are either military sci-fi or cyberpunk depending on the PC party.

 

[Stevethulhu]

I think part of the reason I’m looking at this style of thing is because I don’t have a clear idea of setting. Just vague glimpses and images, but no world story or anything. Not that this is bad, but it does kind of constrain one.

Go for a bottom up rather than top down design approach. That is, instead of worrying about the big picture, start with the street that people live on.