GURPS Uplift: Difference between revisions
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{{ | {{short description|Science fiction role-playing game}} | ||
{{italic title}} | |||
{{ | |||
{{Infobox RPG | {{Infobox RPG | ||
|title= GURPS Uplift | |title= GURPS Uplift | ||
|image= | |image= Cover_of_GURPS_Uplift_1990_edition.png | ||
|caption= '' | |caption= Cover art of 1st edition, 1990 | ||
|designer | |designer= {{unbulleted list|'''First edition'''|Stefan Jones|'''Second edition'''|Stefan Jones|[[Loyd Blankenship]]|[[David Brin]]|[[Steve Jackson (American game designer)|Steve Jackson]]| Kevin Lenagh|Chris McCubbin|[[Alberto Monteiro]]|Kenneth Peters|[[David L. Pulver]]}} | ||
|publisher= [[Steve Jackson Games]] | |publisher= [[Steve Jackson Games]] | ||
|date= 1990 | |date= 1st edition: 1990<br>2nd edition: 2003 | ||
|genre= [[Science fiction]] | |genre= [[Science fiction]] | ||
|system= [[GURPS]] | |system= [[GURPS]] | ||
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}} | }} | ||
'''''GURPS Uplift''''' is a [[sourcebook]] | '''''GURPS Uplift''''' is a [[sourcebook]] published by [[Steve Jackson Games]] (SJG) in 1990 that adapts [[David Brin]]'s ''[[Uplift Trilogy]]'' setting to a science fiction role-playing game, using ''[[GURPS]]'' (''Generic Universal Role-Playing System''). | ||
==Description== | |||
''GURPS Uplift'' is based on the fictional universe envisioned by David Brin in his influential ''Uplift'' series of novels, where [[biological uplift]] of animals has become common. The book includes a preface by Brin, and a description of the Uplift universe, including the mechanics of Uplift, which involve Patron races bringing Client races to sapience.<ref name=grog>{{cite web|url = https://www.legrog.org/jeux/gurps/uplift-2eme-ed-en | date=2010-03-09|title= GURPS Uplift |website=Guide du Rôliste Galactique| access-date= 2025-06-24 |language=fr}}</ref> (In Brin's universe, the human race is unique, having achieved sapience without the aid of a Patron. Humans now have their own Client races, including neo-dolphins, <ref name=cb>{{cite magazine | last =Croc| author-link=Croc (game designer) | title =GURPS: Mondes d'aventure | magazine = [[Casus Belli (magazine)|Casus Belli]] | issue =69| pages =23 | date =1992 | language =fr }}</ref> neo-wolves, neo-gorillas and neo-chimpanzees.)<ref name=poly>{{cite magazine | last= Moore| first= Roger | author-link = Roger E. Moore | date=June 1996 |title= The Living Galaxy| magazine=[[Polyhedron (magazine)|Polyhedron]] | issue=105| pages=25-28}}</ref> These and twenty other alien races are described in detail. | |||
Character creation allows [[player character]]s to be any of any Client or Patron race, using a pool of points to purchase abilities, skills and equipment, an occupation and a salary.<ref name=grog /> | |||
The last two chapters cover creating campaigns and adventures in the Uplift universe, and a description and maps of Jijo, the planet that is used as a setting.<ref name=grog /> | |||
Some information about the Uplift universe was included in this book that was not mentioned in Brin's novels, including gene stealers, Jopher, and E-space.<ref name=tog /> | |||
[[File:GURPSUplift.jpg|thumb|right|Cover art of 2nd edition by [[Alan Gutierrez]], 2003]] | |||
==Publication history== | ==Publication history== | ||
''GURPS Uplift'' was written by | SJG first published the rules for ''GURPS'' in 1986, then immediately released a second edition in 1987, and a third edition in 1988. ''GURPS Uplift'' was a supplement for the third edition rules, a 128-page softcover book written by Stefan Jones and published in 1990 by SJG with artwork by [[Tom Baxa]], [[Dan Frazier (artist)|Dan Frazier]], and Shea Anton Pensa.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://rpggeek.com/rpgitem/52201/gurps-uplift/credits | title = GURPS Uplift (1990): Full Credits| website = RPGGeek| access-date = 2025-06-24}}</ref> | ||
A revised and expanded second edition was created by Stefan Jones, [[Loyd Blankenship]], [[David Brin]], [[Steve Jackson (American game designer)|Steve Jackson]], Kevin Lenagh, Chris McCubbin, [[Alberto Monteiro]], Kenneth Peters, and [[David L. Pulver]], and was published in 2003 as a 176-page softcover book with cover art by [[Alan Gutierrez]].<ref name=grog /> | |||
A revised edition was reported to be in preparation in 2018.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6cddDwAAQBAJ|title=The Complete Scribes of Speculative Fiction: A Collection of Interviews|first=Cristopher|last=DeRose|publisher=BearManor Media|year=2018|chapter=David Brin}}</ref> | A revised edition was reported to be in preparation in 2018.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6cddDwAAQBAJ|title=The Complete Scribes of Speculative Fiction: A Collection of Interviews|first=Cristopher|last=DeRose|publisher=BearManor Media|year=2018|chapter=David Brin}}</ref> | ||
==Reception== | ==Reception== | ||
Writing for ''These Old Games'', Phil Viverito liked the clear link between Brin's novels and the game rules, especially concerning the humans' Client races, writing, "Brin stuck to the basics of reality when coming up with these limitations and they are all well thought out in this book and the novels, even the fantastic ones. [Designer Stefan] Jones continues that in fine fashion." Viverito concluded by giving this book a rating of 5 out of 5, saying, "These approaches to games are great."<ref name=tog>{{cite web| url = https://www.theseoldgames.com/2022/07/gurps-uplift.html| title = GURPS Uplift| last = Viverito| first = Phil| date = 2022-07-04| website = These Old Games| access-date = 2025-06-24}}</ref> | |||
In Issue 46 of the French magazine ''Backstab'', Pierre Rosenthal reviewed the 2003 edition, writing, "We never thought SJG would dare, and yet more than ten years later, here is a reissue of the only setting with astronaut dolphins!" However, Rosenthal thought this book would only be of interest to "fans of David Brin", and gave it a rating of 3 out of 5.<ref name="bs">{{cite magazine|last=Rosenthal|first=Pierre |date=2003|title=Critiques|magazine=Backstab|issue=46| pages=44| language=fr}}</ref> | |||
{{ | In Issue 19 of ''[[Arcane (magazine)|Arcane]]'', Ian Pettingale noted the problem with basing a role-playing game on a line of popular books, pointing out "If you're playing ''GURPS Uplift'' with hardcore David Brin readers and you put a foot wrong, you'll find your judgements called into question. Or worse, some plot element you may have missed will surface and bring your entire scenario crashing down around your ears." <ref name="arcane">{{cite magazine|last=Pettingale|first=Ian| date=May 1997 |title=The Game of the Book|magazine=[[Arcane (magazine)|Arcane]]| issue=19|pages=30}}</ref> | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
{{reflist}} | {{reflist}} | ||
{{uplift-series}} | {{uplift-series}} | ||
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[[Category:Role-playing games based on novels]] | [[Category:Role-playing games based on novels]] | ||
[[Category:Space opera role-playing games]] | [[Category:Space opera role-playing games]] | ||
[[Category:Steve Jackson Games games]] | |||
Latest revision as of 04:10, 25 June 2025
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GURPS Uplift is a sourcebook published by Steve Jackson Games (SJG) in 1990 that adapts David Brin's Uplift Trilogy setting to a science fiction role-playing game, using GURPS (Generic Universal Role-Playing System).
Description
GURPS Uplift is based on the fictional universe envisioned by David Brin in his influential Uplift series of novels, where biological uplift of animals has become common. The book includes a preface by Brin, and a description of the Uplift universe, including the mechanics of Uplift, which involve Patron races bringing Client races to sapience.[1] (In Brin's universe, the human race is unique, having achieved sapience without the aid of a Patron. Humans now have their own Client races, including neo-dolphins, [2] neo-wolves, neo-gorillas and neo-chimpanzees.)[3] These and twenty other alien races are described in detail.
Character creation allows player characters to be any of any Client or Patron race, using a pool of points to purchase abilities, skills and equipment, an occupation and a salary.[1]
The last two chapters cover creating campaigns and adventures in the Uplift universe, and a description and maps of Jijo, the planet that is used as a setting.[1]
Some information about the Uplift universe was included in this book that was not mentioned in Brin's novels, including gene stealers, Jopher, and E-space.[4]
Publication history
SJG first published the rules for GURPS in 1986, then immediately released a second edition in 1987, and a third edition in 1988. GURPS Uplift was a supplement for the third edition rules, a 128-page softcover book written by Stefan Jones and published in 1990 by SJG with artwork by Tom Baxa, Dan Frazier, and Shea Anton Pensa.[5]
A revised and expanded second edition was created by Stefan Jones, Loyd Blankenship, David Brin, Steve Jackson, Kevin Lenagh, Chris McCubbin, Alberto Monteiro, Kenneth Peters, and David L. Pulver, and was published in 2003 as a 176-page softcover book with cover art by Alan Gutierrez.[1]
A revised edition was reported to be in preparation in 2018.[6]
Reception
Writing for These Old Games, Phil Viverito liked the clear link between Brin's novels and the game rules, especially concerning the humans' Client races, writing, "Brin stuck to the basics of reality when coming up with these limitations and they are all well thought out in this book and the novels, even the fantastic ones. [Designer Stefan] Jones continues that in fine fashion." Viverito concluded by giving this book a rating of 5 out of 5, saying, "These approaches to games are great."[4]
In Issue 46 of the French magazine Backstab, Pierre Rosenthal reviewed the 2003 edition, writing, "We never thought SJG would dare, and yet more than ten years later, here is a reissue of the only setting with astronaut dolphins!" However, Rosenthal thought this book would only be of interest to "fans of David Brin", and gave it a rating of 3 out of 5.[7]
In Issue 19 of Arcane, Ian Pettingale noted the problem with basing a role-playing game on a line of popular books, pointing out "If you're playing GURPS Uplift with hardcore David Brin readers and you put a foot wrong, you'll find your judgements called into question. Or worse, some plot element you may have missed will surface and bring your entire scenario crashing down around your ears." [8]
References
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