Would anyone be interested in playing in a game where the PCs are all citizens of a growing metropolis using the GURPS mechanics?

I’m new to GURPS but I’d like to get a grasp on the rules, and I feel comfortable running a sandbox environment in a modern day city. This allows for players to be of various different backgrounds, have different goals, and create a familiar yet open environment that would allow for all kinds of stories and events. I’m thinking players could play solo or choose to interact with another , and I as a GM will build stories around who the players choose to create as their PC. They could be business owners, drug dealers, police officers, vigilantes, politicians, journalists  reporting on the various events that occur in the city (perhaps even by direct action of the PCs), drifters, street racers, even special agents or other interesting characters.

I likely won’t allow any Demi gods, vampires, or other species beyond humans, and certainly not any magic or superhuman abilities, unless the entire group agrees that those types of characters exist in the city.

I’d be open to various different genres bleeding into the modern setting such as aliens, superheroes, war,  supernatural creatures, magic, or even an apocalyptic event. It’s all up to what the players want.

I’d aim for everyone to be above average citizens, competent enough to make a difference in their immediate surroundings by themself but not capable of making city changing moves. However, I will reward engaged players by leveling them up quickly, which will open the door for plot hooks that shape the city in large scale ways.

I’d like this to be an active fast paced game, with engaged players who can check the game periodically, at least once a day. I am willing to relax on posting requirements though, especially during dialogue.


Rating would likely be ADULT



Is anyone interested?

I’d be interested in joining, especially if it means giving you a chance to try out your GURPS fu. =)
This message was last edited by the user at 01:34, Thu 10 Oct 2019.

I'd love to try it out as I've been meaning to get into GURPS for a long time now, and since you're starting out as well I'd feel less bad about fumbling around with it myself!

I'd be interested.

I'm down. Sounds interesting and I would love to see how it evolves.

Do you guys have any particular things you’d like to explore in the setting? Do we keep it fairly real world, allow some weird, or get really weird? What kinds of plot hooks would you guys like to see? Crime focused? More supernatural investigation / hunting? Vigilante or superheroes? Or perhaps something more mundane or different?

Your call, boss. I've always been a fan of urban fantasy. I wouldn't mind playing a regular joe investigator who gets caught up in investigating non-mundane mysteries and events that have spilled out into the real world. Or mundane mysteries. Or maybe something like Alan Moore's Top Ten, with everyone in the city having powers, and the PCs being the super powered cops who have to police the city. I'm open to anything, really.

I'm vaguely interested.  I've played and run a fair bit of GURPS, and can offer some general advice.

The biggest and most fundamental thing I can suggest is that any game run in GURPS should be able to answer the question of "why do I want to run this in GURPS and not something else?"  GURPS is at it's best when it's used for something that other games can't really do.

Mixing magic and guns with a need for a bit of tactical simulation?  That's a good use for GURPS.  If the focus is more on mystery or drama, there are probably better systems for that.

If you're new to it, I'd also suggest limiting the books allowed and starting at a lower points total.  Supers is also a... less than great choice for a first game of GURPS due to how complicated it tends to be once you have enough points for real superheroes.

Agreed. Something like gritty crime or horror is a good first choice. Keep it simple. You can add complexity later.

As another GURPS GM, I agree partially with swordchucks and Tortuga. They also have experience in running and playing more types of systems than I do.

Definitely limit what you allow the first game. You want to build slowly, so pick what you want to allow and disallow other things, especially in the first game.

However (as someone who has tried Savage Worlds, diceless games, homebrews, D&D in its various incarnations, MERP, Alternity, and probably half a dozen more systems), no other system approaches GURPS’ level of flexibility, from fantasy to historical to gritty modern to high TL sci fi. As long as you limit yourself at first and slowly add more options, GURPS is excellent. Want to do a supers game? Limit yourself to the Characters book. Don’t bring Powers in just yet. Want to incorporate magic? The Magic book is good, but don’t worry about Powe-ups just yet. With GURPS, you can go as light as you want, and the game can still be a lot of fun. “When in doubt, roll and shout”—worry less about what the rules say and feel free to approach the game from a common sense point of view.

Edit: one more thing - the forums at SJ Games’ website is very active with most  of the people who write GURPS books. If you ever have questions about rules or how to model something, that’s a good place to ask.
This message was last edited by the user at 14:54, Thu 10 Oct 2019.

Seems we have enough interest!

Just submit a name and character concept here and we can discuss the details more!

Game is rated ADULT

link to another game