The first edition of GURPS Uplift was one of the best translations of novels into an RPG setting. How does this second edition do after three more novels have been added to the sereies? The answer: stellar.
Post originally by Andy K at 2003-12-12 07:29:43
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...is that the novel series always relied on "tricks" to resolve the 'adventure'. I mean, don't get me wrong, I love the game and the background, but find it extremely difficult to figure out how to run a proper (ie like the novels) game of Uplift.
In the Uplift series:
* The main characters divide up into groups for a large part of the adventure, meeting different goals simultaneously. (book 2, book 3)
* The adventure is resolved by GM's fiat: A mystery that the GM (Brin) makes up and suddenly reveals to the players at some point or other. (book 1, part of book 2)
* With the above, lots of times the adventure is resolved by a string of luck and chance that the players have no control of. (book 2, book 3 with Capital Letters)
So, again, while I love the series and was contemplating getting this book as an "Uplift Sourcebook", I find it hard to believe that this universe, while cool, is 'good' for RPG adventures unless the PCs don't mind a Looooooot of railroading and taking a backseat to the plot/background/resolution...
Post originally by JELEINEN at 2003-12-12 08:40:45
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Contacting Aliens: The Illustrated Guide to David Brin's Uplift Universe? I've seen Contacting Aliens in stores and it looks to be very thurough and is also co-authored by Brin himself. The GURPS book is almost twice the price, but does it add anything besided GURPS game stats that I can't get in CA? Has anyone had a chance to compre the two?
Post originally by Wes Johnson at 2003-12-12 09:08:46
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I would have no idea, I have yet to buy Contacting Aliens: The Illustrated Guide to David Brin's Uplift Universe.
From a GURPS perspective I think there is as much there as any other GURPS supplement. But the charm to GURPS supplements for me has always been that they can be applied elsewhere too.
Post originally by Wes Johnson at 2003-12-12 09:13:16
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I can see you sentiment about this. I do not really agree with it. The first three books were basically autonomunous from each other either by time or local. The second set probably had some of the issues you mentiones more apparent, but again much of the plotting between major characters wa snot necisarily related if I remember right.
Post originally by Harrek at 2003-12-12 09:51:50
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I haven't seen the book you mention, but I can tell you what I like about GURPS Uplift - and frankly, it is only nominally related to the books.
I like the uplift game mechanic. I think it's a great way of generating aliens for any science fiction setting. That chapter alone is the main reason I purchased this reprint, as my copy of the First Edition is long gone.
As for the rest, I doubt I'll ever play a game in this setting, although I do like the novels. That's not a knock against this book, either - I'm just being realistic about the number of games in my queue.
Post originally by Frederick Brackin at 2003-12-12 12:21:51
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Sadly, I haven't seen Contacting Aliens either, but I can assure you that Stefan Jones has. He did refer to it during the 2e playtest.
I would be very suprised if there was nothing in Uplift that wasn't in the other book. If nothing else, Stefan seems to have had substantial conversations with Brin himself.
Post originally by Nigel Tam at 2003-12-12 18:26:56
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I like the Uplift novels a lot, especially the way that humans are basically a fairly insignificant faction in a wider five / nine / four galaxies. A few questions about the game though before I rush out to get it:
1) Can you play non-Earthclan races? A Jijo game in particular would seem to need this option to make it playable.
2) How involved was Brin in the making of this game?
3) Is there any new material or information, or is it just what is in the novels?
Post originally by Wes Johnson at 2003-12-12 23:14:58
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1. Yes, there is ample information on all the Jijo races and the Jijo section itself is fairly meaty. The adventure seeds for this section are particularly good. But there is also stuff for most of the Galactics we find in the novels too if you want to expand your game.
2. I think the author had access to some material of Brin's we have not seen (I suspect this is another novel, but could not verify this). Like any licensed product I am sure Brin (who has design a game for SJG) had the final word on evertything.
3. The frame work of GURPS Uplift is certainly framed around the books but there is also plenty of stuff outside that context. The section on uplifting is really well done so you can introduce new species with a lot of detail stright out of the charts. There are also adventure seeds and such that take place after the novels or in different parts that flesh out some of this issue.
If you like the novels and think you want to have some of the concepts or the setting for your game, it is certainly worth picking up. I picked up the first edition on a lark and that is what got me into the novels...
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