Cyberpunk v3 - Revision history

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1d4chan>Slipmcripfist: formatting

2023-05-13T05:27:59Z

formatting

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	'''Cyberpunk V3''', also known as '''Cyberpunk 203X''' is an [[RPG]] released by [[R. Talsorian]] Games.		'''Cyberpunk V3''', also known as '''Cyberpunk 203X''' is an [[RPG]] released by [[R. Talsorian]] Games.

	== ~~'''~~Development~~'''~~ ==		==Development==
	In 1998 R. Talsorian Games published the ''Stormfront'' campaign series for ''CP 2020'', which by that point was a well-developed RPG with over 40 published supplements. ''Stormfront'' marked the apocalyptic end of the ''Cyberpunk'' world as we knew it, as a result of the Fourth Corporate War between mega-corporations Arasaka and Militech. The war ended with the nuking of Night City, the fictional stock setting of the first and second editions of Cyberpunk. ''Stormfront'' paved the way for a new, third edition of the game with a new setting, scheduled for release in 2001.		In 1998 R. Talsorian Games published the ''Stormfront'' campaign series for ''CP 2020'', which by that point was a well-developed RPG with over 40 published supplements. ''Stormfront'' marked the apocalyptic end of the ''Cyberpunk'' world as we knew it, as a result of the Fourth Corporate War between mega-corporations Arasaka and Militech. The war ended with the nuking of Night City, the fictional stock setting of the first and second editions of Cyberpunk. ''Stormfront'' paved the way for a new, third edition of the game with a new setting, scheduled for release in 2001.

	However, in 2000 ''Cyberpunk'' mastermind 'Maximum' Mike Pondsmith was hired by Microsoft to develop video games for the Xbox, keeping him busy and away from tabletop RPG design. In 2004 he also worked for Monolith Productions on ''The Matrix Online'' MMORPG, which was released in 2005. The upshot of this was that although Pondsmith had started work on ''Cyberpunk v3'' as early as 1999, it didn't see the light of day until December 2005 as a PDF e-book, with the print version (with 16 bonus pages) being released in January 2006.		However, in 2000 ''Cyberpunk'' mastermind 'Maximum' Mike Pondsmith was hired by Microsoft to develop video games for the Xbox, keeping him busy and away from tabletop RPG design. In 2004 he also worked for Monolith Productions on ''The Matrix Online'' MMORPG, which was released in 2005. The upshot of this was that although Pondsmith had started work on ''Cyberpunk v3'' as early as 1999, it didn't see the light of day until December 2005 as a PDF e-book, with the print version (with 16 bonus pages) being released in January 2006.

	== ~~'''~~Setting~~'''~~ ==		==Setting==
	[[Image:CPV3_2.jpg\|thumb\|left\|Most agree the artwork aged about as well as the edition, if not worse.]]		[[Image:CPV3_2.jpg\|thumb\|left\|Most agree the artwork aged about as well as the edition, if not worse.]]
	The world of ''Cyberpunk v3'' was a radical departure from that of earlier editions, and came in for a [[Skub\|lot of criticism for its perceived silliness and abundance of plot holes]].		The world of ''Cyberpunk v3'' was a radical departure from that of earlier editions, and came in for a [[Skub\|lot of criticism for its perceived silliness and abundance of plot holes]].
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	[[Fail\|Bear in mind that all of this is supposed to be happening in the mid-2030s, 10 years from now.]]		[[Fail\|Bear in mind that all of this is supposed to be happening in the mid-2030s, 10 years from now.]]

	== ~~'''~~Character Types~~'''~~ ==		==Character Types==
	In place of the character roles of ''CP 2020'' (which were basically careers), ''Cyberpunk v3'' has 'Alt Cults' (Alternative Cultures). These are not just urban tribes: they constitute whole nations in the setting. Functionally they are almost like character races in a fantasy RPG. Whereas each role in ''CP 2020'' had its own unique 'special ability' skill that characters of other roles couldn't learn, the Alt Cults have their own exclusive technologies and homelands and enclaves, which you can only freely access with a kind of electronic key called a 'Dog Tag'.		In place of the character roles of ''CP 2020'' (which were basically careers), ''Cyberpunk v3'' has 'Alt Cults' (Alternative Cultures). These are not just urban tribes: they constitute whole nations in the setting. Functionally they are almost like character races in a fantasy RPG. Whereas each role in ''CP 2020'' had its own unique 'special ability' skill that characters of other roles couldn't learn, the Alt Cults have their own exclusive technologies and homelands and enclaves, which you can only freely access with a kind of electronic key called a 'Dog Tag'.

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	In addition, the basic game had character creation simplified through the use of templates, a concept which Mike Pondsmith had borrowed from computer games design, with the stated aim of getting new players started quickly. A more detailed and flexible character generation system was included in the 'advanced' rules later in the book, but some players complained that it did not include some of the cooler and more powerful stuff available in the basic templates.		In addition, the basic game had character creation simplified through the use of templates, a concept which Mike Pondsmith had borrowed from computer games design, with the stated aim of getting new players started quickly. A more detailed and flexible character generation system was included in the 'advanced' rules later in the book, but some players complained that it did not include some of the cooler and more powerful stuff available in the basic templates.

	== ~~'''~~Rules System~~'''~~ ==		==Rules System==
	''Cyberpunk v3'' used the ''Fuzion'' game system, a combination of elements from the ''Interlock'' system used for ''CP 2020'' and ''Mekton'', and the ''Hero'' system by Steven S. Long. However, large parts of the rules in ''Cyberpunk v3'' were simply copied and pasted direct from the ''CP 2020'' rulebook. The editors had obviously failed to proof-read the text closely, because these sections still made reference to sections and tables from the second edition that weren't in the new book. A couple of the diagrams from the ''CP 2020 Friday Night Fire Fight'' section were reproduced, but at horribly low resolution.		''Cyberpunk v3'' used the ''Fuzion'' game system, a combination of elements from the ''Interlock'' system used for ''CP 2020'' and ''Mekton'', and the ''Hero'' system by Steven S. Long. However, large parts of the rules in ''Cyberpunk v3'' were simply copied and pasted direct from the ''CP 2020'' rulebook. The editors had obviously failed to proof-read the text closely, because these sections still made reference to sections and tables from the second edition that weren't in the new book. A couple of the diagrams from the ''CP 2020 Friday Night Fire Fight'' section were reproduced, but at horribly low resolution.

	== ~~'''~~Artwork and Design~~'''~~ ==		==Artwork and Design==
	[[Image:CPV3_1.jpg\|thumb\|right\|No kidding, the book actually shipped with these.]]		[[Image:CPV3_1.jpg\|thumb\|right\|No kidding, the book actually shipped with these.]]
	What's black and white and green all over? ''Cyberpunk v3'', that's what! The pages of the core book and its supplements are laid out within a kind of monochrome tablet computer screen border graphic, with black and white text boxes on a green background. There's a lot of green, and it isn't easy on the eyes. Even the artwork has a green tint to it. Seeing as those horrible green-on-black PC monitors went out at the beginning of the nineties, this could be seen as a tribute either to classic eighties cyberpunk or to the ''Matrix'' series of films.		What's black and white and green all over? ''Cyberpunk v3'', that's what! The pages of the core book and its supplements are laid out within a kind of monochrome tablet computer screen border graphic, with black and white text boxes on a green background. There's a lot of green, and it isn't easy on the eyes. Even the artwork has a green tint to it. Seeing as those horrible green-on-black PC monitors went out at the beginning of the nineties, this could be seen as a tribute either to classic eighties cyberpunk or to the ''Matrix'' series of films.
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	The internet is rife with speculation as to why R. Talsorian chose to use this artwork rather than pay a graphic artist (or just re-use artwork from their previous books). One explanation is that Mike Pondsmith was a keen collector of action figures, and he thought it would look good. Another is that the photos were just supposed to be a guide to artists who were to be hired to complete the project, but the editors at R. Talsorian never got the memo. The first explanation seems more plausible than the second. A third possibility is that R. Talsorian was suffering from financial troubles at the time and simply couldn't afford artists.		The internet is rife with speculation as to why R. Talsorian chose to use this artwork rather than pay a graphic artist (or just re-use artwork from their previous books). One explanation is that Mike Pondsmith was a keen collector of action figures, and he thought it would look good. Another is that the photos were just supposed to be a guide to artists who were to be hired to complete the project, but the editors at R. Talsorian never got the memo. The first explanation seems more plausible than the second. A third possibility is that R. Talsorian was suffering from financial troubles at the time and simply couldn't afford artists.

	== ~~'''~~Reception~~'''~~ ==		==Reception==
	As has already been said, ''Cyberpunk v3'' came in for a lot of criticism from sections of the existing ''CP 2020'' fan base. It wasn't as successful as its predecessor, and only a handful of supplements were published. It is telling that ''Cyberpunk 2077'', a computer RPG under development since late 2012 (released in the year 2020, funnily enough), is based on ''Cyberpunk 2020'' and not ''Cyberpunk v3''. The new edition, ''Cyberpunk RED'' completly ignores v3 except for some plot elements like the DataKrash.		As has already been said, ''Cyberpunk v3'' came in for a lot of criticism from sections of the existing ''CP 2020'' fan base. It wasn't as successful as its predecessor, and only a handful of supplements were published. It is telling that ''Cyberpunk 2077'', a computer RPG under development since late 2012 (released in the year 2020, funnily enough), is based on ''Cyberpunk 2020'' and not ''Cyberpunk v3''. The new edition, ''Cyberpunk RED'' completly ignores v3 except for some plot elements like the DataKrash.

1d4chan>Slipmcripfist: removed cybergen stuff

2022-11-08T21:07:37Z

removed cybergen stuff

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:07, 8 November 2022
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	~~“What is Cyberpunk?” the youth of today often ask. “Is that like Slipknot?”~~		'''Cyberpunk V3''', also known as '''Cyberpunk 203X''' is an [[RPG]] released by [[R. Talsorian]] Games.

	~~“No, my child” the answer comes. “It is not like fucking Slipknot.”~~

	~~In the 1990s though, R. Talsorian Games, the publishers of the successful~~ '~~'[[Cyberpunk 2020]]~~'' ~~role-playing game, were questioning the nature of~~ Cyberpunk~~. In 1993 they published a supplement for ''CP 2020'' called '~~'~~Cybergeneration~~'', ~~later re-released as a stand-alone game, set in the year 2027.~~

	~~Whereas classic eighties Cyberpunk literature and ''CP 2020'' were 'hard' science fiction (speculative fiction based on~~ known ~~scientific fact) set a mere 30 years in the then-future, ''Cybergeneration'' went off into the realms of science fantasy, with such items~~ as '~~genius guns~~' ~~whose bullets could chase you round corners.~~

	''~~Cybergeneration~~'' ~~also belonged to the post-cyberpunk and transhumanist genres: you played teenagers infected with a nanotech bio-weapon called the Carbon Plague, which killed adults but gave children super powers~~. ~~This was the shape of things to come, as the next edition of the Cyberpunk RPG would take a similar direction~~.

	== '''Development''' ==		== '''Development''' ==

2804:D51:4B23:CC00:11C1:9B12:2FF1:3C40: /* Reception */

2022-09-28T04:28:24Z

Reception

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	== '''Reception''' ==		== '''Reception''' ==
	As has already been said, ''Cyberpunk v3'' came in for a lot of criticism from sections of the existing ''CP 2020'' fan base. It wasn't as successful as its predecessor, and only a handful of supplements were published. It is telling that ''Cyberpunk 2077'', a computer RPG under development since late 2012 (~~scheduled for release~~ in the year 2020, funnily enough), is based on ''Cyberpunk 2020'' and not ''Cyberpunk v3''.		As has already been said, ''Cyberpunk v3'' came in for a lot of criticism from sections of the existing ''CP 2020'' fan base. It wasn't as successful as its predecessor, and only a handful of supplements were published. It is telling that ''Cyberpunk 2077'', a computer RPG under development since late 2012 (released in the year 2020, funnily enough), is based on ''Cyberpunk 2020'' and not ''Cyberpunk v3''. The new edition, ''Cyberpunk RED'' completly ignores v3 except for some plot elements like the DataKrash.

	Perhaps the moral of the story is that computer RPGs and MMORPGs are a different kettle of fish than tabletop RPGs. Perhaps it's that if you wait seven years to release the sequel to a successful game, people will move on in the meantime and play something else. Or perhaps it's that snot green-tinted pictures of GI Joe and Barbie don't make for great illustrations.		Perhaps the moral of the story is that computer RPGs and MMORPGs are a different kettle of fish than tabletop RPGs. Perhaps it's that if you wait seven years to release the sequel to a successful game, people will move on in the meantime and play something else. Or perhaps it's that snot green-tinted pictures of GI Joe and Barbie don't make for great illustrations.

	{{RTG-RPGS}}		{{RTG-RPGS}}

1d4chan>Ow, My Sanity. at 14:47, 21 January 2021

2021-01-21T14:47:48Z

174.4.19.188: Undo revision 692882 by Airalinluv (talk)

2020-09-02T19:27:01Z

Undo revision 692882 by Airalinluv (talk)

Show changes

1d4chan>Airalinluv: HEHEEE JANNIES MAD~~~

2020-09-02T19:26:37Z

HEHEEE JANNIES MAD~~~

Show changes

76.14.153.191: /* Character Types */

2020-03-22T17:22:15Z

Character Types

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	The playable Alt Cults are as follows: Edgerunner, Reef, Desnai, Rolling State (Rollers for short), Riptide (Rip for short), and Corporate Metal (Cee-Metal).		The playable Alt Cults are as follows: Edgerunner, Reef, Desnai, Rolling State (Rollers for short), Riptide (Rip for short), and Corporate Metal (Cee-Metal).

	'''Edgerunners''' are the old-school cyberpunk heroes of the first and second editions of the game, residents of the new ~~maga~~-cities. Instead of getting their limbs, eyes and other organs removed and replaced with enhanced cybernetic versions of the same, they wear their cybernetics like a kind of jewellery called Nu-Cybe. This generally comes in the form of 'cuffs', metal bracelets with fine needle-like probes that penetrate the flesh and connect to the nervous system, which unfold by some strange pseudo-science into powered armour that covers the limb or body.		'''Edgerunners''' are the old-school cyberpunk heroes of the first and second editions of the game, residents of the new mega-cities. Instead of getting their limbs, eyes and other organs removed and replaced with enhanced cybernetic versions of the same, they wear their cybernetics like a kind of jewellery called Nu-Cybe. This generally comes in the form of 'cuffs', metal bracelets with fine needle-like probes that penetrate the flesh and connect to the nervous system, which unfold by some strange pseudo-science into powered armour that covers the limb or body.

	This does away with the great dilemma of the first two editions: you wanted cybernetics to make you a better Edgerunner, but adding more implants chipped away at your humanity, gradually turning you into a cold-blooded psychopath. Cyberpsychosis was the Sanity Loss of the first two editions of ''Cyberpunk''.		This does away with the great dilemma of the first two editions: you wanted cybernetics to make you a better Edgerunner, but adding more implants chipped away at your humanity, gradually turning you into a cold-blooded psychopath. Cyberpsychosis was the Sanity Loss of the first two editions of ''Cyberpunk''.

2600:1700:19C0:2760:8CA8:7BD8:AFBA:F7B4 at 20:36, 7 February 2020

2020-02-07T20:36:38Z

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← Older revision		Revision as of 14:47, 21 January 2021
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	== '''Setting''' ==		== '''Setting''' ==
	[[Image:CPV3_2.jpg\|thumb\|left\|Most agree the artwork aged about as well as the edition, if not worse.]]		[[Image:CPV3_2.jpg\|thumb\|left\|Most agree the artwork aged about as well as the edition, if not worse.]]
	The world of ''Cyberpunk v3'' was a radical departure from that of earlier editions, and came in for a lot of criticism for its perceived silliness and abundance of plot holes.		The world of ''Cyberpunk v3'' was a radical departure from that of earlier editions, and came in for a [[Skub\|lot of criticism for its perceived silliness and abundance of plot holes]].

	During the Fourth Corporate War, a computer virus called DataKrash, created by Rache Bartmoss (one of a set of god-like NPCs that populated the ''Cyberpunk 2020'' world), was released which re-wrote ALL computer software and data, and so crashed teh intarwebz and other telecommunications systems. The only computers unaffected by DataKrash were in the basement of the Arasaka tower in Night City, and they went up in smoke (along with the whole corporate district) when a 2 kiloton nuclear weapon, placed there as insurance against intruders, was set off by the A-Team of ''Cyberpunk 2020'' NPCs demolishing the place with a smaller-yield nuke.		During the Fourth Corporate War, a computer virus called DataKrash, created by Rache Bartmoss (one of a set of god-like NPCs that populated the ''Cyberpunk 2020'' world), was released which re-wrote ALL computer software and data, and so crashed teh intarwebz and other telecommunications systems. The only computers unaffected by DataKrash were in the basement of the Arasaka tower in Night City, and they went up in smoke (along with the whole corporate district) when a two kiloton nuclear weapon, placed there as insurance against intruders, was set off by the A-Team of ''Cyberpunk 2020'' NPCs demolishing the place with a smaller-yield nuke.

	Another virus, this one nanotechnological in nature and created by the Arasaka corporation, ate ALL paper produced since 1970, presumably including cardboard boxes and the stuff you wipe your arse with – while you were wiping your arse with it.		Another virus, this one nanotechnological in nature and created by the Arasaka corporation, ate ALL paper produced since 1970, presumably including cardboard boxes and the stuff you wipe your arse with – while you were wiping your arse with it.

	The result was that most records of anything, most literature, most textbooks, ~~encyclopedias~~ and dictionaries, all financial data, all computer software, was either deleted or scrambled. This of course led to the complete collapse of the financial and government systems. In the present day of the game world, history has become purely a matter of urban legend: most people believe that Richard Nixon committed suicide live on television following the Watergate scandal, rather than resigning, and that the NASA moon landings were faked.		The result was that most records of anything, most literature, most textbooks, encyclopaedias and dictionaries, all financial data, all computer software, was either deleted or scrambled; your shopping list may now be a list of Corpo black ops, or it may be a Black ICE program that kills you when you open it, or it could just be a wall of nonsense and random memes. This of course led to the complete collapse of the financial and government systems. In the present day of the game world, history has become purely a matter of urban legend: most people believe that Richard Nixon committed suicide live on television following the Watergate scandal, rather than resigning, and that the NASA moon landings were faked.

	People can't even agree on what year it is, although most think it's some time in the 2030s. Hence the alternative title of the game: ''Cyberpunk 203X''.		[[Derp\|People can't even agree on what year it is]], although most think it's some time in the 2030s. Hence the alternative title of the game: ''Cyberpunk 203X''.

	The nuked Night City has been rebuilt using self-replicating nano-machines which constructed buildings, roads and other infrastructure out of the underlying soil and rock. What was once an urban area of a few million inhabitants somewhere between San Francisco and Los Angeles (probably somewhere around Carmel, where Clint Eastwood lives) has become a mega-city straight out of ''Judge Dredd'', sprawling along most of the of the California coast, all in 10 or 15 years. The nanites have a mind of their own, and regularly de-construct whole buildings without warning and replace them with new ones. East coast USA has a similar mega-city called Boswash, stretching from Boston to Washington, and a third, Chi-cag, is growing in the ~~midwest~~.		The nuked Night City has been rebuilt using self-replicating nano-machines which constructed buildings, roads and other infrastructure out of the underlying soil and rock. What was once an urban area of a few million inhabitants somewhere between San Francisco and Los Angeles (probably somewhere around Carmel, where Clint Eastwood lives) has become a mega-city straight out of ''Judge Dredd'', sprawling along most of the of the California coast, all in 10 or 15 years. The nanites have a mind of their own, and regularly de-construct whole buildings without warning and replace them with new ones. East coast USA has a similar mega-city called Boswash, stretching from Boston to Washington, and a third, Chi-cag, is growing in the Midwest.

	One problem with this paradigm is that netrunning, hacking or whatever you call it, the staple of the cyberpunk genre, is limited in scope. Perhaps to compensate for this, Netrunners and Artificial Intelligences can use the omnipresent nanites to create physical 'demons' to fight battles.		One problem with this paradigm is that netrunning, hacking or whatever you call it, the staple of the cyberpunk genre, is obviously limited in scope. Perhaps to compensate for this, Netrunners and Artificial Intelligences can use the omnipresent nanites to create physical 'demons' to fight battles.

	Another is the afore-mentioned plot holes. Were there no computers unconnected to the internet that could have survived the computer virus? How does the paper virus work, and how come it didn't consume all wood and living plant matter as well? Why didn't anyone just count the risings and settings of the sun (or just the passing of the seasons) from the last known date until new computers and software were developed?		Another is the afore-mentioned plot holes. Were there no computers unconnected to the internet that could have survived the computer virus? How does the paper virus work, and how come it didn't consume all wood and living plant matter as well? Why didn't anyone just count the risings and settings of the sun (or just the passing of the seasons) from the last known date until new computers and software were developed?
	Bear in mind that all of this is supposed to be happening in the mid-2030s, 10 years from now.
			[[Fail\|Bear in mind that all of this is supposed to be happening in the mid-2030s, 10 years from now.]]

	== '''Character Types''' ==		== '''Character Types''' ==