GURPS (WAS RE: [DL] Deadlands - Flagship vs. D20)

["Matthew M. DeForrest" <mmdeforrest@worldnet.att.net>]

-----Original Message-----
I admit to some curiosity why GURPS keeps getting ignored in this
discussion. Is it because it's not a PEG-published setting, because no
one here has bought the GURPS Deadlands materials, or what?

(Yes, there's a bit of self-serving in this message, but I *am*
honestly perplexed.)
--------------------------

I've been meaning to bring the GURPS material up to the list but have been a
trifle busy.  But since Andrew has brought it up....

I got a copy of "Aces and Eights" in the mail the other day.  In case you
haven't heard, GURPS has licensed Deadlands and is producing not only GURPS
Deadlands but also a line of miniatures (in support of its Steampunk and
Atomic Horror sourcebooks) and Dime Novels.

You heard it right, folks.  The Dime Novel format is back and "Aces and
Eights" is the first of the line.  It's a good first opening, although I
have some quibbles with the story.  It has a much more open knowledge of
magic than I personally use in my game (Hucksters are known about but not
approved of).  That being said, it may just be the company being kept at the
start of the story -- it centers on an Agency operative following his
partner's killers' trail to New Orleans.  Even though I don't like the
interpretation of the Deadlands world, it's well written and kept my
interest.  The adventure seems sound, although I haven't run it for anyone.
Most importantly, however, is the conversion system that translates between
Deadlands and GURPS at the end of the Dime Novel.  With that handful of
pages, you can work between all of the GURPS supplements and Deadlands.

I'm also quite happy with the miniatures.  They are attractive and very
user-friendly for Deadlands.  There are GURPS stats for all the minis ripe
for conversion.  The Steampunk ones are fairly obvious -- a pair of
adventurers (male and female), a mad scientist or two, a pair of automatons,
someone augmented with buzzsaws instead of hands, and a clockwork cat ready
for deployment in...well, your Marshall will know where.

I got the giant ants for a lark (and to intimidate my posse) but was quite
pleased to find another mad scientist and his hunchbacked assistant along
with the six ants.

Keep an eye on this line -- I think that they will be producing some useful
and attractive material for Deadlands in the future.

Take care.

Matt