''GURPS Horror'' is a

sourcebook A sourcebook is a collection of writings on a subject that is intended to be a basic introduction to the topic presented. Academic use In American universities, a sourcebook, either a standard one or a custom collection, may function as a supplem ...

for ''

GURPS The ''Generic Universal RolePlaying System'', or ''GURPS'', is a tabletop role-playing game system designed to allow for play in any game setting. It was created by Steve Jackson Games and first published in 1986 at a time when most such systems ...

''. The first edition was published in 1987.

''GURPS Horror'' is a ''

'' supplement featuring rules for including horror in games, including guidelines for character creation and backgrounds for adventures. The second edition of ''GURPS Horror'' adds guidelines on how to play using historical periods, and information on the Illuminati.

Publication history

The first edition of ''GURPS Horror'' was written by

Scott Haring Scott D. Haring is a game designer who has worked primarily on role-playing games. Career Scott Haring began working in the adventure gaming industry in 1982. Haring had a long career with Steve Jackson Games, having worked at the company five d ...

, featuring a cover by

Michael Whelan Michael Whelan (born 29 June 1950) is an American artist of imaginative realism. For more than 30 years, he worked as an illustrator, specializing in science fiction and fantasy cover art. Since the mid-1990s, he has pursued a fine art career, ...

, and was published by

Steve Jackson Games Steve Jackson Games (SJGames) is a game company, founded in 1980 by Steve Jackson, that creates and publishes role-playing, board, and card games, and (until 2019) the gaming magazine ''Pyramid''. History Founded in 1980, six years after the c ...

in 1987 as a 96-page book. The second edition of ''GURPS Horror'' was written by Scott Haring and J.M. Caparula and published in 1990 as a 128-page book. ''GURPS Horror'' was one of the broad genre books that was published after the ''

GURPS Basic Set ''GURPS Basic Set'' is a role playing game publication written by Steve Jackson, Sean M. Punch, and David L. Pulver. The first edition ''GURPS Basic Set'' box was published in 1986, a standalone third edition book in 1988, and a hardcover, two ...

''. The Third Edition was released in 2002, with content added by

Kenneth Hite Kenneth Hite (born September 15, 1965) is a writer and role-playing game designer. Hite is the author of Trail of Cthulhu and Night's Black Agents role-playing games, and lead designer of the 5th edition of '' Vampire: the Masquerade''. Educatio ...

influenced by his preceding role-playing game '' Nightmares of Mine''. The Fourth Edition was released in 2011.

Reception

Ken Rolston Ken Rolston is an American computer game and role-playing game designer best known for his work with West End Games and on the computer game series ''The Elder Scrolls''. In February 2007, he elected to join the staff of computer games company B ...

reviewed the first edition of ''GURPS Horror'' for '' Dragon'' magazine #138 (October 1988). Rolston wrote in his conclusion: "The ''GURPS'' system works better than '' COCs basic role-playing system for tactical role-playing, and those already playing ''GURPS'' games will find the ''GURPS Horror'' game's mechanics useful. For a heroic supernatural campaign similar in tone to most fantasy role-playing campaigns (with the PCs as fearless crusaders against evil occult horrors), this supplement is a suitable system."

Rick Swan Rick Swan is a game designer and author who worked for TSR. His work for TSR, mostly for Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, appeared from 1989 to 1995. Swan also wrote ''The Complete Guide to Role-Playing Games'' (1990), published by St. Martin's Pr ...

reviewed the second edition of ''GURPS Horror'' for '' Dragon'' magazine #186 (October 1992). Swan writes in his conclusion: "Though sketchy in places and unfocused as a whole, the ''GURPS Horror'' game still stands as the best horror overview on the market. Referees who enjoy creating their own adventures will find plenty of raw material here, particularly in the Cabal chapter and creature rosters. However, nothing crucial has been added in the new version, certainly nothing that automatically renders the first edition obsolete. Owners of the first edition can safely skip the second and spend their money elsewhere, perhaps on a copy of the ''GURPS Psionics'' game." ''GURPS Horror'', Fourth Edition won the 2012 Silver

Ennie Award The ENNIE Awards (previously stylized as ENnie Awards) are awards for role-playing game (RPG) products (including game-related accessories, publications, and art) and their creators. The awards were created in 2001 by Russ Morrissey of EN World ...

for "Best Supplement" and "Best Writing".

References

{{reflist

External links

Most recent published errata for the 1st edition
ENnies winners GURPS 1st/2nd edition GURPS 3rd edition GURPS 4th edition

Horror Horror may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Genres *Horror fiction, a genre of fiction **Japanese horror, Japanese horror fiction ** Korean horror, Korean horror fiction *Horror film, a film genre *Horror comics, comic books focusing on ...

Horror role-playing games Role-playing game supplements introduced in 1987

Contents

Publication history

Reception

See also

References

External links