And then this happened . . .

[Anders]

Originally Posted by PK

To address those who aren't enthused about this setting, I'd like to point out a few things that you may not realize. After that, if you still aren't sold, that's totally cool; we all have differing tastes!

• This isn't a siege to be won by sheer military force alone -- it'll be won by technology. Gadgeteers are ubiquitous on both sides, coming up with prototype weapons, sensors, defenses, etc., both as part of a large force but also as individuals in their garages and saucer-labs. It's the ultimate geek-war.

• The setting fits anything from cinematic action play to gritty death-is-cheap violence -- and makes sense for power levels from "unsuspecting civilian" to "seasoned warrior." The included templates are 100 and 175 points, with options to adapt Action or Monster Hunters heroes to the setting. (And all that applies whether you're playing humans or Martians . . . yes, you can play Martians, from grunts to elite champions.)

• Similarly, there are so many campaigns that can be run from within the setting. Yes, you could be human soldiers and scientists fighting Martians on the front line, but personally, I'd run small-town police, zookeepers, and video-gamers forming a resistance to deal with sporadic Martian raiders and the giant insects that they've unleashed on the countryside. Matt Riggsby suggested running a group of veterans-turned-criminals who now pull "heists" on the Martians' terrestrial bases -- an idea so awesome that I stole it for the book!

I wanted to write GURPS Mars Attacks because I was blown away by how versatile a setting this was. It's a perfect fit for those who like their sci-fi with a hint of B movie . . . but I think it has something to appeal to anyone.

So I could play this as GURPS: X-com.

[philreed]

There needs to be a Pyramid article for using the Ten-Minute Takedown d6 with GURPS Mars Attacks.

http://www.sjgames.com/dexterity/marsattacks/

[Prince Charon]

Huh. This is interesting.

Will there be anything from the movie, like something on the... odd... Presidential succession that occurred?

[Refplace]

I like it. Goes back to SJG roots of some fun not serious gaming like IOU that we haven't seen in awhile.

[Andrew Hackard]

Originally Posted by Prince Charon

Will there be anything from the movie, like...

Asked and answered:

Originally Posted by Andrew Hackard

There is no Burton movie. Fnord.

[GodBeastX]

Originally Posted by Anders

So I could play this as GURPS: X-com.

=) We think alike!

SJGames! Take all the money from me!

[Michael Thayne]

Originally Posted by PK

This isn't a siege to be won by sheer military force alone -- it'll be won by technology. Gadgeteers are ubiquitous on both sides, coming up with prototype weapons, sensors, defenses, etc., both as part of a large force but also as individuals in their garages and saucer-labs. It's the ultimate geek-war.

Does this mean there will be expanded gadgeteering rules? GURPS' current supply of gadgeteering rules look a bit thin compared to the detailed and well-balanced rules we have for psi, magic, etc. I could see myself buying this book just for those rules.

[Christopher R. Rice]

Originally Posted by philreed

There needs to be a Pyramid article for using the Ten-Minute Takedown d6 with GURPS Mars Attacks.

http://www.sjgames.com/dexterity/marsattacks/

I could probably do that with something the size of an Appendix Z. Maybe use an exploding dice mechanic...hmmm.

[PK]

Originally Posted by scc

How interesting that another Monster Hunters book dealing with aliens come out recently.

That said a campaign where the Martians have SCIENCE! but the humans have Magic could be very interesting

Originally Posted by Randyman

Or vice versa, really.

I like the way you guys think! :)

Originally Posted by Michael Thayne

Does this mean there will be expanded gadgeteering rules? GURPS' current supply of gadgeteering rules look a bit thin compared to the detailed and well-balanced rules we have for psi, magic, etc. I could see myself buying this book just for those rules.

Yes, GURPS Mars Attacks has customized gadgeteering rules as part of the new alternative rules for Tech Level to fit the "anything goes" genre. Now mind you, these don't rewrite gadgeteering from the ground up because, well, you don't fix what ain't broke. Instead, they revise the modifiers and significantly clarify how they should be used in the game, particularly for scientists working out of garage labs, tool sheds, etc. They also add a new concept, Shortcuts, which allows you to accept a higher risk of bugs and side effects when you desperately need to get a prototype thrown together now.

[PK]

Originally Posted by philreed

There needs to be a Pyramid article for using the Ten-Minute Takedown d6 with GURPS Mars Attacks.

http://www.sjgames.com/dexterity/marsattacks/

I agree! I managed to work in rules for combining this with Mars Attacks: The Dice Game, but unfortunately Ten-Minute Takedown was still gestating at the time of completing the book.

The TMT die is 2x saucer, 2x insect, 2x robot, right?