[Ultra-Tech] Weapons and Equipment Branding

[Prince Charon]

Basically, taking the generic weapons and other gear from GURPS Ultra-Tech and related books (or websites like Pizard's equipment page), and creating specific named variants, as GURPS Cyberworld did.

For example:

Banana Republic BR-25 Wasp Mini-Defender

When laser weapons enthusiasts discuss clothing retailer Banana Republic's failed attempt to break into the budget energy weapons market, the Wasp Mini-Defender is almost inevitably brought up. A smaller variant of the company's BR-30 Hornet Defense Pistol released at the same time, the Wasp was seen as even less reliable or accurate than even that weapon. The poor sales lead to further and further reductions in price, before production was discontinued and the remaining stocks were sold at auction (where they didn't do well, even in bulk). Since its introduction, it and the BR-30 have seen far more use in robberies than for self defense.

(Statwise, start with the TL10 Holdout Laser (Ultra-Tech p115), but reduce Acc to 0, Cost to around $150, and give it a Malf. number of 15 (individual weapons may vary, as quality control was also an issue; energy flow problems that reduce damage or armor divisor are also common); weapon quality is cheap. The Hornet is similar, being a cheap-quality (and cost) variant of the TL10 Laser Pistol on the same page.)

[AlexanderHowl]

Custom brands are often a great way to personalize a setting. Variations of +1/-2 Accuracy, +10%/-20% range, damage, and shots, +20%/-10% to weight and cost, etc. are well within the realm of realism (though I would balance each positive with a minimum of two negatives to keep one model from dominating the market). For example, the Xnor Industries Mk. 33 heavy laser pistol is well known for its accuracy and brutality, Acc 7 and 4d+4 (2) burn damage, but suffers a -20% to range and to shots and a +20% to cost and weight.

[ericthered]

Gurb has a blog post about just this topic..

It's good stuff.

[Anders]

Originally Posted by Prince Charon

Basically, taking the generic weapons and other gear from GURPS Ultra-Tech and related books (or websites like Pizard's equipment page), and creating specific named variants, as GURPS Cyberworld did.

For example:

Banana Republic BR-25 Wasp Mini-Defender

When laser weapons enthusiasts discuss clothing retailer Banana Republic's failed attempt to break into the budget energy weapons market, the Wasp Mini-Defender is almost inevitably brought up. A smaller variant of the company's BR-30 Hornet Defense Pistol released at the same time, the Wasp was seen as even less reliable or accurate than even that weapon. The poor sales lead to further and further reductions in price, before production was discontinued and the remaining stocks were sold at auction (where they didn't do well, even in bulk). Since it's introduction, it and the BR-30 have seen far more use in robberies than for self defense.

(Statwise, start with the TL10 Holdout Laser (Ultra-Tech p115), but reduce Acc to 0, Cost to around $150, and give it a Malf. number of 15 (individual weapons may vary, as quality control was also an issue; energy flow problems that reduce damage or armor divisor are also common); weapon quality is cheap. The Hornet is similar, being a cheap-quality (and cost) variant of the TL10 Laser Pistol on the same page.)

This is what I wanted more rules for doing in the Tricked Out Weapons thread.

[Þorkell]

You could also use existing brands. There's no reason to suspect that arms companies that are around now all cease to be around. I mean, Beretta has been around since 1526 so what's another few decades or centuries there?

[Prince Charon]

Originally Posted by Þorkell

You could also use existing brands. There's no reason to suspect that arms companies that are around now all cease to be around. I mean, Beretta has been around since 1526 so what's another few decades or centuries there?

True. Likewise, it's plausible that a company that makes laser sights and such now might make laser weapons in thirty years or so, or that Axon Enterprise, Inc. might eventually start making electrolasers.

For Beretta specifically, they might stick with slugthrowers, or expand into the Gauss or energy weapons market. Hmm, Beretta Gyrocs, maybe?

[RyanW]

Originally Posted by Þorkell

You could also use existing brands. There's no reason to suspect that arms companies that are around now all cease to be around. I mean, Beretta has been around since 1526 so what's another few decades or centuries there?

To fit the Cyperpunk style, Beretta is most likely a wholly owned subsidiary of a megacorp.

[Rupert]

Originally Posted by RyanW

To fit the Cyperpunk style, Beretta is most likely a wholly owned subsidiary of a megacorp.

Or is proudly not and remains family owned, a point of distinction when companies such as H&K, Colt, etc. are just brands or whole owned subsidiaries of massive conglomerates.
.

[Phantasm]

Originally Posted by Þorkell

You could also use existing brands. There's no reason to suspect that arms companies that are around now all cease to be around. I mean, Beretta has been around since 1526 so what's another few decades or centuries there?

I use Smith & Wesson, H&K, Kalishnakov, and Colt for lasers, sonic weapons, and blasters in my space opera setting. Mind, my Smith & Wesson have branded their blaster line as "Sith & Wesson" due to various factors. ;)

[Phantasm]

Originally Posted by Phantasm

I use Smith & Wesson, H&K, Kalishnakov, and Colt for lasers, sonic weapons, and blasters in my space opera setting. Mind, my Smith & Wesson have branded their blaster line as "Sith & Wesson" due to various factors. ;)

I'll also make up names of companies, sometimes by looking through naming guideline books, sometimes through paging through an old high school yearbook or the phone book of wherever I'm living at the moment. (The latter process gives me an uneven number of WASP names, though, because of where I went to school and presently live, though.)