[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.
.

[Þorkell]

Originally Posted by RyanW

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

Or Beretta could be the megacorp that owns other weapon brands...

[Tyneras]

This is an inspiring thread.

Quasar Laser Weapons

Quasar Laser (pronounced Quasar Laze-ar) brand laser weapons have a reputation for packing a tremendous amount of punch in a tiny, expensive package. Their advertising features the weapon, by itself or held by a celebrity, with their trademarked "Quasar Vapor" rising from the barrel, the background featuring appropriate destruction.

Quasar Lasers are popular with more destructive corp security when they have the budget.

To create a Quasar Laser, multiply magazine weight by 3 and price by 10. Multiply damage and range of the weapon by 1.5 (or +2 per die). Double reloading time and weapon price. Number of shots and RoF remain unchanged.

Quasar Lasers use a unique magazine, with an integrated cooling system. The heat sink uses a solid material that sublimates into the distinct Quasar Vapor when heated, and is expended when the magazine runs dry. Quasar Lasers has a recycling program, accepting undamaged spent magazines for a 75% credit.

The magazines detect when the ablative heat sink is spent, and will refuse to discharge even when fully charged. This can be easily bypassed with an appropriate Armory or other skill roll at no penalty. Without the heat sink, a Quasar Laser has a Malf of 14, dropping by 1 per shot. On a regular failure the entire weapon and magazine fuses, reducing it to useless scrap. On a critical failure, it immediately explodes for 1d-2 per shot remaining.

The exact formulation and processing method for the heat sink material is a closely guarded secret that has not yet been successfully back-engineered by competitors. Supposedly it breaks down into non-toxic compounds, and any claims otherwise are the result of reckless cheapskates using off-brand substitutes in illegally modified weapons.

Quasar Laser Carbine
TL 10, 7d+3(2) burn, 750/2,250, $9,400, shots 28(6)
Magazine: $200, 3lbs