eGURPS (GURPS 5e)

[DeDiceManCometh]

This is the next big thing: You guys at SJG need to start thinking outside of the box. Some of the paradigm shifts exemplified by Web 2.0 are totally relevant to RPG design.

First off, think of GURPS as primarily content. Beyond a few core mechanics (rolling die vs. a target number), the vast majority of the system is comprised of databases. SKILLS are a big database, CREATURES are, TEMPLATES are. You get the idea.

At this point GURPS is so robust, you're not doing anybody any favors by "revising" it without (or with limited) backward compatibility,...unless you think WotC's D&D product line strategy is good for GURPS (ha!).

What you CAN offer in the next gen is the ability to MANAGE all the content -- on the web via a CMS. Want to play GURPS Fantasy? Wouldn't it be nice to be able to click a button and have all the databases FILTERED for only fantasy entries?

And if only the GURPS interface could be SKINNED so that the necessary evil of "generic" typefaces and artwork could be done away with?

Even rules documentation could be FILTERED, even by tags BASIC, OPTIONAL, ADVANCED...or say, CINEMATIC.

"Official" campaign settings could be assembled/editted by MIBs from user (or in-house) submissions by employing a Wiki or Wiki-like technology. Settings would grow exponentially.

Just sayin' -- morebetter rules ain't the answer, it's the tools to manage all that we already have.