Hardwired: The Sourcebook is a supplement published by R. Talsorian Games in 1989 for the dystopian near-future science fiction role-playing game Cyberpunk .
Hardwired: The Sourcebook is a supplement published by R. Talsorian Games in 1989 for the dystopian near-future science fiction role-playing game Cyberpunk .
This supplement is set in the year 2151 using the background of the Walter Jon Williams novel Hardwired . The Earth has become a dystopian world where most heavy industry and the social elite are in orbit, the Orbital Corporations control the world, and the United States has balkanized into a myriad of regions. Smugglers exist at the fringes of society, using neural implants to increase their chances of survival while they look for an opportunity to permanently move into orbit. [1]
This supplement provides
Six linked scenarios are included. [2]
In 1986, Walter Jon Williams joined the growing cyberpunk subgenre of science fiction with his novel Hardwired . Two years later, Williams helped Mike Pondsmith of R. Talsorian Games to playtest a new role-playing game, Cyberpunk . In 1989, Williams wrote Hardwired: The Sourcebook, a Cyberpunk supplement based on his novel with contributions by Mike Pondsmith and Pati Nagle. The 94-page softcover book features interior art by Matthew Anacleto, Harrison Fong, Sam Liu, Karl Martin, and T. K. Scott, and cover art by Luis Royo. [3]
In the October–November 1989 edition of Space Gamer (Vol. II No. 2), the reviewer commented that "If you're a Hardwired fan, this book is definitely worthwhile; it's a good springboard into Hardwired role-playing. And even for those who don't wish to use Williams' universe, the book is a good resource and idea bin. The rules, charts and background are sure to improve your Cyberpunk game." [4]
In the February 1990 edition of Dragon (Issue #154), Ken Rolston commented that this supplement "is true to the novel's tone and style [...] all to good effect." He concluded with a recommendation, saying, "A compelling and expressive evocation of a cyberpunk campaign setting, Hardwired is good reading, and the adventures are first class." [5]
Stephan Wieck reviewed Hardwired Sourcebook in White Wolf #21 (June/July 1990), rating it a 5 out of 5 and stated that "The sourcebook is entertaining to read, especially the adventure. It also contains enough game specifics to make it a useful product. While reading/reviewing the product, I looked for aspects of the sourcebook that warranted constructive criticism and I couldn't find anything that was not done well. The only downer is the [...] price tag which seems a bit steep, but Walter Jon Williams' writing is worth the money." [6]
Cyberpunk is a tabletop role-playing game in the dystopian science fiction genre, written by Mike Pondsmith and first published by R. Talsorian Games in 1988. It is typically referred to by its second or fourth edition names, Cyberpunk 2020 and Cyberpunk Red, in order to distinguish it from the cyberpunk genre after which it is named.
Walter Jon Williams is an American writer, primarily of science fiction. Previously he wrote nautical adventure fiction under the name Jon Williams, in particular, Privateers and Gentlemen (1981–1984), a series of historical novels set during the Age of Sail.
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Michael Alyn Pondsmith is an American roleplaying, board, and video game designer. He is best known for founding the publisher R. Talsorian Games in 1982, where he developed a majority of the company's role-playing game lines. Pondsmith is the author of several RPG lines, including Mekton (1984), Cyberpunk (1988) and Castle Falkenstein (1994). He also contributed to the Forgotten Realms and Oriental Adventures lines of the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, worked in various capacities on video games, and authored or co-created several board games. Pondsmith also worked as an instructor at the DigiPen Institute of Technology.
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Hardwired is a 1986 cyberpunk science fiction novel by American writer Walter Jon Williams.
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KViSR Rocks! is an adventure published by Leading Edge Games in 1987 for Living Steel, a post-apocalyptic cyberpunk role-playing game.
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Street Samurai Catalog is a supplement published by FASA in 1989 for the near-future cyberpunk role-playing game Shadowrun.
Rockerboy is a supplement published by R. Talsorian Games in 1989 for the dystopian near-future role-playing game Cyberpunk.
Earth/Cybertech Sourcebook is a supplement published by Game Designers' Workshop (GDW) in 1989 for the science-fiction role-playing game 2300 AD.
Rigger 2 is a role-playing game supplement published by FASA in 1997 for the second edition of the dystopian cyberpunk role-playing game Shadowrun.
Chrome Book is a 1991 role-playing game supplement published by R. Talsorian Games for Cyberpunk.
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