Cyberpunk Red Jumpstart Kit Announced from R. Talsorian Games

R. Talsorian Games announced details for the introductory boxed set for Cyberpunk Red, the new edition of the iconic cyberpunk roleplaying game.

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This new edition of Cyberpunk (reportedly named before the licensing deal with video game company CD Projekt Red for the Cyberpunk 2077 video game) is the fourth edition of the game, following Cyberpunk 2013 (released in 1988), Cyberpunk 2020 (released in 1990), and Cyberpunk V3.0 (released in 2005).

From the press release:

R. Talsorian Games has announced an August 1, 2019 release for the Cyberpunk Red Jumpstart Kit, a boxed set containing everything players need to start playing Cyberpunk Red, the newest edition of the original tabletop roleplaying game of the Dark Future.

Set in the years between the classic tabletop roleplaying game Cyberpunk 2020 and Cyberpunk 2077, the upcoming AAA video game from CD Projekt Red, the Cyberpunk Red Jumpstart Kit is the perfect entry point for gamers new to tabletop gaming as well as veterans who want to learn how the game’s rules and world have evolved.

Inside the Cyberpunk Red Jumpstart Kit box, players will find:

• A lore and adventure book detailing the world of Cyberpunk Red. Also included is a full, ready to play scenario and “Screamsheets”, a combination of in-universe news story and game information which players can use to create new adventures.
• A rulebook containing the essential rules needed to play the game, engage in frenetic combat, and hack their way through digital networks. The Cyberpunk Red Jumpstart Kit uses a new version of R. Talsorian Games’ original Interlock game engine.
• Six pregenerated characters: the Fixer, the Netrunner, the Nomad, the Rocker, the Solo, and the Tech. Each character comes ready to play but can be further customized using an abbreviated version of the famous Cyberpunk Lifepath system.
• Four maps to help players visualize their environments, from hard streets to glittering nightclubs.
• Six dice: two ten-sided dice and four six-sided dice.
• And more!

Designed by award winning game designer Mike Pondsmith, creator of the Cyberpunk universe, the Cyberpunk Red Jumpstart Kit remains true to the gritty roots of the original while serving as a gateway to the future of the line. R. Talsorian Games is proud to offer this entry-level product to the gaming community and is confident those who use the Jumpstart Kit to explore the Dark Future will go on to explore the game and world deeper via the Cyberpunk Red core rulebook, due out later in 2019.

The Cyberpunk Red Jumpstart Kit will make its debut at Gen Con 2019 in Indianapolis on August 1st and will be for sale there at booth 1852. It will also be available as a digital download, minus the dice, via DriveThruRPG.com on the same day. Physical copies of the Cyberpunk Red Jumpstart Kit will be available via the R. Talsorian Games webstore and through retailers shortly afterwards.

Additional information about Cyberpunk can be found at https://rtalsoriangames.com/

About R. Talsorian Games

Founded in 1985, R. Talsorian Games is an award-winning producer of tabletop roleplaying games, including The Witcher Tabletop Roleplaying Game, Castle Falkenstein, the Mekton series, and Teenagers from Outer Space. Mike Pondsmith, the company’s founder, was inducted into the Origins Awards Hall of Fame in 2006. They are best known for the Cyberpunk roleplaying game, which serves as the prequel to the upcoming Cyberpunk 2077 video game from CD Projekt Red.

 

[calliban]

I really loved the old Interlock system from 2020, but the Fuzion system from v3 felt like it threw away everything good we had back then. It just wasn't as smooth, easy, nor playable.

I'm really worried this new Interlock actually the Fuzion system with d10's once again. I really hope it just the old Interlock with fixes similar to those of Datafortress 2020 and such, that actually addresses issues we had.

 

[jcoons]

So, whatever happened to you getting the Gundam RPG over here?

Akodoken likely means the Mekton Zero Kickstarter we ran a few years back. Unfortunately, we went over the deadline and still haven't completed the project. There were problems with communicating as well, which we apologize for. Since then, we've done our best to issue refunds to backers (Kickstarter does not have a refund process so it wasn't a smooth task).

Akodoken, if we haven't sent you a refund please email j.gray@rtalsoriangames.com and we'll make sure you get it.

We are sorry we weren't able to fulfill the Kickstarter. Mekton Zero is still in our plans for the future.

 

[Mercador]

It still exists but more of a "what if" scenario. An alternate timeline. Cybergenerations is much the same.

I prefer my scenario where it never existed

 

[Stacie GmrGrl]

I just thought v3 was something hacked into our internet from another place but only really exists on the internet as images to confuse us but never actually existed.

I'm also a person who feels the ideas of v3 are good ideas but we're way ahead of its time. Transhumanism has come a long way and with games like Eclipse Phase, Mindjammers, The Veil, The Expanse setting, The Android universe from FFG... Cyberpunk v3 could actually do alright now (with a much desired graphical overhaul).

 

[Stacie GmrGrl]

I received my refund but in my mind, that did not erase how horribly the entire affair was handled or how long it took to remedy. For a prestigious company like R. Talsorian the offense was egregious, imho.

Best of luck to you.

Considering how transparent R. Talsorian has been about it and the fact they did refunds, which are virtually unheard of from a Kickstarter, calling it egregious is a bit much. I can't think of another company that has done refunds for missed Kickstarter... Far West, the E20 one, the Robotech Tactics game by Palladium Games, these three are egregious. So many kickstarter's that fail never get refunds and I've never seen someone try so hard to make it up to people like this. Most people who have failed kickstarter's just slink off into total silence, never talk or explain, and keep the money.

I can't think of another rpg company that's been as transparent about the challenges and struggles of doing rpgs. Just watch their YouTube video where he talks about what went down at the time with Mekton, Cyberpunk and all the work done to work with CDPR as regards to everything before you pass such judgement.

Or at least appreciate the effort he's giving you to make things as right as possible.

 

[malafein]

I'm really looking forward to it seeing how Cyberpunk Red turns out. 2020 was among my all-time favorite rpgs.

 

[Akodoken]

Considering how transparent R. Talsorian has been about it and the fact they did refunds, which are virtually unheard of from a Kickstarter, calling it egregious is a bit much. I can't think of another company that has done refunds for missed Kickstarter... Far West, the E20 one, the Robotech Tactics game by Palladium Games, these three are egregious. So many kickstarter's that fail never get refunds and I've never seen someone try so hard to make it up to people like this. Most people who have failed kickstarter's just slink off into total silence, never talk or explain, and keep the money.

I can't think of another rpg company that's been as transparent about the challenges and struggles of doing rpgs. Just watch their YouTube video where he talks about what went down at the time with Mekton, Cyberpunk and all the work done to work with CDPR as regards to everything before you pass such judgement.

Or at least appreciate the effort he's giving you to make things as right as possible.

I disagree.

If they had been transparent during those years of little to no communication, I would agree. They only opened up when newer projects started going public and needed to do something about the stain on their reputation. It's a bit of "too little, too late," imho. When one looks at the entire situation, not just the end of it, is when the egregious nature of the issue becomes apparent.

All said they do get points for finally doing something in the end. I am not discounting that. I consider all things when I decide if I am going to give my hard earned cash to a company.

As I said above, best of luck to them with any and all projects.

 

[R_Chance]

Akodoken likely means the Mekton Zero Kickstarter we ran a few years back. Unfortunately, we went over the deadline and still haven't completed the project. There were problems with communicating as well, which we apologize for. Since then, we've done our best to issue refunds to backers (Kickstarter does not have a refund process so it wasn't a smooth task).

Akodoken, if we haven't sent you a refund please email j.gray@rtalsoriangames.com and we'll make sure you get it.

We are sorry we weren't able to fulfill the Kickstarter. Mekton Zero is still in our plans for the future.

Thanks for clearing that up for me. I'm looking forward to your future projects (as well as Cyberpunk 2077). I ran a Star Wars game using Mekton Zeta. It worked great. Instead of just Meks I built landspeeders, TIE Fighters, etc., right on up to the Deathstar. Anime characters and Star Wars have always seemd a good match for me

 

[Eyes of Nine]

Orthogonal to this post: any Castle Falkenstein news? Pleeeease…

 

[J Gray]

So, whatever happened to you getting the Gundam RPG over here?

Unfortunately, that just didn't work out.