GURPS 4th Edition Revised FAQ, March 2026

[darjr]

SJGames put up this FAQ about the new GURPS 4th Edition Revised, it covers quite a lot but the quick summary is they will combine the characters and campaigns books, reducing duplication, adding some new content (20 pages or so), sensitivity editing, and formatting changes.

This is going to be a big book.

GURPS 4th Edition Revised FAQ

 

[HatWearingFool]

Huh, I’d have thought if a change\update was released after all these years it would have been a 5th edition. It’s oddly comforting to me that GURPS just keeps chugging along doing its own thing after all these years.

 

[thullgrim]

Can’t wait.

 

[MGibster]

I'm glad to see they're keeping the old gal alive.

 

[MGibster]

Q: Did you revise U.S. customary units to metric while you were at it?

A:

No. That would have constituted a rule change.

Ha! Ha! Ha! USA! USA! I think GURPS is a great game, but I'm not sure it's for me or my gaming pals at this point in our lives. After reading the FAQ I'm rooting for SJG though. It's an $80 book which is a pretty penny. I'd be willing to pay it though.

 

[dbm]

They have said that if they launch a fifth edition then they will be pretty much committed to new editions of all the main expansions. And currently there isn’t the demand that shows it would be a viable thing to do. So if 4eR seems to help bring new people to the game and the overall health of the game improves that might lead to a 5e.

 

[Koloth]

For those worried about the $80 MSRP, keep in mind that the revised book is what were previously 2 books. Basically the D&D/PF version of combining the PHB and DMG into one book. Bonus points if the Book + PDF bundle happens, unless shipping negates the savings.

 

[dbm]

They have said that SJG (presumably Warehouse23) will offer a book + PDF bundle, which looks like maybe 50% off the PDF price.

SJG have always been really strong on the position that the PDFs are a valuable asset and don’t bundle them free with their print products.

 

[MGibster]

For those worried about the $80 MSRP, keep in mind that the revised book is what were previously 2 books. Basically the D&D/PF version of combining the PHB and DMG into one book. Bonus points if the Book + PDF bundle happens, unless shipping negates the savings.

It's kind of funny how the psychology of purchasing goes. The D&D 5th edition Player's Handbook (2024) retails for $50. If you want the core books, it's $150, so $80 for what you'll get with this GURPS book is perfectly reasonable. But for some, psychologically, they'll just think that's a lot to pay for a single book.

They have said that if they launch a fifth edition then they will be pretty much committed to new editions of all the main expansions. And currently there isn’t the demand that shows it would be a viable thing to do.

Steve Jackson Games have show themselves to be pretty savvy when it comes to running their business. They're certainly not averse to pivoting when one line of business proves itself more profitable than another.

 

[dbm]

They are quite possibly the most longevitous small publisher of RPGs these days?