GURPS is a tabletop role-playing game that was created in the 1980s. The spelling of the word GURPS is not intuitive, but it is pronounced as "gurps." The IPA phonetic transcription for the word GURPS is /ɡɝps/. The first sound is a voiced velar plosive represented by the letter 'g.' The second sound is a central vowel represented by the letter 'er.' The third sound is a voiceless bilabial plosive represented by 'p.' The final sound is an unvoiced alveolar fricative represented by 's.'
GURPS is an acronym for "Generic Universal RolePlaying System." It is a tabletop role-playing game system created by Steve Jackson Games. The term "generic" in GURPS signifies its flexibility and adaptability to accommodate various genres, settings, and themes. It is designed to provide a comprehensive and versatile platform for players and game masters to create and participate in a wide range of role-playing adventures.
GURPS utilizes a skill-based mechanic, where characters' abilities and actions are determined by their proficiency in various skills, attributes, and advantages. The game is driven by a 3d6 (three six-sided dice) resolution system, where players roll dice to determine success or failure in their actions.
The system is intentionally designed to be generic, allowing players to craft characters and explore settings of their choosing. It provides rules for a multitude of genres, including fantasy, science-fiction, martial arts, horror, historical, and more. It enables players to seamlessly blend elements from different genres and create unique and customized gaming experiences.
GURPS also features a robust character creation system that allows players to build their characters from scratch, selecting attributes, skills, advantages, and disadvantages that shape their abilities, personality, and backstory.
With its flexibility, GURPS offers a framework to create immersive and engaging role-playing experiences, tailored to the preferences and imaginations of the players and game masters. Whether delving into sword and sorcery adventures or exploring the depths of space, GURPS provides a comprehensive and adaptable system for players to bring their stories to life.