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Written in 1991 as a near future (2120) setting for 'GURPS Space', 'GURPS Terradyne' gives the impression of being the first book in a series.

Behind the impressive Alan Gutierrez cover, lies an overview of the inhabited solar system of 2120. It is a place with the potential for peace or war.

The solar system is divided between Earth, ruled by the United Peoples of Earth[UPOE] (a successor to the United Nations), threatened by global warming and groaning under the weight of 11 billion people, and the rest of the solar system, which is controlled by the Terradyne Corporation, formed to find ways to reverse global warming, but now effectively an independent state in its own right.

The current balance between the two powers is based on the fact that Terradyne's only source of organic chemicals and heavy metals is Earth, something that will soon change when/if the mines Terradyne is establishing on Titan and Mercury come on line.

The books' chapters contain overviews on the Earth and the other settled worlds of the solar system (Mercury, Mars and the Moon). These overviews give the GM enough information to get into the setting and provide some hints that could be used for more detailed planning.

However the chapter on Earth concentrates on North America/Western Europe and China, giving little information on other areas, aside from the fact that Africa is exploited by both Terradyne and the developed world, Brazil is being turned into a biosphere & that Central Australia is used as a religious retreat by followers of a religion based on Aboriginal lore. Really another book should have been written to cover this part of the setting in more detail.

Worse the chapters on character design and adventure hints feel like afterthoughts and most of the sample adventure outlines concentrate on the planet Mars.

There are two major items of errata, the maps of the Moon and Mars were printed without map keys and one skill 'Hydrology' is mentioned, but not defined in any way. Fortunatly both items are available from the Steve Jackson Games errata site.

Another annoying piece of errata is the sidebar on page 84, which refers to explorer Captain Scott as 'Dr' Scott and states that author Theodore Sturgon wrote "The Thing", actually the story was "Who Goes There?" by John W. Campbell.

Despite these problem the book contains a strong setting that provides plenty of opportunities for adventure, with PC's taking on the roles of agents for the either the two major powers, any of the other minor factions that exist within the solar system or simply as free agents trying to survive.

Furthermore it is a setting that is very different from the majority of Science Fiction role playing settings, there are no faster-than-light ships and no aliens, though there may be interstellar colonies.

Overall, I'd give this one a three out of five for overall presentation, aside from the cover picture, the artwork is average (although most of it was reused for 'Behind the Claw'). But there are no typos or printing problems.

I would give this one five out of five for content except for the errata mentioned above and for that nagging feeling that there was meant to be another book. So I'll rate it four out of five, since the GM is at least given enough material to start from.

In conclusion, if you can find this one and you are looking for a different science fiction setting get it, otherwise wait for Steve Jackson Games, "Transhuman Space", a GURPS based game that appears to feature a similar setting.

GURPS Space: Terradyne
GURPS Space: Terradyne Capsule Review by Graham Donald on 05/01/02 Style: 3 (Average) Substance: 4 (Meaty) A great setting, such a pity the publisher did not support it. Product: GURPS Space: Terradyne Author: Russell Brown & Mark Waltz Category: RPG Company/Publisher: Steve Jackson Games Line: GURPS Cost: Page count: 128 Year published: 1991 ISBN: 1-55634-198-9 SKU: 6039 Comp copy?: no Capsule Review by Graham Donald on 05/01/02 Genre tags: Science Fiction Space	Written in 1991 as a near future (2120) setting for 'GURPS Space', 'GURPS Terradyne' gives the impression of being the first book in a series. Behind the impressive Alan Gutierrez cover, lies an overview of the inhabited solar system of 2120. It is a place with the potential for peace or war. The solar system is divided between Earth, ruled by the United Peoples of Earth[UPOE] (a successor to the United Nations), threatened by global warming and groaning under the weight of 11 billion people, and the rest of the solar system, which is controlled by the Terradyne Corporation, formed to find ways to reverse global warming, but now effectively an independent state in its own right. The current balance between the two powers is based on the fact that Terradyne's only source of organic chemicals and heavy metals is Earth, something that will soon change when/if the mines Terradyne is establishing on Titan and Mercury come on line. The books' chapters contain overviews on the Earth and the other settled worlds of the solar system (Mercury, Mars and the Moon). These overviews give the GM enough information to get into the setting and provide some hints that could be used for more detailed planning. However the chapter on Earth concentrates on North America/Western Europe and China, giving little information on other areas, aside from the fact that Africa is exploited by both Terradyne and the developed world, Brazil is being turned into a biosphere & that Central Australia is used as a religious retreat by followers of a religion based on Aboriginal lore. Really another book should have been written to cover this part of the setting in more detail. Worse the chapters on character design and adventure hints feel like afterthoughts and most of the sample adventure outlines concentrate on the planet Mars. There are two major items of errata, the maps of the Moon and Mars were printed without map keys and one skill 'Hydrology' is mentioned, but not defined in any way. Fortunatly both items are available from the Steve Jackson Games errata site. Another annoying piece of errata is the sidebar on page 84, which refers to explorer Captain Scott as 'Dr' Scott and states that author Theodore Sturgon wrote "The Thing", actually the story was "Who Goes There?" by John W. Campbell. Despite these problem the book contains a strong setting that provides plenty of opportunities for adventure, with PC's taking on the roles of agents for the either the two major powers, any of the other minor factions that exist within the solar system or simply as free agents trying to survive. Furthermore it is a setting that is very different from the majority of Science Fiction role playing settings, there are no faster-than-light ships and no aliens, though there may be interstellar colonies. Overall, I'd give this one a three out of five for overall presentation, aside from the cover picture, the artwork is average (although most of it was reused for 'Behind the Claw'). But there are no typos or printing problems. I would give this one five out of five for content except for the errata mentioned above and for that nagging feeling that there was meant to be another book. So I'll rate it four out of five, since the GM is at least given enough material to start from. In conclusion, if you can find this one and you are looking for a different science fiction setting get it, otherwise wait for Steve Jackson Games, "Transhuman Space", a GURPS based game that appears to feature a similar setting.

GURPS Space: Terradyne