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This review was originally written in 1993. It is being submitted "as is."

In a year when unemployment ran amok, recession reared its ugly head and "global depression" seemed to be the catch phrase, it was a relief to see a new Paranoia supplement come along to tell us how good we really have it. For sheer perversity and black humor, The Bot Abusers' Manual lives up to its title.

Tired of squishy Clones? Feel like trying something a bit more durable? The Bot Abusers' Manual gives Paranoia players everything they need to build a Bot from scratch: standard equipment, mode of transportation (hint: the VTOL Jets ain't worth it), input/output devices, manipulators (hands), power sources, weapons, armor, and the wonderfully ambiguous "enhancements." There is a fine listing of the advantages and many, well...interesting side-effects of the equipment.

There's also an excellent -- and hilarious -- section on roleplaying robots. Kudos to Ed Bolme for lively, humorous (and sometimes informative) writing. Personality modules are provided for some bots who wish to fit comfortably into human society, or more likely, make a nuisance of themselves. The players section also gives important information on software, useful and otherwise. "Asimov Circuits," based loosely on the robot novel series should also provide plenty of mayhem.

Eight robotic secret societies are provided as well, including "Affirmative Action," "Methanolics Anonymous," and the infamous "Rock 'Em, Sock 'Em Warbots."

The layout is fine, as is the artwork, which displays life in Alpha Complex in all its, er, glory.

An adventure for bots, "Been Hurt," is probably the weakest part of the supplement. The scenario is fairly straightforward but not especially inspired. In all, however, The Bot Abusers' Manual is a good buy. And in these dark times, roleplaying a hefty warbot with a Tac Nuke might just be the ticket.

The Bot Abusers' Manual
The Bot Abusers' Manual Capsule Review by Gilbert Pili on 15/08/02 Style: 3 (Average) Substance: 4 (Meaty) In these dark times, roleplaying a hefty warbot with a Tac Nuke might just be the ticket. Product: The Bot Abusers' Manual Author: Ed Bolme Category: RPG Company/Publisher: West End Games Line: Paranoia Cost: Page count: Year published: 1992 ISBN: SKU: Comp copy?: no Capsule Review by Gilbert Pili on 15/08/02 Genre tags: Science Fiction Far Future Space Comedy	This review was originally written in 1993. It is being submitted "as is." In a year when unemployment ran amok, recession reared its ugly head and "global depression" seemed to be the catch phrase, it was a relief to see a new Paranoia supplement come along to tell us how good we really have it. For sheer perversity and black humor, The Bot Abusers' Manual lives up to its title. Tired of squishy Clones? Feel like trying something a bit more durable? The Bot Abusers' Manual gives Paranoia players everything they need to build a Bot from scratch: standard equipment, mode of transportation (hint: the VTOL Jets ain't worth it), input/output devices, manipulators (hands), power sources, weapons, armor, and the wonderfully ambiguous "enhancements." There is a fine listing of the advantages and many, well...interesting side-effects of the equipment. There's also an excellent -- and hilarious -- section on roleplaying robots. Kudos to Ed Bolme for lively, humorous (and sometimes informative) writing. Personality modules are provided for some bots who wish to fit comfortably into human society, or more likely, make a nuisance of themselves. The players section also gives important information on software, useful and otherwise. "Asimov Circuits," based loosely on the robot novel series should also provide plenty of mayhem. Eight robotic secret societies are provided as well, including "Affirmative Action," "Methanolics Anonymous," and the infamous "Rock 'Em, Sock 'Em Warbots." The layout is fine, as is the artwork, which displays life in Alpha Complex in all its, er, glory. An adventure for bots, "Been Hurt," is probably the weakest part of the supplement. The scenario is fairly straightforward but not especially inspired. In all, however, The Bot Abusers' Manual is a good buy. And in these dark times, roleplaying a hefty warbot with a Tac Nuke might just be the ticket.