This review is in response to the RPG.net article
The Future is Small
by James Maliszewski
May 4, 1999
The plot device that moves the whole setting of Cybergeneration is nanotechnology. In Cyberpunk nanotech was briefly hinted at with mini-factories and such, but in Cybergeneration nanotech is shown as a catalyst for a begining of a new area. Nanotechnology is used as a plague that changes the childern of that world, so adults fear the changes and the childern have a weapon to strike against the corrupt system. The nanites actually use matter of the human body to build new equipment and re-adjust the human system so that the kids seems to have "Superhuman powers" because of the workings of the nanites.
The game even allows for creating you own "powers" by stating that the nanites have an simple AI and can look at the human body and learn how to further improve upon it. New "powers" are added in the sourcebooks and there are even some done by people on the net. The game states that only kids can live through the change because they're still growing and thier bodies are able
to handle the changes. Some kids don't even change according to the system.
The backstory does hint how the nanites were design to only affect kids because they are the future and they are not as jaded as the adults are (Thereby creating a "Down with the Man!" type of feel for the game). I think that Cybergeneration is a very good setting that shows how nanotechnology could change the face of mankind in a very radical way.
Unfortunately, the Cybergeneration was never heavily supported and then R. Talsorian Games shrunk to the size of a company out of someone's garage. On the upside, if you do find Cybergeneration in your local gaming store, it should be cheap (It was for me) and all you need is in the main book.
Style: 5 (Excellent!)
Substance: 5 (Excellent!)
