Absolutely. But with one caveat: the technology is dated.
The netrunning rules reference "60MB hard drives" and "1200 baud modems" as cutting-edge. If you are a purist who loves the retro-future aesthetic of Neuromancer (published 1984), this is perfect.
If you want modern Wi-Fi, cloud computing, and brain-machine interfaces… the book still works, but you will need to do minor adjustments. The GURPS system is modular—just rename "phone jacks" to "wireless nodes" and increase memory storage by a factor of 1,000,000.
Compatibility: This is written for GURPS 3rd Edition. You can convert it to GURPS 4th Edition using the free GURPS Update PDF (available on Warehouse 23). 4th edition has a separate book, GURPS Ultra-Tech, but many purists prefer the 3e cyberpunk book for its focused tone. gurps cyberpunk pdf
Advice on pacing, paranoia, and running corporate conspiracies. It includes sample NPCs (street samurai, fixers, corpo executives) and a complete sample adventure.
Like all GURPS (Generic Universal RolePlaying System) books, this PDF relies on the GURPS Basic Set (Third Edition for this version). If you don’t have the core rules, this PDF is useless. Assuming you do, you get a dense, simulationist toolkit.
Unlike Cyberpunk 2020 (which is cinematic and cool) or Shadowrun (which is fantasy and chrome), GURPS Cyberpunk is gritty, lethal, and technical. A single 9mm round can kill a street samurai. Hacking isn't a mini-game; it’s a complex, tense, second-by-second operation using real-world computer terminology from 1990. Absolutely
While the core PDF is fantastic on its own, GURPS is a modular system. To run a full cyberpunk campaign, grab these companion PDFs (all available on Warehouse 23):
Whether you play GURPS (Generic Universal RolePlaying System) or just mine books for ideas, this PDF is a goldmine.
GURPS (Generic Universal RolePlaying System) is a flexible tabletop RPG system designed by Steve Jackson Games (SJG). GURPS Cyberpunk is a supplement that adapts cyberpunk genre conventions—high tech, low life, megacorporations, cybernetic augmentation—into GURPS mechanics. The PDF format allows easy distribution and access but raises questions about rights, preservation, and community practices. Advice on pacing
The meat of the book (pun intended). Over 50 cybernetic implants are detailed, from basic cybereyes and reflex boosters to full body replacement (cybershells). It introduces the "Essence" or "Soulburn" mechanic—a GURPS-specific humanity cost that limits how much chrome a character can install before becoming a cold, sociopathic monster.
Once you download the PDF, what kind of campaign can you run?