GURPS, the
Generic Universal Roleplaying System, evolved from a set of miniatures rules called
Man to Man, written by
Steve Jackson. Character creation is point-based, similar to many early
superhero RPG's. The rules system is flexible, with many optional rules which can add up to one of the most realistic combat systems in any
paper and pencil RPG.
The GURPS line is probably best known for its wide number and variety of supplements and world books. The game is designed to facilitate campaigns set in any genre using a single set of adaptable rules for magic, psionics, combat, and character creation. There are over 150 supplements and worldbooks so far, with a release schedule of about 2 new books and reprints per month.
Besides generic supplements such as Martial Arts, Supers, and Vehicles, there are worldbooks covering major historical eras and geographic regions, such as Russia, Egypt, China, and Imperial Rome. GURPS also has a number of licensed worldbooks for the works of fiction writers such as Alan Dean Foster, David Brin, Andre Norton, Terry Pratchett, and others. Other RPG's have also been licensed for a one or two-book GURPS adaptation, such as Vampire: The Masquerade, Castle Falkenstein, Traveller, and the real-time simulation game Myth. In addition, Steve Jackson Games has also adapted some of its other properties, such as Car Wars, In Nomine and Ogre to the GURPS rules.
GURPS supplements, particularly the historical worldbooks, are known for high-quality and well researched writing and can be fascinating reads completely separate from their function as RPG supplements. Artwork in GURPS used to be fairly poor, but SJG has recently put more money into design and it shows.
An abridged list of GURPS sourcebooks:
Aliens
Alternate Earths
Alternate Earths 2
Arabian Nights
Atomic Horror
Autoduel
Aztecs
Bestiary
Bio-Tech
Black Ops
Blood Types
Bunnies & Burrows
Camelot
Castle Falkenstein
Celtic Myth
China
Cliffhangers
Conan
Creatures of the Night
Cthulhupunk
Cyberpunk
Cyberworld
Dinosaurs
Discworld
Egypt
Espionage
Fantasy
Fantasy Bestiary
Fantasy Folk
Goblins
Greece
Grimoire
High-Tech
Horror
Horseclans
Humanx
Ice Age
Illuminati
Imperial Rome
In Nomine
International Super Teams
Japan
Lensman
Low Tech
Mage: The Ascension
Magic
Martial Arts
Mecha
Middle Ages
Myth
New Sun
Ogre
Old West
Places Of Mystery
Planet Krishna
The Prisoner
Psionics
Reign of Steel
Religion
Riverworld
Robin Hood
Robots
Russia
Scarlet Pimpernel
Space
Special Ops
Steampunk
Supers
Swashbucklers
Technomancer
Terradyne
Time Travel
Traveller
Traveller: Alien Races 1
Traveller: Alien Races 2
Traveller: Alien Races 3
Traveller: Behind the Claw
Traveller: Far Trader
Traveller: First In
Traveller: Modular Cutter
Traveller: Rim of Fire
Traveller: Star Mercs
Traveller: Starports
Ultra-Tech
Undead
Uplift
Vampire: The Masquerade
Vehicles
Vikings
Villains
Voodoo
War Against the Chtorr
Warehouse 23
Warriors
Werewolf: The Apocalypse
Who's Who
Wild Cards
Witch World
Wizards
Y2K