In April 2024 we presented the new Discworld Bundle featuring the 2016 Discworld Roleplaying Game Second Edition standalone RPG Powered by GURPS, the Generic Universal RolePlaying System from Steve Jackson Games, and based on the Discworld comedic fantasy novels of Sir Terry Pratchett. Visit the magic-infused flat world resting on the backs of four elephants, venture to the far end of the probability curve, and THRILL to the distinctive sights, sounds, and smells (especially smells) of Ankh-Morpork, most dubious city in the multiverse! SAIL the Circle Sea in pursuit of glory, pirate gold, or a suntan! INTERVENE in the cultural interactions of trolls and dwarves (watch out for flying axes)! AVOID the attentions of Death, Fate, the Lady, Granny Weatherwax, and the Patrician! WONDER why you bought a second meat pie from Mr Dibbler!
Discworld encompasses 41 novels (1983-2015) plus many support books, maps, music, and games. Steve Jackson Games published the First Edition of its licensed RPG as GURPS Discworld in 1998 and followed it in 2001 with a supplement, GURPS Discworld Also. SJG repackaged the original book in 2002 as the Discworld Roleplaying Game to clarify that the GURPS Basic Set wasn’t required; the book included the introductory GURPS Lite rules. A revised Second Edition in 2016 (incorporating Also) integrated a complete custom rules set based on GURPS Fourth Edition. These books were “officially unofficial”; though they were written in consultation with Sir Terry, he reserved the right to contradict them in the novels if he had a better idea.
Longtime GURPS line editor Sean Punch recalls, “Early on in my role as editor, I met Sir Terry at a local con where he was Guest of Honor. He and I discussed the (original) project, and he was extremely gracious and decidedly interested. I can therefore confirm he was personally implicated in the planning – right down to the level of giving joking advice to a young, intimidated editor.”
All versions of the SJG game are credited as by veteran British designer Phil Masters and Terry Pratchett. “Sir Terry really was the co-author,” says Steve Jackson. “Certainly his word count did not approximate Phil’s, but he did read every word Phil wrote, and commented, and addendumized. This text, unless a miracle passes, is the only roleplaying in Sir Terry’s own words that will ever be seen.”
There were three titles in our Disc Collection (retail value $59) as DRM-free .PDF ebooks, including the complete Discworld Roleplaying Game along with two GURPS Fourth Edition supplements that enhance the setting: GURPS 4E Fantasy-Tech 1: The Edge of Reality and (from our June 2022 GURPS 4E Essentials offer) GURPS 4E Low-Tech.
