TWERPS

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Twerps ( T he W orld's e asiest R ole P laying S ystem, dt. The world simplest RPG System) is a minimalist universal RPG system . It was first published by Reindeer Games , which exclusively published the TWERPS series, and was distributed by Gamescience . Although designed as a parody of the rather complex systems of its time, TWERPS is a complete role-playing game, and its simple and humorous nature earned it some popularity. TWERPS was originally written by Jeff & 'Manda Dee and illustrated in a comic book style.

The title "TWERPS" rhymes with " GURPS " the "big" universal role-playing game system. In addition, a "twerp" in everyday English is a small, insignificant, or despicable person.

regulate

The rules of TWERPS are simple indeed. Characters have only one attribute called Strength , which is used for all die checks. Skills exist in the form of character classes that give a bonus to the die roll for activities related to them.

The first edition

At the beginning, each title in the TWERPS series was sold in a small plastic bag containing a small-format eight-page booklet, a sheet of game figures or tokens to be cut out, small maps or floor plans with a hexagonal grid and a pea-sized ten-sided cube ; Materials that are known in "large" form from "large" role-playing games. The first edition was printed cheaply in black on colored paper, with a different color for each title.

  • TWERPS Basic Rules : the basic rules and an example adventure "Watery Depths"
  • Fly By Knights : a fantasy backdrop in which knights ride various flying animals
  • Magic : a rule extension for magic and a "book" with spells
  • Space Cadets : a space opera background with different character classes, science fiction -typical weapons but no rules for spaceships
  • Kung Fu Dragons : a list of various martial arts based on Kung Fu films ; plus a miniature game leader screen in China look

The second edition

As TWERPS gained popularity, the source books were reissued in an expanded form with more pages and multi-colored title pages. There were also other booklets dealing with other genres and direct parodies. Jeff and 'Manda Dee played only a subordinate role in the revisions and new works, they were mainly written by Norman F. Morin Jr., Brian Rayburn and Niels Erickson, which can also be seen in the style with silliness and puns.

  • All titles of the first edition have been revised and reissued, especially the basic rules, in which the adventure "Watery Depths" was expanded into a real introductory adventure for inexperienced game masters .
  • Rocket Rangers : this booklet fills in the gaps in the Space Cadets , it contains rules for building and destroying spaceships and a few finished ships as examples; unlike most of the titles in the second edition, Rocket Rangers was largely written by Jeff and 'Manda Dee.
  • Twerps Twek : a direct parody of Star Trek ; requires Space Cadets and Rocket Rangers
  • Robo-punks : a backdrop to the cyberpunk genre
  • Superdudes : rules for superhero adventures
  • Metaphysical Ninja Maniac Chainsaw Vitamin Junkies : Guidelines for Mad Max- style scenarios , with rules for damaged vehicles and mutations
  • Twisted Tales of Terror : a horror source book that gives players, among other things, the opportunity to design and play a monster
  • MECHI-Tech : a system for the construction and conflict of giant combat robots , with a few snappy swipes at the popular Battletech game
  • The TWERPS Files : A Parody of the X-Files - The FBI's Creepy Cases ( The X Files )
  • How to Do Everything Better : general rule extensions with new character classes, superpowers and equipment

The German edition

TWERPS was published in German by Games-In Verlag. Two volumes in A5 format were published , in which several of the originals are bundled. In contrast to the English edition with its bags full of game material, the German TWERPS was produced in book form. The cardboard cutouts and most of the maps and plans fell victim to this conversion. Most of the silly word games from (mostly) the second edition didn't survive the translation either. In addition, the translation is often based on the - in comparison - scarce first edition.

  • TWERPS : includes TWERPS Basic Rules , TWERPS Magic , Kung Fu Dragons and Fly-By Knights ; ISBN 3-929875-90-X , 1993
  • TWERPS² : includes How to Do Everything Better , Robo Punks , Rocket Rangers and TWERPS Twek ; ISBN 3-929875-91-8 , 1993