Vault 13: A GURPS Post-Nuclear Adventure

Vault 13: A GURPS Post-Nuclear Adventure was an early working title for Fallout (later also called Fallout: A GURPS Post-Nuclear Adventure before the GURPS license was finally dropped).

The game was initially intended to use Steve Jackson Games's GURPS system. GURPS is an acronym for Generic Universal Role Playing System and is a table-top role playing game system published by Steve Jackson Games. Originally released in 1986, it is currently in its fourth edition. GURPS is designed to be easily applicable to any role playing game setting, and is played with six-sided dice.

From the GURPS FAQ : GURPS ''is a 3d6 skill-based system. It uses a point-based character creation system, and represents characters using four basic stats (Strength, Dexterity, IQ, and Health) along with advantages, disadvantages, perks, quirks, and skills. GURPS is designed to allow role-playing in any genre using the same game mechanics for all of them.''



In early 1997 (around 11th February 1997), in the midst of Fallout’s development, Steve Jackson Games and Interplay terminated their deal. Apparently, Steve Jackson Games was satisfied with everything but the Vault Boy pictures in the character screen and the execution scene in the introduction. As the split between Fallout and GURPS became imminent, Steve Jackson remarked “The GURPS implementation they've created is *worth* saving.” When the contract was referenced over approval rights, Interplay discovered several flaws, which in turn developed into a legal squabble over the contract itself. Eventually, the companies ended with a mutual decision to part ways. Chris Taylor, while agreeing that the split was a blow to the project, said "instead of compromising and making an inferior product -- Fallout will be produced with conviction." The title was changed to the final version: Fallout: A Post Nuclear Role Playing Game and the SPECIAL character system was designed. GURPS sometimes appears as a terminal password in Fallout 3.

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As part of Fallout's 10th anniversary celebration, here are 2 previously unreleased screenshots from the GURPS version of the game, courtesy of Chris Taylor. They were created when Scott Campbell was still in charge of the design.

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