Cities Without Number PDF: An Overview
Cities Without Number is a cyberpunk tabletop RPG available as a PDF. It offers a sandbox experience in a dystopian world. Explore megacorps and street tribes, using OSR mechanics with this digital resource.
What is Cities Without Number?
Cities Without Number is a cyberpunk tabletop role-playing game (TTRPG) by Kevin Crawford, known for creating sandbox adventures in dystopian settings; Inspired by the Old School Renaissance (OSR), it’s a toolkit for building your cyberpunk world. Drawing parallels with Crawford’s other works like Stars Without Number and Worlds Without Number, it provides a framework for reckless gameplay.
Funded through Kickstarter, Cities Without Number plunges players into a neon-and-dust landscape, a slow chrome apocalypse where street tribes and megacorps clash. It offers a system reference document (SRD) for modification and expansion. The game is available in a deluxe PDF edition, a hardcover print edition, and a free PDF version, offering flexible access to its worldbuilding resources and gameplay mechanics. Dive into a world of polished chrome and bitter misery.
Key Features of Cities Without Number
Cities Without Number offers sandbox gameplay in a cyberpunk setting, using OSR mechanics. It provides tools for worldbuilding and character customization, allowing players to create unique stories.
Sandbox Gameplay
Cities Without Number emphasizes sandbox gameplay, giving players freedom within a dystopian cyberpunk setting. Players can explore urban sprawls, interact with factions, and forge their own paths through the neon-lit streets. The game encourages player-driven narratives, allowing groups to shape their world.
The system provides various tools for GMs to generate cities, create compelling NPCs, and develop engaging storylines. These tools, combined with player agency, ensure no two campaigns are alike. Explore the depths of corporate intrigue, navigate dangerous underworlds, or fight for survival.
The random tables and generators aid in crafting dynamic and unpredictable environments for players to explore. The game focuses on player choice and emergent storytelling, making sandbox gameplay a core tenet.
Cyberpunk Setting
Cities Without Number plunges players into a gritty cyberpunk world of gleaming chrome and utter despair. Towering megastructures cast long shadows over streets teeming with impoverished citizens. Ruthless megacorporations clash with desperate street gangs, creating constant tension.
Technology is advanced yet often misused, leading to societal decay and widespread inequality. Cybernetics augment human capabilities, but at a cost. Hackers, or netrunners, navigate the digital landscape. This cyberpunk setting provides a backdrop for stories of survival, rebellion, and moral ambiguity.
The setting emphasizes social commentary, exploring themes of corporate greed, social stratification, and the impact of technology. Players can immerse themselves in this world, confronting its harsh realities. They can also strive to make a difference, however small, in a world on the brink.
OSR (Old School Renaissance) Mechanics
Cities Without Number employs Old School Renaissance (OSR) mechanics. These mechanics emphasize player agency, problem-solving, and a focus on the game world. OSR systems often feature streamlined rules, encouraging creative solutions over complex calculations.
The game draws inspiration from classic tabletop RPGs. It prioritizes player skill and ingenuity over character stats. Randomness and risk are central to the gameplay. This creates a sense of danger and excitement. Players must think strategically to overcome challenges.
OSR mechanics often include lethal combat, limited resources, and a focus on exploration. These elements contribute to a more immersive and challenging experience. This system enhances the sandbox gameplay, allowing for emergent stories and player-driven narratives. Cities Without Number provides a modern take on classic RPG design.
Available Editions
Cities Without Number offers multiple editions. These include a Deluxe PDF, an Offset Print Edition, and a Free Edition PDF; Each caters to different preferences and budgets, expanding accessibility.
Deluxe PDF Edition
The Cities Without Number Deluxe PDF edition offers a comprehensive digital experience for players and game masters alike. Priced at $24.99, it’s a convenient and feature-rich way to access the game’s content. This version includes all the core rules, world-building tools, and adventure material found in the physical edition, optimized for digital viewing and use.
The Deluxe PDF often incorporates enhanced features such as hyperlinked tables of contents, searchable text, and interactive character sheets, facilitating easier navigation and gameplay. Moreover, purchasing the Deluxe PDF edition provides immediate access to the game, eliminating shipping costs and waiting times.
It is an excellent choice for those who prefer digital resources or wish to have a readily available backup of the game. Furthermore, the Deluxe PDF supports environmental sustainability by reducing paper consumption, appealing to eco-conscious gamers. In conclusion, the Deluxe PDF Edition offers a complete, convenient, and environmentally friendly way to immerse yourself in the cyberpunk world of Cities Without Number.
Offset Print Edition
The Cities Without Number Offset Print Edition offers a tangible and premium experience for tabletop RPG enthusiasts. Priced at $84.99, this edition provides a high-quality physical copy of the game, perfect for collectors and players who appreciate the tactile feel of a well-crafted book. Offset printing ensures sharp text, vibrant colors, and durable pages, enhancing the overall reading and gameplay experience.
The Offset Print Edition typically features a hardcover binding, protecting the book from wear and tear and ensuring its longevity. It often includes additional content not found in the PDF version, such as exclusive artwork, expanded lore, or bonus adventures, making it a worthwhile investment for dedicated fans.
Owning the Offset Print Edition allows players to fully immerse themselves in the world of Cities Without Number, away from screens and digital distractions. It also serves as a beautiful centerpiece for any RPG collection, showcasing your passion for the hobby.
Free Edition PDF
The Cities Without Number Free Edition PDF offers an accessible entry point to the cyberpunk tabletop RPG. This version provides a complete, albeit streamlined, set of rules and content, allowing players to experience the core gameplay mechanics and world-building possibilities without any cost. It’s perfect for those new to the game or OSR systems.
The Free Edition is a fantastic way to try before you buy, allowing you to determine if the game’s setting, mechanics, and overall style resonate with your gaming group. It contains everything needed to run a basic campaign, including character creation, combat rules, and a selection of adventures.
While the Free Edition may lack some of the advanced options and expanded content found in the Deluxe PDF or Offset Print Edition, it provides a substantial and engaging experience. It exemplifies Kevin Crawford’s commitment to accessibility and community, making Cities Without Number available to a wider audience.
Resources and Tools
Enhance your Cities Without Number experience with available resources. These include the System Reference Document (SRD) and random city generation tables. These tools aid in worldbuilding and gameplay, adding depth and customization.
System Reference Document (SRD)
The System Reference Document (SRD) for Cities Without Number serves as a crucial resource. It offers a comprehensive compilation of the game’s rules, mechanics, and core systems. This document is available under a Creative Commons license. This encourages both personal and commercial use without restrictions. The SRD allows game masters and players to freely adapt and expand the game.
It facilitates the creation of custom content, scenarios, and supplements. It is based on Kevin Crawford’s design. The SRD is essential for those seeking to delve deeper into the game’s mechanics. The SRD is ideal for those seeking to create their own cyberpunk worlds. Accessing the SRD ensures a clear understanding of the rules. It fosters creativity and innovation within the Cities Without Number community.
Random City Generation Tables
Cities Without Number features random city generation tables. These tables are invaluable tools for game masters. They allow them to quickly and easily create diverse and engaging urban environments. The tables provide inspiration for different city elements and themes. The cyberpunk theme ensures a consistent aesthetic.
These tables facilitate the creation of unique locations. The random city generation tables offer options for creating cityscapes. These tables assist in developing compelling settings for adventures. They provide prompts for elements, fostering improvisation and creativity. The tables eliminate the need for extensive pre-planning. They can be used to create cities during gameplay. Random city generation tables are a great resource for game masters seeking to build cities.