GURPS Wild World

Wild World is one of the most popular reality television shows in the world. Eight contestants struggle to survive in a remote wilderness, hiking and climbing to achieve goals set by the producers and audience of the show. Both cooperation and competition are emphasized in contests of strength, dexterity, intellect, and will as participants compete for a $1,000,000 cash prize and the chance to join in future Wild World adventures.

At the beginning of each contest, eight individuals are selected and taken to a secret location in a remote and unpopulated wilderness area. They are given rudimentary navigation equipment and a list of clues directing them to the first Goalpost, a waypoint where the contestants may find information to direct them to the next Goalpost. Many of these Goalposts have food and water as well as other supplies. Some goals are known as "Stop-Goals," where the group will not only stop and rest but also engage in physical and mental contests with each other. These contests are broadcast live and sometimes judged by the viewing audience.

Unlike similar television programs, no production crew follows the contestants into the wilderness. Instead each participant is equipped with personal recording equipment (including miniature cameras mounted to safety glasses, helmets, and other gear) that records high-definition audio and video. Stop-Goals feature additional video equipment as well as a portable satellite uplink station. Here the video is uploaded to the studios in Los Angeles, where it is then edited and broadcast on both television and the internet. Each contestant is given intensive training in the operation of the equipment (Electronics Operation (Media)) and may also receive training in the repair of the equipment if desired.

Contestants may carry up to 20 pounds of personal gear as the beginning of the contest. Most choose to arrive with little more than the clothing on their backs and a good luck charm. Firearms are prohibited, but contestants are allowed to possess knives and other tools.

Campaign Background

Campaign name: GURPS Wild World

Starting year: 2025

Genre: Modern adventure

Realistic or cinematic? Realistic

General theme of campaign: Wilderness survival and adventure

Are there multiple planes of existence? N/A

Campaign World: Earth

Campaign’s base city, nation, empire, or planet: Wild World Productions is based in Los Angeles. Each season the show is shot at an undisclosed remote location. Contestants come from all over the world.

Society/government type: The Untied States is a democratic republic with a capitalist economy.

Control Rating: CR4

Exceptions to general CR: Automatic and semi-automatic rifles and all machine guns are LC1.

Tech level: TL9

Exceptions to general TL: No space elevators or manned interplanetary space flight. No electrolasers or other laser weapons. Deuterium-hydrogen fusion is in the early stages of development. Computers and robotics (but not cybernetics) are at TL10. (See GURPS 4th edition Basic, p. 512 for details.)

General mana level: N/A

Do areas of higher/lower mana exist? N/A

Brief description of important neighboring powers, political/economic situation, etc.: With over three thousand television and webnet entertainment channels to choose from, competition for viewers is widespread and fierce. Keeping an audience entertained is more challenging than ever, and ratings wars are now daily instead of seasonal events. Producers and performers are willing to do whatever it takes to get their show viewed and renewed, and the demise of labor unions and professional guilds means that Anything Goes. Wild World had its highest ratings ever last season when a Japanese contestant was eaten by a tiger. Producers are hoping this season is just as exciting, though less fatal.

Information for PCs

Starting point value allowed for PCs: 150

Disadvantage limit (including Quirks): -50

PC races allowed: Human

Especially appropriate professions: Artist. Barber. Chemist. Dancer. Environmentalist. Farmer. Gardener. Historian. Inventor. Jeweler. Kickboxer. Ludographer. Mercenary. Neurologist. Orthodontist. Preacher. Quiz show champion. Researcher. Stunt performer. Thief. Undertaker. Veterinarian. Writer. Xylographer. Yoga instructor. Zoologist.

Starting Wealth: $20,000

Starting Wealth levels allowed: Any

Starting Status levels allowed: Any

Starting TLs allowed: TL0-TL9

Languages available: Any

Cultural Familiarities available: Any

Advantages, Disadvantages, and Skills

Required advantages, disadvantages, and skills: Electronics Operation (Media)

Especially appropriate Advantages: Combat Reflexes, Outdoorsman

Especially appropriate Disadvantages: Wealth (Struggling)

Especially appropriate Skills: Acting, Bow, Climbing, Diplomacy, Electronics Repair, Engineering, Fast-Talk, First Aid, Fishing, Hiking, Knot-Tying, Leadership, Mathematics, Meteorology, Naturalist, Navigation, Observation, Performance, Photography, Physician, Physiology, Psychology, Running, Scrounging, Search, Sex Appeal, Skiing, Stealth, Survival, Swimming, Throwing, Tracking, Wrestling.

Disallowed advantages, disadvantages, and skills: No exotic, supernatural, or otherwise cinematic or unrealistic traits are allowed.

Appropriate Patrons, Allies or Contacts:

Special Abilities Allowed for PCs

Exotic/supernatural traits: None

Cinematic skills: None

Are PC mages allowed? No.

Are PC psis allowed? No.

Are PC gadgeteers allowed? No.

Rulebooks and Resources

GURPS 4th edition Basic Set (required).

GURPS 4th edition High-Tech

GURPS 4th edition Ultra-Tech

GURPS 4th edition Social Engineering