The Cyberpunk Red FAQ
Last Revision: 1.5.2021
The following FAQ answers questions about both Cyberpunk RED, the new edition of the classic TRPG of the Dark Future, and the Cyberpunk RED Jumpstart Kit, an introductory box set for the game.
Q: What is Cyberpunk RED?
A: Cyberpunk RED is a new edition of Cyberpunk, the original tabletop roleplaying game of the Dark Future created by Mike Pondsmith and published by R. Talsorian Games.
Q: What is the Cyberpunk RED Jumpstart Kit?
A: The Cyberpunk RED Jumpstart Kit is a “starter box” introduction to Cyberpunk RED. It will contain essential rules, world lore, pregenerated characters, an adventure, Screamsheets, dice, and more. Everything needed to play right out of the box for people curious about the game and the world. It is not a full ruleset, however. For that, you need the Cyberpunk RED core rulebook.
Q: Are Cyberpunk RED and the Cyberpunk RED Jumpstart Kit available?
A: The Cyberpunk RED Jumpstart Kit was released on August 1st at GenCon. It is currently available in digital format via DriveThruRPG. Cyberpunk RED released in November 2020.
Q: What system is Cyberpunk RED? Fuzion or Interlock?
A: Cyberpunk RED will use the classic Interlock system, though, as with any new edition of a TRPG, there will be revisions and updates. The Cyberpunk RED Jumpstart Kit will use the same rules, though they will be streamlined because they are part of an introductory set.
Q: Is Cyberpunk RED compatible with Cyberpunk 2020?
A: While there are changes to the rules, it should not be too difficult to convert Cyberpunk 2020 material to Cyberpunk RED.
Q: Does Cyberpunk RED take place in the same universe as Cyberpunk 2020 and Cyberpunk 2077?
A: Yes. R. Talsorian Games and CD Projekt Red have worked together on a common timeline for the original Cyberpunk (aka Cyberpunk 2013) to Cyberpunk 2020 to Cyberpunk RED to Cyberpunk 2077.
Q: What about Cyberpunk v3? And Cybergeneration?
A: Cyberpunk v3 and Cybergeneration both officially take place in alternate timelines. They are “what if?” scenarios. The Carbon Plague of Cybergeneration did occur in the 2020/Red/2077 timeline but was quickly contained.
Q: Are there be Roles (aka classes) in Cyberpunk RED?
A: Yes, there are roles. They should be familiar to Cyberpunk 2020 players but many have evolved or changed. Some will have alternative special abilities. There are also be rules for changing roles (aka “multiclassing”) during play. Cyberpunk RED Jumpstart Kit has pregenerated characters, though they have options for customization.
Q: When in the timeline does Cyberpunk RED take place?
A: Cyberpunk RED pegs “present day” as 2045.
Q: What is Cyberpunk RED’s relationship to Cyberpunk 2077?
A: RED shows the Cyberpunk world in a period of rebuilding following the 4th Corporate War. It helps explain how society moved from that world-shattering event to what’s presented in the video game.
Q: What formats are Cyberpunk RED available in? How much will it cost?
A: Cyberpunk RED is available as a full color, hardcover book in physical form and a full color PDF in digital form. The suggested retail price is $60 (physical) and $30 (digital). The Cyberpunk RED Jumpstart Kit’s physical form is a boxed set. It is also available as a PDF, minus the dice and plastic standee feet. It costs $30 (physical) and $10 (digital).
Q: What sort of art does Cyberpunk RED have?
A: Cyberpunk RED has new art, commissioned from a number of talented artists. The art will be full color and on par with any modern RPG.
Q: Will Cyberpunk RED be available in other languages?
A: We do not translate TRPGs ourselves. That being said, we have several partners in other countries who have localized our games. We currently anticipate Cyberpunk RED being released in French, Italian, Spanish, Polish, and Russian.
Q: Is Mike Pondsmith involved in Cyberpunk RED?
A: Absolutely. He is both the lead developer and primary writer on the line.
Q: Will Cyberpunk RED be compatible with the Witcher TRPG?
A: Not without work. Though they’re both Interlock, each is specifically designed to work within their genre. Of course, we’ve already had some arguments about Geralt vs. Morgan Blackhand…
Q: Where can I find out more about Cyberpunk RED ?
A: We’ll be releasing new information about Cyberpunk RED from now until its debut. Follow on Twitter or on Facebook or check out blog for more details: https://rtalsoriangames.com/
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Any chance Mekton will see a resurrection?
Yes.
You’ve bought my soul….and Satan ain’t happy. I have almost everyone of the books, several Interface Magazines, and you just bought my soul. I was planning on selling it for a new system for 2077, but work of Cyberpunk RED just made me even happier that Johnny Silverhand’s last release. I’ve been a hard fanboy from the 2013 days, and now we’re chipping back in. May have to live stream the game sessions. Course I’ma have to convert everything over from the old stuff…that’s what you said, ya?
Conversion’s certainly going to be possible.
Will The Cyberpunk Red Jumpstart Kit be available in other countries, after translation?
There are no immediate plans but we are talking to publishers in other countries about the possibility.
As August 1st is less than a month away, do you know for sure if you will have the Jumpstart Kit up on the webstore on that day? If so, will it be available at midnight to order? I cannot make it to GenCon but I reeeeeeallly want the kit with the dice and want to make sure I can order a copy before it sells out.
Thank you!
On the day? I’m afraid not. We’ll have it available for sale on our webstore and via retail channels as soon as possible after GenCon, but circumstances won’t permit same day retail release. It will be available digitally o August 1 via DTRPG, though. We’ve updated the FAQ to reflect this.
Thank you for the reply. I will keep check back after GenCon is over until I see it on the store 🙂 I’m so excited!
How do you calculate Red Eye’s Interface Level? I’ve been burning through the rule book and can’t find it anywhere. It just says to add your Interface level + 1d10. I’m hoping I’m not over thinking it and it’s literally your [Int + Interface(+7) + 1d10] because that would guarantee that they would always have an interface level of above 10, allowing for 4 net actions. Please help me, I’m setting up a session within the next 3 days!
Interface is a Special Ability with a rank. In this case, 7, which gives Redeye 3 Net actions. When rolling a Net action, it is 1d10 + Interface (7). You don’t add Int.
I can’t wait to make my cyberpunk diatopia super hacker a la neuromancer 😀
Is Cyberpunk Red officially out yet?
It is out digitally and being shipping physically.
Just got my copy of CP Red in the mail. Lot of great stuff in there. Two things: is there a way purchasers of the physical copy can get a PDF, and also is a GM screen in the works?
The screen is in the works. And Cyberpunk RED is part of the Bits and Mortar program. If your vendor is part of it, you can pick up the PDF from them for free. We are not participating in the program as a vendor ourselves, however.
How do you increase the Interface Rank?
With Improvement Points.
Will I need to convert “last gen” cyberware from the old chrome books to the Cyberppunk RED rules set or are they plug and play?
You would need to do conversion. Because each piece of cyberware is essentially its own “magic item” (in d20 terms) each needs to be converted on its own. Sometimes it can be done via simple mechanics but other times you’ll need to carry the intent forward but build new mechanics.
Noticed Exec don’t get anything for Rank 4, is it intentional?
Welcome to Middle Management, choomba. Nothing like running hard just to stay in the same place.
I’ve made some homebrew content for Cyberpunk Red (expanded Exotic Weapons, expanded Hand Grenades list, etc), and was wondering what the rules / guidelines are for self publishing material based on Cyberpunk Red for free on a site like drivethrurpg.com . I’m content to keep the material between my playgroup and I, but also wouldn’t mind putting it out there for more to see.
I’m still holding out that full conversion borgs will make it into one of the red books, and i do miss bioware, but i guess it got a bit gritted up for that kind of stuff, which is a pity, a conversion was one of those goals I had in serval games and just never really got to for one reason or another, or the one time I did the game sort of died thanks to work schedules, with red that’s looking like its not in the cards without porting a 2020 book, unless you have something for those of us that want to replace flesh with chrome to that extent coming down the road.
FBCs (Full Body Conversions) will likely come down the line. Much like in 2020, they aren’t main book material but since they do exist in the Cyberpunk universe we will cover them.