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GURPS: Steve Jackson Games created the GRUPS (Generic Universal RolePlaying System) line of role playing games and have released numerous pen-and-paper games using the system, both on their own original properties along with licensed properties (including video/PC games like Sid Meier’s Alpha Centari). Back in 2002, Steve Jackson Games announced a plan to release a number of online games based on the GRUPS system which would be developed by Worlds Apart Productions. However, the games for whatever reason were never released. (Worlds Apart was recently purchased by Sony Online)

The GURPS system is still hugely popular and would certainly lend itself well to an online RPG system. FiringSquad attempted to contact Steve Jackson himself to find out about any upcoming GRUPS video or PC game projects but he would not comment on any such future plans.

Paranoia: There are only a few humor themed pen-and-paper RPGs out there but the dystopian future at the center of this classic game lends itself well to such treatment. The game is set in a domed city called the Alpha Complex where the Computer rules all but secret societies exist to combat the rule of the machine. The game was originally created in 1984 and has been revised several times (one of the original creators is Greg Costikyan, an outspoken game designer who most recently co-founded the independent PC game publishing company Manifesto Games). Currently the rights to Paranoia have been owned by Moongoose Publishing who released the latest version in 2004.

FiringSquad contacted Moongoose to find out if there are any plans for a Paranoia game and a representative told us, “To our knowledge, there is talk of a Paranoia mobile phone game, but nothing for PCs or consoles.” Perhaps with his new Manifesto Games company Mr. Costikyan could start a Paranoia PC game.

Space: 1889: What if the Victorian era of had started space travel? That’s the premise of this highly original pen-and-paper RPG created in 1988 by Frank Chadwick. The game (who has a title that’s a direct parody of the 1970’s sci-fi series Space 1999) has Thomas Edison creating a way for ships of that time to head into space and the main nations of the world use that technology to colonize other planets in our solar system. The game actually had a computer game released for it back in 1990 by the now defunct Paragon Software corporation. However we think the “steampunk” premise of Space 1889 would lend itself well to a more advanced video-PC game that can take advantage of next-generation art and graphics. There is no word on if any game publisher or developer has any plans for a new Space 1889 game.

Delta Green: Pagan Publishing’s pen-and-paper RPG is a kind mix of The X-Files with the Cthulhu mythos. The game, which is still being published, has a secret team of the US Government going after the evil supernatural threats that exist in the Delta Green universe. In addition to the game itself a series of Delta Green novels have been published. In 2002 Flying Lab Software announced plans to release a squad based action-RPG based on the Delta Green series that would have used the LithTech engine. However those plans were put on hold when Flying Lab decided to put its full attentions on its still-in-development MMORPG Pirates of the Burning Sea. However, the Flying Lab web site still has its Delta Green page online so perhaps one day we will see their plans come to fruition.

Godlike: Created by Delta Green co-creator Dennis Detwiller, Godlike is a decidedly darker look at super hero RPGs. Set in an alternate WWII where super heroes of both sides of the war exist, this game series forgoes the highly colorful tights of typical super hero settings for a far more serious look at the genre. Godlike’s publisher, Arc Dream Publishing, has released several products in the series and a spin-off called Wild Talents will be released late this year.

There was some talk of a Godlike PC game in the works but those plans never came to fruition. Detwiller still works on the Godlike game and other RPG projects while also working as a game designer for Radical Entertainment who has been working most recently on the upcoming Scarface game for Vivendi. Perhaps he can persuade his superiors to take on the Godlike banner and bring the series to the video and PC game realm.

There are of course tons of other pen-and-paper RPGs that would be perfect for being turned in video and PC titles. Which of your favorite would you like to see adapted and why? Post your feelings and suggestions in the comments and we will try to find out if they are underway.