cities without number pdf

Cities Without Number is a cyberpunk RPG offering a gritty, neon-lit sandbox experience. Available as PDF and POD on DriveThruRPG, it blends chrome decay with dystopian intrigue.

Overview of the Game

Cities Without Number is a cyberpunk role-playing game designed for sandbox adventures in a dystopian future. It combines gritty neon aesthetics with a bleak, high-tech world where corporations and street tribes clash. Players explore a chrome-and-dust setting, engaging in open-ended storytelling and strategic gameplay. The game emphasizes player freedom, allowing groups to shape the narrative through their choices. Available in both PDF and print-on-demand formats, it offers a versatile system for fans of sci-fi and cyberpunk genres. A free edition is also available, making it accessible to new players while supporting community-created content.

Genre and Setting

Cities Without Number is a cyberpunk role-playing game set in a dystopian future where neon-lit megacorporations and ragtag street tribes vie for power. The setting is a slow chrome apocalypse, blending polished chrome aesthetics with bitter misery. Players navigate a gritty, high-tech world filled with corruption, decay, and rebellion. The game’s sandbox design allows for open-ended exploration, with factions, conflicts, and moral ambiguity shaping the narrative. Its atmosphere is defined by the clash of advanced technology and societal collapse, creating a rich backdrop for stories of survival, intrigue, and rebellion in a bleak yet vibrant urban landscape.

Designer and Publisher

Cities Without Number is designed by renowned RPG creator Kevin Crawford and published by Sine Nomine Publishing. Crawford is known for his work on Stars Without Number and Worlds Without Number, bringing a similar sandbox-focused approach to this cyberpunk setting. The game is available in both PDF and deluxe hardcover formats through DriveThruRPG, with a free edition also accessible. Crawford has expressed plans to release the game’s mechanics under an open license once certain milestones are met, ensuring community engagement and adaptability. This approach reflects his commitment to fostering creativity and accessibility in tabletop gaming.

Gameplay Mechanics

Cities Without Number features a versatile d20-based system, supporting sandbox adventures and strategic gameplay. Players navigate a gritty cyberpunk world with customizable roles and skill-based progression, emphasizing player agency and dynamic encounters.

Core System and Rules

Cities Without Number operates on a d20-based system, inspired by old-school RPGs, offering a flexible framework for sandbox adventures. The core mechanics emphasize skill-based progression and modular rules, allowing customization. Character creation is streamlined, with players selecting roles and abilities that fit their preferred playstyle. The game features task resolution using a d20, with modifiers based on skills and equipment. The system encourages player agency and adaptability, while its modular design enables GMs to tailor rules to their group’s needs. The free edition provides a comprehensive yet accessible ruleset, making it ideal for newcomers and veterans alike.

Sandbox-Style Adventures

Cities Without Number excels in delivering sandbox-style adventures, emphasizing player-driven narratives and open-world exploration. The game encourages GMs to create dynamic, responsive scenarios where player choices shape the story. Unlike rigid, linear campaigns, sandbox adventures in Cities Without Number allow for limitless creativity and unpredictability. GMs are provided with tools like faction systems and site generators to craft immersive environments. Players thrive in this freedom, facing challenges that require wit and adaptability rather than following a set plot. This approach ensures every session feels unique, offering endless opportunities for exploration and discovery in a gritty, cyberpunk world.

The Cyberpunk Setting

Cities Without Number dives into a gritty, neon-lit cyberpunk world of chrome decay and dystopian despair. Street tribes, megacorps, and ancient tech collide in a slow apocalypse of dust and steel.

Worldbuilding and Atmosphere

Cities Without Number crafts a cyberpunk world of neon-lit despair and chrome decay, where sprawling metropolises are dominated by megacorps and street tribes. The atmosphere is bleak yet vibrant, blending dystopian decay with the glow of advanced technology. Ancient ruins and corporate high-rises stand as reminders of past glories and looming collapses. The game’s setting is rich with moral ambiguity, where survival often means navigating the shadows between powerful factions. This slow apocalypse of dust and steel creates a tense, immersive environment, perfect for stories of resilience and rebellion in a world on the brink.

Factions and Conflicts

Cities Without Number is defined by its intricate web of factions vying for power in a crumbling world. Megacorps, street tribes, rogue AIs, and underground cults clash in a landscape of shifting allegiances and hidden agendas. These groups represent diverse ideologies, from ruthless capitalism to radical anarchism, creating a tapestry of conflict. The game thrives on these power struggles, allowing players to navigate or escalate tensions. With factions ranging from petty gangs to sprawling syndicates, the world is alive with opportunities for intrigue, betrayal, and violence, fueling the game’s cyberpunk narrative of decay and resistance.

Availability and Editions

Cities Without Number is available as a deluxe hardcover POD and PDF on DriveThruRPG, with a free edition offering the core rules for players and GMs.

Purchase Options (PDF and POD)

Cities Without Number is available in both digital and physical formats. The deluxe edition hardcover, complete with a PDF, can be purchased as a Print-on-Demand (POD) copy through DriveThruRPG for $64.99. For those preferring digital access, the standalone PDF is priced at $24.99. Additionally, a free edition of the game is offered, providing the core rules and content for players and GMs to dive into the cyberpunk sandbox experience. This free version is fully playable and aligns with the page numbering of the deluxe edition, making it an excellent starting point for new players.

Free Edition and SRD

Cities Without Number offers a free edition, providing the same core rules and content as the deluxe version up to a certain page count. This free version is ideal for new players or GMs looking to explore the game without initial cost. Additionally, the Systems Reference Document (SRD) is available under a Creative Commons license, allowing fans and creators to use the game’s mechanics and content for third-party materials, virtual tabletops (VTTs), and more. The SRD is cleanly laid out, making it accessible for community projects and expansions, further enriching the game’s ecosystem.

Community and Support

Cities Without Number fosters a vibrant community with official supplements, free SRD, and player-created content. Fans actively contribute tools, adventures, and resources, enriching the game’s ecosystem.

Official Supplements and Resources

Cities Without Number is supported by a range of official supplements and resources, including the Systems Reference Document (SRD) under a Creative Commons license. The Deluxe Edition hardcover and PDF versions are available on DriveThruRPG, offering expanded content. Fans can access free quick reference documents and unofficial cheat sheets created by the community. Additionally, Sine Nomine Publishing regularly releases new adventures, character options, and GM tools, ensuring a steady stream of fresh material for players and game masters alike. These resources enhance gameplay and provide endless possibilities for sandbox adventures.

Player-Created Content

Players and fans of Cities Without Number actively contribute to the game’s ecosystem through custom content. Community members create unofficial supplements, character sheets, and adventure modules, sharing them online. For example, fan-made cheat sheets and quick reference guides help streamline gameplay. Some creators even develop tools like fillable PDF character generators, adapting existing resources for ease of use. While these works are not officially endorsed, they showcase the dedication of the player base and expand the game’s possibilities. This grassroots support enriches the sandbox experience, offering fresh ideas and tools for both new and veteran players.

Cities Without Number delivers a rich, immersive cyberpunk experience, blending gritty aesthetics with sandbox freedom. Its versatility and creative depth make it a standout choice for RPG enthusiasts.

Final Thoughts on the Game

Cities Without Number offers a compelling blend of cyberpunk aesthetics and sandbox gameplay, making it a standout title for fans of immersive, player-driven narratives. Its detailed worldbuilding and flexible mechanics cater to both newcomers and seasoned players, providing a rich environment for storytelling and strategic thinking. The availability of both free and deluxe editions ensures accessibility, while the active community and optional supplements enhance replayability. Whether you’re drawn to dystopian settings or sandbox adventures, Cities Without Number delivers a memorable experience that invites exploration and creativity at every turn.

Recommendation for Players

Cities Without Number is ideal for fans of cyberpunk and sandbox-style adventures. Players who enjoy open-ended exploration and collaborative storytelling will find it particularly engaging. The game’s flexibility accommodates both experienced players and newcomers, offering depth without overwhelming complexity. For those interested in immersing themselves in a gritty, neon-lit dystopia, the free PDF provides an excellent starting point. Fans of strategic thinking and narrative freedom will appreciate its design. Whether you prefer high-tech intrigue or street-level action, Cities Without Number delivers a unique and memorable gaming experience.