Hardwired: The Sourcebook

This supplement is set in the year 2151 using the background of the Walter Jon Williams novel Hardwired. The Earth has become a dystopian world where most heavy industry and the social elite are in orbit, the Orbital Corporations control the world, and the United States has balkanized into a myriad of regions. Smugglers exist at the fringes of society, using neural implants to increase their chances of survival while they look for an opportunity to permanently move into orbit.^[1]

This supplement provides

• a background of the world
• a slang lexicon
• new character classes, including pirate, private investigator, and new variants for cops and netrunners.
• rules for cyberpsychosis
• 19 new skills
• new technology
• various world currencies and benchmark prices
• drugs that enhance neural implants
• an alternate combat system
• an alternate netrunning system
• several adventure hooks^[2]

Six linked scenarios are included.^[2]

In 1986, Walter Jon Williams joined the growing cyberpunk subgenre of science fiction with his novel Hardwired. Two years later, Williams helped Mike Pondsmith of R. Talsorian Games to playtest a new role-playing game, Cyberpunk. In 1989, Williams wrote Hardwired: The Sourcebook, a Cyberpunk supplement based on his novel with contributions by Mike Pondsmith and Pati Nagle. The 94-page softcover book features interior art by Matthew Anacleto, Harrison Fong, Sam Liu, Karl Martin, and T. K. Scott, and cover art by Luis Royo.^[3]

In the October–November 1989 edition of Space Gamer (Vol. II No. 2), the reviewer commented that "If you're a Hardwired fan, this book is definitely worthwhile; it's a good springboard into Hardwired role-playing. And even for those who don't wish to use Williams' universe, the book is a good resource and idea bin. The rules, charts and background are sure to improve your Cyberpunk game."^[4]

In the February 1990 edition of Dragon (Issue #154), Ken Rolston commented that this supplement "is true to the novel's tone and style [...] all to good effect." He concluded with a recommendation, saying, "A compelling and expressive evocation of a cyberpunk campaign setting, Hardwired is good reading, and the adventures are first class."^[5]

Stephan Wieck reviewed Hardwired Sourcebook in White Wolf #21 (June/July 1990), rating it a 5 out of 5 and stated that "The sourcebook is entertaining to read, especially the adventure. It also contains enough game specifics to make it a useful product. While reading/reviewing the product, I looked for aspects of the sourcebook that warranted constructive criticism and I couldn't find anything that was not done well. The only downer is the [...] price tag which seems a bit steep, but Walter Jon Williams' writing is worth the money."^[6]

• Casus Belli #53^[7]