Cyberpunk RED
Cyberpunk tabletop RPG by Mike Pondsmith. Published 2020 R. Talsorian Games. Bridging setting between Cyberpunk 2020 (1990s) + Cyberpunk 2077 (video game, 2020). Set in 2045 Night City after the '4th Corporate War' + 'Time of the Red' devastation. Players are cyberpunks doing gigs. Directly tied to CD Projekt Red's Cyberpunk 2077 game (2020).
What is Cyberpunk RED?
Cyberpunk RED is CYBERPUNK TABLETOP RPG designed by MIKE PONDSMITH + published 2020 by R. TALSORIAN GAMES. BRIDGING SETTING between original CYBERPUNK 2020 (1990) RPG + CYBERPUNK 2077 video game by CD PROJEKT RED (2020) — SET IN 2045 NIGHT CITY after '4TH CORPORATE WAR' + 'TIME OF THE RED' catastrophic events destroyed old order. Directly tied to Cyberpunk 2077 lore. Players are CYBERPUNKS (freelance mercenaries) doing GIGS (missions) — theft, kidnapping, escort, corporate espionage. CHARACTER ROLES: SOLO (combat), ROCKERBOY (rebel musician), NETRUNNER (hacker), TECH (gearhead engineer), MEDIA (journalist), MEDTECH (doctor), LAWMAN (cop), FIXER (dealmaker), NOMAD (vehicle-based clanmembers), EXEC (corporate suit). GEAR-HEAVY: cyberware, weapons, vehicles, netrunning decks. INTERLOCK SYSTEM: d10 + skill vs difficulty target. Combat lethal — one bullet can drop unaugmented character. LIFEPATH character creation — random tables generating dramatic backstory. R. Talsorian published earlier CYBERPUNK 2020 (1990, most iconic edition) + CYBERPUNK V.3 (2005, poorly received). Cyberpunk RED considered RETURN TO FORM + BEST OFFICIAL EDITION. CYBERPUNK 2077 video game (2020) despite launch controversy became massive hit + drew huge audience to RPG.
Quick facts
Category
Tabletop Role-Playing
Type
Team sport
Players
2–8
Duration
~240 min
Where played
indoor
Field / court
Night City map + battle maps
Country of origin
🇺🇸 United States
Estimated origin
Cyberpunk 2020 published 1990; Cyberpunk V.3 2005; Cyberpunk RED 2020 (bridging to 2077 video game)
Olympic
No
Popularity
major
How it works
Objective
Complete gigs (missions) for pay; grow character; survive Night City's lethal streets.
Rules
Basic rules
d10 + stat + skill vs difficulty value
Roll for actions; DV varies by task difficulty.
10 character roles
Choose role: Solo, Netrunner, Rockerboy, Tech, Media, Medtech, Lawman, Fixer, Nomad, Exec.
Lethal combat
Guns easily kill unaugmented characters; body armor + cyberware essential.
Netrunning mini-game
Netrunner enters cyberspace via NET architecture; fight IC + program-based combat.
Humanity (like V:tM) tracks cybernetics impact
Cyberware costs Humanity; 0 = cyberpsychosis (killed by Trauma Team).
Lifepath character creation
Random tables generate dramatic backstory + family drama + friends + enemies.
Scoring
Not scored. IP (Improvement Points) advance character skills.
| Action | Points |
|---|---|
| Complete gig | €$ payment + IP |
| IP spent on skills | Progressive costs by skill level |
| Reputation grows | Access to better gigs + connections |
Win condition · Cooperative narrative; individual character advancement + surviving.
Playing area
Called
Night City map + battle maps
Dimensions
narrative + tactical grids for combat
Night City detailed city setting + tactical grid maps for combat.
Equipment
Cyberpunk RED Core Rulebook
€50; complete rules + setting
Cyberpunk 2077 Sourcebook (2023)
Tie-in to video game era
d10 dice + d6 dice
Interlock system uses d10
Character sheets + Lifepath tables
Random backstory generation
Netrunning battle map + program cards
Hacking mini-game
Strategies
Team composition matters
Solo + Netrunner + Fixer + Tech = balanced gig team.
Body armor + cyberware essential for survival
Combat lethal without protection.
Netrunner needs planning support
Netrunning slower than physical action; group must coordinate.
Terminology
- Night City
- Fictional Californian metropolis; central setting.
- Gig
- Mission for hire from Fixer.
- Eurodollar (€$)
- Currency.
- IP
- Improvement Points — XP.
- Cyberware
- Cybernetic implants.
- Humanity
- Stat reduced by cyberware; hits 0 = cyberpsycho.
- Netrunner
- Hacker character; enters cyberspace.
- NET architecture
- Corporate network dungeons Netrunners raid.
- Trauma Team
- Corporate emergency medical service; subscribers get flying paramedics.
- 4th Corporate War
- Pre-2045 catastrophic event; ended Cyberpunk 2020 era.
- Time of the Red
- Post-war reconstruction era; RED setting.
Major competitions
Not competitive — cooperative
n/a · worldwide
Cyberpunk 2077 launch resurrected RPG interest
once · worldwide · since 2020
Where it is played
Governing bodies
R. Talsorian Games (publisher)
Founded 1985 · USA (Washington)
Famous names & records
Famous athletes
- Mike Pondsmith (USA, b. 1961) — Original Cyberpunk 2020 + RED designer + R. Talsorian founder
- James Hutt (USA) — RED co-designer
- Cody Pondsmith (USA) — RED co-designer
Learn this sport
beginner
- 1
CYBERPUNK RED JUMPSTART KIT ($25) — starter
Pre-made characters + starter gig.
- 2
Watch Cyberpunk 2077 gameplay to learn setting
Visualizes Night City vividly.
intermediate
- 1
Cyberpunk RED Core Rulebook + Danger Gal Dossier
Full rules + NPC toolbox.
- 2
Run first gig
Pre-published + community scenarios.
advanced
- 1
Long-form Night City campaign
Setting rewards deep engagement.
Frequently asked
What is Cyberpunk RED?+
CYBERPUNK TABLETOP RPG (2020) by MIKE PONDSMITH + R. Talsorian Games. Sequel to CYBERPUNK 2020 (1990). BRIDGING SETTING between CP 2020 + CD PROJEKT RED's CYBERPUNK 2077 video game (2020). Set in 2045 NIGHT CITY after 4th Corporate War + Time of the Red devastation. Players are CYBERPUNKS (mercenaries) doing GIGS. Uses INTERLOCK SYSTEM (d10 + skill vs DV). 10 CHARACTER ROLES: Solo, Rockerboy, Netrunner, Tech, Media, Medtech, Lawman, Fixer, Nomad, Exec. Directly tied to Cyberpunk 2077 video game lore.
How is Cyberpunk RED different from Shadowrun?+
CYBERPUNK = pure cyberpunk (NO MAGIC, NO ELVES) — corporate dystopia + tech + humanity questions. SHADOWRUN = cyberpunk-FANTASY HYBRID (magic returned, elves, dwarves, orks, trolls). Both influenced by WILLIAM GIBSON. Cyberpunk RED SIMPLER RULES than Shadowrun 5E; STREAMLINED for approachability. Shadowrun deeper worldbuilding + more supplements; Cyberpunk RED tighter focused setting + Cyberpunk 2077 tie-in. Choose based on preferred flavor — pure cyberpunk (RED) or urban fantasy cyberpunk (Shadowrun).
Should I play Cyberpunk 2020 or Cyberpunk RED?+
CYBERPUNK RED (2020) RECOMMENDED for new players — REFINED RULES + CURRENT SETTING + Cyberpunk 2077 crossover + actively supported. CYBERPUNK 2020 (1990) beloved by veteran players + preserves iconic 1990s aesthetic. Both use similar Interlock system. RED considered BEST OFFICIAL EDITION by most community. CYBERPUNK V.3 (2005) UNIVERSALLY PANNED — skip entirely. If unsure, buy Cyberpunk RED Jumpstart Kit ($25) to try before full commitment.
Sources & provenance
- Wikipedia — Cyberpunk RPG— Wikipedia
- R. Talsorian Games — Cyberpunk RED— R. Talsorian Games