The Cinematic Campaign

For the most part, GURPS stresses
realism. Heroes can get disappointed,
injured, sick, or even dead. So it goes.
The GM is expected to stretch realism
in an emergency (defined as “whenev-
er realism would ruin the game”), but
the rest of the time, realism rules.
The “cinematic” campaign is one
where realism doesn’t rule – because if
it did, it would constantly get in the
way of the story. In a cinematic cam-
paign, swashbuckling heroes can
defeat dozens of foes because the story
calls for it. Spacecraft whoosh or roar
in the silence of space because fast
things whoosh and powerful engines
roar. Rightness always overrules mere
correctness.
The cinematic style of play requires
both players and GM to understand
and agree with this principle, and to
cooperate in telling the story. GURPS
includes some rules that can help –
but everyone must realize that an epic
story is apt to transcend the rules.