Empathy Times Ten

 Cyberpunk 2020 is a very fun game.

Cyberpunk Red could very well be just as fun, but I prefer my equipment options numerous and my Netrunning incomprehensible. One thing about the system, aside from Netrunning, which does raise some ire is humanity loss. People try to explain it away by saying the software infects your brain, or that you should have to take suppressants to avoid ill-effects like in the anime. My view differs somewhat. I can summarize it with a single screenshot from the core rulebook: (Page 74)

Importantly, this is different than the section on post-cyberpyschosis cyberpsychology which comes shortly after. When a character goes over the edge their cyberware must be removed, but in this case the chrome remains, just tracked. The whole debate can be solved with this one paragraph. Humanity loss is not innately tied to having the cyberware. The dark future is just a place where going to a psychologist means that you might end up with a tracker or two, not desirable in an Edgerunner's line of work. This also potentially opens the door for cyberware-heavy police and corporate games, which could be fun in a Ghost in the Shell sort of way.

    Incidentally, this is a good time to discuss the importance of time management in tabletop RPGs. But not in the Old-School sense:

I have learned this the hard way. Do not allow timeskips in Cyberpunk games. It hurts the feeling of the setting, it lets the players breathe, and it puts their enemies in stasis. That last thing can be dealt with by a clever GM, but I am not one of those. Healing takes a long time in Cyberpunk, but if a character is in intensive care then grab a temporary replacement from someone's lifepath or let the player build a temp-merc. Hell, even let them play the opposition for a game or two if they can handle it. Bills pile up, the game is designed to layer weekly and monthly costs on players to keep them striving. If the players have not sold out then they should not be able to relax for long. Resort holidays are for the company slaves. The book knows what it is talking about when it recommends dimming the lights and filling the room with static screens. Style over substance is the motto of the system and it means it. Timeskips cut into that. Plus, leaning into the dark future presentation means I can excuse cheap storebought snacks as setting appropriate.