Sean Punch: The Man Behind GURPS

Sean Punch is a Canadian writer and game designer best known for his work on the GURPS role-playing game. He's been involved with GURPS since 1995, ultimately becoming the Line Editor and overseeing the development of its fourth edition. Punch has authored and contributed to numerous GURPS books, solidifying his place as a key figure in the game's history.

Canadian editor

Sean Punch (born July 27, 1967) is a Canadian writer and game designer. He is the author of the fourth edition of the GURPS role-playing game. Before he turned to writing he was a student of particle physics.

History with GURPS

After writing, editing, and contributing to dozens of books for GURPS, Sean Punch took over from the game's original designer Steve Jackson as the line editor for GURPS in 1995. ^: 110 Assisted by David L. Pulver, another Canadian and veteran role-playing game designer, he took on the task of re-designing the entire rule system for the a fourth edition of GURPS beginning in September 2002. ^: 112

Sean Punch remains the Line Editor for GURPS - equivalent to being editor-in-chief of a book series, and the key decision-maker for new rules expansions.

He lives in Montreal, Quebec.

In an attempt to acknowledge the quality and quantity of his work, some GURPS players have used his online nickname ("Kromm") to create a tongue-in-cheek cult. They leave messages in discussion groups pretending to "praise Kromm."

Wikiquote has quotations related to Sean Punch.

Writing credits

For the Fourth Edition of GURPS

GURPS Zombies: Day One (2015)
GURPS Magic: Death Spells (2014)
GURPS Power-Ups 7: Wildcard Skills (2014)
How to be a GURPS GM (2014) with Warren Wilson
GURPS Dungeon Fantasy 16: Wilderness Adventures (2014)
GURPS Power-Ups 6: Quirks (2014)
GURPS Template Toolkit 1: Characters (2014)
GURPS Magical Styles: Dungeon Magic (2014)
GURPS Social Engineering: Pulling Rank (2014)
GURPS Zombies (2013)
GURPS Power-Ups 5: Impulse Buys (2012)
GURPS Dungeon Fantasy 15: Henchmen (2012) with Peter V. Dell'Orto
GURPS Power-Ups 3: Talents (2011)
GURPS Dungeon Fantasy Monsters 1 (2011) with Peter V. Dell'Orto
GURPS Dungeon Fantasy 14: Psi (2011)
GURPS Dungeon Fantasy 11: Power-Ups (2010)
GURPS Dungeon Fantasy 6: 40 Artifacts (2009)
GURPS Gun Fu (2009) with Hans-Christian Vortisch and S.A. Fisher
GURPS Thaumatology: Magical Styles (2009)
GURPS Martial Arts: Techniques Cheat Sheet (2009)
GURPS Action 3: Furious Fists (2009)
GURPS Action 2: Exploits (2008)
GURPS Action 1: Heroes (2008)
GURPS Power-Ups 2: Perks (2008)
GURPS Power-Ups 1: Imbuements (2008)
GURPS Dungeon Fantasy 4: Sages (2008)
GURPS Dungeon Fantasy 3: The Next Level (2008)
GURPS Dungeon Fantasy 2: Dungeons (2008)
GURPS Dungeon Fantasy 1: Adventurers (2007)
GURPS Martial Arts (2007) with Peter Dell'Orto
GURPS Powers (2005) with Phil Masters
GURPS Basic Set: Campaigns (2004) with David Pulver
GURPS Basic Set: Characters (2004) with David Pulver

For the Third Edition of GURPS

As sole author

GURPS Horror GM's Screen (2002)
GURPS Lite (1998)
GURPS Undead (1998)
GURPS Wizards (1998)
GURPS Fantasy Folk, 2nd Ed. (1995)

Compilations and contributions

GURPS Horror, 3rd Ed. (2002)
GURPS Low Tech (2001)
GURPS Monsters (2001)
GURPS WW II (2001)
GURPS Steampunk (2000)
GURPS Y2K (1999)
GURPS Bio-Tech (1998)
GURPS Traveller (1998)
GURPS Compendium I: Character Creation (1996)
GURPS Compendium II: Combat and Campaigns (1996)
GURPS Martial Arts, 2nd Ed. (1996)
GURPS Fantasy Folk Arts, 2nd Ed. (1995)

Media mentions

Sean Punch has appeared in the following newspaper and magazine articles, websites, and podcasts.

Podcasts

RPG Countdown: Sean appeared on these episodes: 18 December 2009 (GURPS Thaumatology: Urban Magics).

Magazine articles

"The Bigger They Are, The Harder They Fall" in Pyramid #28 (Nov/Dec 1997)
Regular contributions to Pyramid, Volume 3 from 2008 to present