EABA
The End All Be All game system, commonly known as EABA and pronounced "ee-buh", is a role-playing game system from Blacksburg Tactical Research Center (BTRC). It is a generic gaming system designed to adapt to any imaginary gaming environment. It was created by Greg Porter in 2003. The game cites the Hero System, GURPS and Call of Cthulhu as influences in its development. The game books and related materials are available only in a PDF format download, or printed on demand. History Prior RPG History Role-playing games (RPGs) of the 1970s and early 1980s were environment specific, and incompatible with one another. For example, TSR published its Dungeons & Dragons game specifically for a fantasy environment; Star Frontiers for science fiction-based role-playing; and other games for other environments, such as Gamma World, Top Secret, Gangbusters, Boot Hill. Each of these games was set with its own self-contained rules system, and the rules for playing each game differed greatly from one game to the next. This changed with the publication of GURPS, or Generic Universal Role Playing System, by Steve Jackson Games in 1986, the first commercially successful, all-encompassing, "universal" role-playing system. In 1987, BTRC published its first role-playing game, TimeLords, an expansive game about time travel. As a time travel/sci fi-based game crossing many possible settings, much of the groundwork was already laid for a generic RPG system, and in fact some players were already using it as such. The basics of the TimeLords system provided the framework that would be developed into EABA. EABA 1st Edition EABA was first published in 2003 in PDF format only, available either through online download or print on demand. Publishing in this manner meant the company would not go into debt to print a large run of rulebooks and push them into brick-and-mortar stores, and that future updates to the rules could be easily made and disseminated. BTRC allows purchasers to get free upgrades for life on all titles. EABA v2 In 2012, BTRC published its first major revamp of the EABA rules as EABA v2. In addition to significant revamping of the combat turn system, this version made use of many of the built-in features of the Adobe PDF format, and was streamlined for use on tablet or laptop computers. Players have access to automated character sheets, dice rollers, popup menus and on-screen mapping, embedded directly into the PDF file. It is compatible with any computer or device that can read this file type, including smart phones and tablets. The file can also be printed and read like any ordinary rulebook. Reception EABA initially received excellent reviews, and was described as "an overlooked and underappreciated Titan in the arena of universal RPG systems". Critics praised the simplicity and ease of use, and the ability for players to choose what level of realism to include. Initial criticism focused on the lack of many additional premade settings and the bland artwork. It did not sell incredibly well, and is relatively unknown among RPG fans.