The two kits offer players the basics for learning the game and applying it to any setting they desire. The first set, Basic Set: Characters, underscores the fundamentals of character creation for this system. It also includes an overview of combat, so that players can get right into the action.
The second set, Basic Set: Campaigns, explains how to create stories and use the system with various settings. It provides advice as to how to make an interesting setting by developing the people, creatures, tech, and the world itself. This book is more or less aimed at GMs but can be utilized by players who want to know more details about the rules.The Basic Set: Characters will retail for $59.95 and Basic Set: Campaigns will retail for $49.95. Steve Jackson Games recently reported a decline in sales, producing a loss for the year (see "Steve Jackson Games Sales Slide").