[1] The publication of GURPS (Generic Universal Role-Playing System, 1986) as a completely setting-independent game and its commercial and creative success added credence to the movement.
The development of the Hero System (1989) from the superhero role-playing game Champions[1] also had a profound influence in popularizing the concept.
It truly became a dominant subject in RPG design with the release of the Third Edition of Dungeons & Dragons (2000) and the d20 System along with the creation of the Open Gaming License (OGL).
[2] In the second paragraph of the introduction to GURPS 3rd Edition the authors define "generic" as a means to satisfy players and game masters of many styles of play and feel for rules.
[4] Some d20 derivative, such as Green Ronin Publishing's Mutants & Masterminds and True20 Adventure Roleplaying,[5] are presented as fully generic systems.