Susan M. Shock · 1 February 1994
The recent survey results posted here show one thing rather powerfully, at
least in regards to the Traveller fans on this list; the Third Imperium still
holds a lot of interest for a lot of people.
Knowing that the powers that be at GDW read this, I would like to address
this to them, and explain why I feel that a Third Imperium sourcebook would be
valuable at this stage in the development of TNE.
1.) A lot of the older fans of Traveller still want to use the Imperium as a
backdrop for their adventures. Even I, as vociferous a supporter of the New Era
background as I have been, find myself wanting to run side adventures in the
"Classic Traveller" setting. I think this is more than just nostalgic longing;
the Imperium is a very compelling idea. You folks did a great job of making it
live as a setting for science-fiction roleplaying. Many people feel that there
are still stories to tell there. Traveller has a loyal fan base unlike any
other I've seen in gaming except AD&D; a third Imperium sourcebook would be an
acknowledgement of those long-time fans.
2.) By virtue of both Traveller's long absence from the forefront and the fact
that TNE is essentially a new game, a lot of people will be experiencing the
Traveller universe for the first time. Many of them will not be inclined to go
and ferret out the older materials to get a sense of the rich history of the
universe. I have found that understanding that history actually enhanced my
enjoyment of the current materials. A Third Imperium sourcebook could be
written as a history book; "this is the way things were; this is what we lost."
It would bring new players "up to speed" with the universe better than the well
written but neccesarily breif sections in the TNE rulebook do.
I'm not asking that GDW support the Imperium setting beyond a sourcebook;
that isn't neccesary. Perhaps a licensee could be found that could do that.
Maybe they could even do the sourcebook. for that matter. But I really do feel
that it would be a good idea, and I'm fairly certain it would sell.
Allen