The officila policy when I was working in the Traveller universe was that
only GDW rules books and supplements were official. Even material
published in the Journal was only approved, not official. Marc defined
the difference as approved materials being good enough that he would use
them himself. GDW has also tightened its approval policy over the years.
When we started working with them on HIgh Passage, Their policy was
rather liberal. This changed as time went on, especially when a certain
person, who is no longer with GDW and shall remain nameless, was given
resposibility of approving licensed material. This person was also VERY
slow in getting back to you, and frequently lost manuscripts. Now try
to publish your magazine on time. HINT: Publishing stuff is a job, and
looses it's novelty after about three months. If you're lucky, you
will break even financially.
Also in the old days, GDW was more liberal in giving licenses. Marc's
theory was that TSR refused to give licenses for D&D, which resulted
in a lot of "generic" material being produced. Marc's idea was that by
licensing products he could retain some control over published materials,
make a little money (and I mean damned little) from licesees, and help
promote approved materials. He helped us a great deal.
This may be my last note. I am leaving the University of Illinois
next month. If all goes well, and the USAF gets its funding, I will
be employed at Air University, the Air Force's graduate schools,
in Alabama this fall. I don't know if they have bitnet/internet there
or not. If they do, you folks will be hearing from me. If not, its
been fun.
Beware of Ancients Dropping Asteroids,
Jim Cunningham
Traveller Relic