Re: 3D Traveller

>I suggest you add this as an option to sysgen5 (or whatever the next
>version is).
	*Every* release of sysgen has been three dimensional! Sysgen 5
is to extend mapping to roads and city plans. I have had absolutely
zero feedback on it though and won't bother posting any more updates.
	I use it extensively to run my own (3D) campaign.
Date: Fri, 1 Mar 91 13:02:03 GMT
Sender: [email removed]

>but I always thought this might make things more interesting, especially
>in border areas.
	Borders are difficult to define, impossible to defend. Fleets have
to operate like packs.

>The key thing to keep in mind is to maintain the average
>3D interstellar distances close to that of the 2D game. Otherwise,
>game balance as far as jump drives go might be thrown off.
	It is impossible to keep the average the same. Since the
number of systems increases by r^3 in 3D and r^2 in 2D, if you have
the same density at jump-1 it will be off for jump-2, etc.
	The main difference I have found is the universe is so LARGE. In
a 10x10x10 "subsector" there are several hundred stars. With a jump-2 ship,
say, an amazing number of different stars can be reached in just a few
jumps. This is why sysgen (and Computer-Aided-Traveller) is a necessity
for me.
	"Game balance" is a laughable concept. Any system of rules, no matter
what they are, will reach a point of equilibrium. If the referee correctly
understands what that point is and creates the initial position of the universe
accordingly you will have balance. Otherwise as events proceed the universe
will drift toward that point.

>I can see why GDW did not make it 3d. [associated problems]...
	It could have at least been rationalised. E.g. that jump
drives only work along planes paralell to the galactic plane. Thus
several planes (paralell universes?) might exist in our single galaxy
only reachable by slow-ships (or perhaps misjumps). Endless possibilitys.
Perhaps TDR would like to include this concept. That way everyone's favourite
non-Imperial traveller can co-exist!

				Jo Jaquinta
				[email removed]