Here's a suggestion/idea/opinion/observation on the continuing
debate about the upcoming Traveller revisions and rumors.
I'm going to state some self evident (at least to me) observations
inorder to establish a base from which to discuss an idea.
Obviously, everyone is very fond of the game and have put considerable
time and effort into their own campaigns.
It appears most are professionals or about to be professionals and
therefore are knowledgeable in a variety of fields (eventhough
computers and physics seem to dominate ;-)).
Some are even actively involved in game production ( scenario and
equipment design, stories, etc.).
Everyone has modified their games to incorporate individual, official,
semi-official corrections and ideas. Some of these ideas have been
posted and there are probably more that haven't but are equally as
detailed and interesting.
>From all of this it would seem that at least a few of you would
have gotten together by now and compiled a set of "house" rules.
Then again maybe you have and I don't know about it! (hint, hint :-))
Essentially, what I'm trying to write is: has anyone suggested to
the companies involved (i.e. DGW) that with all of this "expertise"
available that it could be used as a profitable source of ideas. I
know the first thing a company looks at is "How much is it going to
cost." but with the avid group of players here I would think that
acknowledged credit would be enough for most (I think most
submissions to the periodicals are not compensatable anyway).
It seems to me that the basic core rules have generated the most
problems. So, what I see would be a revised set of rules, like the
"house" rules mentioned above, submitted by the authors, that would
cover the basics ( character generation, starship design, equipment
design, skills, world generation, etc.). Everyone has suggestions
and most seem to be similar to each other. A good editor could put
these together into a coherent and acceptable package.
(The conference occuring on Genie about "What would you like to see
in future releases/revisions." seems to be headed in this direction.
If any of the input is really used!)
The historical background, future background and scenario construction
should come from GDW or other appropriate sources. This is the
information that makes the game. Fifteen years of Traveller has
generated a considerable amount of information. This shouldn't be
wasted but expanded upon. To me any rules system could be used but
it's the background that adds the spice.
I know most companies are not receptive to outside help (otherwise
how would they justify the existence of their employees) but with
some already on the payroll, so to speak, it would seem easier to
get these ideas introduced. Besides, the employees could be used to
generate the ideas for the background information. Once the rules
are produced, modules keep the system going (if you need an example
look at TSR and the D&D, AD&D systems!).
Probably the one thing that prevents this is time! I know I don't
have a lot of it to devote to my hobbies and such and most of you
are likely in a similar situation but even so it would seem with you
"hard core" types that something would have been accomplished by now.
Mike Surman
[email removed]
p.s.
Or failing the above has anyone looked into buying the copyright to
Traveller and having a go at it? :-)