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Topic 29 Mon Nov 18, 1991
DIGEST.GROUP [Staff] at 00:43 EST
Sub: The WISH List
You know that the new Traveller is coming soon to a game store near you - but
is you had your way, what would you want to see in it?
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Category 11, Topic 29
Message 56 Tue Nov 26, 1991
J.KUNDERT [Farstar] at 00:03 EST
The Value of Compatibility with T:2000 and DC supplements:
I reserve judgement on this, but would comment that I'm not likely to take
advantage of such compatibility.
If NeoTraveller is seperated _slightly_ from the Imperial universe, this
compatibility allows other types of SF to be run. With the right "variant"
technology in the craft design system, and a brief bit of explanation, 2300AD
can "live" again within the NeoTraveller rules. Non-Imperial backgrounds need
not get any support from GDW beyond this, but the seeds would be there to
attract players of other games. Layers of Complexity:
I think _I_ started this train of thought, but I would support it even if I
hadn't. With basic craft design in the first release, and a "hullplate-by-
hullplate" approach in a later volume, the game keeps both beginners and naval
architects happy, provided the two systems produce compatible (if not
identical) results. Computers-from-scratch:
I LIKE this idea, but it should probably be at the deepest layer of
complexity (with custom weapons). It would require some pre-publication work,
however, to ensure that the types in the Basic Book were compatible with such
a system (and made sense without it).
Farstar
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Category 11, Topic 29
Message 57 Tue Nov 26, 1991
J.KUNDERT [Farstar] at 01:28 EST
On checking the new Craft Design system, Loren says:
"Nobody else has volunteered....not in so many words, anyway."
Well, I'll admit that I didn't come right out and say so, but I am more than
slightly interested in checking and testing the new system.
(Yes, I know you have to write it first. <grinning>)
In fact, I just posted a message to Topic 4 that could lead (with
cooperation; HINT! HINT!) to better definitions for ship hull configurations.
The idea is to produce a range of examples for each configuration, then derive
a more rigorous definition of the configuration from those examples. Go look.
Participate.
"...the "virus thing" is real. Don't react until you hear the whole thing,
please."
You mean it isn't some crazed cyborg whose hearing is so sensitive that he
gets headaches from listening to Holocrystals operate, so he travels from
world to world and mesons HoloComputers from orbit? Awww.
But seriously, computer infiltration techniques have to keep up with
advances in technology and security, so a virus (even if it isn't 6'5" and
Meson-armed ;) is at least moderately acceptable. But, as you say, I'll have
to have the whole story first.
Anyone remember the hacker from Traveller Adventure?
Farstar
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Category 11, Topic 29
Message 58 Tue Nov 26, 1991
S.SCHWARTZ22 [Duke Steven] at 18:14 EST
Subject: Traveller state of affairs
All,
I know that I've been silent for a while, but my hard drive decided to play
52 pickup with my files and I've been repairing the damage all week. Now for
comments on the matters at hand.
I also echo many, if not all, of the comment made here so far. But I tend to
agree with Mike when he says that in the end, GDW can and will do what it
feels is best for itself -- it is after all a business (that didn't come out
quite right, did it).
As for specifics, I have a few statements. First off, DON'T CHANGE THE WORLD
BUILDING RULES!!!! This is a personal like of mine, but for the area of
campaigning, the compact format seems ideal plus leaves options for detail
ala WBH.
Character generation could be tweaked a little. Decoration rolls and brownie
points kind of add a bit to a character's background. I also thought that the
semi-randomness of choosing tables brought into the game (from real life?)
the reality of having to learn a skill that you may never use because your
employer said so. Perhaps adding a "add 1 to a skill you already know at the
cost of two skill rolls" rule is appropriate? Also, Geo Gelinas had a Tw2000
variant in an old issue of TTT.
Vehicle/Ship/etc construction shouldn't be changed too much so as to avoid a
3-way Trav->MT->NeoT conversion problem. I like the idea of computer/robot
brain construction rules.
As for the SIGs, since I had originally wanted to work on Robots & Cyborgs
for DGP, I'd be happy to be on the appropriate SIG.
Although not a writer, I plan on trying my darnedest to attend the
conference, if/when it happens. My only problem is that I am in a wheelchair
and even though I have a van and $$$, I do not drive. If it is driving
distance from Lansing, MI, perhaps some from the East Coast flying by could
land in MI and drive from here. Personally, a GEnie conference is better for
me, but I certainly understand the need for face-to-face talks.
More comments as the situation warrants.
Duke Steven, GOB, SBE
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Topic 26 Wed Aug 09, 1989
M.MIKESH at 22:33 EDT
Sub: Publication Development
This is a forum for the discussion of new and upcoming Traveller products.
Participants can offer suggestions and share ideas for projected
publications, or critique new releases and announce errata.
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Category 11, Topic 26
Message 191 Tue Nov 26, 1991
GDW.SUPPORT [Loren W.] at 20:34 EST
Jay: SOmehow...I think you may be right. Les showed this to me before he
posted it...I agree with what he said.
Loren
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Category 11, Topic 26
Message 192 Tue Nov 26, 1991
ED.EDWARDS at 21:13 EST
Strange that Dave Nilsen does not have his name in the TRAVELLER hall of fame
(page 2, MEGATRAVELLER IMPERIAL ENCYCLOPEDIA, GDW, 87).
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Category 11, Topic 26
Message 193 Tue Nov 26, 1991
M.MIKESH at 21:24 EST
Sub: Computer Virus
Lester -
I'll go along with the "virus thing". It sounded like the
invention of someone without a good grounding in the Traveller milieu.
I now assume its not an arbitrary notion but the basis for the new
setting and the way Diaspora gets its 'cyberpunk' flavor.
MIKE
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Category 11, Topic 26
Message 194 Tue Nov 26, 1991
DIGEST.GROUP [Staff] at 22:48 EST
Why, Ed?
- - Jay
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Category 11, Topic 26
Message 195 Wed Nov 27, 1991
LESTER.SMITH at 01:25 EST
Jeez, Mike: Diaspora isn't even out of editorial yet. What makes you say it
has a cyberpunk flavor?
Desperately building an ark,
Les.
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Category 11, Topic 26
Message 196 Wed Nov 27, 1991
M.TURNAGE1 at 02:55 EST
189 Les:
Les, thank you. That post has almost turned me around on the revision.
While I've still got a lot of problems with choice of mechanics, your comments
show that there's been a lot more thought put into to it than it originally
seemed.
Why do I have this funny feeling that the NT rules are going to be a lot
closer to Twilight _1st ed_ than the second? A good thing, IMHO.
The background is now making sense. And I'm liking it more and more...as
I've mentioned before, I grew up reading H. Beam Piper, and Space Viking's one
of my favorite novels. I'm still not sure about the virus thing, but I'm
willing to keep an open mind right now (is this one of the Manhatten Projects
the factions were workin on..?)
The upshot is I'm still not entirely convinced this is a good thing, but
you've got me feeling a lot more postive towards it.
Mark
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Category 11, Topic 26
Message 197 Wed Nov 27, 1991
LESTER.SMITH at 03:22 EST
Thanks for the post, Mark. I can honestly say that the things we have planned
for Traveller have me really excited, and that that excitement grows almost
daily as some new aspect of the plan emerges. No jive.
As much as possible, I'd like to keep the developing plot changes secret so as
not to rob the thunder of the products they're planned to be revealed in. If
I, or someone else from GDW gets kind of cagey about a particular question in
the months to come, it's largely for that reason.
Yours,
Les
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