G'day all ...
On the subject of Hard Times, I managed to acquire a copy this
weekend in the local games shop/record emporium. It looks
interesting, as does the discussions in here recently.
The close analogue to an Imperial planet is a country, rather than
the whole planet. Take for example the 'planet' Ireland: medium size,
breathable atmosphere, nice climate (if a bit damp). Population is
about 4 million, primary exports are animal and dairy products,
alcohol (Guinness ... yum), assembled computer peripherals and
software. There is also some trade in clothing, music and other
artforms. Locally-owned seaborne links to the rest of the world
(equivalent to starships) amount to a few small or medium sized
freighters. *Everything* else is imported. In fact, Ireland's
computer equipment exports are assemblies only -- no native
production of the parts. As I understand it, Hard Times is about the
collapse of large-scale interstellar trade: if that goes, Ireland is
on its knees. No parts for its transport, no spares for its computer
networks, phones, microwave ovens, dishwashers ... and in this case
there are no serious iron or reserves with which to build local
replacements. What I'm trying to say is that many planets don't have
the industrial base to maintain themselves without interstellar trade.
In any case, I'm sort of puzzled by these pirates. Why have they such
crummy ships (and also why don't the splinters of the Imperium go and
take them out)? I know the Imperial Navy is supposed to be down to
about 30% strength, but the other 70% can't all be radioactive
vapour. How come the pirates are running round in X-boat tenders and
mining ships? How about some remnants of the destroyer raiding
squadrons? Anyway, if the pirates have such poor equipment, why can't
the factions send out some patrols and deal with them. A Gazelle-
class or the escort in MTJ2 (Fiery-class? I can't remember) should be
able to take out a corsair easily enough (factor-5 lasers and heavy
armour -- critical hits on a corsair and none on the escort).
What do all these pirates live on? I can cope with the idea of
occasional pirates hiding out near some trade route and taking a
crack at rich-looking merchantmen, but what's the point of raiding
planets? Pirates have a need for fuel, spare parts, ordnance, food
etc and a market somewhere else for the stuff they steal. Raiding
planets will surely most likely get them a holdful of potatoes, not
luxuries or items in scarce supply which they can sell elsewhere in
the outland areas.
Overall, I see Hard Times as an attempt to have adventures in the
Long Night, which is fair enough. However I do have some reservations
about the effects the collapse will have. Also, it cuts down on the
options available to characters -- if they're in the outlans they're
either pirates, prey or starmercs.
- Arthur Green
University College Dublin Computing Services
Email: [email removed] Tel: [phone removed]
"A waist is a terrible thing to mind"