Well, I got my copy of the _World Builder's Guide_ the other day... I like it.
I have never seen the original Grand Census/Grand Survey set, so I really only
have Digest Group's word that it is improved and expanded.
The book is full-sized (8-1/2 x 11?) and center stapled. 96 pages. Nice art.
The first half of the book, "Survey and Exploration", details the actual
process the IISS uses to explore new worlds. This is a detailed treatment of
the subject, including types of surveys and IISS guidelines. If you are
running a Scout-oriented campaign, you need this book. A pretty complete
picture of what the Scouts do. ("Three stars"- and if anyone can tell me why
the IISS doesn't use rank for Field operatives, they get the fourth star...)
Included are several equipment data sheets, in the new format used in the
Referee's Gaming Kit. (You know- the screen...) Detailed equipment: (with
pictures)
Handheld Densitometer Neural Activity Sensor Image Converter Binoculars
"PRIS" Field Glasses Med Scanner Bio-Scanner Floater Gyrocompass
Multichronometer Language Translator Handheld Communicator
Comdots Remote Earpiece Lasercom Relay Data/Display Headset
General Purpose Vacc Suit (three kinds of) Portable Life Support Systems
Tailored Vacc Suit Lt. Duty Vacc Suit Hostile Enviroment Vacc Suit
Utility Vest Grav Belt (*Whew*)
Also: Detailed treatments, with task libraries, for the G-tube, Grav Bike,
Hurricane-class Air/raft, and the Survey G-Carrier. (Also seen in 101
Vehicles) One page for each craft.
Then... Ship plans for the Donosev Survey vessel. Not as detailed as the
SOG's Trader diagrams, but ok.
The remaining 42 pages deal with "Building a World". Without going too deeply
into it, it seems pretty complete: Atmosphere, Law levels, Religious issues...
If you're doing these things in your campaign, this book seems like a good buy,
folks.
-Bob
oo
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Bob Mahoney [address removed]
BITNET: [email removed] uucp: [uunet!unhd!,dartvax!][email removed]