Random Replies

Corran J. Webster [email removed] writes:
>   Indeed, why does it [stutterwarp] need to be FTL?

It doesn't; if carefully done, a "slow" stutterwarp will work; it can be
limited to sublight speeds, or to FTL speeds that are far below that of
jump drives.  As a first cut, try dividing the speeds generated by Star
Cruiser or 2300AD by 10 and see what happens.

>   Perhaps a UUP (Universal Universe Profile) might be in order!

Hey, good idea!  A simple string of digits which summarize many of the
important points of a universe.  How about something like the following

Tone : Rating of the overall tone and character of the universe; low
numbers mean dark, depressing, morbid; high numbers indicate light,
upbeat, hopeful.
Contrast : Rating of the definition between "good" and "evil"; low
numbers indicate that such a conflict is not a fundamental part of the
universe, with the contrast increasing up to the high numbers, where the
conflict between a well defined good and evil is central to the universe
(Star Wars is a good example of this in science fiction).
Scale : Shows the "size" of events in which the players will typically
be involved; low numbers indicate that the events are likely to be
unimportant on a cosmic scale, and of interest to the participants and
a few others.  High numbers indicate world-shattering, star-spanning
plots with strong consequences for entire worlds and billions of people.
Input : This indicates how much influence the players are likely to have
in the course of these events; low numbers indicate that the rebellion
will go on no matter what the players can do.  High numbers represent a
larger player influence on their universe.

Technology: A group of three digits which represents the low, average,
and high end of the technology available in the universe.

Parameters: A group of digits for plugging into equations in design
dequences; represents the type and effectiveness of specifc technologies
in the game universe.  Likeley candidates include Fusion, Gravitics,
Jump Drive, Stutterwarp, Stargates, and as many others as seem
reasonable.

Examples: (in my humble opinion, using a 2-B scale):

Classic Traveller: 9469-AFG-87600
Rebellion Era:     58A3-AFG-67600
Hard Times Era:    4878-9CE-67600
Star Trek TNG:     A79A-???-A90B1
Star Wars:         BABA-???-88A00

>     Another posibility would be to change that UPP digit to a "Composition"
> digit which gives both the density (planetary composition) and atmosphere
> (atmospheric composition) somehow. [Table Deleted]:

I would rather that the whole current system were scrapped and re-done
from scratch, instead of re-defining the existing codes.  I'm afraid
that I don't like the suggestion presented.  A new system and new codes
would be a nice improvement (however, it would mean a commitment on the
part of GDW to generate several sectors right near the start).
Suggestions for such a new system would include separate codes for
worlds size and density, separate codes for atmosphere type and density.
Generating the starport type after figuring out the planet's population
and technology level would allow a better "fit" between these three
figures, and would be an important improvement.

> Thought for the Day

Very Interesting!  This idea has potential!

>     Although I doubt the Hivers were responsible for the Virus, I have always
> had a nagging suspicion that the Rebellion may have been a Hiver manipulation
> on a massive scale.

The thought had occurred to me, too.  It would be like them to try a
manipulation on this scale (and it would be like an overconfident Hiver
manipulator to not intend to cause this much damage).

[email removed]
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                                                 Science-Fiction Adventure
                                                         in the Far Future