About a month back I had this neat idea:
>> Perhaps a UUP (Universal Universe Profile) might be in order!
and Wildstar had this to say...
>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
Well it looks like GDW might be going to run with a similar sort of idea!
(Yes GDW may actually be taking some notice of what goes on here!) If you
check the last page of Arrival Vengeance you will see the following in the
ad for TNE...
Each campaign will have its own universe profile which describes what
is possible there. Is anti-gravity technologically possible? What
is the most efficient means of intestellar travel in this universe?
Jump Drive? Stutterwarp? Stargates? Is matter transport possible?
When was artificial intelligence created? In the universe of the
imperium, stutterwarp is physically impossible, but jump drive and
anti-gravity are easily discovered principles.
(I hope GDW doesn't mind people quoting their ads...)
From this it looks as if they are only going to use the "parameter" type
digits, but more than the ones wildstar suggested (like matter transport
and AI).
So perhaps, to get discussion going on TML again, we might have a discussion
(argument, flame war) about what should be included in a UUP and how it
should tie in with the rest of the rules (ie. what does a "stutterwarp 6"
rating mean?).
An obvious candidate for another digit in the UUP is psionics (Traveller has
moderately powerful psionics, the Star Wars universe has powerful psionics
(the Force), a universe like 2300AD has none). Also FTL communications:
This has been a big no-no in Traveller & 2300AD, but is used in a lot of
science fiction - Star Trek being a prime example. (By FTL communications
I mean FTL communications which are faster than the speed of travel for
matter).
Any others people can think of?
As for what the digits actually mean, for the FTL digits the maximum distance
which can be travelled is perhaps the obvious choice, but there are other
possibilities, such as the maximum speed or an efficiency rating.
For AI, perhaps the digit might be the maximum intelligence an AI can reach
and still be stable (as I remember, human level AI's in 2300AD were possible
but tended to suicide after a few months). How about the length of time
that an AI remains stable as the meaning of the digit?
Psionics may be the maximum level in any psionic-type skill.
The Fusion/Gravitics numbers seem best used as inputs into vehicle design
process.
Any other suggestions?
See ya 'round,
Corran Webster