Caution: Lamenting, Whining, and Nostalgia in this message. Take it as
constructive criticism only. This is not intended as an attack
on anyone. Comments and replies via the mailing list are welcome.
Seeing MSamuel's message brings up something I didn't like about The
New Era, as well as MegaTraveller. But before I get into that, just let me
preface it by saying I *loved* the original Traveller system before
MegaTraveller; I liked it so much that I ran my own 'zine (Security Leak)
and was very active in HIWG, as well as keeping in touch with other 'zine
editors. However...
When MegaTraveller came out, I lost interest. All of a sudden we were
buried in rules, rules, rules. Too many rules, and complicated ones at
that. Most of the enjoyment of a game isn't rolling dice or looking
something up, it's in the progression and development of the game; simply,
people enjoy playing more than they enjoy dealing with loads of rules. The
environment of MegaTraveller (ie: the Rebellion) was something I could
live with since there was still civilization and an extremely diverse
number of cultures with which we had to pick and choose from.
Then there's The New Era. Almost every civilization that made Traveller
cool has either been wiped out totally or is nearly gone. Huh? Why? What
fun is there in a game where there's only ruins, decay, and corruption?
Must we resort to anti-piracy and relic-seeking missions? What about
international intrigue (espionage)? What about mercenary missions along
the frontiers of a powerful nation?
My perception of TNE is that the rules were simplified, but the
universe was destroyed. The universe was *always* Traveller's greatest
asset, and now it's gone. With one bastion of civilization left, where
else can people go if they want the flavor of the old Imperium? (The
Spinward Marches. But that's about it.) I recall a comment from "Survival
Margin" (and I'm paraphrasing): 'Over the next few years as things begin
to recover', etc. Few years? We have to sit and wait for yet another
new set of books on the old Imperium? Ugh...
IMHO, the Virus should have been something that happened, but TNE
should *not* have been set in the middle of another Long Night. Adding a
taste of 'cyberpunk' to a game, and updating the rules for simplification,
doesn't necessitate destroying the universe. I will try and get a game
together of TNE just to get a feel for the new system. But given that I
haven't played a game of "real" Traveller in 5-6 years, and the fact that
TNE doesn't really inspire me that much, I'm wondering if anyone wants to
play TNE. (I know only one person that ever played MegaTraveller, and they
weren't overly impressed. I never bothered, and stopped printing my 'zine.)
Loren, I know you're on the list. I've been out of the Traveller loop
for some time. The above are my impressions and feelings about the matter,
but if you know, I'd appreciate knowing what GDW's thinking behind TNE
was. Also, I'd like to know what the current plan's for Traveller's future
are. Are there new books in the works? Will old books be rereleased to fit
with the new environment? Thanks.
And thanks to everybody else that made it this far. :)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gregg Giles Will design games for money
Dynamix, Inc. If you're paying, I'm looking
All opinions expressed are my own (Sega-CD, 3DO, MS-DOS CD-ROM)