[email removed] writes:
>Subject: Tech advances
>
>I'm working on a framework for technology developments in Traveller (and
>SF games in general). First, I'm trying to come up with the general
>categories available for advancement with tech level. So far my list
>contains the following:
I am interested in this sort of thing too.
I did some tinkering with tech categories for a game I was
working on some time ago; I will have a look for it but I
think it's gone now.
>
> Physics
> Biology
> Engineering
> Psychology
>
>Each major category can have, of course, subcategories. My goal for these
>categories is to be exhaustive, and approximately equal in effect. Right
>now, 4 categories seems a bit sparse.
The problem about a rigid hierarchy is that it isn't the way these things
really happen.
As a VERY bad example of what I mean; I vaguely remember a situation where a
group of mathematicians and physicists were trying to solve a problem and
quite by accident an engineer got involved and new the answer straight off
because it was easily solved by a technique that engineers had been using
for many many years.
Back on the point again, do you intend to show cross relationships between
items (eg "gene splicing"-BIOLOGY without "Microscopes"-PHYSICS-ENGINEERING).
I wonder how many research projects died because the technology level in
a related field wasn't high enough and now that it is high enough have
they gone back to the original project or is it dead forever?
>So can anyone suggest some more non-overlapping categories? For example,
>Medicine is now a subcategory (unlisted) under Biology. If you feel this
>is a slight for a such a broad area, let me know and include your justifi-
>cation. Let me know if I've neglected something.
Have a look in your local Library for any documents on Govt
expenditure on research. When I looked many years ago
they had a reasonable breakdown under various categories
like "Life Sciences", "Energy", "Military", "Transport" etc.
It might give you some ideas.
Also, have a look at a complete SCIENCES list for a renowned University.
>Also, if anyone wants to take issue with my categories as they now exist,
>please do. (I'll post my justifications so far if this thread generates
>any interest.)
I think I need more detail on your categories and what they represent
before I can make any meaningful criticisms.
An important aspect that I think is overlooked in many games is the amount
of detail really needed to achieve the objective of a game. In an RPG you
can overwhelm players with detailed equipment lists down to the smallest
item (eg a comb) which when you get down to the real playing probably
isn't ever used in play.
If you are going to go to all the trouble of defining tech to the n'th
degree then you need a use for it in the game.
Just a thought.
Bruce... [email removed]