I'm a TNE fan. I own both Classic Traveller and MegaTraveller, although I've
never played or ran the latter. I really feel that TNE is a better system than
either of the others; it has a better character creation system that gives the
characters more skills and increased options. It has a smoother task resolution
system than MT (from appearances, at least). It has a more adaptible system
than MT, and the vehicle design sequences are much easier to understand. The
fact that it's incompatible with CT or MT doesn't really bother me; I use the
TNE rules for all my Traveller adventuring in whatever era.
That being said, I do think GDW is making a mistake in not supporting the
fans of the older games by providing-early on-sourcebooks to allow TNE to be
used for campaigns in the Third Imperium or the Rebellion period. Also, a lot
of the new folks might not have access to the wealth of historical data from
the original game, and could use the sourcebooks to increase their knowledge
of the rich history of the Traveller universe. In my own Star Vikings
campaign, the characters are exploring the Khulam subsector. In the process,
they have come accross many situations based on earlier events in the Traveller
timeline. It lends a neat sense of history in the campaign; there are now TWO
lost cultures to rediscover; the Ancients and the Imperium.
On the subject of the Star Vikings background: I treat them more as an elite
force than as regular military; rank isn't as important as respect. They think
of themselves more as explorers and, in a sense, protectors than as soldiers.
The Star Viking background is more action-oriented, and I like that. (I thought
THE ONCE AND FUTURE EMPEROR was an excellent adventure!) I always had trouble
coming up with things to do in a merchant-oriented campaign, and merc stuff is
not my style.
Someone said something about not liking the Regency because it's "closed".
It's been made pretty clear that it isn't staying that way. For one thing, GDW
said in a recent Challenge that it is working on a book which will tell what
happens when the Regency and the Reformation Coalition meet; I'm assuming this
meeting will take place somewhere between them, in the Wilds. I am currently
working on an idea for an adventure in the Regency where a group of characters
are sent on a secret scouting mission (in a manner similar to ARRIVAL VENGEANCE
by "stealing" a ship) beyond the blockade, to determine if Virus is still a
threat, and also to try to recontact certain worlds. It also was made clear in
the material in the game that the Regency economy cannot survive if the borders
are not opened; economic reality dictates an end to the Blockade. It will have
to happen; the question is when?
I certainly have no qualms with anyone who enjoys Classic Traveller (I still
run it on occasion myself), but I myself prefer TNE.