For the record : I do like the TNE background. However, I do sympathise
with those of us who prefered the 3rd Imperium as it was (with or without
the rebellion). I think GDWs big mistake is in concentrating so heavily
on the Star Vikings (I can barely make myself type such a cheesy title).
GDW would have been far better off coming out with info on the Regency
early on in their publications schedule. This would have addressed many
of the criticisms of TNE that have been voiced on the TML.
I am currently working on a campaign using a 'virus/New Era' scenario
played out in a universe which is an amalgam of the Traveller Imperium,
Niven's Known Space and Star Wars (for the gung-ho adventure ingredient).
I will be using a Chaosium-esqu game system based on the Ringworld game
and CoC. (I found TNE character generation and combat rules far too
unwieldy and wargamey for my tastes.)
FF&S will be very helpful in working out the technology. I will probably
use a downrated verson of subspace drives for FTL travell and Thruster
Plates for STL drives. (HEPLAR? You've got to be joking!). I had already
decided that null-g would only cancel gravity, not provide thrust, so I
was delighted to see that FF&S had gone the same way.
*** WARNING : RULES QUESTION ALERT ***
By the way, I tried working out some sample vehicles on a spreadsheet the
other night. There do not seem to be any scale efficiency modifiers for
large power plants in FF&S. There certainly were in Mega Traveller, is
this deliberate or have I missed them? Ducted fan thrusters would seem
to be utterly useless with the power plants listed up to about TL13 unless
we can get more efficient power production somehow.
*** RULES ALERT OVER ***
As for the 'TNE is a load of crap' versus 'TNE is as good a background as
any' debate. I realy don't give a toss. I will continue to buy what I want,
raid for useable material then run whatever kind of game I like. Why can't
everyone else just do that same and stop slaging off each other's campaign
background.
Finaly : Lets be fair, GDW have not killed the Imperial setting. Ok, Empires
rise and fall and this one just fell. But The Regency is still there flying
the flag and there is nothing to stop a new Imperium rising from the ashes
of the old. What GDW hath taken away, GDW can just as easily give back
to us later.
TNE gives us an opportunity to live through a fascinating period in Imperial
history. TNE is more than just savages fighting over the scraps of a fallen
civilisation, it is about growth and renewal. Then, when we have fought the
good fight and wrested civilisation from the jaws of barbarism, we can look
forward to the wheel turning full circle. 'Traveller: The 4th Imperium'.
Of course it will happen, can you seriously doubt it?
David Johnson writes :
>Peace,
Amen to that!
Simon Hibbs.