I apologize in advance for the length of my ravings that follows but here is
my 2 bits worth re. background:
What plot feature does the Virus provide? IMHO it is the same as with the
other game company with a 3 letter acronym using the Time of Trouble to
explain the transition to a new set of rules (in that case a change in spell
use, elimination of some character classes, etc.). W. TNE the new career
procedure and planetary cmbt rules do not require a major transition but the
new maintainance, space travel (esp w/in system), and space cmbt rules are so
different that the Virus plot device eases (maybe) the transition to the new
rules.
Perhaps it was unnecessary to have Virus change the setting to the extent
that
GDW has done. I feel that GDW has used the Virus to create a setting that
makes the most of the new system, esp. re. maintaining ships (particularly
old
ships) and travel within systems.
I have been playing Traveller for over 10 yrs (I even have read Book 0) and I
would like to have seen the continuance of the Imperium. My dream setting
would have the Wars for the Iridium Throne last for 100-200 yrs, grinding to
a
halt with the release of the Virus. The various factions would stabilize
with
control of areas of varying size that are separated by vast zones (some at
least a sector in width) ravaged by BOTH the wars and Virus which would be
similar to the worlds of the TNE Wilds. Result: a situation similar to the
setting of TNE but w/out the (almost) entire elimination of the Imperium.
Each of the "civilized" areas would be supported by official products (to
varying degrees). As an aside I don't think this would reduce the market,
TSR
has released many campaign settings and still supports a number of AD&D
settings, I'd wager that the majority of Traveller junkies would buy all the
products even if they only used parts of each.
Despite my Imperial sympathies I shall play Devil's (Virus'?) Advocate re.
why
a Star Viking (it does sound corny, I imagine Conan leaping from a ship,
hewing his enemies' limbs w. a broad sword before carrying off women and
looted hi-tech booty) or RCES campaign might provide a more exciting setting
than a CT/MT Frontier product.
IMHO the RCES does more than the IISS. They explore unknown systems and
worlds, seek people w. hi-tech items, make contact w/out irritating those
people, use diplomacy to open trade or aquire items of interest by other
methods. This may include overthrowing dictatorial/opprerssive
rulers/gov'ts.
True the IISS could encounter many of these situations but the RCES does
so
w. less backup. The available equipment is limited and often run-down,
making
it difficult (read more exciting) to accomplish missions. They are also not
able to call upon vast reserves of men and material if a strong force is
encountered. The Unknown - they face the possibility of stumbling across a
vastly superior force (Virus or sophont pocket empire) capable of not only
overwhelming an RCES expedition but of threatening the entire Coalition -
tension similar to the Borg attacking the UFP. I submit that this did not
exist in Imperial campaigns as the Imperium seemed so vast that even the
Zhodani were only worthy foes but never did more than threaten part of a
sector.
TNE has also added a wider array of antagonists, some of which may not
initially seem to be foes. There are Virus controlled ships, fleets,
stations, bases, planets, and even groups of sophont
followers/slaves/hostages. Added to this is the host of Vargr, Aslan, humans
of variuos sorts, plus other races - add to this a touch of the unknown due
to
the interval of lost contact. There sense of security provided by the large
and seemingly unalterable Imperium is no longer available for characters to
fall back on.
End of ranting.
PBJuzyk