Mongoose's New IP: Traveller is BACK

[Plane Sailing]

Moderator/

TwoWolves and SWBaxter: I don't really care who fired the first shot, nor who may have got the last word in, but you will stop sniping at each other now.

Just to make it clear, I don't want either of you to respond to each other in this thread from now on. Please feel free to make general contributions in the thread, but don't take each other up on issues and don't press your previous line of argument.

Thanks

 

[Flynn]

Yeah, that's the reason I can't get too excited about this (besides it being from Mongoose). The setting for Traveller was basically killed off. T4 tried to ignore this by being set in the past, but that wasn't a very satisfying solution.

I'm not sure there is one, other than the GT method - pretending MegaTraveller and TNE never happend. They could simply go forward a couple 100 years, the 4th Imperium. But I'm not sure that would be Traveller anymore. Although that would be better than being set in the past again.

TNE 1248 does a lot to recover the setting and make it playable again, allowing you to have a near-CT feel to the setting, if you like. I am greatly pleased with the direction that the setting has gone with the addition of 1248. It restores my faith in the timeline and gives me the OTU back.

It comes highly recommended,
Flynn

 

[Cam Banks]

Okay, that is good news. The advertisement for GURPS Traveller is still one of my favorites.
Free Trader Beowulf...

This dates all the way back to the original Classic Traveller, just FYI.

Cheers,
Cam

 

[Jason Anderson]

This dates all the way back to the original Classic Traveller, just FYI.

The original message on the Classic Traveller box was a SOS message - the message on the GURPS Traveller book is a "reply".

 

[Plane Sailing]

Trivia: Years ago I turned all my black d6's into 'Traveller' d6's - I painted the white spots red giving me nifty little black and red dice to match the Traveller livery

 

[RFisher]

For some reason, I'm suspecting Mongoose Traveller to use 2d6 while T5 sticks to Marc's nd6 task system. The task systems can be written to allow both to be used with the same material. (Like the BITS system.)

I have mixed feelings about reversing the "fragmentation". I don't think that's going to end up bringing all Traveller fans together, but just drive people away.

On the other hand, I really think all the licensees should be producing generic Traveller supplements using something like the BITS system. Then each group can pick whatever task system they like.

I haven't been real impressed by Mongoose, though. I can't help but think this is greatly in danger of going the way of T4.

This is based on Classic Traveller? Bah! Who (besides Pogre and Painandgreed) wants a system where you roll up your character, only to have him die just before you get to play him?

A couple of years ago--when I ran a cT game--the players loved chargen. Yes, even the dying. (I gave them the injury option, they often refused it.)

 

[qstor]

T20 is set in the past and I enjoy that setting. I have the TNE1248 main book and its just a setting book. There's no rules.

I don't know if I'm too excited either. I'm not a big fan of the CT rules and if T5 reuses those then I won't get any of the Mongoose books.

Mike

 

[buzz]

There are a couple of things I don't understand.

First, how does Mongoose manage to nab all of these licensed properties?

Second, I'm not sure I see what the "fragmenting" problem is, much less that it needs solving.

I mean, sure, there are whole bunch of rulesets available for Traveller right now, both new and old. So? It seems to me that the real selling point of Traveller is not the mechanics; it's the setting IP. So, how is creating yet another iteration of the CT ruleset, and letting a perfectly good d20 implementation lapse, all while continuing the existence of GURPS Traveller (thank goodness) going to make any difference?

I'm not a publisher, but if I were, getting OGL access to CT's mechanics (or a version thereof) would not be a big sell for me. What I'd want is access to the setting IP. Will the TLL license provide this? If not, what's the incentive to produce CT-based RPGs that are not Traveller?

I dunno. In an ideal situation, what I'd like to see done is the production of some canonical Traveller "setting bible" and line of supplements. Then, the creation of a license that would allow companies a rigorous interface in which to mechanically support that setting material. If anything, I'd want to encourage publishers to 'port the Traveller setting to as many rulesets as consumer demand warrants.

 

[bolen]

First, how does Mongoose manage to nab all of these licensed properties?

.

This is my question too. Mongoose is not that big is it. Do they employ more then 20 people permanently.

Also I will repeat an earlier question - Is starship troopers a D20 game?

 

[Ranger REG]

This is my question too. Mongoose is not that big is it. Do they employ more then 20 people permanently.

Is that one of the Far Future's or Marc Miller's criteria requirements for granting the license?

How big was GDW when they had the Traveller/MegaTraveller license back then?

How big is QuikLink Interactive/RPG Realms when they were granted the right to publish Traveller for d20 System?