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Cybertech.. How do you handle it in CT?

Another outstanding thread, worthy of a bump.

One point about the relationship between RL tech and TU tech: When I was younger I used to get a little frustrated with Traveller for not "keeping up with the times" as reflected in what was current in science fiction and science fact. Why OF COURSE there would be cybernetics and cloning and nanotech and whathaveyou in the TU - just look at what's being done in RL! It messed with my suspension of disbelief.

As I got older, I understood a little better why this wasn't necessarily so. The issues of social acceptance and legal restraints have already been covered pretty thoroughly, but the one that I haven't heard mentioned is the OTU setting conceit that I've used for a great many explantions, for my players and myself, over the years: The Long Night.

The recovery of technology doesn't have to be an inexorable march forward - it's reasonable that a society could develop a technology, lose the use of it, and reconstitute itself along different lines as new concepts come into vogue.

How does this translate into the TU? Not every TL 14 planet may offer neural nets because their biochemical sciences followed a designer drug approach to improve reflexes and cognition instead, obviating the need for such 'crass' devices as electromechanical implants.

The Long Night makes it possible to break with our RL bias as to what technologies are likely to develop, and what their appropriate tech level would be based on our own experiences, in a way that encourages suspension of disbelief, IMHX.
 
Another outstanding thread, worthy of a bump.

One point about the relationship between RL tech and TU tech: When I was younger I used to get a little frustrated with Traveller for not "keeping up with the times" as reflected in what was current in science fiction and science fact. Why OF COURSE there would be cybernetics and cloning and nanotech and whathaveyou in the TU - just look at what's being done in RL! It messed with my suspension of disbelief.

As I got older, I understood a little better why this wasn't necessarily so. The issues of social acceptance and legal restraints have already been covered pretty thoroughly, but the one that I haven't heard mentioned is the OTU setting conceit that I've used for a great many explantions, for my players and myself, over the years: The Long Night.

The recovery of technology doesn't have to be an inexorable march forward - it's reasonable that a society could develop a technology, lose the use of it, and reconstitute itself along different lines as new concepts come into vogue.

How does this translate into the TU? Not every TL 14 planet may offer neural nets because their biochemical sciences followed a designer drug approach to improve reflexes and cognition instead, obviating the need for such 'crass' devices as electromechanical implants.

The Long Night makes it possible to break with our RL bias as to what technologies are likely to develop, and what their appropriate tech level would be based on our own experiences, in a way that encourages suspension of disbelief, IMHX.
 
I had several heated discussions with my nephew who is wild over Rifts on cyborgs. In my CT universe I explain the lack of cyborg technology in two ways. The first involves Law Levels. Some of the law levels( and local laws ) can prohibit some types of combat cyber technology.
My pirate alter Deron Cortez has a high tech, laser-gunned cyberarm & finds he has to either forgo the arm or use a more acceptable one outside of starport. Also Tech Level. With anti-nano-technology devices, APEMP (Armor-pierceing electromagnetic pulse) rounds & other ECM technology cyborg bodyparts are vulnerable & fade out at TL11. It's one thing to get out of battledress that's been compromised or disable.
It's another thing entirely with a robot part that's part of you getting the same treatment.
Also any character with Telekinesis with robotics
skills can be deadly. Had a character in my campaign face off with a cyborg & used his TK & robotics knowledge beat the thug with his own cyberarms.
 
I had several heated discussions with my nephew who is wild over Rifts on cyborgs. In my CT universe I explain the lack of cyborg technology in two ways. The first involves Law Levels. Some of the law levels( and local laws ) can prohibit some types of combat cyber technology.
My pirate alter Deron Cortez has a high tech, laser-gunned cyberarm & finds he has to either forgo the arm or use a more acceptable one outside of starport. Also Tech Level. With anti-nano-technology devices, APEMP (Armor-pierceing electromagnetic pulse) rounds & other ECM technology cyborg bodyparts are vulnerable & fade out at TL11. It's one thing to get out of battledress that's been compromised or disable.
It's another thing entirely with a robot part that's part of you getting the same treatment.
Also any character with Telekinesis with robotics
skills can be deadly. Had a character in my campaign face off with a cyborg & used his TK & robotics knowledge beat the thug with his own cyberarms.
 
Originally posted by Manax Darkhstarr:
Also any character with Telekinesis with robotics skills can be deadly. Had a character in my campaign face off with a cyborg & used his TK & robotics knowledge beat the thug with his own cyberarms.
Click to expand...
file_21.gif
file_28.gif

Why all my robots don't have but one mechanical switch. Ain't gonna let no Zho switch-flipper get the better of my 'droids!
 
Originally posted by Manax Darkhstarr:
Also any character with Telekinesis with robotics skills can be deadly. Had a character in my campaign face off with a cyborg & used his TK & robotics knowledge beat the thug with his own cyberarms.
Click to expand...
file_21.gif
file_28.gif

Why all my robots don't have but one mechanical switch. Ain't gonna let no Zho switch-flipper get the better of my 'droids!
 
I would like to mention again that with cloning technology lost body parts or damaged organs can be replaced with original equipment.
Gene therapy would make a difference as well.
 
I would like to mention again that with cloning technology lost body parts or damaged organs can be replaced with original equipment.
Gene therapy would make a difference as well.
 
Cloning or regeneration therapy are what I use in my Traveller campaign. With Cortez I thought it interesting to create a rare medical condition where neither cloning, transplant or any regenerative therapy would be unless & down right
deadly to the patience.

He's used his wizardry in electronic warfare to develop securityware that disengage his eye & arm in case of detected hacking or EMP attack.
 
Cloning or regeneration therapy are what I use in my Traveller campaign. With Cortez I thought it interesting to create a rare medical condition where neither cloning, transplant or any regenerative therapy would be unless & down right
deadly to the patience.

He's used his wizardry in electronic warfare to develop securityware that disengage his eye & arm in case of detected hacking or EMP attack.
 
Originally posted by Black Globe Generator:

When I was younger I used to get a little frustrated with Traveller for not "keeping up with the times" as reflected in what was current in science fiction and science fact. ... It messed with my suspension of disbelief.
Click to expand...
What, you mean you don't like having to load a computer program from a tape? :D
 
Originally posted by Black Globe Generator:

When I was younger I used to get a little frustrated with Traveller for not "keeping up with the times" as reflected in what was current in science fiction and science fact. ... It messed with my suspension of disbelief.
Click to expand...
What, you mean you don't like having to load a computer program from a tape? :D
 
Originally posted by Jim Fetters:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Black Globe Generator:

When I was younger I used to get a little frustrated with Traveller for not "keeping up with the times" as reflected in what was current in science fiction and science fact. ... It messed with my suspension of disbelief.
Click to expand...
What, you mean you don't like having to load a computer program from a tape? :D </font>[/QUOTE]Hey! Loading a program from a tape was hard sci-fi back in the day. None of that handwavium science like used in that little computer card thing on Star Trek. ;)
 
Originally posted by Jim Fetters:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Black Globe Generator:

When I was younger I used to get a little frustrated with Traveller for not "keeping up with the times" as reflected in what was current in science fiction and science fact. ... It messed with my suspension of disbelief.
Click to expand...
What, you mean you don't like having to load a computer program from a tape? :D </font>[/QUOTE]Hey! Loading a program from a tape was hard sci-fi back in the day. None of that handwavium science like used in that little computer card thing on Star Trek. ;)
 
Originally posted by Fritz88:
Like Honor Harrington, eh, Darkhstarr?
Click to expand...
Can't really say, the only Honor Harrington book I've read is 'On Basilisk Station'. Electronic warfare & mimicry has always been a fun gaming subject.
 
Originally posted by Fritz88:
Like Honor Harrington, eh, Darkhstarr?
Click to expand...
Can't really say, the only Honor Harrington book I've read is 'On Basilisk Station'. Electronic warfare & mimicry has always been a fun gaming subject.
 
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