CT Only: Efficiently Written

[aramis]

You could even have produced the LBB's on a Multilith with paper plates - for all I know that's what they did.

CT was laid out in cast lead type (there's a photo of Loren at the Linotype typecaster machine somewhere). Whether the lead was used for a single master for optical or was used directly isn't published. But it was cast in lead.

LBB 1-3 sold ≥ 170k, across CT 1E/77 and 2E/81

 

[Whipsnade]

Traveller (at least in the early days) was not printed in large numbers.

Which increased the per unit costs.

JTAS 1-10 were printed in runs of 2180 to 10,114, which is in the sweet spot for a small run jobbing printer.

As you yourself note, those small jobbing printers don't exist in the numbers they used to. The ones which are still in business tend to use different printing technologies too.

Your commentary about the cost of downtime and efficiencies of scale is technically correct but beside the point.

Correct, but besides the point? Sure, whatever.

A printer set up for shorter runs will produce a shorter run more cheaply because the downtime is cheaper on their equipment.

Those printers don't exist in the numbers they used to, remember? The short run and odd job shops which used to number 2 or 3 in mid-sized cities don't exist anymore. The ones that do remain are more likely to specialize in certain products for corporations. One of my clients used to print short runs of all types. Companies can compose and print all their internal reports and "credenza wear" themselves now so what had been a huge part of the short run shop's market no longer exists. In response, they shifted to printing "packaging" for fast food outlets like containers for sandwiches and french fries. Their equipment and skills shifted too so they can no longer print what they used to even if they wanted to.

You don't see many printers with that sort of kit now...

Which has been my point from the first. Technology hasn't just changed how things are printed, it's changed what stuff is printed too.

... print-on-demand tech (essentially high volume laser printers) has largely rendered that obsolete. However, it is more expensive per-unit than an offset press, so there will be some print volume where the improved quality and costs makes it cost-effective to do a print run.

Nice see you admit Adam Smith's hidden hand is still at work.

In 1977, how many short run printers were there in the Bloomington region for GDW to contact for quotes? In 2018, how many short run printers are left in that region to contact? In 1977, how many companies would quote a price for printing the LBBs? In 2018, how many companies could or would print them?

There are fewer printing companies around and they are more likely to be very specialized. The days where a printing contract for a daily newspaper or newspaper ad inserts could "carry" a shop and provide it with the capacity to print short runs is long gone. The US lost over 100 newspapers in 2009 alone. Everyone one those papers kept local print shops afloat either directly or indirectly. In my region, one printer now handles what regional daily papers still exist, the regional weeklies which used to be dailies, and some of the national dailies distributed locally. They're able to do so because they run 24/7 and are completely specialized for newsprint. They won't quote certain jobs because they can't print certain jobs. It's not even a matter of equipment as they don't have the necessary time.

 

[Ulsyus]

LBB 1-3 sold ≥ 170k, across CT 1E/77 and 2E/81

I wonder how that stacks up with the sale of PDFs and hardcopies combined of different games these days.

Does anyone know how many copies of all types of MgT were sold?

 

[Avery]

I appreciate this discussion of smaller rules booklets. My ambition was to make T5 Core comprehensive, rather than spread it out across dozens of follow up books. That project is crashing to a conclusion.

The corollary is an equivalent to the original three LBB. QLI produced a similar reprint of the three LBB in a 6x9 144 page book. I would like to produce the Players Handbook as a distillation of T5 Core, in about 256 pages 6x9. Just what player would need to sit at the table and play. That looks like my next project, early next year.

 

[Timerover51]

I appreciate this discussion of smaller rules booklets. My ambition was to make T5 Core comprehensive, rather than spread it out across dozens of follow up books. That project is crashing to a conclusion.

Greetings Marc, and thank you for making these comments. I can understand your desire to make T5 comprehensive, and I think that you came pretty close to that, which makes the T5.0.9 volume so very valuable. It gives me, and those who buy it, the basis of how you view the Traveller universe. I hope that you do not view it as crashing to a conclusion, but more as evolving into the next version. The whole concept of "Thingmaker" is something extremely valuable, as it gives the players a means of actually designing their own equipment that they want to have. I am not a fan of design sequences in general, but this one, "Thingmaker", is one fantastic idea.

The corollary is an equivalent to the original three LBB. QLI produced a similar reprint of the three LBB in a 6x9 144 page book. I would like to produce the Players Handbook as a distillation of T5 Core, in about 256 pages 6x9. Just what player would need to sit at the table and play. That looks like my next project, early next year.

Those words should definitely thrill the forum and Traveller community. All I ask is that you pace yourself, and do not try to rush it though.

 

[Ulsyus]

I appreciate this discussion of smaller rules booklets. My ambition was to make T5 Core comprehensive, rather than spread it out across dozens of follow up books. That project is crashing to a conclusion.

Maybe the outcome of your herculean effort hasn't been without issues, but as a referee I believe it is the best single gaming resources produced since 1977.

 

[Major B]

Our own member Major B recently wrote a spectacular product covering the Gazelle-class close escort. The product opens with a two page fiction piece. It's nice, it's well written, and it doesn't really do anything. It's there because almost every RPG product contains fiction these days and almost every product contains fiction because customers expect it.

I don't want to take away from your point because I agree with it and I very much appreciate the compliment, but I hope that I can quibble a bit about the example.

The fiction piece I wrote was intended to tie my work back to my primary source, JTAS4. That is the issue that introduced the Gazelle and it has a short fiction piece written from the perspective of a Far Trader - the Empress Nicholle. I used the dialog parts that were common but wrote the corresponding perspective from the Close Escort Unicorn and added in some specific examples of how targeting and sensors worked.

As I said, I think your point is valid. I have seen a bunch of work with short fiction and illustrations inserted because it is possible, not because it added to the work. I can relate that to the omnipresent PowerPoint briefings I have had to suffer through in the Army where animation, illustrations, and transition effects are added just because the slide builder found those buttons rather than to convey a point or clarify an idea.

But intent does not always materialize as intended and I may have missed the mark but I wanted to interject and explain what I wanted to convey. Also, if anyone has a tip on how to better present ideas using something other than LBB-ish text, please post it or send me a PM.

Mike

 

[jcrocker]

But intent does not always materialize as intended and I may have missed the mark but I wanted to interject and explain what I wanted to convey. Also, if anyone has a tip on how to better present ideas using something other than LBB-ish text, please post it or send me a PM.

I bought that product, and I liked it a lot, and I thought the fiction was very evocative. Done right, a page of that sort helps give a 'feel' for the world better than four or five of dry text, and I submit that was done right. I disagree that it 'really doesn't do anything' and my compliments to the author.