Frontier Report - Seeking Submissions

[Commander Drax]

Hi Guys, I would like you to send me your submissions for frontier report a new Traveler Fanzine published under the fair use policy.

It will be free of charge and high quality.

Sadly I don't have the cash to pay for anything, so everything you send in must be free and your own work (so you have the copyright).

We're focusing on all prior non mongoose versions of Traveller most notably Classic Traveller, MegaTraveller and T4 as their fairly easy to convert between for character descriptions etc, though we're happy to accept T20, Gurps Traveller and TNE articles/submissions as well.

Under the terms of the fair use policy you can reference the OTU, but we cannot accept submissions for Mongoose Traveller.

At present I have about 80 pages of good stuff, including but not limited to

Belters - A career for T4
Extensive Articles on Belter Life
The IDP design System (an alternative to the SSDS in T4)
Alternate Character Creation Rules and Skill Descriptions for Classic Traveller
'The 4 Corners' region of the Imperial Core Circa 1105 for use with any ruleset as a place of adventure and intrigue.

All of which written by myself, hence the need for other authors.

To round out the fanzine, It would be cool if you could send.

Craft Designs
Robot & Vehicle Designs
Adventures
Characters & Backgrounds
Maps & Deckplans
Your Traveller Artwork.

Or indeed anything you'd like to share with the Traveller community that you have the rights too and has not been published elsewhere.

Post me at my private email mark@nice-site.org and we'll add you to the list of contributors.

Cheers

Commander Drax

 

[travellernoob]

Are you looking for illustrations as well?

 

[Commander Drax]

Yes please, illustrations are very welcome, if anyone has any belting related illustrations in particular these would be very welcome.

 

[Commander Drax]

hi Guys, I'm closing the door on submissions shortly, as I want to release frontier report during the first week of april. At present we have 80 pages of really good stuff, so please hurry and send in your adventures, starships, vehicles, planet guides, detailed NPC's, amber zones, illustrations and anything you think is suitable.

 

[Supplement Four]

We're focusing on all prior non mongoose versions of Traveller most notably Classic Traveller, MegaTraveller and T4 as their fairly easy to convert between for character descriptions etc, though we're happy to accept T20, Gurps Traveller and TNE articles/submissions as well.

You know that I'm not a fan of Mongoose Traveller. When I first read your statement above, I said, "Cool, no MGT!"

But...why focus on everything else but MGT? Is it a copyright issue? Mongoose won't allow it?

I mean, if it were me, I'd focus on just one version (Classic Traveller, of course), or, I'd focus on all versions. I wouldn't exclude one version but include most others.

So, unless this is a Mongoose rights issue (in that case, I understand that you'd want to include MGT but can't), then why not include MGT if you're accepting stuff for all other versions of Traveller?

 

[Commander Drax]

To put is simply Mongoose Publishing's Fair Use Policy won't allow us to reference the original Traveller universe and include their rules at the same time, unless it's in foreven sector. This isn't an issue with any previous version of Traveller where the fair use policy allows us to include rules and reference what we like in the OTU. Hence no Mongoose allowed in the Fanzine. So we will accept submissions for any previous version of Traveller but would prefer d6 versions to be more actively supported, i.e. Classic Traveller, MegaTraveller, T4 etc, as they are fairly easy to convert between for gamers and referees alike.

I'm not a fan of Mongoose Traveller and am pretty certain it will only be a few years before someone else has a Traveller license and can do a better job of supporting traveller than mongoose.

 

[Supplement Four]

I'm not a fan of Mongoose Traveller and am pretty certain it will only be a few years before someone else has a Traveller license and can do a better job of supporting traveller than mongoose.

You might be right, after the new-ness wears off. I think it's as popular as it is because of its simularity to Classic Trav. That's what most people want--Classic Traveller. Not a new game, but more stuff to expand the Classic Traveller game system.

But, whether we're right or wrong, that's not a good decision, imo, for Mongoose to restrict fanzine material like that.

 

[Andrew Boulton]

Please, let's not start more Mongoose-bashing.

 

[RandyT0001]

Please, let's not start more Mongoose-bashing.

Where is there Mongoose bashing in this thread?

 

[flykiller]

To put is simply Mongoose Publishing's Fair Use Policy won't allow us to reference the original Traveller universe and include their rules at the same time, unless it's in foreven sector.

ct and the other versions of traveller have their own boards and websites stuffed full of material already. a fanzine for all that seems redundant. why not do a fanzine for mongoose traveller?

I'm not a fan of Mongoose Traveller and am pretty certain it will only be a few years before someone else has a Traveller license and can do a better job of supporting traveller than mongoose.

seems to me other independent fanzine-like efforts for ct+ also come and go. deckplan contest websites, story publications, etc, all start strong and end with a whimper. rather than invest in yet another independent isolated effort, a fanzine backed by the active formal license holder might have more staying power, and would certainly access a potentially larger fanbase.

 

[Whipsnade]

ct and the other versions of traveller have their own boards and websites stuffed full of material already. a fanzine for all that seems redundant.

(Note to Moderators: There is no bashing in this post. I specifically wrote and re-wrote it to avoid any bashing. There are opinions and examples however. Thank you.)

Fly,

All those boards and sites are scattered and all update irregularly. A fanzine OTOH can provide new materials in a single package at a single time in a single place.

why not do a fanzine for mongoose traveller?

Because he might not like the various conditions Mongoose will impose on such an effort? (Conditions, I should note, that are not very different from those of other RPG publishers.)

Or it may be as simple as the fact that he does not like MgT.

seems to me other independent fanzine-like efforts for ct+ also come and go. deckplan contest websites, story publications, etc, all start strong and end with a whimper.

They always have, even during the old "dead tree" days. How many issues of Signal GK were there? Third Imperium? Security Leak? The Adjutant? While the 'net has lowered the "publishing" bar for fanzines, it has done little for their lifespan. Fanzines naturally have a short lifespan, deciding not to start one because it won't last long is like deciding not to plant annuals in your garden because they won't come back next spring.

(I should note here that, while Stellar Reaches' lifespan was shortened by Mongoose's fanzine requirements, that fanzine wasn't going to last for years either.)

... rather than invest in yet another independent isolated effort, a fanzine backed by the active formal license holder might have more staying power...

I doubt it. Also, there's backing a fanzine and then there's "backing" a fanzine.

Over the years Mr. Miller exercised a far less robust "defense" of his IP rights than Mongoose's current efforts to "defend" or stake out their license. All he wanted wanted was a letter from the fanzine owner, a disclaimer that FFE existed, and little more. Mongoose's efforts are certainly much more proactive. Among other things they've already proclaimed content limits; i.e. you can have Foreven, leave all the rest to us, for any potential fanzine.

In my opinion, Mongoose would also be far more likely to vet and control fanzine content in a manner that Mr. Miller never did. I could easily see them ordering an article be pulled because it impinged in some fashion on some future plans; you publish a MgT-style pirate chargen before thieir pirate book comes out, or because it fixed one of the many problems they currently ignore; i.e. more realistic weapons tables to replace the "anime artillery" in Mercenary. Failure to accede to their wishes would mean that your fanzine would no longer be authorized.

Simply put, writing a Mongoose-approved fanzine would put you in the position of freely providing Mongoose with a house organ trumpeting the Mongoose party line. You and your authors would do the work, you would have no real control over content, and Mongoose would slap their nameplate on it.

If I were considering to begin a fanzine or not, I'd much rather prefer the oversight of Mr. Miller's King Log to Mongoose's King Stork.

... and would certainly access a potentially larger fanbase.

True, perhaps. However, if a fanzine or fanzines could really draw in new fans or coax existing ones into further purchases, wouldn't it be in Mongoose's interests to both encourage fanzines and start one of their own? Instead, Mongoose has both severely restricted the scope allowed amateur fanzines and has no fanzine of it's own.

Perhaps fanzines aren't that important at all.


Regards,
Bill

 

[flykiller]

hey bill, glad to see you back!

Simply put, writing a Mongoose-approved fanzine would put you in the position of freely providing Mongoose with a house organ trumpeting the Mongoose party line.

well ... how bad could that be? I mean, I know we're all used to going our own way and doing our own thing, but it sure would be nice to see a centralized and organized coherent fanbase too. mongoose traveller certainly doesn't detract from what already exists.

You and your authors would do the work, ...

well, we do that already, yes?

... you would have no real control over content ...

well, the author will create it or it won't exist. and certainly the author and mongoose have a mutual interest in something that's popular/sells? and certainly anyone producing good content likes to see it in print with their name attached to it?

and Mongoose would slap their nameplate on it.

if you mean apply publication standards, yes. but I thought this was the norm.

just don't see the problem with mongoose. seems like an opportunity to me.

 

[Whipsnade]

seems like an opportunity to me.

Fly,

It could be an opportunity. As I wrote, fanzines may help boost sales. Or they may not. I just don't know.

(As an aside, SJGames has completely rethought it's online, in-house, "fanzine", The Pyramid. Changing from an continually hosted online magazine to an emailed subscription .pdf makes economic sense to SJGames and, seeing as they've been publishing online longer than anyone else, you can't second guess their decision.)

If fanzines do help in some fashion, why doesn't Mongoose have one already? They were selling games well before the Traveller license.

The way I see it, Mongoose's policy regarding using MgT in fanzines is a win-win situation for Mongoose only. Someone else does beats the bushes for submissions, someone else does the editing, and someone else does the "paste-ups" while Mongoose merely vets the end product and slaps their nameplate on it. In this manner, they get a "house organ" without actually producing one. That's a good business model.

Of course, the relationship that model depends on is voluntary. You need to find someone who wants to do the work for nothing and those who volunteer might not be the best people for the job. So, while it may be a win-win for Mongoose, it can be a lose-lose for someone else.

If I were producing a fanzine for nothing but pats on the back, I'd want more control over the end result and I think anyone talented enough to produce a good fanzine would feel the same way.

Mongoose might not get as many free house organ fanzines as they assume. Or they may not any that are worth downloading. Who knows?


Regards,
Bill

 

[Easterner9504]

Page count

Cmndr Drax

80 pages. That seems long. Original JTAS was only 32.

 

[Centurion13]

Someone suggested Mongoose Publishing's policy to restrict use of their copyrighted material for fanzines was not what they, the commenter, might have chosen.

Not bashing, IMHO. Not complimentary, either. Just an observation.

--------

Why not break the material into two issues?

-------------

Security Leak Magazine was published by Gregg Giles and lasted five issues, with a sixth just short of publishing. It died for much the same reason the others did - the young (eighteen) editor/publisher got other interests, grew tired of doing it all by himself, lost interest in Traveller, and the game itself changed and lost massive numbers of players right at the time when computers were on an upswing and poised to take over from traditional pen-and-paper games.

Which they did.

-----------------

Best magazines take a hard look at the readership, but an even harder look at sources of material. Zines don't write themselves. What do folks want? Where will you get it? How long will you put this out and how often? Instead of publishing an open-ended zine, why not write down what you hope to accomplish with the darn thing, determine how many issues that will take, then publish for that many issues and stop. If the job is done, fine. If not, do it again. But don't leave it open-ended.

------------------

All the zines I have been involved with have been paper-based. They supplied something you could not get anywhere else... or they made the information convenient. I am doing a fan TRO for Battletech. We be about a year into this particular project and are making changes so that the machines can be used to advantage by actual players out there. And the fluff is fun to read as well as explanatory. In short, a book you not only take to the table, but tuck under your arm when you make a head call.

That is what I see a successful 'zine doing. Screw color; put all your work into stuff people want to see. Make a poll - make a bunch of polls. Put them up front where every swinging d*** that walks can see and vote. Find out what the people want, and then give it to 'em good. They should be reading this stuff in the bathroom, know what I mean?

Cent13






Cent13

 

[Whipsnade]

80 pages. That seems long. Original JTAS was only 32.

Cmdr. Drax,

Let me ditto this.

Cut those 80 pages in half or in thirds. That way you'll have one or two issues already in the "can" when you release the first.


Regards,
Bill

 

[Easterner9504]

Cmdr. Drax,

Let me ditto this.

Cut those 80 pages in half or in thirds. That way you'll have one or two issues already in the "can" when you release the first.


Regards,
Bill

That is partially my idea. the other part is I find web based reading far more difficult than paper. You often can never get page to line up right (Yeah PDF, YOU) necessitating fidgeting. With high geezer quotient of TRAVELLERS that may or may not be a consideration too, person-person.

 

[Whipsnade]

BTW, Bill (Whipsnade) Liked the long post.

Dave,

Thank you.

Thanks for the slight bit of change in the wording/atmosphere. I think it was great and very easy to read.

Thanks again. I took pains in writing it, actually copied Fly's original to Wordpad, typed up response, read and rewrote it, and then pasted the results into the site's Reply window. I didn't want any problems. MgT has been bashed so often that even opinions or critiques of MgT now look suspect.

There's what I strongly believe is an important point towards the end of my post: For the first time since the internet matured and really became widespread(1), Traveller is now part of a business again. That means there are going to be changes as to how the game's IP is handled.

Mr. Miller and FFE were content to be King Log and the fans could do things with Traveller that are amazing when compared to other games, series, and movies. We had a six or seven year run under very light hand and we got used to that enough to think it is the norm.

Now that Mongoose has gained their license, that era is over. Mongoose is going to be King Stork. They're going to be far more proactive when defending their IP rights and their attitude is more the rule in the business world just as Mr. Miller's was very much an exception. [Those bold bits were for emphasis, not shouting. ]

We just need to get used to the new way things are going to be done.


Regards,
Bill

1 - Yes, yes, everyone. I know the various mailing lists had been around since the early-90s and the days of GDW, MT, and TNE. It's my opinion that the lists were somewhat limited in membership and content. It was only after high speeds grew cheaper, sites became easier to construct, and documents easier to create, upload, and download that sites like COTI or Zho Berka gained a truly widespread readership and Traveller's online presence boomed.

 

[drnuncheon]

If fanzines do help in some fashion, why doesn't Mongoose have one already? They were selling games well before the Traveller license.

A house magazine? Gee, I wonder why they didn't think of that…

 

[Jeffr0]

To put is simply Mongoose Publishing's Fair Use Policy won't allow us to reference the original Traveller universe and include their rules at the same time, unless it's in foreven sector. This isn't an issue with any previous version of Traveller where the fair use policy allows us to include rules and reference what we like in the OTU. Hence no Mongoose allowed in the Fanzine. So we will accept submissions for any previous version of Traveller but would prefer d6 versions to be more actively supported, i.e. Classic Traveller, MegaTraveller, T4 etc, as they are fairly easy to convert between for gamers and referees alike.

I'm not a fan of Mongoose Traveller and am pretty certain it will only be a few years before someone else has a Traveller license and can do a better job of supporting traveller than mongoose.

I support this sentiment.

More CT, MT, and even TNE & T4 stuff please.