Got 760 Patrons?

[Supplement Four]

But then you see, I have actually read both books and know what I am talking about. You haven't, and you don't.

If Border's example is representative of the book, I don't think I need much more than that. I've seen this exact thing before in CT.

Although it's a quite "neat" addition to an adventure module or a rule book like The Traveller Book, I don't think it's that useful if that's all the book contains. It should be a section in a book. Heck, it should be a freebie one could download from the net.

I don't think the original 76 Patrons is that useful either, but it didn't cost me much.

 

[Allensh]

If Border's example is representative of the book, I don't think I need much more than that. I've seen this exact thing before in CT.

Although it's a quite "neat" addition to an adventure module or a rule book like The Traveller Book, I don't think it's that useful if that's all the book contains. It should be a section in a book. Heck, it should be a freebie one could download from the net.

I don't think the original 76 Patrons is that useful either, but it didn't cost me much.

I don't happen to think Border's example is that representative of the book, actually. It was merely an example of the format used for each entry...and was slightly inaccurate anyway.

The book is 175 pages. In order to be a "section in a book" it would have to be a pretty big book.

None of this matters of course...you have no intention of buying the book anyway. So I suggest you stop wasting your time commenting on it.

Allen

 

[Reg Redblade]

I actually picked up this book yesterday, along with the Spinward Marches. I spent about an hour looking through them - long enough for initial impressions.

760 Patrons

To be honest, it really reminded me of T4. The book appears to have been written by someone who either :

a) Doesn't know a huge amount about the Traveller setting or,
b) Was aiming for a -very- generic sci-fi without a huge amount of reference to the OTU

- I found the terminology strange ( talking about " fusion canonades " and " attack carriers " ( as opposed to g-carriers or grav tanks ) - more generic science fiction terms than strictly traveller lexicon ) Also, the later NPCs suggested are time travellers and other strangeness .

Now, this is all fine if the author was aiming for generic sci-fi, the book would be just as at home as a GURPS Space Product * but it doesn't address the OTU at all.

I also thought each entry was a little skimpy, I thought the gems laid out in the CT books always had enough info to build a scenario on, a lot of the entries in 760 Patrons were really throw away " what-if"s that didn't have a lot of thought put in.

Even so, I bought it and am sure I will use it.

Spinward Marches

My initial impression is that the book is ... bland ... and some of the artwork is appalling ( particularly the naval scenes ) BUT I love that cover . But I need to read it fully before I would comment on the writing .

 

[Allensh]

I actually picked up this book yesterday, along with the Spinward Marches. I spent about an hour looking through them - long enough for initial impressions.

760 Patrons

To be honest, it really reminded me of T4. The book appears to have been written by someone who either :

a) Doesn't know a huge amount about the Traveller setting or,
b) Was aiming for a -very- generic sci-fi without a huge amount of reference to the OTU

- I found the terminology strange ( talking about " fusion canonades " and " attack carriers " ( as opposed to g-carriers or grav tanks ) - more generic science fiction terms than strictly traveller lexicon ) Also, the later NPCs suggested are time travellers and other strangeness .

Now, this is all fine if the author was aiming for generic sci-fi, the book would be just as at home as a GURPS Space Product * but it doesn't address the OTU at all.

I also thought each entry was a little skimpy, I thought the gems laid out in the CT books always had enough info to build a scenario on, a lot of the entries in 760 Patrons were really throw away " what-if"s that didn't have a lot of thought put in.

Even so, I bought it and am sure I will use it.

Spinward Marches

My initial impression is that the book is ... bland ... and some of the artwork is appalling ( particularly the naval scenes ) BUT I love that cover . But I need to read it fully before I would comment on the writing .

Mongoose intends for the Traveller rules system to become the generic sci-fi RPG. To that end, 760 Patrons is in fact designed to be usable for a variety of sci-fi backgrounds without specific reference to the OTU. They have stated that books appearing with black covers (presumably not including artwork like Spinward Marches) are designed to be generic. Mercenary and High Guard should also follow this pattern. OTU books will be distinguishable in some way so people will know they are for a specific background.

Presumably, books for other settings (Starship Troopers etc.) will have their own cover styles as well.

Allen

 

[Klaus]

- I found the terminology strange ( talking about " fusion canonades " and " attack carriers " ( as opposed to g-carriers or grav tanks ) - more generic science fiction terms than strictly traveller lexicon ) Also, the later NPCs suggested are time travellers and other strangeness .

Now, this is all fine if the author was aiming for generic sci-fi, the book would be just as at home as a GURPS Space Product * but it doesn't address the OTU at all.

It is a generic product, as evidenced by the minimal covers, rather than a big nasty 'Third Imperium' logo. And what's wrong with a little strangeness in a sci-fi game?

I don't get the art. Some of it by a particular artist looks fairly competent, then others by the same artist look unfinished or amateur. I'm thinking of the pen illustrations /w pencil marks left in, and the 'scratchy' stuff, half of which a kinda like, and half of which looks like crude photoshop filter stuff. Some of it looks rushed, and some looks like the artisit is still finding his(her?) feet, and has yet to develope a distinctive technique.

I do like the airbrush style stuff, for it's retro feel.

 

[The Hinterworlds Rambler]

I like the art. It shaves the facial hair off Traveller. It looks as varied as the OTU would be, but still tied in just by black and white tones. Some of them are a little rough, sure, but overall, interesting. Contemporary.

Content? I love it. Tells it like it is. At last a patron listed as "Ignoramus" !
These dudes know thier Traveller!

 

[Imperial Planetologist]

At last a patron listed as "Ignoramus" !

And what job does the Ignoramus offer the adventurers?

These dudes know thier Traveller!

I have no idea how this has anything to do with Traveller. Care to enlighten me?

 

[The Hinterworlds Rambler]

Many patrons have turned out to be Ignormuses in the past. It was a joke.

Not quie sure what your getting at. Is it "They're technically not Patrons.." or something?

 

[Imperial Planetologist]

Many patrons have turned out to be Ignormuses in the past. It was a joke.

Okay.

Not quie sure what your getting at. Is it "They're technically not Patrons.." or something?

I'm not trying to "get at" anything other than what the Ignoramus patron is all about. What's the set-up? What's the mission? How many possible outcomes are provided?

 

[The Hinterworlds Rambler]

Pardon me, I am fresh from the "Mongoose Sucks" forum, and still feeling a little hostile...

It is actually quite interesting and very simple. The ignoramus is not into science bad enough to cause trouble for the players...

 

[Imperial Planetologist]

Pardon me, I am fresh from the "Mongoose Sucks" forum, and still feeling a little hostile...

Interesting.

I'm discovering that much of the perpetuated animosity seems to come from the fans of MgT, not the critics.

It is actually quite interesting and very simple. The ignoramus is not into science bad enough to cause trouble for the players...

That doesn't anwer my questions.

 

[The Hinterworlds Rambler]

You should buy the book. It answers all questions. I'm busy reading it.

 

[Imperial Planetologist]

You should buy the book. It answers all questions. I'm busy reading it.

I started this thread in order to learn more about the product. I asked some very specific questions in the hopes of learning more about it.

And your reply is, "Buy it and all your questions will be answered."

With all due respect, thanks for nothing.

 

[The Hinterworlds Rambler]

Don't mention it! See you in 2038, at the 60th!

 

[Andrew Boulton]

This is going nowhere. Thread locked.