Increasing Traveller's popularity.

[Spinward Scout]

We need quick-play (1 to 2 hours at most) scenarios and pre-generated characters with easily understandable character sheets. Think 'Edge of the Empire' for the Star Wars game - we need to put together an 'Edge of the Imperium' game. We need posters and signs to put up at our FLGS. We need a one-page rules/system cheat sheet.

 

[robject]

We need quick-play (1 to 2 hours at most) scenarios and pre-generated characters with easily understandable character sheets. Think 'Edge of the Empire' for the Star Wars game - we need to put together an 'Edge of the Imperium' game. We need posters and signs to put up at our FLGS. We need a one-page rules/system cheat sheet.

That's worth at least two more threads on COTI.

I'll start them.

 

[Shonner]

And make teaser videos like http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0AC3xkSigI so people know Traveller is getting played, etc., by various gaming groups. Also post your game recaps on blogs, video sites, personal web sites, Twitter, whatever.

 

[mechascorpio]

At the risk of violating Rule 0, I could take the sincerity of this thread a lot more seriously if it weren't for the hostility and disinterest I've seen here at CotI directed toward Mongoose's Traveller. Despite being a line that has been quite lively over the past 5 years (70+ books!), with affordable entry-level publications and tools for Players and GMs, an SRD and fantastic 3PP support, you'd never know it by hanging out here. I can't help but think that this thread would have been better titled "Increasing T5's popularity" or "Increasing FFE Traveller's popularity".

Seems to me that if half the effort that has been expended towards fixing, evangelizing and hand-wringing over T5 had been spent on acceptance of the Mongoose version (and its players), this conversation might not even be taking place. I came back to Traveller in 2008 because of Mongoose version, and I've found its treatment here at "Traveller Central" to be really bewildering.

 

[Vladika]

At the risk of violating Rule 0, I could take the sincerity of this thread a lot more seriously if it weren't for the hostility and disinterest I've seen here at CotI directed toward Mongoose's Traveller. Despite being a line that has been quite lively over the past 5 years (70+ books!), with affordable entry-level publications and tools for Players and GMs, an SRD and fantastic 3PP support, you'd never know it by hanging out here. I can't help but think that this thread would have been better titled "Increasing T5's popularity" or "Increasing FFE Traveller's popularity".

Seems to me that if half the effort that has been expended towards fixing, evangelizing and hand-wringing over T5 had been spent on acceptance of the Mongoose version (and its players), this conversation might not even be taking place. I came back to Traveller in 2008 because of Mongoose version, and I've found its treatment here at "Traveller Central" to be really bewildering.

Not everyone here is a T5 fan. I bought it and I don't like it taken as a whole.

I love Classic Traveller. That being said I think T5 can augment CT as can several other versions, including Mongoose. I'm not a Mongoose fan though. Didn't know I "had" to be either. I like Classic and, with some cherry picking, am sticking to Classic.

 

[Vladika]

At the risk of violating Rule 0, I could take the sincerity of this thread a lot more seriously if it weren't for the hostility and disinterest I've seen here at CotI directed toward Mongoose's Traveller. ...I came back to Traveller in 2008 because of Mongoose version, and I've found its treatment here at "Traveller Central" to be really bewildering.

I might also point out that MongooseMatt posts a special section here at CotI on a regular basis with the full support of the Powers That Be.

 

[atpollard]

At the risk of violating Rule 0, I could take the sincerity of this thread a lot more seriously if it weren't for the hostility and disinterest I've seen here at CotI directed toward Mongoose's Traveller.

Frankly, the rumored COTI hostility towards Mongoose Traveller is simply untrue. In the early days of MgT, there were a vocal few who made it a personal crusade to attack anyone or anything pro Mongoose. There were an equal number of vocal fans who made it their personal mission to attack anyone or anything that criticized MgT. Fortunately, both have long since either learned civility or been shown to the door by the moderators at COTI (except me, cause I wasn't a moderator back then.)

As far as Mongoose Traveller being ignored, the board statistics do not bear that out ... 706 Mongoose Traveller threads and over 14,000 posts.

Right now, T5 is the new kid on the COTI block. So naturally, there are lots of new T5 posts and topics right now. You cannot have read the posts about T5 and think that T5 experienced none of the criticism that MgT suffered. Criticism goes with the territory of publishing a new game. I am happy that COTI has more moderators now than it did when Mongoose was released, so the personal attacks against T5 fans and critics were never allowed to reach the level that the worst of the posts reached at the unveiling of MgT.

At present, criticism and even strong disagreement are welcome at COTI, but personal attacks are not tolerated. COTI has no opinion or policy towards any version of Traveller, except they are all welcome to be discussed. The members of COTI, on the other hand, run the full spectrum of Traveller preferences and dislikes.

Personally, I have played Mongoose Traveller and enjoyed it. I really liked the broader skill emphasis on Trade and I greatly enjoyed using the Mercenary book and equipment in an actual game. On the other hand, I prefer a crunchier design system ... more like MegaTraveller ... and I prefer the lower skill levels and characteristic emphasis of LBB1-3 Classic Traveller. So THIS moderator has no axe to grind against Mongoose Traveller.

Ultimately both 'Mongoose Traveller on COTI' and 'Traveller in general among the greater gaming community' suffer from the same problem ... too few people talking about and actually playing it. ... Both have the same cure, play it and post about it.

So you can either 'curse the darkness' or you can 'light a candle'.
If you want to see more Mongoose Traveller topics on the "Today's Posts", then start posting about MgT. I don't think that it will happen, simply because Mongoose fans have a very nice home at the Mongoose Publishing Forums, so they don't need COTI (just as GURPS Traveller has a natural home at the SJG Forums). For better or worse, COTI is the logical home for the T5 community since this is where they discussed it pre-release and COTI is now hosted by The publisher of T5 (FFE).

Anyway, I am sorry that you feel COTI is hostile towards Mongoose Traveller, but I respectfully disagree.

 

[Blue Ghost]

Free copies of starter, T0 and intro version of T5. Spread the word on other forums without spamming.

And be positive about the game. I like the Shadow-Run bait-and-switch Run D&D, then sneak in some T20 there. That undead-dragon is actually a mecha :smirk: That troop of goblins are actually droyne with LASER rifles; magic missile and fireball are the order of the day, and make sure that elven archer has some plus-something arrows.

Be cool and positive about it. When it comes to spaceship combat, stick with the basic rules. Don't scare them with MT or other build-your-own vehicle rules. In engineerese; KISS; Keep It Simple Stupid!

More ideas?

 

[aramis]

I might also point out that MongooseMatt posts a special section here at CotI on a regular basis with the full support of the Powers That Be.

He has no special privileges, except the mongoose identifier.

 

[Murphy]

I have no dog in the rules' fight but as far as setting material goes, I like Mongoose's supplements. Very easy to read and have lots of useful stuff.

 

[Blue Ghost]

Personally I don't think speaking bad of a rule set in and of itself is a turn off to new players by itself. Example, a few people know of my dislike with the experience points and level system that's been around since D&D was in draft form. But, I don't really tout or otherwise toot my own horn of the topic too much. I've said all I had to say about it, and will repeat myself only if I think I need to.

Mongoose's version seems like a very good update of the CT rules. T20 I think helped expose fantasy players who were strictly D20 folks into the possibility of sci-fi gaming. T4, to me at least, was an interesting low budget take on what happened after Mega Traveller. GURPS Traveller, I think has a lot of untapped potential to draw in mainstream GURPS players, and perhaps vice versa. Traveller The New Era, I didn't know too much about it, and kind of skipped over it, but, if there's a die hard TNE GM/Ref out there, then run a local game, and introduce your players to the wonders of Traveller

Caveat here; I don't like Tony Robbins nor his philosophy on business. In business the truth is you're out to outdo the other guy, and there're people out to screw you over for market share. But, when you're marketing a product, then you have to put on your best smiley face and invite your potential player come try fighting off a horde of Vargr marauders with an ACR You might like it!

 

[Hemdian]

Personally I don't think speaking bad of a rule set in and of itself is a turn off to new players by itself.

I think 'tone' can be a turn off for some people. For example, if you say, "Point-based character generation is an abomination in the gaming industry supported only by useless noobs." ... that may not go down well with some people. They are unlikely to listen to anything else you have to say. On the other hand, if you say, "I'm not personally a fan of point-based character generation for a number of reasons but YMMV." ... this is less confrontational. Even if someone disagrees they may still consider other things you say.

I don't like Tony Robbins nor his philosophy on business. In business the truth is you're out to outdo the other guy, and there're people out to screw you over for market share.

I don't know Robbins, so I can't comment on that, but in business (even when in competition with someone) you should never be out to screw anyone over. Ever! For one thing, and this isn't the only reason, today's business rival could be tomorrow's business partner.

 

[robject]

We need quick-play (1 to 2 hours at most) scenarios and pre-generated characters with easily understandable character sheets. ... We need a one-page rules/system cheat sheet.

I'll come back to this, and marry it with Hemdian's over-arching concept of Visibility.

Frankly, Shadows and Chamax Plague and Death Station suffice for quick-play scenarios. I think I'll start two new threads just for those.

Most everyone here has blank character sheets.

If you don't feel ready, don't push it. BUT, do not be overcome by analysis paralysis.

If you're prepared and ready, then you're ready, go visit your FLGS, take a portable portion of your library, and set up a corner of a table. Spend time musing over your LBBs until someone asks about it.

If you have starship minis, bring them along. They make great conversation starters. Yeah, that's the Mercenary Cruiser, there's its deckplans, and that's the detailed design...


And just be yourself. Unless you're a pushy jackass, that is.

 

[Putraack]

Run at conventions. (Corollary: pre-register to get the name up in the program!)

I go to Origins every year, which I am told is the 2nd-biggest gaming-centric con in the US, and I almost never see a Traveller scenario being run. There was ONE this year, which stands out in my mind because it was so rare.

For comparison with "deader" GDW products, Twilight:2000 had 2 games (6 slots) being run, and Space:1889 had 1 RPG and 1 miniatures games. Nothing for 2300AD, any version.

 

[darue]

well, whoever owns it should update ---> http://www.traveller5.com/

 

[Blue Ghost]

I think 'tone' can be a turn off for some people. For example, if you say, "Point-based character generation is an abomination in the gaming industry supported only by useless noobs." ... that may not go down well with some people. They are unlikely to listen to anything else you have to say. On the other hand, if you say, "I'm not personally a fan of point-based character generation for a number of reasons but YMMV." ... this is less confrontational. Even if someone disagrees they may still consider other things you say.




I don't know Robbins, so I can't comment on that, but in business (even when in competition with someone) you should never be out to screw anyone over. Ever! For one thing, and this isn't the only reason, today's business rival could be tomorrow's business partner.

Well, let me say this, you don't go into business with the objective of screwing over the other guy, but you go into business to compete. The simple fact of the matter is that there are sharks out there. It's been that way since cavemen were swinging clubs at one another over mates and watering holes. It's not going to change.

Hopefully the kind of backbiting and other tawdry and low behavior can be kept at bay, or, at the very least, to a minimum where Traveller is concerned. Hunter, I think, had some issues with people who played Traveller, invested a lot of time and money and saw no return on their investment other than the game being a waste of time and money, and therefore turned "mercenary" so to speak by trying to take advantage of him. Ergo he vented here on people for minor issues, when all the time it was the other stuff that was getting at him.

I've been in business before. And you try to keep a good professional front, back, and interior going, but there's someone out there who's looking to get ahead at your expense, and there isn't much you can do about it other than to be prepared.

Attitude is a good part of it, but I personally think it's a fat professional line that anyone with common sense can walk. If you're professional, then you'll get good results. If you're either super positive or flat down in the dirt hard-nosed business, you won't get too far. Just my experience.

Crank out a good product, don't steal, be professional, and you'll do okay.

 

[SpaceBadger]

Frankly, Shadows and Chamax Plague and Death Station suffice for quick-play scenarios.

But aren't all three of those basically dungeon crawls with guns and vaccsuits? (Dunno about Chamax, never played it.)

Would be nice to have a quick-play scenario that highlighted some differences from basic FRP games, other than equipment.

(I know, I know, if I have such great ideas, I should write one myself. Maybe I will, if I come up with a good idea (Not Exit Visa!!! :file_28. Just saying it would be nice.)

 

[SpaceBadger]

Run at conventions. (Corollary: pre-register to get the name up in the program!)

I don't know of any game cons near enough to be worth the trip for me, but this would give me a good reason to check out some of the local (two hour trip) SF cons. I haven't been to an SF con in years; the prospect of laughing while people in costumes play "freak the mundanes" just isn't as much motivation as it used to be.

 

[Blue Ghost]

"Night of Conquest" or even a Snapshot hijack scenario with miniatures might be a good way to get people exposed to the game.

 

[Jeff M. Hopper]

If running a Traveller Demo, do not just concentrate on FLGS - keep in mind that bookstores and especially the chain bookstores often carry games as well for sale. One night a month of game demo at a bookstaore may both increase sales for the store and exposure/popularity for the RPGs as well.