Mixing OTU elements into a different ATU

[Golan2072]

Would you like to play in a (not-100%-OTU) ATU into which certain OTU features were transplanted, or do you prefer to keep the OTU almost purely canonical and alternate universes apart from it? Or would you like to play in a modified version of the OTU into which non-OTU elements were woven?

In other words, how do you feel about Traveller settings mixing original material with existing 'canonical' material?

 

[wordserpent]

My response was to play in a mixed Official and Alternate Traveller universe.

While I truly love Origional Traveller and it's many variants, especially the Megatraveller setting with it's Shattered Imperium and Hard Times I like to tweak my traveller games so that there's stuff from other sci-fi settings as well as the well thought out Official Traveller stuff.

Things I change are; star maps (I use a 3-d map like the one in 2300), I have a terran-based alternate history (no Villani) and I hijack other races from different settings. I kept the general feel of Traveller by keeping Character Generation the same and by having an "imperium". I also keep the ships. I really love the ships, especially the merchants.

 

[Colonel Mac]

I always like to begin within the OTU but some games lend themselves to minor variations to the canon. That allows me to throw in a few NPCs and government systems that aren't "by-the-book". I don't vary too much but it does give a bit of latitude when I stray.

I would have to say mixed 85% OTU to 15% ATU.

 

[Ishmael]

I tinker with working on an original version of the Islands Campaing....3d map, different uwps' and history and economics using MT and FFS and and Pocket Empires and various houserules.

The Imperium is 'somewhere over there..' and known vaguely in legends and tall tales from olden times. Mostly human. Mass based performance of tech...no reactionless thrusters..that sort of thing.

 

[Icosahedron]

As I've stated before elsewhere, MTU is a purely ATU begun before the OTU was published. Back then, you had no choice but to create your own.

I had an entirely human, Earth-centred TU and I'd used the subsector hexmap in LBB3 to create a 3D layered universe. When elements of the OTU were published, I found its 2D structure, Vilani origins and menagerie of pseudo cats, dogs and horses was just too 'alien' to adopt.

I might transplant the occasional interesting world, but I pick whatever I like from every version of Traveller - and other RPGs, so I think I'm definitely out on the fringes of 'ATU only'.

 

[jrmapes]

I love the OTU yet I still had to vote "mixed". MTU is the complete OTU plus the new frontier subsectors that I have created for use with the OTU when I run frontier and fringe games.

 

[casquilho]

I like the OTU and aways start there. I may tweak or shift some things, but no major overhauls.

Daniel

 

[Whipsnade]

Gents,

No one - as in NO ONE - has ever played in a pure OTU setting. There are always tweaks, however minor. That is the nature of RPG gaming.

That said, I prefered a tweaked or slightly variant OTU as a GM because it meant less work for me as a GM. The less I strayed from the OTU, the easier it was to use the materials produced by GDW and others.

When I changed things - and we ALL changes things - it was to ensure that the game was better suited for my group and their preferred style of play.

I used tweaked OTUs and pure ATUs as the situation demanded. How ATU did I get? Well I used the Traveller rules to run a pulp-style jungle adventure set during the 1930s Chaco War and there wasn't a starship in sight. You can't get much more ATU than that!


Have fun,
Bill

 

[casquilho]

Gents,

No one - as in NO ONE - has ever played in a pure OTU setting. There are always tweaks, however minor. That is the nature of RPG gaming.

Bill,
I have to disagree with you on this one. I have never played in a game where the GM did not tweak the rules, but I have played in games where the GM used the setting out of the books. I think the setting is very different then the basic rules.

Daniel

 

[Spinward Scout]

No one - as in NO ONE - has ever played in a pure OTU setting.

Not even Marc Miller?

 

[aramis]

I used tweaked OTUs and pure ATUs as the situation demanded. How ATU did I get? Well I used the Traveller rules to run a pulp-style jungle adventure set during the 1930s Chaco War and there wasn't a starship in sight. You can't get much more ATU than that!


Have fun,
Bill

I ran Tron...

Someone is currently running a fantasy setting on the board here (PBP) using CT rules.

I've also run Star Trek.