Mongoose - traveller returns

[kafka47]

kewl

Well, if they keep the artists that Mongoose has on staff, this is going to be one nice looking product.

Plus, what was that swipe at only being in reprints T20 and GURPS and ComStar have all being keeping the flame alive whilst others have been somewhat idle.

But, I do see a pattern emerging with t4, big announcement and big names, my hope is that Marc is not going to repeat the mistakes of the past and put all items for extensive playtest, afterall, this is probably going to be the last word in Traveller, so let's get it right this time - for all time.

 

[Pickles]

If the Mongoose "basic" Traveller is as basic as their RuneQuest rules, you'll basically (pardon me) have to get T5 to really play the game. :devil:

 

[Allensh]

Extremely interesting news.

How is this announcment going to affect the Traveller Hero line that has been being worked on? I know some folks who were deeply involved in that...

Allen

 

[hemulen]

Well, if they keep the artists that Mongoose has on staff, this is going to be one nice looking product.

But the artwork in the RuneQuest line is absolutely dire!

Mark

 

[aramis]

If MRQ is any indication:

• The core line will be desperately in need of errata which will not be forthcoming
• There will be continuity errors in the core
• There will be some seriously boneheaded editorial decisions
• There will be a typo per 3 pages or more.

Mongoose is great about getting stuff out. Their quality control, however, is on par with the DGP-GDW joint effort: MT.

And worst of all, I fear, it's likely to include the T4 task system

 

[hemulen]

Sincerely hope that the Traveller rules are better written than the MRQ ones, which frankly were pretty damn poor. The standard of the editing was dreadful and although the Gloranthan supplements have been much improved having to buy several thin volumes just to gather enough basic rules to actually play was pretty annoying and expensive to boot

I like the fact that in the Press Release, they refer to a supplement called "760 Patrons". You think they'd get that right!

I was very disappointed with the RQ release. I hope they do better for Traveller.

Mark

 

[hunter]

What time frame is MGT gonna use? 1248? What locations...?

Do you know? Can you tell us? Can the Cat come out and play?

I don't know Mongoose's specific plans for release, just what the overall deal entails.

 

[hunter]

If the Mongoose "basic" Traveller is as basic as their RuneQuest rules, you'll basically (pardon me) have to get T5 to really play the game. :devil:

No you won't.

 

[hunter]

And worst of all, I fear, it's likely to include the T4 task system

Most likely T5's task system.

 

[far-trader]

I like the fact that in the Press Release, they refer to a supplement called "760 Patrons". You think they'd get that right!



Mark

Saw that too did you

When I read it I was afraid they had got it right and we could look forward to a book of faceless, soulless, randomly generated, page after page after page, of "UPP : X-terms Service" or whatever :smirk:

 

[richardtalbotuk]

I am of two minds about this...

Mongoose's implementation of RQ was welcomed but flawed in quite a few areas.

I'm also a little tired of yet "another version" Traveller on top of the expected T5 release. As I GM many Traveller games at cons the age old question of "What version are you running" always comes up and this adds more fuel to the fire.

that being said it will be a new "live" version and should be well supported.

My brain is still digesting this though...

 

[hunter]

I am of two minds about this...

Mongoose's implementation of RQ was welcomed but flawed in quite a few areas.

I'm also a little tired of yet "another version" Traveller on top of the expected T5 release. As I GM many Traveller games at cons the age old question of "What version are you running" always comes up and this adds more fuel to the fire.

One of the points of the Mongoose license is to eventually bring Traveller back to one core system (Mongoose as the 'basic', T5 as the 'advanced'). The only way to have done it cleanly would have been to buy out the existing licensees of their licenses (if they were willing to sell). Without doing that the existing licenses will run their course and not be renewed under their current terms and will have to work with Mongoose under the new licenses.

 

[aramis]

Most likely T5's task system.

T5's draft was the same one as T4.1, as released by MWM on the TML, just reworded.

 

[hunter]

T5's draft was the same one as T4.1, as released by MWM on the TML, just reworded.

I know half-dice were removed (Bruce and I gave Marc hell about them till he agreed to drop em ). There are a few other changes I am aware of as well. Of course the drafts available on the net are incredibly old and out of date.

 

[GypsyComet]

One of the points of the Mongoose license is to eventually bring Traveller back to one core system (Mongoose as the 'basic', T5 as the 'advanced'). The only way to have done it cleanly would have been to buy out the existing licensees of their licenses (if they were willing to sell). Without doing that the existing licenses will run their course and not be renewed under their current terms and will have to work with Mongoose under the new licenses.

Bringing Traveller back to one core system wasn't working for the players when there was only one edition in print at a time and only three total. Why is it suddenly going to work with TMon, which will be what, the SEVENTH set of RPG mechanics in print?

Hunter, I would recommend not being resigned to losing the license just yet. Mongoose's history is such that Marc may be glad to keep you around a few years from now.

 

[Gallowglacht]

By the looks of it Mongooses fans in the Starship Troopers section aren't too chuffed with the idea.

I'd rather stick with T20 for a while so Hunter if you have stuff in the works I'd buy that over Mongoose Traveller.

 

[flyteach]

Mongoose

Color me confused.......

Started with CT for my 18th birthday. Absolutely loved it!

MT was great, IMHO. I know it had errors, but was playable, easily mixed with CT stuff (if not just a superset).

TNE put me off due to the setting, didn't really get into the rules.

T4 was a product from a group that didn't seem to know much at all about Traveller and seemed to have sprung out of nowhere. Lot's of flash and sizzle, but no substance.

GT isn't my cup of tea. Like the CT flavor.

T20 seemed to be overwhelming until I saw the many ways it could be used in CT and that there was actually new stuff (not just reprints) being created.

Glad I didn't hold my breath for T5 for the last 6 years or so, couldn't even make the 30th anniversary deadline with a 2 year announcement.

Now I see this Mongoose company, which (not that it means much) I've never heard of and has had nothing to do with Traveller for the last 30 years. They claim they are going to be THE ruleset. Seems to me that they were just the highest bidder to MWM to capture the name. But with no background, I'm hardpressed to put any faith (or $$) into their products. Just the comments from their RQ release seems to point to the fact that this is just another Imperium Games (T4) fiasco.

Now, when T20 is spreading it's wings and looking like a really nice ruleset to use along with some new and unique adventure and background material, it's going to all go into the dumpster in favor of some new, untried, never before heard of ruleset from a company with no experience and not a very good reputation.

I know that many will think this is simply a rant, but I hope that some will read it and possibly respond in a better light (but just saying "oh, this is great" will not be useful). This seems as dark as the Virus announcement.

Am I truly missing something here? It's certainly not a budget issue for me. I had to scrape and save all through college to get Traveller books (1980 to 1984). Gainfully employed since and can buy what I want, but I really have to want to. I'm just not impressed that MWM seems to be selling out to a minor league player.

And it certainly seems to me that building up ANOTHER rule set does nothing to stop the fractionalizing. It simply produces another ruleset (which I have no desire or need for) and I don't see where they're talking about new and unique material. That's what I really like about T20, the unique material that QLI has published is some of the best stuff since the Keith brothers.

<sigh!>

That's my take,

Jim Ujcik
(if you want to rant back to me in private, feel free at:

soareagle -at- flightbrothers -dot- com)

 

[hunter]

Hunter, I would recommend not being resigned to losing the license just yet. Mongoose's history is such that Marc may be glad to keep you around a few years from now.

Thank you very much! I'm not worried about losing the license. I work very closely with Marc and consider him both friend and mentor. Because of this I support Traveller in any form. While as a licensee I have a few issues with what has gone down (and I have known about it for quite awhile), I support the move. It's a good deal for Marc and I think it will be a good thing for Traveller overall.

As far as T20 goes, I still have 3 years on my current license, and lets just say T20 as a ruleset won't likely disappear after that. I intend to pick up any licenses necessary to continue to support Gateway under the Mongoose terms when our current license expires.

2320 is not affected by this at all let me also add.

 

[hunter]

I'd rather stick with T20 for a while so Hunter if you have stuff in the works I'd buy that over Mongoose Traveller.

Thanks again! You guys don't know how good hearing things like this makes me feel. I appreciate the support more than I can tell you!

 

[hunter]

T20 seemed to be overwhelming until I saw the many ways it could be used in CT and that there was actually new stuff (not just reprints) being created.

Always good to hear!

Now I see this Mongoose company, which (not that it means much) I've never heard of and has had nothing to do with Traveller for the last 30 years. They claim they are going to be THE ruleset. Seems to me that they were just the highest bidder to MWM to capture the name. But with no background, I'm hardpressed to put any faith (or $$) into their products. Just the comments from their RQ release seems to point to the fact that this is just another Imperium Games (T4) fiasco.

Actually Mongoose is one of the bigger players in the industry right now with its hands on some nice licenses, particularly in the SciFi genre.

Now, when T20 is spreading it's wings and looking like a really nice ruleset to use along with some new and unique adventure and background material, it's going to all go into the dumpster in favor of some new, untried, never before heard of ruleset from a company with no experience and not a very good reputation.

T20 isn't being dumped lets get that clear. I still have 3 years on my current license and I have plans to continue the rules beyond that point.

Am I truly missing something here? It's certainly not a budget issue for me. I had to scrape and save all through college to get Traveller books (1980 to 1984). Gainfully employed since and can buy what I want, but I really have to want to. I'm just not impressed that MWM seems to be selling out to a minor league player.

I wouldn't call Mongoose a minor league player. They have the Conan license, Runequest, Starship Troopers, Babylon 5 and a number of other high profile licenses in their stable. They play to use Traveller to power the scifi stuff.

And it certainly seems to me that building up ANOTHER rule set does nothing to stop the fractionalizing. It simply produces another ruleset (which I have no desire or need for) and I don't see where they're talking about new and unique material. That's what I really like about T20, the unique material that QLI has published is some of the best stuff since the Keith brothers.

Wow thanks! That's about as high a compliment as we've gotten being compared to the Keith brothers!