Mongoose - traveller returns
- Thread starter Eamonn
- Start date
I started playing/Reffing Traveller in 1977 when CT was all there was. I was still using CT with some modifications in 87, 97, and am now in 07...hope to still be using it in 17 and 27, too!
I'm not going to sweat the release of T5 or TMon...I might use them if they are great, but I suspect I'll always return to the old standard.I, for one, like the d20 rules over those of Classic Traveller. If Mongoose standardise their sci-fi line using a CT rules variant, I'll be one of the ones who stop buying their games. I like their B5 2nd Edition, I like QLI's T20. I'd rather have the continued support for these over yet another set of rules.
Yeah, me, too!
I started thinking about it, and many of my more regular supporters may decide to go into business for themselves, since I don't make enough to pay for contributions or the like. Given the sales numbers of sci-fi based PDFs, the numbers just don't add up enough to allow me to pay anyone properly for a product I intended to sell. (I don't see how people actually make it with the average PDF sales numbers being less than twenty. But then again, that's in general, and doesn't take into account the impact of the Traveller brand name.)Well, however it goes, if I stop getting contributions because people are selling it instead, then that means there's more product out there for Traveller, and that's a good thing. If I still get contributions, then Stellar Reaches continues.
Either way, Traveller is still supported, and that's the whole reason I started the fanzine over two years ago.
With Regards,
Flynn
Well, I'm quite new here and, for one, I am quite excited by the news. At the very least, Mongoose's involvement should push for a wider commercial audience, and that should be a good thing for everyone here.
A few points about their other games:
RuneQuest did have some issues in it's original release - mainly with a slightly counter-intuitive element in their core rules (where two opposed failures on a contested roll apparently allowed for the higher roll to claim a 'success'). They also made an erroneous decision to split up the core rules into three seperate books. However, they have listened to the complaints and are releasing a new 'Deluxe' 350 page version of the rules with adjusted rules next month. It should prove to be very popular with the fans.
I don't expect that Babylon 5 will change from D20 anytime soon, as it's a successful line for them as it is, but we know that Starship Troopers and Strontium Dog will be Traveller based in the future. If they manage to ever get big licences like Star Trek or Dune, which is certainly not impossible for them, we could see these settings based on the Traveller rules too.
For me, that's quite an exciting possibility!
I don't know what the ruleset for the Mongoose Traveller game will be like yet, but it is supposed to be compatible with T5, only more 'basic'. Knowing how they handled RuneQuest, they will want it to be as streamlined and accessible as possible, including shortening the skill lists, etc. Whether that means pushing for a 2D6 system over a dicepool system, I don't know, but it does increase the possibility I'd say, if enough fans make an issue about it. To me, that core task system issue is the key to whether the new edition will be a success or not.
A few points about their other games:
RuneQuest did have some issues in it's original release - mainly with a slightly counter-intuitive element in their core rules (where two opposed failures on a contested roll apparently allowed for the higher roll to claim a 'success'). They also made an erroneous decision to split up the core rules into three seperate books. However, they have listened to the complaints and are releasing a new 'Deluxe' 350 page version of the rules with adjusted rules next month. It should prove to be very popular with the fans.
I don't expect that Babylon 5 will change from D20 anytime soon, as it's a successful line for them as it is, but we know that Starship Troopers and Strontium Dog will be Traveller based in the future. If they manage to ever get big licences like Star Trek or Dune, which is certainly not impossible for them, we could see these settings based on the Traveller rules too.
For me, that's quite an exciting possibility!
I don't know what the ruleset for the Mongoose Traveller game will be like yet, but it is supposed to be compatible with T5, only more 'basic'. Knowing how they handled RuneQuest, they will want it to be as streamlined and accessible as possible, including shortening the skill lists, etc. Whether that means pushing for a 2D6 system over a dicepool system, I don't know, but it does increase the possibility I'd say, if enough fans make an issue about it. To me, that core task system issue is the key to whether the new edition will be a success or not.
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And good stuff it is, too!
I must say, I tend to stick closer to CT than any of the other systems, but I do use a good bit of stuff from T20, and the very good setting material isn't tied to any ruleset, so I like that a lot.
Won't that depend on what is open content and what is closed content?
I suspect all that will be open content will be the basic mechanics of whatever ruleset Mongoose goes with. I can't imagine Marc making any of the Traveller setting open content...but I hope I'm wrong.
Sure! Just like I'm running T20 setting (Gateway 993) using CT (with mods) rules. Rules and Setting can be separate, but really aren't in any of the Traveller versions. It can be done, but it takes extra effort.
Well if the "big news" Mongoose license is sci-fi then might that use the MongTrav rules too...?
Out of curiosity, are Star Trek and Star Wars currently under license?
Can see Trav working with Trek, but not SW.
Anyway, pure speculation atm. Until something concrete appears, tis just hype.
Out of curiosity, are Star Trek and Star Wars currently under license?
Can see Trav working with Trek, but not SW.
Anyway, pure speculation atm. Until something concrete appears, tis just hype.
Star Wars Saga has just been released by Wizards of the Coast. It's a modified (stripped down) version of D20. The licence isn't going to anyone else soon, strictly on the basis that George Lucas is a major Hasbro shareholder and effectively owns WotC by default.
Star Trek is currently licenced to Decipher games, but they appear much more interested in the CCG side of things, and the RPG game itself has been treading water for several years now. There is a fair amount of speculation as to whether the licence might move on - and Mongoose is the kind of ambitious young company that would be in the hunt for such a licence.
You're right though - it is still all hype and speculation currently.
Star Trek is currently licenced to Decipher games, but they appear much more interested in the CCG side of things, and the RPG game itself has been treading water for several years now. There is a fair amount of speculation as to whether the licence might move on - and Mongoose is the kind of ambitious young company that would be in the hunt for such a licence.
You're right though - it is still all hype and speculation currently.
Gaming Glen
SOC-12
I hope they don't print wafer-thin books like they did for RQ. RQ Companion should have been folded into the main book, IMO.
Not that it's likely I'll be purchasing any new Traveller as I rarely find players anyway.
Not that it's likely I'll be purchasing any new Traveller as I rarely find players anyway.
And we should help them...
The reason given for the move to Traveller is that Mongoose likes Traveller and will play it.
If you prefer, you may pray that they like the same task system you like.
Yeah, me, too!
Think of it this way:
People who have been playing Mongoose games will be potential new subscribers and contributors.
BlackBat242
SOC-14 1K
"RuneQuest did have some issues in it's original release - mainly with a slightly counter-intuitive element in their core rules (where two opposed failures on a contested roll apparently allowed for the higher roll to claim a 'success'). They also made an erroneous decision to split up the core rules into three seperate books. However, they have listened to the complaints and are releasing a new 'Deluxe' 350 page version of the rules with adjusted rules next month. It should prove to be very popular with the fans. "
Or they did it on purpose... the "Bill Gates/TSR" business plan!
And you can keep your D20 rules...
"Let's force everyone to become just like everyone else."
"Diversity is bad, conformity is good".
"No deviance, Kilroy".
D20: the RPG version of Orwell's "Big Brother".
Or they did it on purpose... the "Bill Gates/TSR" business plan!
And you can keep your D20 rules...
"Let's force everyone to become just like everyone else."
"Diversity is bad, conformity is good".
"No deviance, Kilroy".
D20: the RPG version of Orwell's "Big Brother".
Eris:
Since significant chunks of "Traveller Setting" are defined in rules matter already, mostly in CharGen assumptions, it is quite likely that MoTrav will enshrine a good number of those, too; things like Anagathics, careers, default skills by career (Service and Rank skills), the meaning of Social Standing (already opened, courtesy of Hunter; reworking the exact points is a minor issue), and a number of other issues, too.
Hunter was very conservative (by comparison to other OGL users, such as C&C by TLG, or Mongoose for MRQ and Conan; both ends of the spectrum) in what is open and what is closed. The Mongoose SRD for RQ is quite full; about 80-90% of the material in the "Closed Content Product" is in the "open content SRD." Same approach for Conan, from what I've read. C&C is on the other end; all their innovation is closed content; and TLG released no SRD that I've found.
Hunter found a middle of the road approach: much of the material in T20 is open content, and implies MUCH about the setting. The design sequences and system creation sequences are closed, but also near-direct lifts. ISTR that T20's T&C is closed, but I may be wrong.
It will be interesting to see just how much is in the SRD.
At the very least, I will be getting the SRD.
Since significant chunks of "Traveller Setting" are defined in rules matter already, mostly in CharGen assumptions, it is quite likely that MoTrav will enshrine a good number of those, too; things like Anagathics, careers, default skills by career (Service and Rank skills), the meaning of Social Standing (already opened, courtesy of Hunter; reworking the exact points is a minor issue), and a number of other issues, too.
Hunter was very conservative (by comparison to other OGL users, such as C&C by TLG, or Mongoose for MRQ and Conan; both ends of the spectrum) in what is open and what is closed. The Mongoose SRD for RQ is quite full; about 80-90% of the material in the "Closed Content Product" is in the "open content SRD." Same approach for Conan, from what I've read. C&C is on the other end; all their innovation is closed content; and TLG released no SRD that I've found.
Hunter found a middle of the road approach: much of the material in T20 is open content, and implies MUCH about the setting. The design sequences and system creation sequences are closed, but also near-direct lifts. ISTR that T20's T&C is closed, but I may be wrong.
It will be interesting to see just how much is in the SRD.
At the very least, I will be getting the SRD.
hunter
Ancient - Absent Friend
The ship, vehicle, and animal design sequence are anything but direct lifts. Yes, they wind up with the same results, but its more along the lines of being reverse engineered and rebuilt with new code in programming terms. The world building sequence though are pretty much direct lifts from CT with minor changes and tweaks.
I don't catch the reference to 'T&C' though. Of course it's late here and I'm half dead and longing for bed
It will be interesting to see just how much is in the SRD.
At the very least, I will be getting the SRD.
Yup I am very interested in seeing what's available as well!
I tend to go for the go for the 'mistakes get made' theory rather than the 'grand conspiracy' theory, myself. And really, hating D20 is yesterday's news now. It's irrelevant to the new Traveller.
Gallowglacht
SOC-12
Dear God, its just a different way of rolling dice when we play make-believe. It didn't kill anyone. How much longer are people going to flog this?
Mongoose built themselves up on d20. Without it the wouldn't be in a position to do this.
If you don't like d20 dont play it. I dont like CT so I dont play it. With both systems we can both play Traveller. The biggest difference I see is that CT task resolution relies more on basic talent than skill points. D20 reverses this, making training and experience more important. Pick the one you like and enjoy it.
I wrote for Imperium Games. I have nothing good to say about them or the experience. I'll omit details here.
I have written for Mongoose and been treated fairly, paid on time and generally dealt with honourably. I'm not sure what Marc could actually do once the license has been agreed (I'm not party to the exact terms so i can't say) but he won't have any reason to want to. Mongoose is not IG and will not behave the same way.
I have had some discussion with Mongoose about writing for them on the Traveller line. If they're hiring Traveller writers with a track record, that should be evidence enough that they mean to do the game justice.
As to the quality etc... I can't speak for the other writers but I developed 1248 and most of the Gateway background plus other stuff. According to some, this is as good as Keith Brothers' material.
MongTrav is going to be good, well supported and perhaps most importantly out there where the mainstream of gamers can get it.
I have written for Mongoose and been treated fairly, paid on time and generally dealt with honourably. I'm not sure what Marc could actually do once the license has been agreed (I'm not party to the exact terms so i can't say) but he won't have any reason to want to. Mongoose is not IG and will not behave the same way.
I have had some discussion with Mongoose about writing for them on the Traveller line. If they're hiring Traveller writers with a track record, that should be evidence enough that they mean to do the game justice.
As to the quality etc... I can't speak for the other writers but I developed 1248 and most of the Gateway background plus other stuff. According to some, this is as good as Keith Brothers' material.
MongTrav is going to be good, well supported and perhaps most importantly out there where the mainstream of gamers can get it.
