New or Old Setting?

[Golan2072]

No, I'm not speaking about using an old ATU or the OTU vs. starting a new one...

I'm talking about whether you prefer a newly-explored, recently-colonized setting where the current Human civilization has burst into the interstellar scene a relatively short while ago (think Alien(s)) or a longly-inhabitated, well-developed setting with centuries - if not millenia - of interstellar Human civilization (think Dune or the OTU)? Or do you prefer a "Rebirth" setting where the current main civilization is young - but is the result of recovery after a previously well-developed setting faced collapse (think TNE or the Starflight computer game)?

 

[flykiller]

other. I prefer a setting located between the old established empire and a frontier where few have gone before. from mora to egyrn is perfect.

 

[kafka47]

My mood really shifts around alot on this question. But, if anything an Empire in decay with frontiers...just essentially but the Star Trek or Star Wars universe (not talking about RPGs) as I like my dark embers glowly faintly and on the fringes real adventure is to be had.

 

[Jame]

Depends on my mood and who's running it. I personally go for a "rebirth" setting; however, I'm willing to go with anything that is well-written or at least well-run (which is why I voted "other").

 

[aramis]

Personally, I like both. If possible, in the same setting in different areas.

 

[grendelttroll]

I enjoy dealing with "Old Civilizations" as long as there is a frontier around it.
I never felt comfy with interstellar states that are hemmed-in by other states with no area to explore/colonize. I tend to lean towards campaign settings that allow me to do both.

 

[BigBadRon]

As with some of the others, I like an old, well-established civilisation, but one with frontier regions, where things are a little more "rough and ready".

Throw in a Frontier War, commerce raiding, and espionage, and it gives a good mix.

 

[PFVA63]

In General I guess any of the above though...

Hi,

In general I would take any of the above, though there is something about a new wide open setting that kind of appeals to me right now.

Regards

PF

 

[Droyne668]

Exploring the Great Unknown can be a lot of fun. Personally, we kinda like the "Running Rampant in the Decadent Tottering Empire" scenarios, though. More ways to instigate Creative Havoc.

Best,
Will

 

[Antony]

I like the great unknown, though the rebirth appeals. Having to make a choice between the two I'd go for the unknown. The Great Outreach or Diaspora can have it all. Central more developed worlds, frontier wilder worlds, and then there is the black.

 

[R_Chance]

I enjoy dealing with "Old Civilizations" as long as there is a frontier around it.
I never felt comfy with interstellar states that are hemmed-in by other states with no area to explore/colonize. I tend to lean towards campaign settings that allow me to do both.

What he said That's why I rather like the Spinward Marches...

 

[DaveChase]

The answer to your question is

YES

One reason that I like the Traveller universe is because it has all four parts of your question.

I used to run several different groups in my Futura game (off shoot of traveller). Each group would be a mixature of regular players, once in a great while (no more than once a month) and new/one shot players.
Some of the regular players would be playing adventure type in one session and then play large corp type settings (Mega Corp) politics and competition.

Some just wanted to game and did not care about the adventure but the interaction of the players.

So, my setting and my perfered setting is one of YES, it is there.
Worlds that are so explored, investigated that the only new thing in 'town' are tourist/visitors.
Worlds that are surveyed/colonies but have unknowns and are less than a couple of 100's of years old.
Worlds that only sensors/telescopes have regisitered and nothing more.

Some games and players need smaller controlled enviroments.
Some players need 'room' to run (play or run from authorities.)

So there is my answer for selecting answer 4.

Dave Chase

 

[morty_shworts]

Answer #1, now that I think about it.

I like setting that are new, fresh, and unknown.

 

[PFVA63]

Fresh and New

Hi,

Occassionally on TV I've seen some stuff on early exploration of this world and it makes me think what it might be like to be in a similar situation. The thought of being part of a group of adventurers being the first humans (or whatever race they are) to set eyes on something as awe inspiring as the Grand Canyon, Victoria Falls, or some ancient long forgotten ruins from a previously unknown civilization seems like it could have some real appeal.

The thoughts of making first contact with an alien race (or at least coming into contact with a race that very little is known about) also has a lot of potential. I think that was one of the main things that really attracted me to 2300AD, because even for the known races, there were alot of stuff to be discovered about them.

Another thought I had long ago, was trying to use 2300AD (and a few other sources) to do a game set in the not too distant future but with no Twilight War, no artificial gravity, and no faster than light drive, but maybe with some colonization of the Moon, Mars, and near Earth space (kind of like the setting for the Anime series "Planetes").

Anyway, just some thoughts.

Regards

PF

 

[Plankowner]

Other - MIXED

Following a common theme here, I prefer a mixed setting with some well established worlds, but with a frontier as well.

ProtoTraveller seems to be my direction right now, but TNE 1248 has some appeal as well.

 

[Ganidirsii O'Flynn]

I'm with Plankowner on this one. Gushemege has one relatively stable state (the Ziru Sirka'a), one burgeoning state (the 4th Imp) still getting it's act together, a WHOLE lot of frontier/wilderness, and a major recovery/aid zone (Core Sector). This is a compelling to me and I confess that it's something I'd like to see the continuation of.

And, in my mind, it certainly is alot more interesting than the Noble Philosophers/Ruthless Raiders in Spaaaacccceeee of Diaspora. To quote an earlier post about Post Virus navies: "This is Captain Jackhammer of the RCN starship Obscure Philosopher. You have a power plant we want. Stand down or I'll fire our Rhetoric Cannon [tm]!"

 

[BlackBat242]

YES

One reason that I like the Traveller universe is because it has all four parts of your question.

I used to run several different groups in my Futura game (off shoot of traveller). Each group would be a mixature of regular players, once in a great while (no more than once a month) and new/one shot players.
Some of the regular players would be playing adventure type in one session and then play large corp type settings (Mega Corp) politics and competition.

Some just wanted to game and did not care about the adventure but the interaction of the players.

So, my setting and my perfered setting is one of YES, it is there.
Worlds that are so explored, investigated that the only new thing in 'town' are tourist/visitors.
Worlds that are surveyed/colonies but have unknowns and are less than a couple of 100's of years old.
Worlds that only sensors/telescopes have regisitered and nothing more.

Some games and players need smaller controlled enviroments.
Some players need 'room' to run (play or run from authorities.)

So there is my answer for selecting answer 4.

Dave Chase

I have mainly done just that... with things varying from adventure to adventure... but lately:

I use a slightly revised timeline for my alternate Traveller universe... instead of the Grand (1st) Imperium collapsing quickly, the 1st Terran-Vilani War lasts just short of 200 T.S. years, then the GI and the TC call a truce, and conduct an uneasy stand-off for another 400 years, when the 2nd Terran-Vilani War erupts... triggering the OTU Long Night.

I have been running adventures near the end of the "truce period"... ~2620-2625 TS dating (~1600 Vilani/GI, ~-1900 3rd Imp dating).


Oh yes, there is a "Neutral Zone" 1 subsector wide, made up of Zarushagar N,O,P; Massila M,N,O,P; and most of Delphi M and a little of N... thus stretching across the "pinch" formed between the Great Rift and the Lesser Rift.


Tech levels for both are:
10 - low average
11 - average
12 - "state-of-the-art"
13 - experimental



Thus, there is "Decaying Empire" (GI), "New Civilization" (TC, Aslan [only had JD for ~100 years]), and lots of "Fresh Frontiers".

I don't have any place that fits "Rebirth" right now, but there are a couple of possibilities...

 

[RHReiss]

Other Mixed

I prefer a setting were there is a frontier to work and explore like Plankowner TNE 1248 has appeal as well.

RHR

Following a common theme here, I prefer a mixed setting with some well established worlds, but with a frontier as well.

ProtoTraveller seems to be my direction right now, but TNE 1248 has some appeal as well.