Abslom_Daak
SOC-2
Yes, it's quite long, but please stay with me.
I fully admit that when it comes to any politics, drama or etc. related to the Traveller franchise in all of its many forms I am very behind the times. Until about 2 months ago, I hadn't been exposed to anything Traveller for almost 3 decades and played my last paper/dice RPG almost as long ago. I have read-up on the GDW saga, the infamous "handshake", the various and dubious licensing methods that have emerged, (for better or worse), and all kinds of other 3 letter abbreviations that have led the game known as Traveller to where it is now. Anything Traveller-related that is presently for sale as a PDF, I have probably purchased and read. I have tried to assimilate all the 30-years of published Traveller history I could grok in 2 months, I am a crazy fool like that, understanding is everything.
I prefer PDF files, so I was planning on waiting for Mongoose to release the PDF of the latest Traveller incarnation, but today I figured I'd just scratch that itch right now, and drop by my local hobby shop to buy a dead tree version. The shop I visited was the very same one that has been there since I was a lad. The same grouchy fellow I knew from way back in my youth was actually still there, and looking no less exactly like the comic book store owner from the Simpsons cartoon.
"Sorry, we stopped selling anything made by Mongoose a couple years ago. You can try the comic shop on 3rd street downtown, they handle a lot of RPG items we won't."
After locating the address I am quickly off to this downtown comic shop in anticipation of acquiring my scratch, only to be thwarted by another store clerk with a similar message.
"Nope, no Mongoose stuff. We might have some old stuff of theirs still in the back, but we don't carry their books anymore."
The comic store clerk advises I check the big chain music/DVD/bookstore across town, "They sell games there.." he mentions. I already know where this chain store is, as I think to myself, why hadn't I thought of that first?
It didn't take long to locate an entire aisle of various RPG books, board games, dice, and what-not at the big chain bookstore, what was oddly missing however, was any single title from Mongoose.. After a quick stop at the store's information desk, I had another answer, but not the one I was looking for.
"I can probably order that for you, let's check the computer... hmmm. No.. wait... That's strange, I can see the publisher, but when I try to pull-up titles there aren't any, which means I can't order anything from that publisher. Do you have an ISBN?"
I smile, because I DO have an ISBN number and I hand it to her.
"Sorry, I cannot seem to find it, are you sure that is the correct number?"
Embracing defeat, I leave the store already knowing the ISBN I have is correct, and later, I am able to use it to order MGT online from a vendor who had it in stock, I should have it in 2-3 days.
Still with me? Good.
My question is: What the **** am I missing here? Did Mongoose pee in someone's cereal? Did I miss reading some critical PDF or web-based material? I am left with that strange feeling like I am that naive guy, the only one at the party that doesn't have a clue his present girlfriend is sleeping with everyone else in the room.
I fully admit that when it comes to any politics, drama or etc. related to the Traveller franchise in all of its many forms I am very behind the times. Until about 2 months ago, I hadn't been exposed to anything Traveller for almost 3 decades and played my last paper/dice RPG almost as long ago. I have read-up on the GDW saga, the infamous "handshake", the various and dubious licensing methods that have emerged, (for better or worse), and all kinds of other 3 letter abbreviations that have led the game known as Traveller to where it is now. Anything Traveller-related that is presently for sale as a PDF, I have probably purchased and read. I have tried to assimilate all the 30-years of published Traveller history I could grok in 2 months, I am a crazy fool like that, understanding is everything.
I prefer PDF files, so I was planning on waiting for Mongoose to release the PDF of the latest Traveller incarnation, but today I figured I'd just scratch that itch right now, and drop by my local hobby shop to buy a dead tree version. The shop I visited was the very same one that has been there since I was a lad. The same grouchy fellow I knew from way back in my youth was actually still there, and looking no less exactly like the comic book store owner from the Simpsons cartoon.
"Sorry, we stopped selling anything made by Mongoose a couple years ago. You can try the comic shop on 3rd street downtown, they handle a lot of RPG items we won't."
After locating the address I am quickly off to this downtown comic shop in anticipation of acquiring my scratch, only to be thwarted by another store clerk with a similar message.
"Nope, no Mongoose stuff. We might have some old stuff of theirs still in the back, but we don't carry their books anymore."
The comic store clerk advises I check the big chain music/DVD/bookstore across town, "They sell games there.." he mentions. I already know where this chain store is, as I think to myself, why hadn't I thought of that first?
It didn't take long to locate an entire aisle of various RPG books, board games, dice, and what-not at the big chain bookstore, what was oddly missing however, was any single title from Mongoose.. After a quick stop at the store's information desk, I had another answer, but not the one I was looking for.
"I can probably order that for you, let's check the computer... hmmm. No.. wait... That's strange, I can see the publisher, but when I try to pull-up titles there aren't any, which means I can't order anything from that publisher. Do you have an ISBN?"
I smile, because I DO have an ISBN number and I hand it to her.
"Sorry, I cannot seem to find it, are you sure that is the correct number?"
Embracing defeat, I leave the store already knowing the ISBN I have is correct, and later, I am able to use it to order MGT online from a vendor who had it in stock, I should have it in 2-3 days.
Still with me? Good.
My question is: What the **** am I missing here? Did Mongoose pee in someone's cereal? Did I miss reading some critical PDF or web-based material? I am left with that strange feeling like I am that naive guy, the only one at the party that doesn't have a clue his present girlfriend is sleeping with everyone else in the room.
Last edited:
