MGT Only: What Would You Like to See from a Traveller Compatible Publisher?

[dmccoy1693]

It has been requested that this poll get an up date since the original was created 6 years ago. So here we are. Please share what you would like to see. And please, feel free to elaborate.

 

[Quint]

In order...

1- I have to say that the last thing I want to see from a publisher is something for Foreven. I'd never spend my cash on this.

2- ATU's can be interesting, and I'm not opposed to them. I think the issue is finding the sweet spot of something interesting with the right price point. Alternately, more licensed properties is always sweet.

3- Pocket Empires are almost more interesting that the ATU's. I'd almost prefer this - I can drop them into area's "off the edge of the map" or use them as background material for PC's and NPC's (or as "historical data").

4- Short adventures are always fun, but the price point these days never makes them worth it. If someone could figure out a decent format, at the right price, I'd probably be excited.

5- Campaigns make the most sense. I can run the campaign, I can pull it apart and use it in chucks if I like - and by definition they all seem to add significant lore. All of this is stuff that I want and use and enjoy.

6- Gear is... overdone. The one thing I'd say that could be done more is ships, but even that is iffy. I can agree that there is always a demand. The one exception that I can think of is some very specific topics like TL 16-18 gear, or Psionic-based technologies or something along these lines.

7- CharGen was fun when young, did that in MegaTraveller, now it's old. Furthermore, MgT has done this to death and even overdone it somewhat. Not really what I need unless it is part of an ATU or Pocket Empire or...

8- Alien Races! Yeah, I could be sold on a decent set of new alien modules. Either OTU or ATU.

9- I already have the old BITS books, and even if I didn't, I can Google and get a random table for just about anything I need. Waste of time and money.

10- Honestly the thing I want most is new, Canon OTU Traveller material. Mostly I want to explore the post-1248 era and into the Galaxiad. Alternately, I want canon Classic Era material that explore beyond Known Space. Finally, I'd love a set of campaigns for non-GT that explore the Interstellar Wars and the Aslan Border Wars ala the old Spinward Marches Campaign that gave me enough data to run a campaign set during that time period. Not the sort of huge supplement that is so popular now, but more the booklet size that Spinward Marches Campaign filled.

D.

 

[dmccoy1693]

10- Honestly the thing I want most is new, Canon OTU Traveller material. Mostly I want to explore the post-1248 era and into the Galaxiad. Alternately, I want canon Classic Era material that explore beyond Known Space. Finally, I'd love a set of campaigns for non-GT that explore the Interstellar Wars and the Aslan Border Wars ala the old Spinward Marches Campaign that gave me enough data to run a campaign set during that time period. Not the sort of huge supplement that is so popular now, but more the booklet size that Spinward Marches Campaign filled.

Just so you are aware, this is one thing that cannot be produced by a Traveller Compatible publisher. Only Mongoose or FFE can do that. So if official OTU material is what you want, you have to look to them. However, this can be done in Foreven by a Traveller Compatible publisher, unofficially.

 

[robject]

I like ATUs better, I think, than Foreven. I find that I've become very very picky when it comes to Foreven: I'm always interested in seeing another one, but what I REALLY want is MY vision for Foreven.

But an ATU can be interesting without intersecting Charted Space. It can even be a "Faraway Sector" project. And... it could simply exist in the context of a short adventure. Developing an ATU implicitly by way of adventures is a nice "two-fer".

 

[Vargas]

I'd like to see a version of Foreven unburdened by the likes of the Avalar Consulate; more open with some ideas for smaller polities.

What I need/want are small scale settings and adventure ideas that can be dropped into existing games. My preference is the Classic Traveller Spinward Marches setting, with or without the FFW, but they'd probably be broad enough to serve in most sectors. Unfortunately Mongoose's original adventures, what few of them there are, often don't feel like Traveller to me.

At this point I don't need more equipment, "classes" or aliens. I probably don't need any more ships but I'd never say no to something new and cool. (I loved the fat cat trader kickstart of a few years ago but it's more the exception rather than the rule IMO).

 

[dmccoy1693]

Unfortunately Mongoose's original adventures, what few of them there are, often don't feel like Traveller to me.

What about them do you feel doesn't make them Traveller to you and what do you feel makes an adventure feel like Traveller?

 

[aramis]

Just so you are aware, this is one thing that cannot be produced by a Traveller Compatible publisher. Only Mongoose or FFE can do that. So if official OTU material is what you want, you have to look to them. However, this can be done in Foreven by a Traveller Compatible publisher, unofficially.

Not exactly correct - FFE can and does license for T5-compatible materials in the OTU.

EG: Greg Lee's Cirque.

What you probably meant was "Under the Traveller Logo License" - but that's not quite the same as "Traveller Compatible Publisher".

 

[Golan2072]

1- I don't care much for Foreven, though there might be some interesting options for it coming soon. Not necessarily the most interesting part of the OTU.

2- I have published my own ATU, and I'd love to see other people's ATUs.

3- Small settings are useful for me.

4- Adventures are highly useful, as I find it easy to expand on an existing adventure rather than write my own, due to time constrains.

5- Campaigns are great, though I prefer the flexibility of smaller adventures.

6- I have enough gear, ships etc to last a lifetime. i only want ships if they're very well done (i.e. are interesting and include good vector deckplans for me to print and use).

7- I have enough careers to last a lifetime.

8- Alien could be nice, though there are enough in the OTU already between Ct and JTAS.

9- I see little need for more random tables, if I need one I can pilfer them from all the OSR games such as Stars Without Number.

 

[dmccoy1693]

Not exactly correct - FFE can and does license for T5-compatible materials in the OTU.

EG: Greg Lee's Cirque.

What you probably meant was "Under the Traveller Logo License" - but that's not quite the same as "Traveller Compatible Publisher".

I'm still claiming I am correct since this thread is listed as " MGT only".

But yes, that is also the case.

 

[aramis]

I'm still claiming I am correct since this thread is listed as " MGT only".

But yes, that is also the case.

Cirque is released for T5 & MGT.

The TLL and FFL govern the OTU - but only as a free license.

You could, should you choose, seek an OTU license from Marc, as noted in the TLL.

 

[dmccoy1693]

Cirque is released for T5 & MGT.

I was not aware of that. Noted for future reference.

 

[Kilgs]

To clarify my Other:

I really enjoyed Beltstrike. The character options were one thing but the more interesting part of it was that it took a specific area/small section of life in the future and expanded on it. Those are the supplements that I enjoy the most. The ones that really breathe life into this imaginary place that we are building. Something that gives it a unique feel. I've found the Sector books rather bland on that score, the GURPS books were more detailed/evocative for some reason.

Books that approach a specific location in detail, a specific organization(s) in detail, or type of lifestyle. For example, a colony or nation on a planet in detail. A specific series of events on a planet. Things that "drill down" into the setting. Specific to 3I so that actual information can be imparted without generic handwavium instructions.

The odd thing is that the broader the subject matter, the more it constrains the community. By putting out a brief entry on 15 planets, you've removed those 15 planets from the sandbox of our imagination. Sure we can do a lot even within those parameters but we would be stuck with them regardless. Whereas, if you detail one planet or city or something in depth, we have an incredible resource that can be hacked and transplanted, it can serve as inspiration in other places, and it only removes one planet from our imaginary sandbox.

(Yes, I know we can ignore anything. I'm not starting that discussion up again... just speaking in terms of published information.)

 

[dmccoy1693]

The old poll has now been closed and this is the latest incarnation of the poll. Please vote and share your thoughts here.

 

[Cryton]

I would like to see it all.

 

[flykiller]

other - planets, or rather entire systems. star(s), planets, other major orbital objects, travel times, seasons, resources, pertubations. governments, actual laws, societies, cultures, sub-cultures, underworlds, religions, industries, affiliates, both present and recent. major politicans, ceo's, officers, players. local defense forces, ships, troops, armaments, loyalties. bases, imperial contracts, outside interests, outside influences, trade route relevencies.

every planetary system in traveller has hundreds of years of history behind it. each one should be well-developed.

 

[Vladika]

How about an economic system, both Imperial and world, that WILL NOT BE CHANGED. We need this for Trade as well as Military planing.

Personally, I don't care if it goes along will prior publications (How could it? Nothing else seems to so why not start fresh?)

Base it on Stiker, TCS, Merchant Prince or make something up.

Whatever it is, or will be, leave it alone afterwards.

 

[rancke]

every planetary system in traveller has hundreds of years of history behind it. each one should be well-developed.

I agree, but creating a background history for a world is a lot of work (creating history for a group of worlds even more so), and it's something that is explicitly not covered by the standard license Traveller Compatible Publishers use. (See earlier posts in this thread between 'aramis' and 'dmccoy').


Hans

 

[aramis]

How about an economic system, both Imperial and world, that WILL NOT BE CHANGED. We need this for Trade as well as Military planing.

Personally, I don't care if it goes along will prior publications (How could it? Nothing else seems to so why not start fresh?)

Base it on Stiker, TCS, Merchant Prince or make something up.

Whatever it is, or will be, leave it alone afterwards.

That's WELL beyond the reach of a 3rd party publisher.:smirk:

 

[dmccoy1693]

How about an economic system, both Imperial and world, that WILL NOT BE CHANGED. We need this for Trade as well as Military planing.

Personally, I don't care if it goes along will prior publications (How could it? Nothing else seems to so why not start fresh?)

Base it on Stiker, TCS, Merchant Prince or make something up.

Whatever it is, or will be, leave it alone afterwards.

That's WELL beyond the reach of a 3rd party publisher.:smirk:

Actually, aramis, that's not beyond the reach of a Traveller Compatible Publisher. I mean, sure I can give examples from the Spinward Marches, but ... that's a good idea, Vladika. I'll have to go back into my notes from a while back....

 

[Timerover51]

Looking at the poll, it would appear that the most requested area is what could be called Referee Aids for developing or starting an adventure or campaign.