Is the Traveller line "complete"?

[TrippyHippy]

I'm not trying to be negative by asking this, but I'm just trying to discern the future direction of the line. I recall mention that the license was renewed for another 5 years or so.

I own all the Books and Supplements, and these line seems to be either complete or at least only due a tidy up (mainly for online copies). This much has been mooted already. I can't really see th point of adding more Books and Supplements for the sake of it - although there is potential for mini 'special' supplements as we've seen a couple of.

So that generally leaves adventures and setting book - which is potentially an unlimited line of options. I note that 2300AD has still a few supplements to go and a Prime Directive setting around the corner, but the 2000AD RPG line stalled a while ago and rumours have it that Cubicle 7 might be doing a new game in the future. The OTU probably has more room for Sector books and adventures, but again it's fairly well covered already.

Are there any plans for any other licences, or so fans have an idea about the sort of thing they'd like in the future? What about more electronic resources and game aids for example?

 

[ShawnDriscoll]

In the past, what's been the typical running time for a series of role-playing game books before something else comes along? When I was a kid, I thought we'd be up to LBB #108 for Traveller by now. Back then, I also thought that books would never go out of print. And if they did go out of print, future prints would be the same without any changes made to the rules.

I was wrong. So horribly wrong.

 

[nats]

I dont think MgT Traveller is 'complete', I just dont think the can sell any more books. You often see unsold copies on Ebay with a price of just £3-5. They cant give them away.

I think now that T5 is coming out as well MgT is well dead. In the end, for me, it was the low production values that ruined Mongoose Traveller.

And I will be very upset if T5 goes the same way. But you know I have always loved Classic Traveller, and if T5 is rubbish, that is where I will stay. I think T5 is the last ever edition of Traveller I will consider buying. After trying D20, MgT and Gurps I have found them all wanting in terms of getting back that special 'Traveller feeling'. CT has its flaws but it will always have a special place in my heart long after the other incarnations are gone.

 

[ShawnDriscoll]

I'm more practical. I prefer a Traveller system that is well designed and has more options to it. It is a close tie between Mongoose Traveller and GURPS Traveller. You can pick what to use and not use from both of them. Classic Traveller is fine if you are nostalgic. There isn't much to cut out of it though because it's already bare. Each additional LBB book is small and just glosses over things. I prefer books without staples.

I recommend Mongoose Traveller because it is in print, the books are big, and there is a lot to choose from it. And it has just the right amount of crunchiness to it.

 

[MongooseMatt]

Traveller is actually several different mini-lines in one.

Books - the 'career' supplements. These are, I think, almost complete (though I would not mind a second edition Mercenary or High Guard, as I think there is still new ground to break on these two), though we could bring a brand new set of careers into the game, and I have often pondered the possibility of Book 10: Alien...

Supplements - these could potentially go on forever, though we would be keen to make sure each is comprehensive.

Third Imperium - there is still an awful lot of space out there...

T5 - Contrary to opinion, Traveller is far from being 'well dead.'

 

[torus]

Given that Traveller is a set of rules for SF gaming in general - not just the OTU - it will never and can never be complete. Mongoose have done more than any other publisher, including GDW, to demonstrate Traveller's potential in this regard, and I very much hope they continue to do so.

In fact, even if you're only interested in the OTU, I think with their sector books and adventures Mongoose have also done more to develop it as a coherent setting, and to take it in interesting directions beyond the Spinward Marches. So even though I have my doubts about the OTU as a setting, I look forward to more on that front as well.

 

[Rikki Tikki Traveller]

I think that Mongoose might be about done with the REPEAT printings. Redoing the info from previous additions.

BUT, there is still so much that was never covered.

True Exploration of a world/system that has never been settled (ala the Zhodani Core Expeditions).

Details of the Julian Protectorate.

Not to mention all the Non-OTU settings that are just getting started: 2300AD, Star Trek (Prime Directive) and whatever other settings they might add later.

 

[alex_greene]

Given that Traveller is a set of rules for SF gaming in general - not just the OTU - it will never and can never be complete. Mongoose have done more than any other publisher, including GDW, to demonstrate Traveller's potential in this regard, and I very much hope they continue to do so.

In fact, even if you're only interested in the OTU, I think with their sector books and adventures Mongoose have also done more to develop it as a coherent setting, and to take it in interesting directions beyond the Spinward Marches. So even though I have my doubts about the OTU as a setting, I look forward to more on that front as well.

They have until the end of the license to come out with as many of the sector maps as they can. That's good enough for me. And even when the license sunsets, Mongoose can probably reapply to FFE for an extension to the license. They might have to, if they are to keep support for their Prime Directive, Strontium Dog and Judge Dredd lines - though they could sunset support for those, too.

Alternatively, they could do what they did with Issaries, Inc.: lose the license for the product but keep the rights to use the engine in perpetuity; perhaps come up with a game that is to Traveller what Legend is to RuneQuest.

Or even come up with their own game engine, and retool the core rulebook and supplements to fit the new game maybe?

 

[MongooseMatt]

I think that Mongoose might be about done with the REPEAT printings. Redoing the info from previous additions.

You might be close to the mark here. There are always older adventures to revise/re-imagine, of course, but rules and background?

Still got some Alien Modules to go, of course (K'kree, Hivers and Droyne). Maybe something like the Atlas of the Imperium though, frankly, I would prefer to cover a lot more Sector Books first. There are things like Snapshot and Striker though, really, they would be seperate games under the Traveller banner.

That about covers Classic Traveller ground, I think. Then we are onto Megatraveller, TNE, and extending timelines. And I much prefer to stay in the current timeline for now.

And even when the license sunsets, Mongoose can probably reapply to FFE for an extension to the license.

Already been discussed

 

[2330ADUSA1]

Honestly I would like to see Mongoose develope at least one super complete star system with heavy amounts of details on just one system. They could dig into the sun and all the planets as well as the main world within the system. They could dig into all sorts of plot lines and intrigue within that one system as well too. Now if they did thatreally well, and the playership really liked the product then they could come up with others. Maybe even a book on how to plan out super details of a single system.

 

[LimeyDragon]

There are still alot of thing MGP can do with the Traveller line. I know i for one can't wait for Traveller: Prime Directive. http://www.mongoosepublishing.com/rpgs...ks-accessories/traveller-prime-directive.html Then you have to think off all the Judge Dredd stuff they can still produce.

 

[nats]

Supplements - these could potentially go on forever, though we would be keen to make sure each is comprehensive.

Third Imperium - there is still an awful lot of space out there...

T5 - Contrary to opinion, Traveller is far from being 'well dead.'

Well where are they all then? Because all I see is Droyne.

Don't get me wrong I would love to see some high quality adventures and some 'old world' rules etc, but you just keep on 'missing the mark' with your books, for me anyway. Not enough good pictures (and a lot bloody awful ones), far too much irrelevant-to-gaming waffle, not enough substance, too many errors.

I mean take for example the core rule book. If you asked everyone here what was their favourite Traveller weapon many would say the submachine gun. And what did you leave completely out of the core rules? The submachine gun. Its a very minor example but it reflects how the Mongoose frachsei has gone all the way down the line. You have speeds completely missing out of the animal book for godsake! How can that happen?

Anyway you get my point. I love Traveller, I would love to love Mongoose Traveller, but for me you have done more than anyone else has in destroying my desire to play the game.

 

[Old timer]

Nats, why do you bother coming to this forum, all you do is complain about mongoose publishing, the same moan every time your are here. Read you moan/rant many times now :roll: , ok we get it, you dont like this version of traveller, please go and complain somewhere else, as i assume you dont buy MGP products any more. It is starting to look like trolling.

 

[2330ADUSA1]

Hey nothing is perfect and well everyone has their right to at comments on the open forum for the game. We all don't have to agree, but we should always allow the opposite voice to make a comment or three. I see nats point, but it should be allowed and read. I do believe everyone can make their own choice of what they feel and why themselves. I like Mongoose Pub myself and wish they would keep cranking out more full sized books for me to add to my library. I am open to add other stuff as well too, even the T5 stuff.

 

[nats]

Nats, why do you bother coming to this forum, all you do is complain about mongoose publishing, the same moan every time your are here. Read you moan/rant many times now :roll: , ok we get it, you dont like this version of traveller, please go and complain somewhere else, as i assume you dont buy MGP products any more. It is starting to look like trolling.

Well yes I might go on a bit, but so do you. Didn't you heckle me the last time I was on this forum?

I have a right to say what I think. If publishers cant take a bit of flak from time to time they shouldnt set up a forum in the first place. And if Mongoose didnt want to receive a bit of flak they should care more about the products they sell. I have bought them full price in the past so I have a right to voice my opinion on here.

Why am I here? I like Traveller (which is why I am here obviously) so I like to keep abreast of what Mongoose is doing and much of it I don't like but some of it I do.

In this case I was responding to comments about Mongoose products seemingly slowing down in production, plus low prices on Ebay, and T5 impending arrival. And most importantly I was trying to get over the fact that if Mongoose are prodcuing T5 I wont be getting it if they bugger around with it like they have with most their past products to date. I like the idea of a new Traveller almost as much as I like the idea of Elite 4. I dont want it to be a right mess when it gets here.

 

[delrom5]

Nats is quite right to criticise the lack of animal speeds in the MgT core book, and the handling of movement is overall poor - there is only one base speed mentioned in the MgT book (6m/turn) with no consideration for injuries, encumberance, terrain, tactics etc. Which is not to say that a new system should be overcomplex - the emphasis should be on on playability.

Secondly, there are now two editions of Traveller due to be released; MgT and T5. So which one trumps the other. Should Mongoose do a second edition core book, then it has to be compatable with both what has been published in the Mongoose line and accomodate T5. Where there are discrepancies, the MgT 2nd Ed Core book should clealy flag them and offer sidebar advice as to how to manage discrepancies.

Given the cost of T5, Mongoose have an opportunity to establish 2nd Ed MgT Core rules as the red book rules to T5's Advanced rules - same concepts, but broader brushstrokes.

Finally, Nat did mention the omission of a few weapons - specifically the SMG. A 2nd ed MgT Core should also include bows etc. An understandable omission given CT's oversight.

As there are several strands discussing a possible 2nd Ed Core rulebook, should they be combined into one forum topic?

 

[TrippyHippy]

To be honest, I was priced out of the T5 Kickstarter ($150 for the print copy), but we'll see what it's like if it hits general release I guess. The cover was cool, and it was a mighty thick book to look out, but that's about all the info we have on it at the moment to be blunt.

The other consideration is in the online pdf copies. Traveller fits perfectly into the iPad model of production in some respects as the books can be chopped and changed, bookmarked and all sorts with nicely low MB files. It also is quite fitting to have all of them in one slim peice of machinery (I'm thinking of getting the iPad mini as it's perfect for reading on and for referencing). However, the Traveller books need a polish generally, with proper editing, formatted bookmarked contents, and maybe even another look at layout and art even.

The Mongoose Traveller line has served well so far as a versatile, flexible and fun engine for all sorts of sci-fi game. Apparently it sold really well too. At this point, it would be worthwhile simply trying to make the gameline look cool and sophisticated, however.

 

[delrom5]

And with the cost of T5 being a factor, then there is the risk of there being a fork between players of T5 and MgT. Hence the statement about the basic - advanced relationship, with MgT acting as an introduction to new players whilst maintaining a cohesive group around both versions. After all, wouldn't it be a pain if a good adventure was released using one ruleset but required the owner to kludge it to work with another...

Agreed, a 2nd edition should be passed through the editiorial and layout process anew, though I'm not too worried if some pieces of art are recycled. Some one else in another forum mentioned that PDFs were being released with layers, which bloat the file size and slow access. So factors like this and good indexing/hyperlinking should b e considered within the editiorial cycle before release.

 

[GypsyComet]

Art recycling is a long-time Traveller tradition, so no worries there.

The once valid concept of a Traveller community is long since fragmented and fractious, so play whichever version suits you. T5 will only replace MGT if MGT vanishes, and there is no indication that this would happen any time soon.

 

[2330ADUSA1]

It is rather funny to me, I use my own InHouse rules anyway so for me a 36+ yrs Traveller GM/Player I buy everything and anything as a reference or resource only. I never us anything as it was written anyway, so it matters not weather it is MgT or T5. I will buy it all, and tailor it to my own system.