To the Authors

[vladthemad]

Kaelic's topic "Playtest Feedback Sycophant" brought me back through a lot of the threads I'd already skimmed previously, and I understand why Kaelic, and probably others that are less vocal, are getting frustrated. I'd like to note that it seems like some of the authors are within the forums and might be taking stuff a little personally, and others are being a bit condescending. I have spotted a number of comments that are variations on the statements "If you were a better referee..." and "If you understood the rules..." among other things. This, for me, is crossing the line.

I wouldn't think that I should have to point out that this is a core rule book and it should be written towards new players specifically, but I have done just that a number of times already. Comments about our knowledge and abilities shouldn't even be made. We should be looked on as new players to the system and the genre, no matter what our experience happens to be.

As the authors, I get it, this is your project, your pride and joy. You understand the intent of the rules even if they aren't expressly written, because you wrote them. You've had far more time than any of us have had with the rules. As the authors though, you need to understand that you have given us your project with the express purpose of breaking it apart, stripping out all the fiddly bits, fixing what's broken, and throwing out what isn't needed. This isn't a personal attack, you shouldn't feel defensive about what you have created. This is a shake down cruise, to turn it from a rough draft into a finished product.

So please, take a step back for a moment and separate your personal feelings, and if you can't do that you might want to step away altogether. We shouldn't feel pushed and cajoled to agree with you, we aren't here to be yesmen. We are here to take a sledge hammer to your little book, and with any luck make it the best damn version of Traveller that's ever been!

 

[MongooseMatt]

Hi there,

Many thanks for raising this point, I will look into it.

I should point out that while there is a core group of 'internal' playtesters (and their work has been utterly stellar), there is just one author, and you are talking to him now Buck stops here and all that.

Traveller is a very long running game, and people are extremely passionate about it. This passion can manifest itself very strongly - this is something we are aware of and will be monitoring throughout the playtest process.

However, thank you for bringing this to my attention.

 

[AndrewW]

I just wanted to add we want feedback on what is confusing/frustrating to new or old players so we know what might need to be made clearer.

 

[First Age]

I just wanted to add we want feedback on what is confusing/frustrating to new or old players so we know what might need to be made clearer.

That's great to hear. Thanks for this opportunity, it's great to be involved.

A lot of the feedback I've seen is about seeking clarity. Starship weapon range was one from me, application of the Bonus/Penalty die is attracting a lot of attention. I need to be sure that I'm applying the rules correctly to give you the best feedback I can.

We're also peering closely at the changes. :wink:

Thanks to Vlad for raising this and for your response.

 

[DickNervous]

A have a small suggestion that sort of goes along with this topic.

Would it be possible for some custom titles/ranks/avatars that would identify those that are officially Mongoose employees? Also perhaps for those that were part of the private play testing?

And if there already are titles like this, can someone tell me what they are

I think this would be helpful for people to know whether a reply is coming from a peer, a play tester, or official employee and therefore putting it in perspective.

 

[AndrewW]

A have a small suggestion that sort of goes along with this topic.

Would it be possible for some custom titles/ranks/avatars that would identify those that are officially Mongoose employees? Also perhaps for those that were part of the private play testing?

And if there already are titles like this, can someone tell me what they are

I think this would be helpful for people to know whether a reply is coming from a peer, a play tester, or official employee and therefore putting it in perspective.

Interesting idea, I'll run it past msprange and see what he says.

As for official employee, how do you define official? msprange would be the main one in this category that you'll see on the forum, but there are also those that do contract work that pop in from time to time. As for those that where part of the pre open play testing I'll leave it up to them if they want to identify themselves or not. For myself I've been part of things for an extended period of time with the 2nd edition, and involved in other stuff prior to that as well.

 

[VenomousFiligree]

As for official employee, how do you define official? msprange would be the main one in this category that you'll see on the forum, but there are also those that do contract work that pop in from time to time. As for those that where part of the pre open play testing I'll leave it up to them if they want to identify themselves or not. For myself I've been part of things for an extended period of time with the 2nd edition, and involved in other stuff prior to that as well.

For me I'd like to know whether the poster was giving "fan" feedback or "official" feedback. However it sounds like there might be a middle ground of "respected" (or similar) feedback.

 

[AndrewW]

For me I'd like to know whether the poster was giving "fan" feedback or "official" feedback. However it sounds like there might be a middle ground of "respected" (or similar) feedback.

Official company wise would be msprange. Though there are also some who have seen more then what's currently available in the open playest so may have information not currently available in the open playtest.

 

[DickNervous]

As for official employee, how do you define official? msprange would be the main one in this category that you'll see on the forum, but there are also those that do contract work that pop in from time to time. As for those that where part of the pre open play testing I'll leave it up to them if they want to identify themselves or not. For myself I've been part of things for an extended period of time with the 2nd edition, and involved in other stuff prior to that as well.

For me I'd like to know whether the poster was giving "fan" feedback or "official" feedback. However it sounds like there might be a middle ground of "respected" (or similar) feedback.

Perhaps a breakdown like this, from top to bottom:

Matt: As he said, the buck stops with him. So he is the top of the food chain.

Official: Anyone that is either paid by Mongoose for their involvement in Traveller *or* that Matt would deem as having an official voice. By that I mean if someone marked as official answers a question, then it is only a hair less binding than if Matt answered it.

Advisers (or whatever you want to call it): Would be people who have been heavily involved in the development prior to the beta release and the official representatives from any of the 3rd party publishers that have been involved as well.

And then there is the rest of us.

Of course this is not required. If people who were involved in the play testing and development don't want to be identified, then that is fine.

 

[-Daniel-]

My one concern about raising the titles issue would be will it slow or kill some feedback once an "advisor" disagrees with the feedback? As someone who is for sure in the "All the rest of us" category, I like that right now all comments are seen as equal unless Matt posts an answer or comment. I see each comment as having value for its own sake not because the person posting it was asked to help out earlier in the process.

 

[AndrewW]

My one concern about raising the titles issue would be will it slow or kill some feedback once an "advisor" disagrees with the feedback? As someone who is for sure in the "All the rest of us" category, I like that right now all comments are seen as equal unless Matt posts an answer or comment. I see each comment as having value for its own sake not because the person posting it was asked to help out earlier in the process.

I don't think that would happen. Different opinions are welcome and wanted. Not everyone is going to agree, that's just the way things go. As I've been keeping track of the various issues/suggestions and so forth it doesn't matter if I agree or not with it, it is still a valid opinion.

 

[vladthemad]

To all the folks asking for the who's who, before I started this thread I had started another requesting this same thing. Not that it's hard to figure out a lot of them. I'm not sure how I feel about that idea though, as it could single them out to be attacked or completely disregarded. Personal feelings aside about certain individuals, I don't think that will help to improve the book.

Now if you want to start a voluntary who's who thread, to let people come and post about what parts they had in the writing of the book, I could see the benefit of that.

...there is just one author, and you are talking to him now

I had actually tried to PM you about this directly, but you seem to be the only admin on the forums I didn't have a PM button for. As to the term "Authors", I was using it more broadly to cover anyone in the credits for the most part.

Interesting idea, I'll run it past msprange and see what he says.

As for official employee, how do you define official?

Regarding this, if your name's are in the credits of the book, I'd call you "official". Not "salaried", just "official".

I just wanted to add we want feedback on what is confusing/frustrating to new or old players so we know what might need to be made clearer.

Of course, and that's what I think most of us assumed when we jumped into the open playtest. It's just that many of the responses to questions raised felt more like pushback than feedback.

 

[AndrewW]

I had actually tried to PM you about this directly, but you seem to be the only admin on the forums I didn't have a PM button for. As to the term "Authors", I was using it more broadly to cover anyone in the credits for the most part.

PM is disabled on that account. However he can be reached by email. (msprange@mongoosepublishing.com)

 

[vladthemad]

PM is disabled on that account. However he can be reached by email. (redacted)

Are you sure you want to throw that out there? Should I email him saying I'm a Nigerian prince in need of his help?

 

[AndrewW]

Are you sure you want to throw that out there? Should I email him saying I'm a Nigerian prince in need of his help?

It's been posted on the forum before, so not a secret.

 

[-Daniel-]

Are you sure you want to throw that out there? Should I email him saying I'm a Nigerian prince in need of his help?

It's been posted on the forum before, so not a secret.

And it is on the contacts page of the website. :wink:

 

[vladthemad]

I figured as much, but wanted to make sure.

 

[MongooseMatt]

If I get PM'd, it never gets read

Always happy to talk by email (msprange@mongoosepublishing.com)