Traveller Developer's Pack Draft

[MongooseMatt]

Even if it's OTU-specific (and outside Foreven), so long as it's for a previous (i.e. non-MGT) version of Traveller it can be released for free under Fair Use?

The word material was deliberatly non-specific.

In short, yes, you can use the FUP.

 

[Golan2072]

Does that also include detailed forum and/or mailing list discussions?

Depends what you mean by detailed - we are not going to stop people talking about things! However, it is possible that someone could push their luck by putting an entire supplement online in this way. If someone took the mick, we would have to take a look, but generally, no.

Thanks for the quick reply!

What I have in mind is discussing bits and pieces of game material, nothing complete or final. That would include UWPs of a subsector or quadrant in Canopus 1248 (with a map), a few ship designs, overall referee notes (i.e. a sketch of the 1248 history of that sector), details of a few worlds, adventure ideas and so on. Nothing final or refined in any way - think GM notes rather than sourcebook. I also don't intend to change anything about the general universe. I intend to post them on the Avenger boards and probably here too. Would that level of discussion detail be OK?

 

[Rikki Tikki Traveller]

Golan, are you asking about "Work in Progress"?

For example, a forum is being used by a group of people to develop a product that may or may not include Mongoose Traveller specific material. The plan for this group is to produce a product for commercial sale. Does every draft version of every document have to be FUP or TTL?

Some times these discussions start on a public board and then can be migrated over to a private board for completion.

There is obviously a line here somewhere.

Matt what is your opinion?

 

[Golan2072]

Golan, are you asking about "Work in Progress"?

No, I am talking about brainstorming stuff and posting GM/Referee notes for comments in a forum. The only thing that would come out of that discussion would be a game I'll be running this winter, not any further product.

 

[Rikki Tikki Traveller]

OK, well Matt, my question still applies then, but a separate question from Omer's.

Also, regarding the SRD. When you add Mercenary material to it, could you include the alternate Mishap table (2d vs 1d in the TMB) and the Events Table (d66 vs 2d in the TMB)? The expanded tables go a long way to providing more variety for a career.

Thanks again for you work on this!

 

[Rikki Tikki Traveller]

I thought I saw this answered before, but I can't find it...

Matt, can I EMAIL you the TLL Acceptance Form rather than Faxing it from the US?

If so, what Email address should I use? Can this info be added to the TLL document for future reference?

THANX

 

[MongooseMatt]

Would that level of discussion detail be OK?

Of course!

 

[MongooseMatt]

Matt what is your opinion?

The line, really, is 'play nice'. Both licences have a clause that allows us to take immediate action - this is there not to trap people, but to use as a tool against those who work against the spirit of the licence, whatever the lettering.

In your specific example, sure, no problem. If someone tried to use it as an end around, then we would have issues.

 

[MongooseMatt]

Matt, can I EMAIL you the TLL Acceptance Form rather than Faxing it from the US?

No, but you can post it.

 

[MongooseMatt]

OK, well Matt, my question still applies then, but a separate question from Omer's.

Also, regarding the SRD. When you add Mercenary material to it, could you include the alternate Mishap table (2d vs 1d in the TMB) and the Events Table (d66 vs 2d in the TMB)? The expanded tables go a long way to providing more variety for a career.

Thanks again for you work on this!

You don't need us to put that in the SRD in order to use different Events tables!

 

[Golan2072]

Would that level of discussion detail be OK?

Of course!

Many thanks!

 

[Flynn]

You don't need us to put that in the SRD in order to use different Events tables!

Can you provide the D66 format in the SRD? The word "d66" is mentioned in only one place in the SRD (under Trade), and there is no explanation or example. I realize I can provide my own explanation, but it's easier if you already have an example in the SRD.

Also, will you be including weapon stats, armor stats or computer software (descriptions if nothing else) from the main rulebook in the next SRD update?

With Regards,
Flynn

 

[dmccoy1693]

Can you provide the D66 format in the SRD? The word "d66" is mentioned in only one place in the SRD (under Trade), and there is no explanation or example. I realize I can provide my own explanation, but it's easier if you already have an example in the SRD.

As far as what a d66 table is, a player with the Traveller book can look it up in there. But since there is reference to it in the SRD, you can include it in your work. Since it is mechanical, you can provide your own explaination in your work. The only thing you can't do with the way it is right now, is to copy word for word what it is.

 

[Jeff Hopper]

OK, two questions regarding the SRD (which I understand is in the process of being updated):

A) Can Third Party Products use the Trade Classifications? Is it Ok if we list a world as Agricultural, Industrial, etc or would we be violating IP?

B) Under Starships, missile details (price, damage) have been left out. Will they be in the updated SRD?


Sorry for the bother, but inquiring minds would like to know in order to be properly prepared for the upcoming Space Hamster War. :lol:

 

[dmccoy1693]

A) Can Third Party Products use the Trade Classifications? Is it Ok if we list a world as Agricultural, Industrial, etc or would we be violating IP?

IIRC, the trade codes themselves are not in the SRD so they cannot be used. However, stating a planet should be "considered an industrial world for homeworld purposes" is ok, since that part is in the SRD.

B) Under Starships, missile details (price, damage) have been left out. Will they be in the updated SRD?

In my mind, not having stats is better. This way everyone's missles are not the same. Having Billy Jim Bob's missiles doing more damage, costing less, and having a lower range then Bubba's missiles encourages more "corporations" in space.

 

[EDG]

IIRC, the trade codes themselves are not in the SRD so they cannot be used. However, stating a planet should be "considered an industrial world for homeworld purposes" is ok, since that part is in the SRD.

Course I don't think there's anything stopping us from making up our own trade classifications... or trade rules for that matter...

 

[Golan2072]

A) Can Third Party Products use the Trade Classifications? Is it Ok if we list a world as Agricultural, Industrial, etc or would we be violating IP?

Yes you can, as they appear in the SRD under "Background Skills".

 

[Vile]

Prospective publishers should remember that the SRD is not intended as a complete rule book in itself. It is more a list of terms which may be used, as well as providing text which can be reproduced verbatim should you so wish.

So, as in the example of trade classifications, you can list them in your product for any worlds you create, you could even make up your own rules for generating them - the one thing you can't do is reprint the rules from the TMB.

The powers that be may correct me if I'm wrong, but that's my understanding of the workings of the SRD, after much brain fever the first time it came out.

 

[Rikki Tikki Traveller]

Matt what is your opinion?

The line, really, is 'play nice'. Both licences have a clause that allows us to take immediate action - this is there not to trap people, but to use as a tool against those who work against the spirit of the licence, whatever the lettering.

In your specific example, sure, no problem. If someone tried to use it as an end around, then we would have issues.

I think this is where I (and maybe others) are getting hung up. We keep looking for specifics, when the real answer is "play nice".

Thanks for the responses Matt!

 

[dmccoy1693]

"Play nice" really is a nice summation. Remember, Mongoose is giving away for free a piece of what they paid to get. System is one thing. Anyone can take a whole system, change a few minor details, reword the whole of it and publish it. Setting is a different animal. When I said that this is above and beyond the call of duty, I was not exaggerating in the slightest.

Mongoose says, "play nice," my answer is, "you got it." Hell, I'm still amazed they're doing this.