Traveller's Aid #9: Fighting Ships of the Solomani is IN !

[captainjack23]

Drivethrurpg is where I found it. very cool ! useful, too.

Now that I've actually read it, I can feel safe giving it a review -lots of ships, and good detail on the solomani fleet, history and tactics !

The art is interesting - I'm not a big fan of that style of rendering, but they are unique and fit the descriptions.

No deckplans tho ----- not that they were promised.Still, excellent job.

Thanks for the tip Colin !

 

[MJD]

Speaking purely as an outsider, I suspect that this will be QLI's last product. It's taken years to produce and the main content proivders left QLI long ago. I know the original artist also left.

How do I know this? Well...

I commissioned this project several years ago - maybe 2003 I think. I don't know of anything that was commissioned after I left QLI in 2005, but I know I didn't commission anything after that.

I wrote part of it too, though I bet I'm not credited. Some or possibly all of the ship concepts are mine - eg the Kormoran commerce raider, which I named for the German converted merchant ship/raider that sank HMAS Sydney under mysterious circumstances.

I seem to recall the main text being written by Michael Taylor, who's also with Avenger now. Neither I nor Michael wil be writing for QLI any more. They don't seem to have done well at finding a replacement.

Why am I saying this? Well, two reasons. One is that credit for my work seems to often be misplaced onto the publisher rather than the author, and since I'm persona non grata at QLI I bet they didn't credit me at all. Since this has been published it goes on my contributing credits list, and I don't want to be accused of hijacking credit - so I'm stating that I commisioned this as line editor and wrote part of it. I have the original manuscript on my backup computer.

Secondly, well, partly out of devilment and partly righteous annoyance, I feel the need to point out that the people that wrote this book now write for Avenger and for Mongoose - and not for QLI. So, if you like this book then that's a reason to buy Mongoose and Avenger/Comstar products, not QLI ones.

I know what some folks will think about me posting this, but I don't really care. At the point when QLI decided that they could make money off my work without paying me the due royalties they started damaging my livelihood. It seems there's little I can do about that, but I do want to be sure that I at least get the credit I deserve.

So, I only wrote a small part of this product, but I did commission it, 'line edit' it and make it happen in terms of driving it through to completion (the manuscript, which was my responsibility, has been ready for years).

I left QLI in 2005. Looking at what they put out while I was there, and how much they've done since, it might be that they lost more than I did when they decided not to pay me for my work.

 

[Gruffty the Hiver]

Written By: Michael Taylor
Edited By: Hunter Gordon
Cover By: Andrew Boulton
Interior Illustrations By: Andrew Boulton
Ship Designs By: Michael Taylor, Commander X, Dan Burns, Mike Wrightman
Art Direction By: Hunter Gordon

...nope, no mention of MJD in there...

 

[MJD]

I'm not surprised. I upset QLI when I tried to get them to pay me for other work.

It is a bit insulting not to be credited for my contribution to a book that would never have happened without me, but frankly that's trivial beside my other issues with QLI - such as non-payment of royalties.

 

[andrew boulton]

I can't comment on any behind-the-scenes issues, but I will say that I'm relieved the book is finally out.

Hopefully MGT stats will be made available as a free download.

 

[Dave Chase]

Mongoose has and is and will be putting out some good products.

Glad to see that the core behind some of the other products (non-Mongoose) are now working with Mongoose.

Heres to those that are still making good things for us to read/use for Traveller.

(A toast)

Dave Chase

 

[Rikki Tikki Traveller]

I haven't seen it posted here yet, but those unfamiliar with QLI products should be notified that these ship designs are for T20, not Classic Traveller and not Mongoose Traveller. They are SIMILAR but not identical.

The history stuff does sound interesting though...

 

[Colin]

Thanks colin !

I had nothing to do with it. I merely noticed it on DriveThru and made the announcement.

 

[EDG]

All the reasons that MJD stated are reason enough to avoid this. I for one have no intention of supporting a company that doesn't pay its authors, and that has treated and is still treating its customers so badly over the years. I don't think anyone else who gives a damn about such things should support them either, but that's up to others to decide.

Plus, this is an irrelevancy for MGT (being set in a completely different area of space to the Marches doesn't help either). Apparently there are no mongoose stats in the book - just CT/T20 ones - so it's not compatible with MGT anyway. Why they thought it would be a good idea to release a supplement for a dead version of the game that very few people are playing is beyond me.

 

[MJD]

I can answer that one ... because it was there.

That is to say, this book was commissioned half a decade ago, the manuscript was turned in to me long before I left QLi in 2005.

It was already in the pipeline and they didn't stop the process because they've got nothing else.

Time was when I wouldn't be so straight-out critical, but I figure that if QLI think they can just not bother paying me for the work I did, I'm entitled to say what I think about it.

 

[EDG]

Plus, I wonder why anyone would think that advertising a competitor's products here on Mongoose's board is actually a good idea. Even if QLI are dead in the water, they still are a rival publisher who has their own Traveller license.

Particularly given that QLI explicitly doesn't allow that to happen on their boards.

 

[andrew boulton]

Plus, I wonder why anyone would think that advertising a competitor's products here on Mongoose's board is actually a good idea. Even if QLI are dead in the water, they still are a rival publisher who has their own Traveller license.

Either it's dead or a threat, it can't be both.

Particularly given that QLI explicitly doesn't allow that to happen on their boards.

If you hadn't left in a huff you'd know that was a lie.

 

[MJD]

Mentioning Avenger's website is explicitly forbidden.

And a while back, while I was still trying to be polite to QLI, I was expressly forbiden by Hunter Gordon himself from mentioning Avenger products. Post deleted and all.

Is it's not a lie, is it?

 

[captainjack23]

Plus, I wonder why anyone would think that advertising a competitor's products here on Mongoose's board is actually a good idea. Even if QLI are dead in the water, they still are a rival publisher who has their own Traveller license.

Particularly given that QLI explicitly doesn't allow that to happen on their boards.

Dear Doc,
So the other third party products advertised/reviewed/discussed here are out of line, also ? No -they get discussed here all the time: I guess that may be why I think that. Does that answer the question ?

Look. I don't have a partisan stake in the issue, and I wasn't even thinking about those when I decided I'd do what we all do with any of the Traveller products that come out. Discuss them. It's a good product. Sorry there are issues with the company putting it out.

And actually, doc, COTI does allow other product discussion and advertisement on its boards. You know, as in discussing MGT and other companies products using it. Given that you read the Mongoose forum there, you have to know this.

sincerely,

EDIT: Just read MJDs post on the matter. Okay, I didn't know that. Obviously whatever is between you (MJD) and Hunter is personal -and monetary. I can't comment on that but I can say I'm sorry that it's gotten there.

But other companies including Mongoose can and do advertise there.
So, until Matt or Hunter explicitly ban all third party ads discussing them is allowed here and there. And Doc, you are aware of that, now and in the past. Stop inventing sins -the real ones are enough, and the situation is rancorous enough.

As is this discussion, obviously. But perhaps we should just put it to bed ?


....it is a nice product, politics aside. Very nice.

 

[captainjack23]

Thanks colin !

I had nothing to do with it. I merely noticed it on DriveThru and made the announcement.

Sorry colin. That was what i mean. "thanks for the tip". Typing too fast.

I fix it.

 

[MJD]

I'd love this issue put to bed, but it isn't going to happen. QLI aren't going to pay me for my work, are they? I suppose it would be all polite and British of me just to let it go, but I'm not inclined really.

If QLI were dead in the water and silent, okay, maybe I'd just leave it alone. But to see them still putting out products kind of draws my attention. It means that QLI have money coming in, so in theory they could settle with me, and it means that they have time to spend on putting out new products - but they don't have time to settle their contractual obligations to me.

And to top it all they failed to credit me for my contribution.

 

[andrew boulton]

Mentioning Avenger's website is explicitly forbidden.

And a while back, while I was still trying to be polite to QLI, I was expressly forbiden by Hunter Gordon himself from mentioning Avenger products. Post deleted and all.

Is it's not a lie, is it?

That's a private dispute between you and Hunter, and thankfully above my pay grade. I don't know of any restriction on mentioning Avenger.

COTI has dedicated forums for MGT, GT, and adverts.

 

[MJD]

You called EDG a liar.
I pointed out that what he just said was true, because it happened to me.

I don't know what COTI has these days because I got banned for trying to persuade QLI to pay me what I'm owed via the website. That was after Hunter Gordon stopped replying to my mails, then stopped replying to the ones I sent via Marc Miller.

I'm sure that everyone in the QLI camp would like this to be a quiet private issue between me and QLI, because then it could simplty be ignored as it has been for the past 18 months or so.

But I'm afraid I'm not willing to play that game. QLI owes me money and just ignores its obligations towards me. But you know, maybe if I keep making a fuss then QLI will decide it's worth settling their obiligations to me.

Because that's all I want. If Hunter Gordon got in touch and said he couldn't pay because QLI wasn't bringing anything in, he's got a day job now etc, then I'd be understanding. But simply ignoring me is insulting on top of everythinhg else.

So here we are, Andrew. I'm asking for your help.

All I want is for Hunter Gordon to pay me what he owes, and to offer some kind of explanation why he's not done so to date. I cannot contact Hunter (or more accurately, he doesn't respond when I try) but you can. You don't have to take sides, you don't even have to believe anything I say, but I'm asking you to pass along this message:

"Martin is owed money by QLI and he's unable to get in touch any other way. He would like to settle the matter, and will then agree not to make any further public mention of it. Please get in touch as a matter of urgency."

That's all. I'm asking you to pass that along. You don't have to endorse it, or even believe it, but I'm asking you to get this through to Hunter.

 

[EDG]

Either it's dead or a threat, it can't be both.

It's dead. It's not and never has been a threat.

If you hadn't left in a huff you'd know that was a lie.

I didn't "leave in a huff", I was kicked off by Hunter because I threatened Hunter with legal action unless he gave me a product (1248) that I paid for years earlier that he could no longer produce, or paid me the money back that I paid for the preorder of it. Sure, I was "making trouble", but you know what, if I pay a company for stuff (along with exorbitant postage costs ahead of time), I expect them to give it to me or give me my money back - and if I have to "make trouble" to make sure that they fulfil their basic obligations to paying customers then damn straight I'll do it. Leaving me waiting for three years was not acceptable, and it was only when I pulled out the big guns that he got off his arse and finally paid me back. Which would have been the end of it, except he's done several other things to me personally to piss me off since then.

(as an aside, I can't help but notice he's currently keeping someone else waiting for over a month for products that they paid for too. QLI sure knows how to keep its customers happy!).

Also, given this is a TA, why aren't QLI sending it out for free to the people who have already paid for a subscription for them? There's plenty of folks out there who are still owed the remainder of their subscription, and that was YEARS ago.


He also kicked MJD off his boards for demanding that QLI paid what they owe him (after MJD tried repeatedly to get hold of Hunter privately with no result). That's a great way to treat someone who were actually responsible for most of his company's success. Though if the new TA is selling, then there's really no excuse for Martin to not be paid anymore. Certainly, given that YOU were apparently paid for your work on the TA, there's no excuse for him not to pay Martin.

 

[EDG]

And actually, doc, COTI does allow other product discussion and advertisement on its boards. You know, as in discussing MGT and other companies products using it. Given that you read the Mongoose forum there, you have to know this.

Hunter doesn't allow other boards to be posted there because he claims that would be giving them "free advertising" (WTF?). If anyone else wanted to post any products there, it has to be vetted by mods and granted permission before it's allowed.

But perhaps we should just put it to bed ?

You have no stake in the matter. Other people do. It's up to them whether it should be put to bed, not you.