------------------------------ Bundle: 559 Archive-Message-Number: 7024 Date: Mon, 21 Mar 94 13:38:18 GMT From: [-- REDACTED --] Subject: Background pick'n'mix. For the record : I do like the TNE background. However, I do sympathise with those of us who prefered the 3rd Imperium as it was (with or without the rebellion). I think GDWs big mistake is in concentrating so heavily on the Star Vikings (I can barely make myself type such a cheesy title). GDW would have been far better off coming out with info on the Regency early on in their publications schedule. This would have addressed many of the criticisms of TNE that have been voiced on the TML. I am currently working on a campaign using a 'virus/New Era' scenario played out in a universe which is an amalgam of the Traveller Imperium, Niven's Known Space and Star Wars (for the gung-ho adventure ingredient). I will be using a Chaosium-esqu game system based on the Ringworld game and CoC. (I found TNE character generation and combat rules far too unwieldy and wargamey for my tastes.) FF&S will be very helpful in working out the technology. I will probably use a downrated verson of subspace drives for FTL travell and Thruster Plates for STL drives. (HEPLAR? You've got to be joking!). I had already decided that null-g would only cancel gravity, not provide thrust, so I was delighted to see that FF&S had gone the same way. *** WARNING : RULES QUESTION ALERT *** By the way, I tried working out some sample vehicles on a spreadsheet the other night. There do not seem to be any scale efficiency modifiers for large power plants in FF&S. There certainly were in Mega Traveller, is this deliberate or have I missed them? Ducted fan thrusters would seem to be utterly useless with the power plants listed up to about TL13 unless we can get more efficient power production somehow. *** RULES ALERT OVER *** As for the 'TNE is a load of crap' versus 'TNE is as good a background as any' debate. I realy don't give a toss. I will continue to buy what I want, raid for useable material then run whatever kind of game I like. Why can't everyone else just do that same and stop slaging off each other's campaign background. Finaly : Lets be fair, GDW have not killed the Imperial setting. Ok, Empires rise and fall and this one just fell. But The Regency is still there flying the flag and there is nothing to stop a new Imperium rising from the ashes of the old. What GDW hath taken away, GDW can just as easily give back to us later. TNE gives us an opportunity to live through a fascinating period in Imperial history. TNE is more than just savages fighting over the scraps of a fallen civilisation, it is about growth and renewal. Then, when we have fought the good fight and wrested civilisation from the jaws of barbarism, we can look forward to the wheel turning full circle. 'Traveller: The 4th Imperium'. Of course it will happen, can you seriously doubt it? David Johnson writes : >Peace, Amen to that! Simon Hibbs. ------------------------------