elt@astrovax.UUCP (Ed Turner) (10/25/83)
The standard GDW Traveler universe is an attempt to meet two not particularly complimentary goals: to provide a good background setting for frp adventures and to be a logically consistent, reasonable extrapolation of current science and technology aside from a *few* "suspension of disbelief" items (such as FTL travel or psionics). Generally it has fair and occasionally brilliant success, but there are several areas of miserable failure in my opinion. Some of my favorites are listed below: 1) Space is not two dimensional. It might be argued that this is a simple compromise for playability; if so, it is a fairly major one. 2) There are many interesting astronomical objects in the sky other than stars , planets, and asteroids which could make excellent settings for adventures (see L. Niven for details). 3) Computers are abysmally primitive and ineffective in standard Traveler as any user of the net is likely to understand clearly. Rooms full of supposedly advanced technology computer hardware can barely perform tasks that wouldn't seriously strain a present day (Tech level 6-7) mini. 4) Genetic engineering which seems likely to be a (perhaps the) major technological factor in society at Tech level 7-8 plays at most a minor role in standard Traveler even at Tech level ~D. These and other flaws in the Traveler universe should be mended by a conscientious referee. Does anyone have any suggestions? If there are significant responses, I will summarize them and some of my own ideas for the net.
steven@qubix.UUCP (Steven Maurer) (10/26/83)
I do have a number of objections to the Traveller Universe,
as well as objections to its game system. This is a listing that
comes to my mind at the moment.
1] The previous experience system. Every character is "Drafted"
into some military service, at the start of their life. They
then undergo some of the most hair-raising adventures you have
ever seen, given the fact that the dealth-rate runs anywhere
from 10%-60% per year. Can you imagine such a society?? Each
year ALL (every single one) of the draftable youth is rounded
up and put into death camps where 20% per year are killed.
2] The lack of appropriate percentages. Over 1/3 of the population
of the Imperium must be in the military, yet do you see any? I
cannot believe that all these peoronel never are allowed R&R.
1/36 of the people in the Imperium are "royalty", they come
practically a dime a dozen, but do you see any?
3] The silliness of the tech levels. A tech level is SUPPOSED to
represent an overall superioity in society, but rarely does this
happen. At the lower levels, (ours), the superiority is readily
apparent; (Tech level 6 German Tanks rolled over Tech level 5
Polish Cavilry at the begining of WWII, Tech Level 6 German Tanks
would cook under a Tech Level 7 A-Bomb). At the higher (Traveller)
levels, the adjacent levels are almost indistinguishable. This
occurs, until the magic number 17 is reached -- then anything can
happen.
4] The lack of imagination. This is a continuation of #3. Where are
all the standard (and non-standard) high tech special effects?
Where are the Smart Bullets?, Matter Transference Beams?, Psionic
Robotics?, Mutagenic Alterators?, Brain Wipes?, Force Fields?,
Alien Technology?, Reliable Deep Freze?, Computer Guided (Amazingly
Accurate) Weapons Tracking?, Semi-Intelligent Computers?, Vibro (Lazer)
Swords?, Cyborgs?, Probability Manipulators?, Alternate Universes?,
etc?, etc, etc. Some of these are hinted at in Traveller, but are
never implemented at the current tech levels.
5] The combat system. I laugh at the combat system. A combat system
that makes a Greatsword do more damage than a high powered rifle.
I chalenge anyone to go out, dress up in Platemail, with "cloth"
underneath and take a blast from a UZI. In return, I will submit
to a chop from a soft-core Mideval Claymore. Only in Traveller would
space-ship naval officers want to use hand-to-hand weapons, because
they are the best thing possible for close combat. ("Quick Captain
Kirk, put your Cutlass on Stun!!").
6] The "monsters". Are inevitably interested in eating our heros.
Sure, right, uh-huh. Just like ET being attacked by a Bobcat.
Can you imagine what such an encounter would be like? The bobcat
would take one sniff, and upchuck his cookies in the nearest bush.
Even from the same world, animals do not randomly attack unknown
prey; there are more people struck by lightning in the US, than
are attacked by sharks.
7] The Scope of the Campaign. (This is the major reason why I do not
referee Traveller. I could handle the above problems, by simply
changing the system, and universe.) I have a hard time keeping
track of my three continents in the FRP that I run. There is just
too much there, for me to fill out the world completely. I cannot
imaigine what it would be like if I was running a Traveller universe.
Whole worlds are reduced to a set of numbers and digits "A862HG", and
people see nothing more than a bunch of spaceports. What is the fun
in that?
Steven Maurer