Traveller20 is an update of the venerable Traveller sci-fi RPG - it's a decent foray into the d20 ruleset and has plenty of crunchy bits, but seems like a lightly revised \"first stab\" instead of a totally professional product.
Post originally by tldenmark at 2004-02-06 12:03:24
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I agree. This is well written and sums up the product very well.
I also agree with the sentiment of the review. I feel like Traveller d20 is "okay" in every way. But, I like the Traveller universe and it's very nice to have a d20 adaptation of it. So I like it.
Your enjoyment of this product is likely to depend on how much you like the Traveller universe and how much of a d20 wonk you are.
The more picky you are about your d20 mechanics, the less you'll like this product.
Post originally by Owen E Oulton at 2004-02-07 15:07:21
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Frankly, I don't see the point. Traveller was the firrt big RPG to draw gaming up out of the D'n'D class'n'level rut. A D20 version seems to me to be a giant step backwards.
Post originally by Bunk at 2004-02-07 18:26:13
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I think the intention is for it to take a giant step forward into the larger Rpg market that is the D20 system. Considering that the majority of Rpg gamers play the D20 system, isn't it logical to believe that a D20 rendition of this game might open up the fanbase a little?
Cross-appeal and all that.
Also, considering that, currently, there is no existing framework for generic Sci-fi D20 Rpging (apart from Star Wars), T20 could also serve this purpose.
P.S. Your "rut" comment could be considered a little flamebaitish. Hopefully, we won't see a reaction to this rather thoughtless statement.
Post originally by Michael T. Richter at 2004-02-08 22:36:27
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The point, Owen, is to make money. Traveller has never been much of a moneymaker and I guess its creators got tired of that. So they made a game that's as un-Travellerish as they could so that they could finally get that screaming set of D&D hordes to give some money their way.
Unfortunately this whole "D20-like" phenomenon doesn't seem to be working as well as people had hoped. I doubt T20 will be any less fringe than Traveller has been for most of its existence. :-(
Post originally by tldenmark at 2004-02-09 10:09:33
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>the D'n'D class'n'level rut. A D20 version seems to me to be a giant step backwards.
It's just a game. Many people like classes and levels. It makes your character easy to conceptualize, and gives you simple indications of accomplishment (gaining another level).
An elitist attitude that somehow classes and levels are inferior to other game mechanics is pointless. They are very effective - as proven by the world's most popular roleplaying game.
Some prefer Mounds, and some prefer Almond Joy (like me!). It's just taste. Now let's stop arguing about it, get some dice, paper and pencils and game!
Post originally by camazotz at 2004-02-12 03:41:16
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The first printing was troubled, I agree. I'm fine with the layout, but the 57 pages of errata was not good. The revised printing includes most fixes, which is great, but I think some sections still need a rewrite, such as the prior history section, which needs to be streamlined and integrated with the class section for ease of generation, much like classic Traveller did.
All in all, it captures Traveller's flavor perfectly: obscure, cryptic, sometimes mind-numbing, and laden with minutiae.
Gotta love it!
Post originally by Sang at 2004-08-13 12:15:55
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Owen E Oulton wrote:
<i><b>Frankly, I don't see the point. Traveller was the firrt big RPG to draw gaming up out of the D'n'D class'n'level rut. A D20 version seems to me to be a giant step backwards.</b></i>
As Robin Laws said, among gamers, the tendency to mistake their opinion for fact is almost universal.
For example, you supposition that classes and levels are a bad thing.
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