Mongoose is the current mainstream version, so it being actively developed and played is already a good deal of "happening" for a second-tier (i.e. below D&D and Pathfinder) roleplaying game. If you look at their release schedule, you can see that Trav is their most busy line and they have a steady stream of products coming.So I am wondering what is happening with Traveller today? Is Marc Miller actually doing anything for Traveller anymore? Apart from Mongoose Traveller, which seems to be going around in circles, is anything new happening in Traveller development?
The whole point of Cepheus is they are using the MgT1 SRD but stripped out all the IP surrounding the setting- so classic ships, classic career names, TAS, Imperium, etc.I feel he should work with the Cepheus Deluxe people - they have made a fantastic Traveller version, in fact the best one. It is faithful to CT whilst having loads of recent additions that have made it superb. The only thing its missing from Cepheus Deluxe is the official Traveller Imperium setting with its classic ships, sectors and aliens. If that stuff could be added to Cepheus I think it would be the perfect version of Traveller ever. I think Marc really needs to reconsider Mongoose, they just haven't done anything worthwhile with their licence. I dont think there is anything they have produced that has been of great merit, other than maybe their Spinward Marches book. Cepheus Deluxe however is bloody fantastic.
Except ... as LBB 1-3 made abundantly clear ... the "classic Imperium" is by no means a requirement as a setting in order to run a Traveller campaign.Its a shame they cant use the classic Imperium setting though that would make it perfect.
Oh no quite right! In fact I only tend to use some of the ships and alien types myself from the official setting, I much prefer creating my own sectors. I could quite easily manage without any of it really. I do love the Scout ship though .... in fact all the ships from Traders and Gunboats were great.Except ... as LBB 1-3 made abundantly clear ... the "classic Imperium" is by no means a requirement as a setting in order to run a Traveller campaign.
But you can, make your game your game. It's probably mostly trivial to adapt any CT (or even MT) scenario to run under Cepheus.Its a shame they cant use the classic Imperium setting though that would make it perfect.
Yes I think its only the scenario's characters that will need some work adding stamina and lifeblood. Most of the other stuff is the same I think. I haven't checked the weapons yet to see if they are the same. Some of the skills have changed a little bit - Repair, Advocate, Gambling etc.But you can, make your game your game. It's probably mostly trivial to adapt any CT (or even MT) scenario to run under Cepheus.
Great Rift, Deepnight Revelation, Bayern - all first rate products so I wouldn't say Mongoose has done nothing.
The whole point of Cepheus is they are using the MgT1 SRD but stripped out all the IP surrounding the setting- so classic ships, classic career names, TAS, Imperium, etc.
Which personally I think was very kind of Miller and Mongoose and smart too- creates a richer content zone and biome where people mix and match and gets more buy in to the whole system. This after the MgT2 TAS license came out and there was a similar tempest in our teapot. WotC would have done well to pay attention to what happened here and how we got better, not bitter.
So if you are liking the CE mechanics you’re giving a thumbs up to the Mongoose version 1, but it’s never getting the setting IP for free. EVER.
As to Marc working with Cepheus people - Marc produced T5 as his vision of the ultimate version, and his novels have redefined the Third Imperium setting, not to mention his retcons invalidating canon. Be thankful that he has given his blessing to Cepheus, but it is a very different beast to T5 and the OTU.