Freelance Traveller

Traveller Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

General Information
1. What is a FAQ?
2. What is the purpose of this FAQ?
3. How accurate is this FAQ?
4. Where can I find the latest version of this FAQ?
5. What is Traveller?
6. Who is Marc Miller?
Communicating With Other Traveller Enthusiasts
1. Are there any web sites with information about Traveller?
2. Are there any IRC channels that are Traveller-related?
3. Are there any mailing lists or newsgroups that are Traveller-related?
4. Who do I contact if I need an official answer to a Traveller-related question?
5. Where do you get your official answers?
Product Availability Information
1. What companies produce Traveller material?
2. Who or what is GDW?
3. Who or what is DGP?
4. Who or what is Imperium Games?
5. Who or what is BITS?
6. Who or what is CORE?
7. When will [insert product here] be shipped?
8. What products have already been released?
9. When will an error-corrected version of Traveller be available?
10. Will a complete set of errata be available, or will customers have to purchase the re-release when it comes out?
Specific Questions About Traveller Products
1. What is going to be changed about Traveller history?
2. What changes will be made in subsequent printings of materials for Marc Miller's Traveller?
3. I really don't like [insert rule here]...
4. My local game store doesn't carry Traveller products. How can I get Traveller?
5. I can't find any Traveller players in my area. How can I play Traveller?
6. What is being done to improve the quality of Traveller products?
7. What other companies publish Traveller material?
8. What can you tell me about GURPS:Traveller?
Questions About the Traveller Storyline
1. What is the Black Curtain?
2. What is the Empress Wave?
3. Will the Empress Wave be "followed up" in GURPS Traveller?
4. Will the TNE storyline be continued?
Copyright Policy Information
1. What is Imperium Games's copyright policy in regards to original works posted to mailing lists, newsgroups, or the World-Wide Web?
2. What is the policy regarding copying previously published works by Game Designers' Workshop?
3. What about previously published works from other sources?
4. If I create an original work for Traveller, who owns it?
5. Is there any way around all this stuff?
6. Can my original Traveller work be published without my permission?
7. How do I get a license to publish my original work commercially?
8. How do I contact an existing licensee to offer them my work?

General Information

What is a FAQ?: FAQ is short for "Frequently Asked Questions". Thus, a FAQ is a list of questions that are often asked about a particular subject, along with answers to those questions, or information leading to the answers.
What is the purpose of this FAQ?: The Traveller FAQ has been created in order to provide a single source of answers for questions regarding the Traveller product lines from licensed companies. This includes, to the best of our ability, product release schedules, general information about the companies that produce Traveller, and rules clarifications - plus anything else we feel is useful, or which our readers request often enough.
How accurate is this FAQ?: It's as accurate as we can make it, bearing in mind that human beings are involved at every step of the process. Sometimes there are miscommunications or misunderstandings that result in inaccurate information here. Other times, information in this FAQ may change (product release dates, for example) before we have a chance to get the information and update this FAQ. We will make an effort to keep the information in this FAQ as up-to-date as possible, but mistakes do happen. We hope you'll understand this, and be forgiving of our fully-volunteer staff.
Where can I find the latest copy of this FAQ?: Right here, we hope. The staff of Freelance Traveller fully intends to try to keep this FAQ as up-to-date as possible.
What is Traveller?: There are many answers to this question, all of which are both true and false, depending on your viewpoint, and none of which are complete, even in combination.; Traveller is a role-playing system. Traveller was one of the earliest role-playing systems to divorce the concept of skills from that of occupation or class. Characters did not enter the campaign young and untrained; rather, they had careers during which character development occurred. This was generally perceived as giving the game a more "three-dimensional" feel. While there were some assumptions about the campaign world, an interstellar setting called "the Spinward Marches", little actual information was initially provided, leaving the campaign world to the referee's fertile imagination. The system wasn't static, though; the release of supplements and of subsequent editions of the system, brought more detailed character generation, task systems, rules for skill improvement, and additional skills and rules for them. But Traveller isn't a role-playing system, because you can play GURPS Traveller, which is a different system entirely...; Traveller is a role-playing setting. Traveller eventually came to describe an interstellar community of sorts, focused on a "Third Imperium", of which the original Spinward Marches was merely a small frontier area. Published and well-regarded science fiction was a major source of inspiration for aliens and their societies, and for various aspects of technology. A broad history was mapped out, and cultural differences were developed and illustrated. This led to a background in many ways richer than that of previous role-playing settings, yet without significantly limiting the referee. Again, the setting wasn't static; every release of Traveller or Traveller supplements brought new information to light. But Traveller isn't a role-playing setting, because you can play Traveller in a setting that is unrecognizable in comparison to what's in published material...; Traveller is a continuing story. Or at least it can be. As with any role-playing, it can be an opportunity to develop characters, their likes, dislikes, habits, idiosyncrasies, motivations, and so on. The events of any particular session can be part of a grand story arc throughout the campaign. Or not, if the players and referee choose not to play that way.; Ultimately, Traveller is what you, the referee, and you, the player, want it to be. Which is true of any role-playing game, but not very helpful in defining Traveller. We apologize for that, and invite you to share your own answers to the question "What is Traveller?" on our Feedback page.
Who is Marc Miller?: Marc Miller is the man who originally invented the Traveller game system, over 20 years ago. He also holds the trademark on the Traveller name, and all rights to the Traveller material published by Game Designers' Workshop (the company which published Traveller from 1977 through February of 1996). Marc's company is Far Future Enterprises. Marc continues to be involved with Traveller by frequent participation on the Traveller Mailing List, and most likely by advising Traveller licensees. Also, Marc is expected to directly review all products in the Traveller line. Only those products that meet his standards and align with his vision of what Traveller should be will be published.

Communicating With Other Traveller Enthusiasts

Are there any web sites with information about Traveller?: We hope you'll look at the rest of the material here at Freelance Traveller, which is dedicated to Traveller material. If you visit the Traveller on the Internet pages, you'll also find many links to other sites of interest to Traveller enthusiasts. And, many of the sites reachable from here or from other Traveller sites will also have additional links of their own.
Are there any IRC channels that are Traveller-related?: Certainly. Use any undernet server and join #traveller. The channel has been registered, and is administered by Jeff Zeitlin. Stop by any evening (U.S. time) and you'll almost certainly find a few Traveller enthusiasts hanging out. Also on this channel, there are occasionally scheduled moderated discussions of a particular topic. These are generally scheduled for Friday or Saturday evenings at 9:00PM (Eastern time). These events will be announced in advance on the Traveller Mailing List, generally about a week in advance of the discussion, but sometimes less. If you need more information about IRC, contact your ISP. If you don't know where to find an undernet server, visit http://www.undernet.org, where you can find a complete list of undernet servers worldwide.
Are there any mailing lists or newsgroups that are Traveller-related?: Yes, indeed. Check out the Freelance Traveller Internet Resources page, where you'll find information on the Traveller Mailing List, the Traveller Technical Design List, the Traveller Cultural Development list, and other lists as they become available. While there are no specifically Traveller-related newsgroups, there is the occasional discussion of aspects of Traveller in the rec.games.frp newsgroup hierarchy.
Who do I contact if I need an official answer to a Traveller-related question?: Unfortunately, the "official" net representatives have resigned their positions, leaving no real official presence to handle questions, and therefore no source of "official" answers. However, both Marc Miller and Loren Wiseman are members of the Traveller Mailing List, and there are a lot of other knowledgeable people on the Traveller Mailing List and monitoring various newsgroups where Traveller-related questions may be appropriate. So you can ask your question in any of those locations, or through the Freelance Traveller Q&A Page.
Where do you get your official answers?: As indicated in the previous question, there aren't really any "official" answers. Some answers come from our own knowledge and experience with Traveller; others come from the designers of the game. Those that come from the designers are generally accepted as being "official" in that they signal the intentions of the designers - but even those answers have been known to generate debate, and many players and referees have alternative interpretations.

Product Availability Information

What companies produce Traveller material?

At the moment, there are five companies licensed to publish Traveller material. British Isles Traveller Support (BITS), based in the UK, has published a number of supplements containing ideas that may be incorporated into any campaign, and an entire self-contained adventure. Steve Jackson Games (SJG), creator of the GURPS system, has a license to publish Traveller material compatible with that system. They are also the source for BITS supplements in the United States. QuickLink Interactive/RPGRealms is licensed to publish Traveller material compatible with the D20 system from Wizards of the Coast - the same rules that form the core of Third Edition Advanced Dungeons and Dragons. Avenger Enterprises is licensed to publish Traveller material compatible with the D20 system as well, and has entered an exclusive publishing agreement with ComStar Games. ComStar Games is separately licensed to produce Traveller material compatible with the Hero system from DOJ. Finally, Marc Miller, the owner of the rights to Traveller, is reprinting most of the original Traveller material from GDW, under the imprint of Far Future Enterprises.

Who or what is GDW?

GDW stands for Game Designers' Workshop, and was the company that originally published Traveller in 1977. Game Designers' Workshop was established in 1973 as a wargame publisher. While it initially concentrated on military simulations, it soon (1975) branched out into role-playing games. The founding partners were Frank Chadwick, Rich Banner, Loren Wiseman and Marc Miller.

GDW fell on hard times in the early 90's and closed its doors in 1996.

Who or what is DGP?

DGP stands for Digest Group Publications, and was a licensee authorized to produce Traveller material from about 1987 until about 1994, when Traveller: The New Era was released. DGP relinquished its license due to philosophical differences over the way the game and the universe was being developed. The company closed its doors shortly thereafter, and all rights to DGP's Traveller material are currently held by a Mr. Roger Sanger, who has not as yet come to any agreement that would permit the re-release of the material. Some DGP material may predate the 1987 license; DGP had a letter of permission to produce material prior to that time.

Who or what is Imperium Games?

Imperium Games, Inc., was the primary licensee for Traveller from 1996 to early 1998. They published, marketed, and distributed the main products of the Traveller product line. The company is owned by Courtney Solomon and is located in Beverly Hills, California, USA. Imperium Games contracted with various designers (for example, the CORE group, Tim Brown, and Greg Porter) who actually write the Traveller material. The reasons behind the revocation of their license to publish Traveller materials are not clear, but it is believed by the Traveller community that it involved poor quality control and failure to abide by agreements.

Who or What is BITS?

BITS stands for British Isles Traveller Support, and is headed by Andy Lilly.

According to Andy, BITS has been promoting Traveller throughout the UK from early 1995, including launching T4 at European GEN CON (EGC) in 1996, attending events and liaising with RPG retailers. With help from many sources, BITS made the T4 launch a great success in 1996. EGC 97 was a huge success with three RPGA-approved tournaments and loads of help from BITS referees!

Imperium Games may have stopped publishing, but BITS has a wide range of upcoming products (including more 101 books). A broader license is being negotiated with Marc at the moment to ensure a continuing line of support for Traveller during this 'intermediate' period of no 'primary' licensee. In addition, BITS has reached an agreement with Steve Jackson Games to make their material available in the United States.

Who or What is CORE?

CORE is a group of writers for Traveller material. They were largely responsible for Milieu 0, Pocket Empires, Psionic Institutes, and Aliens Archive from Imperium Games, and for The Long Way Home and most of the '101' series from BITS.

When will [insert product here] be shipped?

At the present time, there is no primary licensee for Traveller. Marc Miller is currently looking to license a company to publish Traveller, and has indicated that no future product will be shipped until it passes his quality checks and meets his vision of what Traveller is and should be.

GURPS Traveller, however, is alive and well. They have already released many products, and more are on the way (see next question).

Quicklink Interactive has been authorized to release Traveller material for the D20 system. Again, see the next question for information on their releases.

Also, FarFuture Enterprises (Marc Miller's company) is releasing a set of collector's editions of the original Traveller titles (the so-called 'Classic Traveller') from GDW. Please see the news item and the comments in the GDW product list in the next question for more information on these reprints.

What products have already been released?

There are a large number of products that have already been released, dating back all the way to 1977. Unfortunately, most of them are "out of print"; you'll have to be very persistent and very lucky to find them. Check the remainder shelves at your local gaming store, or try some of the big remaindering organizations. Also, keep an eye on the newsgroup rec.games.frp.marketplace; sometimes Traveller items are offered there. There's also the possibility of finding them at auction sites on the Web.

Freelance Traveller, with the help of Marc Miller, has obtained a nearly-complete list of Traveller titles. If we were to include them all in this FAQ directly, it would be unmanageable. Instead, we have broken them out by publisher, and provided links to the product list from each publisher. Select the links below to view the indicated product list. These lists will be kept up-to-date to the best of our ability.

In addition to the above lists, there were also occasional articles about Traveller printed in various gaming magazines.

When will an error-corrected version of Traveller be available?

If, by an 'error-corrected version of Traveller', you mean a revision of T4, it looks like there won't be. The next rules release of Traveller is being referred to in discussion on the TML as 'T5', and will be a significant overhaul - more than can justify calling it 'error-correction', although it is expected to be broadly compatible with the systems outlined in Classic Traveller, MegaTraveller, and T4. T5 will not be released until both (a) Marc Miller is satisfied with the product, and (b) a licensee is found - both hopefully to occur in the near future.

Will a complete set of errata be available, or will customers have to purchase the re-release when it comes out?

Since there is no primary licensee for Traveller at this time, we simply can't answer this question. There have been strong suggestions from influential people that it would be nice if errata were to be made available at no charge and/or on the Web, but no firm statements on this matter have been made. The reworking of Traveller into the upcoming T5 would seem to suggest not; however, we won't know until an official statement is made.

Specific Questions About Traveller Products

What is going to be changed about Traveller history?

Now that Marc Miller is in charge of assuring that Traveller material maintains consistency with previously published material (including material considered official from prior editions of Traveller), you can be sure that no changes will take place unless Marc deems them to be in the best interests of the game. Generally, the events will not change; what may very well change is their interpretations - an event that happened in 200, and its implications, may be understood differently in 200 than they will be in 1100.

What changes will be made in subsequent printings of materials for Marc Miller's Traveller?

Since there is no primary licensee for Traveller at the present time, and the system is being reworked, it's probably a good bet that there won't be a 'subsequent printing' of T4 materials. Most of the changes suggested for a revised T4 are being considered for T5.

I really don't like [insert rule here]...

If you don't like something about any Traveller product, change it. Or live with it. It's your choice. The people designing the game and producing the materials aren't gods, and they know it - they're people just like you. That means that they can't create the perfect system for everyone, and they know that as well. They take the view that what they are creating are guidelines, not laws carved in stone. And if you do decide to change rules or create new ones, there are a lot of people out there that will be interested in seeing what you've done. So, we'd appreciate it if you'd share those changes with us. See our Submissions Guidelines page for how to submit the material, and below in this FAQ (specifically, the Copyright Policy Information section) for information on copyright issues connected with Traveller.

My local game store doesn't carry Traveller products. How can I get Traveller?

In most places, the market operates on the basis of supply and demand. If there's no demand, there will be no supply. If there is no supply, then a logical conclusion would be that demand needs to be created. So, go out and create some demand (there are some ideas for that in the answer to the next question). If that doesn't work, or if you're simply too impatient, you can always order directly from a licensee.

I can't find any Traveller players in my area. How can I play Traveller?

This ties in with creating demand for Traveller, to encourage your local game store to carry Traveller products. You might have ideas of your own; go for them - these are just some ideas that we've come up with:

Run through some simple scenarios with prospective customers/players. For example, a meeting with a patron, a casual encounter, hitting a target with a weapon, and so on. Show how simple it is to use the system.
Talk up the system in places where you know local gamers gather. Emphasize how the system has room for all sorts of tastes in gaming.
If your local gaming store allows it, and has the facilities to do it, set up and run sessions there, where people can come and watch - and ask questions, which will give you an opening to talk up the system. It's even better if you can offer them an opportunity to sit in on your game for a few minutes.

Of course, there are other ways out there as well. If you set your mind to it, you can find ways that work for you.

What is being done to improve the quality of Traveller products?

The first edition of Marc Miller's Traveller, and the first edition of Starships did not meet the quality standards that Marc Miller wants for Traveller products. Marc has solicited (and continues to solicit) feedback from Traveller enthusiasts.

What other companies publish Traveller material?

At the moment, a British companies, BITS, has been licensed to publish Traveller materal. Also, Steve Jackson Games has been licensed to publish Traveller material compatible with their GURPS system. With the publication of the D20 system and the Open Gaming License, Quicklink Interactive has been licensed to publish Traveller material compatible with D20.

What can you tell me about GURPS:Traveller?

The GURPS:Traveller timeline is an alternate Traveller universe which splits off from the Imperium Games/Game Designers' Workshop universe around Imperial year 1110. In the GURPS:Traveller universe, Emperor Strephon is not assassinated, there is no civil war, and Virus is never released. Loren Wiseman, from the original Game Designers' Workshop team, is overseeing the GURPS:Traveller product line for Steve Jackson Games, and will also be involved in art direction and some production. You can find a current list of GURPS Traveller releases in the Product Availability Information, above.

Questions About the Traveller Storyline

Many of the most frequently asked questions in this section haven't been answered officially, except maybe to say "That question can't be/is not going to be answered officially at this time." Thus, anything and everything you read in this section should be considered wild speculation and best guesses of people not involved in the development, except where you see citations enclosed in brackets [like this]. If you've got creative and interesting answers to any of these, we'd like to hear them - we may not print them, but we'd like to hear them. If you've got good storyline questions that aren't here, we'd like to add them.

What is the Black Curtain?: Speculation has run rampant on this one, with answers centering on the idea that it's due in some way to Virus. Common guesses have been that it's a Virus-run empire of some sort, or that it's the scene of an ongoing war between two 'factions' of Virus, one revering Lucan as a god, the other demonizing him. All we know from published materials [TNE] is that no ship has been known to enter it and return.; [Loren Wiseman on the TML] "Don't ask, I can't tell you."
What is the Empress Wave?: Another question that seems to have caused lots of speculation, most guesses are that it seems to be a psionic phenomenon of some sort.; [Loren Wiseman on the TML] "Answer to this one is the same as to [the previous question]: I cannot answer this question."
Will the Empress Wave be followed up in GURPS Traveller?: There have been hopes expressed in both directions on this one. The staff (of one, to be honest) of Freelance Traveller hopes it will be.; [Loren Wiseman on the TML] "Still no answer . . . I don't want to spoil the surprise."
Will the TNE storyline be continued?: As with the Empress Wave, there are people on both sides of the issue. The staff isn't a particular fan of the TNE storyline, but has no objections to a continuation.; [Loren Wiseman on the TML] "Can't say."; We are informed that a continuation to the TNE storyline is being worked on by Martin J. Dougherty of QuickLink Interactive. No details are available at this time to the Freelance Traveller staff.

Copyright Policy Information

What is the copyright policy in regards to original works posted to mailing lists, newsgroups, or the World-Wide Web?: If you're not making money from it in any way, all you need to do is include the message "Traveller is a trademark of Far Future Enterprises" and you'll be fine. Many people include additional acknowledgements and disclaimers as well, but these are not required.; Far Future Enterprises encourages Traveller fans to create their own material - from weapons, equipment, and vehicles to rules variants to scenarios, adventures, and campaigns. They further encourage the sharing of this material; it can only improve the game. But see the questions below on commercial publication.
What is the policy regarding copying previously published works by Game Designers' Workshop?: Since all of that material is owned by Marc Miller at this point, you need his permission. He can be reached at FarFuture@aol.com for e-mail, or the address below for Far Future Enterprises for paper mail.
What about previously published works from other sources?: You must contact the owner of the copyrights on those works for permission and terms. The latest information available to Freelance Traveller on the status of Digest Group Publications material is that all rights are owned by Roger Sanger, and that as yet, he has no agreement to reprint their Traveller material. We have no information on the status of works published by any other company at this time - but if you do, we'd appreciate hearing what you know.
If I create an original work for Traveller, who owns it?: You do. You may want to include a copyright notice in your work to explicitly state this. But, your ownership of your work doesn't mean that you can make money from it - you need Marc Miller's permission to do that. See the questions "How do I get a license to publish my original work commercially?" and "How do I contact an existing licensee to offer them my work?".
Is there any way around all this stuff?: Yes. Don't refer to Traveller in your work, and don't incorporate material from Traveller or any Traveller-related product. Say that it is for Science Fiction RPGs, and keep it generic.
Can my original Traveller work be published without my permission?: No. Just like you need permission to refer to reference Traveller in your works, or to incorporate Traveller materials, so too do they need your permission to reference or incorporate or otherwise use your work.
How do I get a license to publish my original work commercially?: If you don't want to publish it under the label of any Traveller licensee, you'll have to contact Marc Miller to get a license (you don't need a license to sell your work to a licensee - but then, they're the ones publishing it, not you). You can contact Marc Miller at; Far Future Enterprises
1418 North Clinton Blvd.
Bloomington, IL 61701 USA

email: FarFuture@aol.com
web site: http://www.farfuture.net

How do I contact an existing licensee to offer them my work?

To Contact Far Future Enterprises

Far Future Enterprises
1418 North Clinton Blvd.
Bloomington, IL 61701
USA

Phone: none known at present
Fax: none known at present
email:FarFuture@aol.com
web:http://www.farfuture.net/

To Contact Steve Jackson Games

Steve Jackson Games, Inc.
P.O. Box 18957
Austin, TX 78760
USA

Phone: +1 (512) 447-7866
Fax: +1 (512) 447-1144
email: sjgames@io.com
web:http://www.sjgames.com/

Before submitting material for publication, you should read and understand the Steve Jackson Games Writer's Guide. This information is in HTML format (and is on the Steve Jackson Games web site, not in Freelance Traveller).

To contact BITS (for commercial publication of material):

BITS - British Isles Traveller Support
c/o Andy Lilly
or Andy Lilly (CORE)
PO Box 4222
Sawbridgeworth
Hertsfordshire CM21 ODA
England

Phone: +44-1279-833773 Fax: +44-1279-833773 email: bits@bits.org.uk web: http://www.bits.org.uk

Before submitting material for publication, you should read and understand the BITS Writer's Guide. This information is in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format, and requires that you have the Adobe Acrobat Reader (it's also on the BITS web site, not in Freelance Traveller).